Well, the move is taking place as I speak!  We’ll pick up keys this afternoon, and start moving the boxes in this evening.  My children are elated!  Many people are concerned about how their children will respond to a move, as were we.  But there are a few things parents can do that will minimize the stress on the children, and perhaps even build excitement about their new place!

• Allow the children to be involved in choosing the new home.  You can only do this to an extent, but being involved gives children a sense of control,which is something they can feel a loss of when a move is taking place.
• Give the children choices…of rooms, paint color, room decor, etc. 
• Ask the kids to “help” pack…and remain patient as they do this!  I am very structured when it comes to packing, so I was a little nervous when my daughter offered to pack for my two-year-old.  But she has packed over three times what I have, and the important thing is that we get it there, right???
• As tempted as you are to send the kids away while you’re moving in, let them be a part of it…even if it’s just for a few hours.  My son is DYING to play with his “cars and trucks and trains in his new house”.  So the plan is to get some of his toys there, unpack them in his space, and let him play while we unpack elsewhere.

Remember to remain as calm as possible during your move, and speak positively of the experience.  We’ve been referring to ours as our latest adventure.  Your children will follow your lead.  And with your positive guidance, the move will be a positive experience for everyone.

Photo by popofatticus via Flickr Creative Commons.

I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Services.  Today, I’m ready to give it back.  My almost three-year-old is OUT OF CONTROL. 

My sweet angel of two and a half years has morphed into the devil’s spawn.  He unlocks every lock on the doors and runs into the front yard and street, he pours EVERYTHING pourable out of it’s container onto any surface available, he shouts “potty words” at the top of his lungs when we’re in public, he opens exit doors that “alarm” when opened, AND…he takes his diaper off and pees…in MY bed…and on his sister.  A couple of nights ago, my husband and I awoke to a bottled water being poured into our bed at 2AM! 

You know what the worst part of all of this is?  Almost everyone I have talked to about this who has a boy has claimed this as “normal” boy behavior.  THIS IS NOT NORMAL.  Typical, maybe, but not normal. 

Thank GOD the kid is cute!  I am going to fall back on that until this “stage” passes.  And until it does, WATCH OUT PEOPLE!!! 

Photo by soursob via Flickr Creative Commons. 

We had our last yard sale in our current home this past weekend.  And, God willing, our last yard sale EVER.  I say it every time…but this time I mean it…I’m done.  We’re downsizing into a smaller home, so it needed to be done.  But I hereby vow NEVER to accumulate so much CRAP that I don’t know what it is, when I purchased it, or why it has spent the last two to three years in my garage with tags on it. 

I vow never to wake at 5 am on a Saturday morning to set up heavy, rotting tables that I have kept for this purpose alone.  I vow never to smile at those early birds who arrive, watch me take things out of my garage for an hour, then leave saying, “Nothing we want here.”  I vow not to have to lie to my mother when she asks me why I threw away the fish tank, books she gave the kids for Christmas, or UGLY vase we’ve had in yard sales for the last seven years. 

And…I vow not to send my children away so that I can sell those toys that they have CLEARLY outgrown.  Instead, I will continue to remind them that “giving” is better than receiving.  My goal is to be on a first name basis with my buddies at the Good Will trailer!  Not after a yard sale, but with one small bag, gathered while spring, summer, fall, or winter cleaning! 

For those of you that enjoy them, YARD SALE TIL YOU DROP!!!!  For me and my house, WE’RE DONE!!!

Photo by Daquella manera via Flickr Creative Commons.

I just got to view the video making all the news channels with the eight-year-old Brazilian girl singing “Bad Romance”.  Believe me…she’s not the only one going Gaga.  My nine-year-old and I actually “enjoyed” this one much more!

Flipping channels this morning, I came across yet another reality show…”Momster of the Bride”.  The name says it all.  I watched the show in it’s entirety, becoming more and more disgusted with the behavior of this so-called “parent”.  I was reminded of the situation a friend is in regarding her wedding, and her mother’s desperate need to control it.

So far, my friend has compromised on the location of both the ceremony itself and the reception.  She’s been almost harassed by her mother’s side of the family regarding religious views and traditions, and she’s been challenged down to the contents of the guest list. 

Remembering my own wedding and the compromises we made (although not for my mom…she was great), I started thinking about alternatives to the traditional wedding that causes so much stress. 

• My friend mentioned above has just found out that the all inclusive resort they booked for their honeymoon offers a FREE beach wedding in Mexico.  That’s enough to make me get married again!
• My mom heard of a couple inviting all of their friends to a huge barbecue.  When the guests arrived, they were told that they were to be witnesses to the host’s wedding!  What a perfect way to alleviate the pressure from the control freaks!
• Many couples opt out of a traditional wedding ceremony and simply get married by a Justice of the Peace.  They use the money saved on either a big honeymoon or a fun reception…or both!

