It never fails. At least where potty training my two year old son is concerned. We recently switched to huggies pull ups(with a cars design), since our son has shown more interest in toilets. We thought, COOL, our son is starting to use the toilet. Little did we know that he still is using his hidden toilets. While going through and tidying his room this morning, I found one of his dumptrucks sort of tucked behind his toddler bed....inside the bed of the truck, Dylan made sure to mark his territory.
I still have this strong belief in that boys/men/regardless of age are just like any other mammal in the animal kingdom. My son loves that truck and I believe he peed in it to "prove" that truck is his and only his!
So I continue on with the fight to potty train my two year old. I have a feeling that here soon(hopefully soon) mom will conquer the battle of trying to get her son to use the toilet every time he needs to go instead of everything else he sees fit to mark.
Dogs/Man......Man/Dogs......very fine line of similarity! ;)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, February 28, 2011
Its MINE!
The game of tug of war is on. It is a common game that occurs between my children. It is either played between either my son and my youngest daughter, my youngest daughter and my oldest daughter, or all three. I start to hear "MINE! MINE! MINE!" It brings me to think of the seagulls from Finding Nemo.
I am sitting on the couch attempting to complete course work for a few of my classes...sort of hoping my lovely and highly obediant(one can only wish) children will work things out among themselves. They don't seem to be able to. I finally take a moment of my time to yell to them and plead with them to please share. Although it seems like I am more so yelling at the walls rather than people for my lovely children do not seem to hear me(or try to avoid me) and go on fighting over the toy that they claim is "theirs."
I decide to migrate from the couch to whichever room the loud, obnoxious screaming is coming from to find out what is going on. When I enter, my four year old has a hold of my two year olds Tonka truck. He is trying to rip it out of her hands and she refuses to let go by applying her death grip to the bed of the truck. Her face says it all, "there is no way." My two year old continues screaming, "MINE!!!" I wait just a moment. I want to see if my mere presence will have the children break it up. Not for a minute. I am forced to intervene. Forcefully, I begin to pry the Tonka truck out of both of their hands. It is not as easy as one might think. If you have children or have ever experienced watching a younger child, then you completely understand my frustration. My four year old hesitates for a moment to let go. My two year old clings for life to his beloved truck. I have had enough. Trying to take a favorite toy away from a toddler or a child of any age, I would imagine is like trying to pry some item out of a dead mans stiff fingers. There is absolutely no letting go. I finally manage to rip the truck away from my two year old and run it to the secret hiding spot where I place all toys that I have to confiscate from the children. Just as a teachers desk when an item is taken from a student. Dylan, my two year old looks all around. The truck is hidden. He keeps at his attempted hawk vision for about five more minutes before he forgets about it and moves on.
Although the truck was and is my sons. Because of the fight that occured between daughter and son...the truck became MINE! Mom wins yet again!
I am sitting on the couch attempting to complete course work for a few of my classes...sort of hoping my lovely and highly obediant(one can only wish) children will work things out among themselves. They don't seem to be able to. I finally take a moment of my time to yell to them and plead with them to please share. Although it seems like I am more so yelling at the walls rather than people for my lovely children do not seem to hear me(or try to avoid me) and go on fighting over the toy that they claim is "theirs."
I decide to migrate from the couch to whichever room the loud, obnoxious screaming is coming from to find out what is going on. When I enter, my four year old has a hold of my two year olds Tonka truck. He is trying to rip it out of her hands and she refuses to let go by applying her death grip to the bed of the truck. Her face says it all, "there is no way." My two year old continues screaming, "MINE!!!" I wait just a moment. I want to see if my mere presence will have the children break it up. Not for a minute. I am forced to intervene. Forcefully, I begin to pry the Tonka truck out of both of their hands. It is not as easy as one might think. If you have children or have ever experienced watching a younger child, then you completely understand my frustration. My four year old hesitates for a moment to let go. My two year old clings for life to his beloved truck. I have had enough. Trying to take a favorite toy away from a toddler or a child of any age, I would imagine is like trying to pry some item out of a dead mans stiff fingers. There is absolutely no letting go. I finally manage to rip the truck away from my two year old and run it to the secret hiding spot where I place all toys that I have to confiscate from the children. Just as a teachers desk when an item is taken from a student. Dylan, my two year old looks all around. The truck is hidden. He keeps at his attempted hawk vision for about five more minutes before he forgets about it and moves on.
