Ahh..... Waiter This is Not What I Ordered

Kids can be picky eaters. Sometimes they won't even the foods they will eat because there is something they like better prepared. Example. I was making BLTs and my nephew LOVES bacon...but hates everything else that comes with a BLT. So we told him he could have some bacon with a hotdog and chips. Well he eats hotdogs and chips. But he looked at me an said 'I don't want this hotdog on this plate. I don't want it.' He just wanted the bacon and chips. After explaining to him that bacon and chips were not enough, he stormed off and said he was full. So it was left sitting there till he was hungry...an he did come back for it....he didn't eat it all but he ate some of the hot dog, bacon and chips. He actually had done that with lunch that day as well. If their hungry enough they will come back and eat it. That doesn't mean load up a plate full of foods they hate and say well if their hungry they'll come back an eat it. The point is to teach them they don't get what they want when they want it. They get what we want because we know better and know what's good for them. My nephew who is 6 can't make good choices in food, if left up to him it would be candy and popcorn; oh and chips. Its up to us as adults to guide them and teach them what is better and moderation. To many parents are quick to give in and give their child what they want because their afraid they'll starve if they don't....leave the plate out. Try it.

Bringing home the Prince....spells trouble

Don't get me wrong from my title the birth of the new baby to Prince William and Kate is a wonderful thing. But you have to think about these aren't even celebrities these are royalty. They have obligations and duties that they attend to. Will they have a nanny? I'm sure they will. With the hectic day to day lives that they lead I'm sure they wouldn't have the time to focus their complete attention an everyday family would. So where does that leave the little Prince? I guess in a sense you could chalk it up to more of a type of lifestyle thing. What does it do to their psyche and behavior being raised distantly?
Then on the other hand maybe Kate will downsize her duties and stay with the little Prince. There is a lot to be expected in either circumstance of the parents. Constant poking from the public. Pictures, updates, and details. They will be bombarded an with having to be everything they were and now a parent it will take a toll. An as the little Prince becomes older they will have to become responsible for his decisions due to how he was raised. People will look at were they to soft with him? To hard? Not there enough? The life of some one in the line-light is put under more presser and scrutiny once a baby is born. It's bad enough when it is an acceptable couple they try to find every flaw but with the news of something life changing as a baby: it just spells trouble.

Mooove those Muscles......lol

So you looked in the mirror....yikes! Who put those extra pounds on my body? Evidently some exercising is in order. But what do you do when you have little ones. Well, teach them. This is a perfect time to teach your children about balance and being healthy. Bring out the cook books get your children involved in cooking, even if its just prep. Kids like to be involved. Involving them with their health is something that's a good thing. The younger the better in fact. Exercising is another part, even babies need exercise. Get them out of the stroller and do some arm and leg moves with them. Just get them moving. There are plenty of videos out there as well that can help a parent exercise with their child if you need to follow someone. There are classes that can be taken, or even just going out to the park and actually playing ball. Don't just watch your child, get involved. I think that's the thing. There isn't enough participation on the adults side, we are to old to do those kinds of things. When in reality we are out of shape! It's time to get back in shape and get our kids on the right path as well. That was when they hit our age they aren't in the same attitude of old age. So take a step to say no to those extra pounds an just say no to feeling old! Get up an get moving again!

Chores is it ever to early?

My sister posted a picture of my six year old nephew doing the dishes. Now while I personally would not leave it up to a six year old to wash my dishes and get them actually clean, especially if it's their first time. I say go ahead and let them. Let your three year old help out. They might not do a job worthy of a 5 star hotel maid but I grantee you they will get better and they will enjoy helping mommy or daddy. It can  begin the structure needed in the home as well when chores are started. Children are put on a 'you have to do this before you can do this scheduale' and everyone contributes to the home. For those starting off with houses that are clean and small children you seem to have it easy a quick rub down and a small chore for the little one.
But what about those introducing chores at a later time. When the house isn't so clean and a spring cleaning is basically needed and they have a few kids an they aren't little any more. I would recommend a weekend of cleaning. The kids won't like it but it needs to be explained the ease that will come later. The quick wipe downs instead of the intense scrubbing that never really gets finished. So with your day of cleaning it should be a scheduled and well divided day make sure your well involved to and check on them. That is a key factor don't hover just check to make sure they are not playing in the mirror or with that bright new thing they found. lol. An cell phone should be all put in a bowl only taken out after the chores are done. That was less distraction and more work done. It might sound mean but this is a part of growing up an living in a house hold. Contribution. Everyone should be doing it.
In the end you want to get to a place where it doesn't take all day to clean the house. clean the dishes that night after dinner, keep up with laundry, make them wipe the counter down when their done putting on their make up.....its little things that make cleaning and the day less stressful. An that's one of the key points of a clean house: less stress.