As the big wedding season approaches, far too many brides are more anxious to get the ceremony behind them, feeling way too much pressure and conflict.  If this is the case, consider a different approach.  It is YOUR day.  Enjoy it!

Photo by Johnny Jet via Flickr Creative Commons.

Photo by KOMUnews via Flickr Creative Commons. 

 It’s fair to say that my family has faced it’s share of stress lately.  We have a lot going on, and we’re struggling to keep things as normal as possible for the children’s sake.  So, Saturday evening we sat down with our 2 year old while his sister was visiting her grandparents.  He immediately looked to me and told me that he wanted to play with his sister.  “Emma’s at Grammy’s,” I told him, “Would you like Mommy and Daddy to play with you?”  He looked at me with those big puppy dog eyes (which he was already struggling to keep open), and said, “Dat make me so happy!”  Our hearts melted.  Tears filled my husbands eyes, and of course, I cried like a baby.  We dried up our tears, and the three of us read books and pushed trains on the couch.  Within 30 minutes he was sound asleep, dreaming of his awesome night with Mommy and Daddy! 

We as parents often struggle so hard to make our children happy that we forget just how easy it is!  My guess is that at least 95% of us would look back to our childhoods and agree that our memories are not centered around material things, but the time we spent with family and friends.  I’ve been thinking over the last couple of days of ways that I can offer my children more opportunities for these lasting memories.  I’ve come up with a few.

• Visit a park for a walk or a picnic…leave the phones and travel video games at home or in the car!!!
• Family game night…without the tv!  You’ll find you actually have a lot to talk about.
• Host a barbecue or informal dinner with another family or two.  Hang out outside and allow yourself to breathe in the fresh air.  Set up some outdoor games and include the kids.
• Cook a family dinner together.  Again, leave the television off.  However, we have fun dancing to loud music when we cook!

There are many ways to “reconnect” as a family.  Remember what it’s all about.  Life is too short.  Take the time to appreciate the little things!  Start now…not everyone will have a smart two year old to remind them!

Here I am at 11:07 on Friday evening showing my mom exactly what I mean when I discuss “blogging” or “posts”.  See, I’m acting as if I know exactly what I’m doing.  In reality, it wasn’t very long ago that I had to learn the ropes myself.  And really, I guess we’re all still learning as we go. 

You know what’s sad, though?  My nine-year-old could probably sit down with me once or twice, take a few mental notes, and take over my job!  They’re just wired that way! 

Looking back at my elementary school days, I can only remember going to “computer” class once every two weeks, sitting at a very large computer and playing Oregon Trail…milk, tea, or coffee?  I always became very frustrated because I was never able to finish my game…because that stupid computer was so slow!  These days my daughter can’t wait the 3 seconds it takes to retrieve a saved file! 

Fortunately, my daughter is a little too young to steal my job, and my mom is still too “clueless” to try.  So, for right now, I’m safe.  Given a few years, though, they may both be my competition!

I put cookies in the oven a little while ago, and decided to see what I could find when I did a search for “cookies”.   Look what I found!

I just returned from training at the Sommet Center (actually it is now officially the Bridgestone Arena) to work concessions as a fundraiser for a friend’s daughter.  What I initially dreaded turned out to be a very informative evening.  75 to 80 percent of the workers in the concession stands there are “volunteers”, working for money that goes directly to their organization.  What a great way to give back to the community.  Some groups have earned over $50,000 in a year’s time.  Yes, it takes a commitment of time and effort (and Advil for the leg and foot cramps from being on your feet for hours), but considering today’s economic struggles, it’s a welcome relief to many people.  I spoke with several parents this evening who said that without this extra “income”, they would be forced to withdraw their children from their activities.  Many thanks to the people who make all this possible.  I guess sometimes it does take a village!

I write this as I sit on my daughter’s bed…”monitoring” her homework progress.  In other words, it takes me sitting by her side, constantly watching, to assure the work gets done.  This has only recently become a problem.  Up until this semester my baby was a workaholic, focused on nothing but getting the job done.  I couldn’t get her in the door fast enough.  But the hormones have shifted, and I believe I’m now faced with the dreaded task of keeping HER on task! 

I find myself thinking back, trying to remember all of the “expert advise” I’ve read regarding the subject.  Hmmm…looks like we’ve got some work to do! 

• Set up a separate study area (this probably means we shouldn’t be sitting here on the bed with the tv muted!)
• TV, music, and phones out of reach!!!
• Good lighting
• Plenty of supplies on hand (this could help with the never ending desire to hop up and hunt down a new pencil, eraser, piece of paper, folder, etc.)

Establishing and sticking to the ground rules laid out above is key in providing a positive work environment.  Doing this early in your child’s school experience will provide early steady work habits.  Remember to evaluate your child’s work habits and work space on a regular basis, remembering that needs change frequently.  Then, take the time to enjoy learning experiences with your child.  It’s amazing what you can learn from them!

Photo by apdk via Flickr Creative Commons.