Category: parenthood

Potty Training Poll!

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I am a Writer!

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Got to say my husband would find it pretty funny and ironic but yes I am writing again.  I am currently working on a few novels, blogging, and well just…you know….going overboard on social media as usual!  It has been nice to get back into the groove and embrace the art of writing again.  When I write I feel free because it is a release, you don’t have to confine yourself, I get to be creative!!!

Freelancer, Odesk, Elance, and Guru are four great websites that I have checked out and have taken on assignments before.  But right now I am focusing on my novel writing and am putting aside my freelancing for a later date.  I write dystopian fiction, which is my favorite genre but I do like others as well and will eventually branch out.  I used to write poetry when I was younger as well, it is also another great way to express yourself through words.  Writing can be very therapeutic, like blogging!  If you would like to know more about writing or want to any advice on how to get started feel free to message me!

Autism…Not for the weak!

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Autism…yeah….Autism. It seems like it has become the latest news these days!  It has become a wide-spread issue among our children, one that most of us hope we never have to face.  I have seen and have heard some sorrowful stories due to the disorder of Autism.  In many ways though Autism is misunderstood.  I have two sons with Autism.  So yes I get the frustration that goes along with it.  Both of my two sons definitely are mild to moderate but I have had a taste of the pain some families have faced and still face today.

Timothy my oldest didn’t talk until he was four years of age, it was a trying time for me and my husband as we searched for answers.  We didn’t know something was wrong with him at the time.  He was our first so we thought it was us.  We heard advice and negative remarks from many different people and it broke us.  Hearing that you are doing it wrong and if you don’t do this or that then your causing the problem.  Yeah well let me break it down for you…Autism is not the Parent’s fault.  These kids are beautiful, they see the world differently.  They embrace life differently.  The way they learn is different from how you and me think.

I hate when I hear someone say “Who diagnosed him? He doesn’t look like he is on the spectrum at all?!”  Well I hate to say it…Autism effects everyone differently.  They don’t live with it, they don’t have to wake-up and see the struggle.  Yes the times you do see my child you may not see it but its there and it doesn’t matter what others think.

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Parents of Children with Autism, remember they are special and are beautifully made.  Every child is unique and they all develop at their own pace.  I have come to peace with my children’s diagnosis but I want there to be AWARENESS.  That is key.  Many don’t get it, or understand it.  That is the problem these days and why we are seeing so much debate and frustration over the matter.

Also we should fight for our schools!  We need more AWARENESS there too!  Teachers need to be taught how to deal with a child on the spectrum without calling them a problem child.  These kids are not problem children!  They are overstimulated and need extra support.  Remember Autism Awareness is key!

Bedtime….

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Okay….I know a lot of you out there with little ones always have this topic on your mind. Sleep is a hard thing to come by when kids are involved especially with children under the age of three. I have two!  One is turning three in June and the other under a year!  Recently my two year old has decided sleep is not a necessity…hmmm not sure how I feel about this yet!  Yep well this mommy is starting to feel the effects of MOMMY INSOMNIA which basically translates to the “ZOMMY”.  I have become the living mommy that looks like a zombie…or should I say more feels like one.

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From experience I have learned that routine is key when it comes to bedtime.  I have two out of four on a good consistent schedule but have slacked on my younger two.  As I write this I am scolding myself for the slack in routine just as much as I know my dad would be too lol.  That should have never happened, me slacking on the kids bedtime that is.  Well it looks like I am going to be having to really work hard this summer to retrain my two year old soon to be three and start training my eight month old.

…I will be keeping you all updated on the progress!  Hopefully it won’t take too long to get them on a well-adjusted schedule.  I will post some tips for you all as I learn them myself!  Maybe my experience will help other moms and dads avoid the struggle because the struggle is real!!! Toddler life can be an adventure that’s for sure, but well worth it!! Never a dull moment at this house.

I am SuperMom Hear my WORDS!

