Tag: parenting

What interests you?

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P.A.R.E.N.T.I.N.G.

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To be honest parents forget that children take in everything that they are exposed to.  We don’t filter normally because we don’t think about it, we don’t acknowledge how we act can effect our children’s well-being.  Sometimes it takes a reality check to be able to come to terms with the bad habits we have in our lives.  Depression, anger, resentment, jealousy, and so many more emotions that you may be feeling are also harmful to your child.

We are an example to our children, we are not here to parade around our accomplishments and push our children aside like trophies.  We should be focusing on our kids and their futures not about what benefits us (the parents)!  Everywhere you go you will notice that the family dynamic has changed, and it is very sad.  Parents are becoming more laxed on the well-being of their child’s safety.  It is concerning and children are at high risk for emotional set-backs due to the lack of Parenting that goes on today.  I have worked with many families and have dealt with many situations that were heart-wrenching.

Parenting is not easy and for the weak, it is the hardest job you will ever be given.  When you become a parent you are taking on a huge responsibility but very rewarding one at that. Here is an acronym that really speaks to me.  It is one that I made up and is very relevant to the life and meaning of the term Parent.

Priceless
Ambitious
Rewarding
Engaging
Never-ending
Team-building

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Taco Soup…Yum!

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Taco soup has become a family favorite or at least with me and the kids it has.  I think I have driven my husband, Bj, crazy because we have had it so much recently.  It is a great soup for the winter though, especially on the very cold nights!!!  Here is the recipe if you would like to give it a try or just to have the recipe on hand!

Here is a simple recipe that I find very convenient. TACO SOUP!!!!

I normally get the following:

2 cans of light or dark kidney beans
2 cans of corn
2 cans of tomatoes
1 can of rotel tomatoes
1 packet of ranch powder
1 packet of taco seasoning
1 lb of ground beef

First you need to brown the meat! Then you add the rest of the ingredients. Put the temperature on about 3 and stir. Once hot you can begin to eat or you can let it cook all day. Hope you enjoy!!!

The Joys of Parenthood

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It’s these moments that I enjoy the most.  Watching my kids grow has become the most rewarding experience and I am loving every minute.  Take these little moments and capture them.  MAKE MEMORIES while you still can.

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!

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.