Click...click!

Time to pick up those cameras. With graduation around the corner we all want to capture the step from kindergarten to 1st grade...or even high school to college...no matter what it is there is a special moment that is going to happen and so here we are. Polished cameras, dusted off lenses and fully charged batteries. But wait a minute who's saying these are the only days you should be dusting off those lenses and charging those batteries. Every moment is precious: lost teeth, first vegetable, and even just those days filled with laughter. There shouldn't be a super special moment that is dictated by commercialism. We should want to see the steps and the trips that show the growth of the child or children in your life.
Taking the time to every month take a picture with a favorite outfit, toy, food, or something else they really love. Then put it together in a collage for the year an frame it. It shows the growth and the changes they've made. My nephew answered his mom's phone yesterday. He was so clear an you actually got full sentences out of him. He's graduating from kindergarten in a week. The thing is that he use to hate the phone and all you'd get out of him was little bits...no conversation. But in just a couple of weeks of not seeing him he was excited to hear my voice and was....just growing up. Some take longer and then something clicks. The little boy or girl who didn't want to talk and communicate very well...they just do one day. Kids are a wonder and we should want to show their growth. So pic up your camera on a Monday or a Thursday...it doesn't have to be for anything other then you want to share the beautiful child you have and their little grin. So capture this moment....click...click! ;)

Uhhh When Is Me Time?????

So when is me time??? I know every mom can relate to that question. A time to enjoy a moment with another adult....someone who speaks your language. Don't get me wrong loving kids is what we do and when having one its a commitment...you don't get to throw your hands in the air and say 'ok that's enough ten years is enough, I've enjoyed the kid long enough'. Its until death....I know some say its till they turn 18 or until they move out but ties don't get cut. No matter if they are out of the nest you will receive those phone calls 'what should I do' and 'oh my gosh you wouldn't believe'. Problems with siblings still exist and guess who gets to still be the referee....yep. So yeah there is a need for me time sometimes....it can get overwhelming. So the key is and should be scheduling....your life as a family should already have scheduling especially to prepare that child for adulthood and to plan flat out keep sanity. There is nothing as unromantic as scheduling a night of passion....but you have to think of others in your life. I believe there is not a problem once in a while doing something something at the last minute but you have to remember their your kids and your responsibility. While you might find a babysitter that would like the extra cash...its rude and intrusive on their lives to say at the last minute can you be here in an hour please drop everything.
So the point while we might need me time from time to time don't expect it....other people have lives just as you do and while you might feel you have a sense of entitlement to the me time you really don't. When it comes to those points when you need a break read your fav book while your child watches their fav movie. It may not be going out but it is me time on a level. An remember they grow fast cherish the moments, and schedule a mini vacation once in a while. If you can't afford a mini vacation go to your local or not so local coffee house an order a tea and read a book...a tea is soooo much less then a coffee...well unless your just getting a regular coffee...lol. So you have your cheap and peaceful day spent reading.
Personally I am looking at getting 5 Shades of Gray...I know but I'm interested what the hype is. Well have a great day got to get back to cleaning....lol...woke up early for some reason and was in the cleaning mood....lol but kids are sleeping and so is dog...so perfect time to get it done. Try to wake up an hour of even a half an hour before your children to get some cleaning done....or if your a night owl take a half an hour to clean up.

I Spy With My Little Eye....crocodile tears

Well it looks like going to the library and getting the I Spy book was a great idea. Some things we are not familiar with we will say, especially the 6 yr old but we also developed another idea to make the game more enjoyable an educational....google search bar. So whenever we need to figure out what something is or just for fun you search for the image of the word. We had fun for almost the whole book an then it was 'Ok I think I've had enough' lol. This all happen after a massive aray of crocodile tears that lead to the giveup and needing quality time. Translation: Tantrum with full blown fake tears leads to regrete and the needing of attention. Which is healthy. Kids need to know that they are not boss. Let them cry their crocodile tears. When you don't give in they will realize there is no ground to stand on and they will not feel in control like when they are hovered over when they let out one little sound. There is always a struggle for domanance, for control with our kids. It is our resposiblity to stand our ground and know how to set limits as not to push them away but not to raise them above us.

