Category: routine

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!

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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.

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!!!!

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!!!