Although the truck was and is my sons. Because of the fight that occured between daughter and son...the truck became MINE! Mom wins yet again!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Breathe in....breathe out....and repeat
Parenting can seem overwhelming sometimes. Ok, a lot of the time. The day in the life of a parent never ends. The job is 24/7 without pay. And there are no health benefits provided which would be wonderful in helping to ease the irking insanity that sometimes feels like it is sitting right beside you. When things get to the point where my inside voice is quite literally screaming at the top of her lungs, I like to find my peaceful place. My quiet spot. I feel like my two year old for a moment, running to my room in a fleet of madness. But where is my cape to fly off like Superwoman?
Once in my room, the door shuts and locks, and I escape. Although it is only ten minutes or so that I am in my room...if I am so lucky...I take those minutes and think of them as my get-a-way, my cruise out to sea. I close my eyes, breathe, and envision my heaven on earth, which would either be the mountains or the ocean. Today it is the ocean. I smile for a brief moment as I conjure up a picture of the beach. I am barefoot and running from the waves. Gathering up sand dollars and sea shells. Painting a canvas with my acrylics. Watching the sun....
Oh but wait. I am brought back to reality when I hear a knock at my bedroom door. "Mom! Mom! Jozlynne and Dylan wont stop fighting! I am also thirsty! Mom? Mom!" It is my oldest daughter, Rachael. Only about four minutes have passed. If only I could have made it to ten. Breathe in....breathe out....back to the neverending, unpaid, underrespected, but highly rewarding job of parenting/
Once in my room, the door shuts and locks, and I escape. Although it is only ten minutes or so that I am in my room...if I am so lucky...I take those minutes and think of them as my get-a-way, my cruise out to sea. I close my eyes, breathe, and envision my heaven on earth, which would either be the mountains or the ocean. Today it is the ocean. I smile for a brief moment as I conjure up a picture of the beach. I am barefoot and running from the waves. Gathering up sand dollars and sea shells. Painting a canvas with my acrylics. Watching the sun....
Oh but wait. I am brought back to reality when I hear a knock at my bedroom door. "Mom! Mom! Jozlynne and Dylan wont stop fighting! I am also thirsty! Mom? Mom!" It is my oldest daughter, Rachael. Only about four minutes have passed. If only I could have made it to ten. Breathe in....breathe out....back to the neverending, unpaid, underrespected, but highly rewarding job of parenting/
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Keeping Hold of my Mini Picassos
My children love art. They love to create by running wild and free with their imaginations. The paint flies, the colors mix, and a heavenly(but messy) canvas is created. Surprisingly I am asked a lot how I get my children to like art. Um. I really do not know how to answer this besides giving them crayons, play doh, kid scissors, glue, construction paper, watercolors, and any other art supply I can possibly think of on an almost daily basis. I make these supplies accessible for my children.
My belief is that each person is born with a natural talent and eye for art. But it is society that corrects the baby that turns toddler that turns child that turns preteen that turns teen that eventually turns adult. And it is the societys view that says the individuals form of art is wrong. I thought that people were all their own being, their own individual. I thought we were not like cattle and that we all had minds of our own.
This societal view takes me back to when I took a college art class about ten years ago. I have never took one since. The teacher always picked and picked and picked at how I chose to create art. At the end of the quarter, I earned a D. It took me a while to believe in myself again after that. It took me a while to see my art as beautiful and hold my head up high not caring what other people thought.
This same idea goes for children. Any age of a child needs that reassurance somewhere that their masterpiece is beyond amazing. They need to be told that their color use is unlike anything that has ever been seen. My children do not enjoy art simply because they do it every day. They enjoy art because I enjoy their art with them. That is how I get my children to enjoy using that part of their brain in creating what only they can see.
To end, I will use a bit of humor that relates to the joys found in creating art with your child. Today we made mini snowmen. I laughed as my son kept stealing parts of my daughters snowmen that were already glued together. My son would tear away the snowmens parts from my two daughters papers and then quickly paste those pieces on his own snowman. He thought it was wonderful to be able to sneak away with other peoples art. My daughters did not think it was as wonderful as Dylan did. I, of course, chuckled at what was taking place. I finally had to relocate my children to different parts of the table just as a teacher might separate best friends in a class to keep from talking. My son vented with frustration for a moment but as soon as he held the glue in his hand again, he was calm and right back to continuing his snowman.
It was in today's art that if I was off doing something else, I would have missed out on one of lifes tiny memories. A smile never would have been brought to my face and the polaroids of this moment wouldnt have been saved. So I say to you, to all parents out there. Do not mind the mess, do not mind the cleanup, enjoy the art.
My belief is that each person is born with a natural talent and eye for art. But it is society that corrects the baby that turns toddler that turns child that turns preteen that turns teen that eventually turns adult. And it is the societys view that says the individuals form of art is wrong. I thought that people were all their own being, their own individual. I thought we were not like cattle and that we all had minds of our own.