I remember a time that my mom would have to hold my nephew in a hug untill he calmed down....then it was you want me to hold you? He is a cuddler now but when he's mad he hates to be confined. A bucking bronco that boy is....wanting to be wild and free with no restraints. As a society we need those restraints...those fences....I won't go into society and the government. LOL. Lets just put it as I believe we have rights and one of those rights is to raise our children to our best ablility. An to sometimes deal with the crocodile tears.

The Question of the Day....

Is it ever to late? For what you say....how about anything. Love, school, career choice or change, children, marrige...life. At what point is it to late for something or is it ever to late. We go through life and put things off and wait till we think there is no hope. Are we putting it off in hopes that that we will fun out of time. I am one that believe that yes there are limits but there is usually a way when there is a will. There are people that are doing extreme sports beyond their age limit. An there are parents breaking out of the box with new found ideas and material for children and parents everyday.
It's about learning and moving with the flow but its also about not. If we learned and moved only with the flow then we...well we have all been a victim of a traffic jam...lol. The stop and go....and even some accidents in the middle of it all. Sometimes going another direction is the way to go, you get another view, sometimes of the trafffic jam; but most of the times you get another view that gives different insight an usually better timing. I have always been one for if its ment to be it will be. Fate has a way of coming out the way it was ment to be with or without your help. There is a time a place for anything and everything. That is how the will of a person can present a way.

Give Me Just a Little Bit....

Respect is something that seems to be hard to get these days. The hardest place it seems is among the pre-teen and teen dimension. This dimension is filled with loud music, ugly looks, closed doors and raging hormones. From getting them up to sending them to bed.....attitude. If your lucky you won't have to repeat yourself or hear that your hated. Don't get me wrong they are still and will always be the little child with dirt and a smile on their face. You just have to realize that tough love your parents gave was for a reason when you were growing up. Everyone has a time in their lives when they feel they are right and can do no wrong. They also feel as if they know everything there is possible to know. How many times a day in the middle of a discussion with your children do you hear "I know, I know" or "Ok, ok...you don't have to tell me I'm fully aware"? It is us as adults to show and give respect to everyone as a role model to these children. An respect should be given to the children as well. The problem is that so many people feel a sense of entitlement that they don't give they respect to others. There is no manners or treating others the way they want to be treated....all that is around us and children these days is greed and selfishness. So what do they learn that they can be selfish and greedy. Everything is about them.
I am one for until that child reaches 17 or18, that child is a parents responsibly and in that they are not to wrap their world around their children but incorporated and be a part of each others lives. By wrapping your world around your child your telling your child they come first, that they are more important and you bend to them. Lets give a situation and ask the question what would you do....you share custody with your ex and you have a teen who springs on you the night before they have made plans to go to a sleep over. This is a last minute thing you have informed all of them that you have your days and you life in another town so your parenting time is off limits to friend plans. They can do it with their dad who is in the same town as their friends but it just cost to much for you to drive back and forth. So they have made plans even though they know there is a rule in place. They plead and beg an you give in. The child has now come to the understanding that rules can be broken in your house with the right amount of pressure place. Your world is ruled by them, they are the alpha of the pack now.
How do you get this to end though? By placing a firm foot down. It's hard once its in motion. Take a bike for instance the only way to stop it is to stop its wheels once it's put into motion. You can use the brakes once it's in motion but depending on how fast your going is going to determine how much brake pressure you need. If you've let them be the alpha for a long time you'll get the big fight....but keep your foot down no matter what. No matter the situation if you don't create a new habit and break the old one you won't get any where.
So stick to it and brake the cycle don't put it off till tomorrow...that's another 24 hours that your giving up your right as the alpha in the house. An it may sound wrong and mean but children need to know their place and their role in the house. They have no reason to back talk, give dirty looks, slam doors, or get physical with any one; older or younger then them. Every minute and every second you give to your child the right as an alpha your saying to them its ok and that your choice is to be lower on the totumpole in the house. So teach your children and make sure to stick to it. Wars aren't won in a day they are won over time and with action taken.