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As you know being a parent can be a challenging task.  Yep. Most likely everyday!  For instance when you hear the word “Mom…Mom…Mom…Mom…MOM!!!”  over and over again.  Don’t get me wrong I love hearing my name called but when you hear your name and you know that there is a whine behind your name….yeah…that’s the part of parenting I start to really really dislike.  I think its true when they say nagging is definitely a trait passed on to your young ones.

I know my kids take after me.  They are head strong and curious…two strong traits that can lead to a lot of interesting turn of events.  For instance the time when Timothy and Shirley got locked in the car and just sat there as I tried my very best to figure out how I was going to get them out.  Yep. That happened.  Kids. They have their moments…but they take after the ones they call “MOM” and “DAD”.  We tend to forget the younger years because of the hustle and bustle of adulthood.

Today I had a thought. We are Super Heroes.  I never really thought about that but as a parent I now get it.  Being a parent makes me a super hero.  We are the light to our child’s eyes.  They don’t see the bitterness, the pain, and the bad like we do.  We fix everything, we make things right.  I love this and feel now that we have been looking at parenthood in the wrong way.  WE ARE SUPER HEROES.  We fix the problems.  We kiss their booboos.  We tell them its going to be okay even when it grim.  So parents hold your head high, we are the light to the bad.  I never thought about it but we are the examples and we are the ones that make them feel safe.  Embrace parenthood, remember even if you are having a bad day, you have the love of your child.  You are golden to them and will always be.

Always remember your words are extremely important.  “I Love You” are the three most powerful words a child can hear!

To Read or NOT to Read….That is the QUESTION???!

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…Yeah me and books…well I got to say we don’t get along very well.  Between me having dyslexia and the attention span of the dog from Disney movie “UP”…..”SQUIRREL”…Yep…me and books have no relationship what-so-ever.  Ever since I became a parent though I have become a little more active in the world of reading, especially when it comes to children’s books.  Got to say I love the Eric Carle books, during the years teaching preschool I got hooked on those books.  “The Hungary Caterpillar” is one of my favorites.

Growing up I never picked up a book and always avoided reading at school due to the fact that they loved to make you read out loud… Yep not my idea of fun and thankfully that is not a concern anymore.  The Kindle turned out to be my best friend in the long run though.  It wasn’t as intimidating as a big thick book. I ended up picking up a habit of reading once I discovered the “Hunger Games” series!  Once I read those books I became hooked and even started a habit of writing dystopian fiction myself and am even working on a book as I write.
When I became a preschool teacher that really helped with my dyslexia.  I was reading out loud a lot with the kiddos allowing me to improve on my reading skills while doing what I love most besides parenting of course.  I now enjoy reading kid books, I still don’t want anything to do with reading big books but have decided to try and embrace it at a slow and easy pace.  I need to at least give it a shot, so I decided to GO BOLD and join a book club at our local bookstore with a friend.  I can’t wait to see how this turns out in the long run!!!!

….The Overbearing Advice of the People…..

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As new mothers, there are days where we want to just mute our ears due to the advice we hear while in public.  It’s everywhere…everyone has an opinion even yourself.  I know I have opinions and don’t even realize how intimidating they are to others.  We tend to overstep boundaries without even realizing it sometimes.  Honestly I think it is very easy for others to judge when it is not their problem to deal with.

Every parent, especially mothers deserves a chance to get settled into parenthood.  WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES. Trust me there is no going around that.  If you don’t make mistakes you will never learn.  I know…I know….parenting is tough isn’t it, there are days where I question myself based on choices I have made throughout the day.  I think it is important for parents to realize it is okay to take advice, it is okay for others to give advice….but there is a BUT….we should all know when to take a step back.  Sometimes just backing off and just being there for the person you are trying to help is the best way to make the situation better.  I know it sounds silly but sometimes it ends better if you just say “Look I am here if you need anything, or if you want I have some great advice that has worked for me.”  Things like that can move mountains in a situation that seems grim from the get go.  It can change a negative situation to a positive one.  Advice can be intimidating when not asked for in the first place.  Just think about that the next time you feel the need to step in and give a little advice.