This societal view takes me back to when I took a college art class about ten years ago. I have never took one since. The teacher always picked and picked and picked at how I chose to create art. At the end of the quarter, I earned a D. It took me a while to believe in myself again after that. It took me a while to see my art as beautiful and hold my head up high not caring what other people thought.
This same idea goes for children. Any age of a child needs that reassurance somewhere that their masterpiece is beyond amazing. They need to be told that their color use is unlike anything that has ever been seen. My children do not enjoy art simply because they do it every day. They enjoy art because I enjoy their art with them. That is how I get my children to enjoy using that part of their brain in creating what only they can see.
To end, I will use a bit of humor that relates to the joys found in creating art with your child. Today we made mini snowmen. I laughed as my son kept stealing parts of my daughters snowmen that were already glued together. My son would tear away the snowmens parts from my two daughters papers and then quickly paste those pieces on his own snowman. He thought it was wonderful to be able to sneak away with other peoples art. My daughters did not think it was as wonderful as Dylan did. I, of course, chuckled at what was taking place. I finally had to relocate my children to different parts of the table just as a teacher might separate best friends in a class to keep from talking. My son vented with frustration for a moment but as soon as he held the glue in his hand again, he was calm and right back to continuing his snowman.
It was in today's art that if I was off doing something else, I would have missed out on one of lifes tiny memories. A smile never would have been brought to my face and the polaroids of this moment wouldnt have been saved. So I say to you, to all parents out there. Do not mind the mess, do not mind the cleanup, enjoy the art.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Simply "forget."
Kids love to "forget." They can be told not to do something one thousand times, yet kids insist on continuing to do what they were told not to. Even though a child can be looking right at you while you are speaking to them about what not to do, they will end up repeating their wrong behavior. And when your back is not even turned and you can plainly see them, they go back to doing what you just reminded them not to. Ah yes. Children are not dumb. They are highly intelligent. Yet they push those buttons of any one watching them, more so the parents, to see what they can get away with and if the guardian will react.
For instance, my oldest daughter, Rachael, has been reminded time and time again to not sit on the upper part of the couch. Yet she still insists that anywhere on the couch except for the couch cushions is her seat. Her lazy boy. Even with her dad and I constantly lecturing her on what could happen if she fell, how its damaging to our sofas, and how its setting a bad example for her younger siblings, she continues to sit everywhere on the couch but. And discipline seems to not work wonders of any kind. Even though she kicks and screams on her way to the corner, and it looks as though it is going to be a terrible, horrible, tormenting punishment for her, she still quite simply "forgets" why she was sent there and goes right back to sitting on the upper part of the couch. When asked why she hasnt listened, her answer is always the same, "I dont know."
You would think that this action would stop after being lectured more times than one has fingers and toes. Of course not.
Another example. Every morning when I wake my oldest daughter up for school, routine should be to get up, get dressed, and come out for breakfast. Does she do that? Nope. Almost every morning, she is caught in her room playing with her toys while still sitting in her pajamas. I have to tell her to get dressed. No, no, no...REMIND her to get dressed. Then I ask her why she hasn't. Her answer hasnt changed...."I don't know." Ugh! She knows. There is just that switch in a childs head that I guess has not turned on yet. Or she is that wise that she knows what she is supposed to do yet she makes it that much more stressful on me in the mornings or when she is doing something she knows better on. It is almost purposeful.
Children do know. They do remember what they are to do and what they are not to do. Yet it is a game. It is a test. Seeing what they can get away with. It is almost like kids do it on purpose so that eventually we just give up as parents. Like I said, children are highly intelligent. Do not turn your back on the attempted "masters" of plan.
For instance, my oldest daughter, Rachael, has been reminded time and time again to not sit on the upper part of the couch. Yet she still insists that anywhere on the couch except for the couch cushions is her seat. Her lazy boy. Even with her dad and I constantly lecturing her on what could happen if she fell, how its damaging to our sofas, and how its setting a bad example for her younger siblings, she continues to sit everywhere on the couch but. And discipline seems to not work wonders of any kind. Even though she kicks and screams on her way to the corner, and it looks as though it is going to be a terrible, horrible, tormenting punishment for her, she still quite simply "forgets" why she was sent there and goes right back to sitting on the upper part of the couch. When asked why she hasnt listened, her answer is always the same, "I dont know."
You would think that this action would stop after being lectured more times than one has fingers and toes. Of course not.
Another example. Every morning when I wake my oldest daughter up for school, routine should be to get up, get dressed, and come out for breakfast. Does she do that? Nope. Almost every morning, she is caught in her room playing with her toys while still sitting in her pajamas. I have to tell her to get dressed. No, no, no...REMIND her to get dressed. Then I ask her why she hasn't. Her answer hasnt changed...."I don't know." Ugh! She knows. There is just that switch in a childs head that I guess has not turned on yet. Or she is that wise that she knows what she is supposed to do yet she makes it that much more stressful on me in the mornings or when she is doing something she knows better on. It is almost purposeful.
Children do know. They do remember what they are to do and what they are not to do. Yet it is a game. It is a test. Seeing what they can get away with. It is almost like kids do it on purpose so that eventually we just give up as parents. Like I said, children are highly intelligent. Do not turn your back on the attempted "masters" of plan.
Monday, February 7, 2011
A Few Examples of My Many Jobs
1. Cook
2. Baker
3. Shrink/Councelor
4. Taxi Cab Driver
5. Doctor
6. Teacher
7. Daycare Supervisor
8. Accountant
9. Personal Shopper
10. Fitness Trainer
11. Tour Guide
12. The Bank(kids think so)
13. Librarian(story teller)
14. Art Instructor
15. Band/Choir Instructor
16. Etiquette Consultant
17. Sports Coach
18. Personal Teddy Bear(comforter)
19. Gardener(kids flowers and different seeds)
20. Photographer
21. Supervisor(ensuring chores are done)
22. Full Time Student(Business Major)
23. Traveler
24. Pastor
25. Stylist
26. Speech Therapist
27. Comedian
28. Custodian
29. Housekeeper
30. Most importantly I am a Mother!
2. Baker
3. Shrink/Councelor
4. Taxi Cab Driver
5. Doctor
6. Teacher
7. Daycare Supervisor
8. Accountant
9. Personal Shopper
10. Fitness Trainer
11. Tour Guide
12. The Bank(kids think so)
13. Librarian(story teller)
14. Art Instructor
15. Band/Choir Instructor
16. Etiquette Consultant
17. Sports Coach
18. Personal Teddy Bear(comforter)
19. Gardener(kids flowers and different seeds)
20. Photographer
21. Supervisor(ensuring chores are done)
22. Full Time Student(Business Major)
23. Traveler
24. Pastor
25. Stylist
26. Speech Therapist
27. Comedian
28. Custodian
29. Housekeeper
30. Most importantly I am a Mother!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
The Changing of Life (originally posted 10/16/2008)
So here I sit waiting. Waiting for the new life to arrive that God has given me. One of the greatest gifts of all.
Yes, in all reality, I was wanting to wait a few more years before carrying another child, my third and last child. But I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Nothing life throws our way is a mistake.
I wonder to myself daily what this new being looks like who will soon introduce himself or herself to the world. I already wonder to myself what he or she will accomplish in life, and the greatnesses they will bring. Jozlynne and Rachael are already two complete opposites. My daughters are night and day in all aspects. With that being said, then this little one who will make one hell of an entrance in just a few days...the attitude, the personality, everything rolled into one is going to be incredible to see the differences out of all three children.
In a way, I am sad. Sad that this chapter in my life is about to come to an end. I have always wanted three children, I just never thought the days would come so soon. The children that we bare in life, our windows into our own world. We are their shadows, or are they ours? We do teach our children more than anyone can imagine, but in return they teach us.
Life will soon change for me again, life will change for Joe. And the most important for all, life will definately be changing for my daughters. Am I prepared? I dont believe that one can ever be prepared enough for the curve balls that life and God send our way.
Life will soon change for me once again, and continue changing throughout my lifetime
Yes, in all reality, I was wanting to wait a few more years before carrying another child, my third and last child. But I do believe that everything happens for a reason. Nothing life throws our way is a mistake.
I wonder to myself daily what this new being looks like who will soon introduce himself or herself to the world. I already wonder to myself what he or she will accomplish in life, and the greatnesses they will bring. Jozlynne and Rachael are already two complete opposites. My daughters are night and day in all aspects. With that being said, then this little one who will make one hell of an entrance in just a few days...the attitude, the personality, everything rolled into one is going to be incredible to see the differences out of all three children.
In a way, I am sad. Sad that this chapter in my life is about to come to an end. I have always wanted three children, I just never thought the days would come so soon. The children that we bare in life, our windows into our own world. We are their shadows, or are they ours? We do teach our children more than anyone can imagine, but in return they teach us.
Life will soon change for me again, life will change for Joe. And the most important for all, life will definately be changing for my daughters. Am I prepared? I dont believe that one can ever be prepared enough for the curve balls that life and God send our way.
Life will soon change for me once again, and continue changing throughout my lifetime
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