Potty Training at it’s BEST….correction WoRsT

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Potty Training.  Yep Potty Training…the stage where the child takes the reigns and the parents watch in horror.  Days where pooping and peeing becomes an hourly concern…yep that’s right Potty Training.  Everyone has their CrAzY, funny, embarrassing, serious, and ambitious moment to tell when it comes down to the toilet training lessons.

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Well I have a secret…yeah that’s right a secret.  Your going to hear advice, stories, and old-wives tales about potty training a child…well I am here to tell you now, don’t take the advice.  Go at your own pace, go at your child’s own pace.  Listen to their bodies, let them embrace potty training.  Do not make it a chore, make it FUN!  As a former preschool teacher I saw a lot of progress but at home with my kids it was like…Yeah well NOT HAPPENING.  It was really overwhelming for me especially when it came down to my first two.  My oldest son has been diagnosed with Autism disorder and ADHD.  Both=Interesting moments let me tell you.  From my experience I have learned never rush a child into submission of Potty Training it will only lead to disappointment and a lot of frustration.  Comparing your kids to other kids=BAD IDEA as well.  To be honest from my years of working with kids of ALL ages and having four of my own I have learned no child is the same.  They all have their own agenda to fulfill at their own pace.  I’m not saying to stop your efforts…I’m just giving a little nudge at the idea of letting your child explore and become familiar with the potty at his or her own pace.  ALL CHILDREN ARE DIFFERENT IN EVERY WAY, that’s what makes each and everyone of us unique!

A Gift

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I have noticed when working from home that I don’t seem as motivated and am more likely to become distracted. Yep distracted….either by my silly wildcats (joking-not) or my very creative kids find a way to pull this mommy away (which is honestly a great excuse to use).  Balancing home life can be very complicated sometimes especially when it is combined with my work life. Finding that balance is key.  I have decided recently that working after the kids go down to sleep at night has been such a better approach than my ‘I am going to try to work through the Chaos’ method.

I will say recently I have found a greater joy being home with the kids than I ever did before.  For a while I was lost in what I wanted to do with my life.  I felt unsure about every decision I made.  Now since my grandfather passed last September I have found a more meaningful understanding of how precious life is and how often we take life for granted.  I have found out how beautiful motherhood truly is and how blessed I am to be the mother of my four amazing kids!  I want all you wonderful parents out there to know it is a gift to be a parent and an honor that should always be cherished.

 

On a Rainy Day!

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Rain Rain Go AWAY, Come Again Another Day…. We all know that song way to well from our own childhood. When we were kids that was a song heard loudly among our peers on those dreary rainy days we often dreaded.  Well today is the day that I am now playing that song in my head silently as the rain pours outside.

I have learned that no matter how hard you try to plan for a rainy day when you have kids nothing ever goes according to plan. Finding activities can be interesting especially when you have children under the age of ten years, in my case that makes four!

Between me multi-tasking and trying to keep the peace they all (referring to the kids) have managed to pull out everything in existence and some in the house… Kids they can find anything even the things you don’t want them to find and for us parents that can be a real challenge especially because the summer is upon us. Rainy days have become a problem, like this week here in Wichita they are saying rain ALL week long. Yeah that is going to be super fun (as I write this post in sarcasm) the kids are fighting over a plastic Easter egg… The joys of sibling rivalry???!

Oh yes…Rainy Days! It looks like me and the kiddos are going to be tackling this weather with a few inside activities!  The best way to deal with a day like this is to enjoy that valuable time with your kids if able. Read a book. Write. Do some crafts!

Here are a few fun activities that have been really helpful for me when I am stuck in the house with ALL four of my kids.

1. Sing Silly Songs… the three year old loves this one!

2. Read books- My older two favor this activity due to the silliness of the story or the creativity that goes into the effort of telling a story.

3. Baking YUMMY treats!- No kid can deny they don’t love baking with Mommy 😉

4. Playing Board Games

There are so many creative ways to pass the time. It may seem hectic at times but remember no matter how trying the day can get on a rainy day try and take a deep breath and try something different even if it is out of your comfort zone. Kids are resilient and usually don’t notice when you are out of your comfort zone. Have fun, be creative, and let loose!!!