children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
Pandemic Parenting
My daughter shrieks in excitement, "Look, mommy! Look!" A notebook is shoved in my face where tiny green C's march down the margins amid the various other scribbles and scratches. There it is. The letter C is clear and cascading victoriously and my four- year old is proudly dancing around like a prima ballerina at center stage. I high-five her while also reaching for the binky that has fallen out of my newborn son's mouth before his whimpers become full-blown shrieks. His warm body is pressed against my chest in a quickly tied together carrying wrap and I can feel my shirt strangling me underneath it. He has been so suffocating with his constant need to be so close to me that they might as well put him back inside. Behind me, my two- year old son has scooted his highchair to the counter to reach the fruit snacks I told him he couldn't have. He has a determination and stubbornness I don't know whether to blame on his father or take credit for but it makes him a formidable opponent when it comes to saying no. I'm trying not to yell but it's hard day 513 of this pandemic. It is easy to become overwhelmed this far in when I have lost my part-time bartending job to become a full- time stay- at -home mom and I have added a child to the mix. Not to mention, my Facebook friends have taken the time to turn their living rooms into Montessori classrooms or have their children in every play gym and art class activity. In the face of this, I could almost convince myself I am failing as a mother on the days my children watch CSI: NY and Forensic Files all day. We are well into the second year of this thing and the excitement of learning how to bake bread has faded into forcing me to stream an exercise video to the tv and work out with my toddlers crawling around me saying, "Mommy, can we work out with you?" I am grateful to be exercising at all after having two strokes, being unable to move half my body, and being in a wheelchair for the Summer and Fall of 2020. Wrapping up 2021, I am grateful for a lot of things, big and small.
By Bianca Grant5 years ago in Families
The First Foods I Introduced My Baby To
When I had my second baby last year, I knew I wanted to start baby food as soon as possible. What I didn’t realize was that babies don’t have to start on baby food. Especially now that Baby Led Weaning is becoming more popular, there are several options when it comes to making sure your baby is getting the appropriate nutrients they need. These are the most common foods I have used as soon as my son was able to start eating baby food. Please keep in mind that all babies are different and I did talk to his pediatrician before starting him on any type of food. Another thing to remember is there is a safe way to do baby led weaning. Please never leave your child unattended while giving them these foods.
By Crystal Nicole5 years ago in Families
Tinker Trays
Tinker trays are taking toddler play to another level these days! Trending on social media, sensory play has given rise to another realm of playtime for young ones! These trays differ from the classic sensory play because these don’t contain a base material like rice, sand or beans. Don’t worry though, these tinker trays still create open-ended opportunities for play! Little hands delight in exploration, experimentation, manipulation and learning-based play with tiny items carefully chosen by you! Blending together the best pieces of ideologies like Montessori and Reggio with added fundamentals of sensory play and learning-based play, these tinker trays also bolster a big opportunity to fine tune those fine motor skills.
By Ashley Hansen | Truth and Table Teaching 5 years ago in Families
The Neighbors Pond
When I was young, we had neighbors that lived across the street from us. Every year my friends dad would start the pond, as he referred to it. My friend was a figure skater and I hadn’t decided if I would be a figure skater or a hockey skater. One problem was girls didn’t play hockey back then. This was in the sixties and I didn’t know any girl that played hockey. The other problem was that I knew I wasn’t about to be a figure skater, as I was too darn clumsy. If it was today, I would’ve had to wear a helmet, and knee pads especially. Instead, now I have beat up looking knees and possible brain damage. Well, I can’t really say the brain damage is from skating but you never know. We would have so much fun, skating to “Oklahoma” and “The Sound of Music” tunes. My friend had the record albums of both. When we were eleven or maybe twelve, we would skate all day, some days. Then in the summer we would dance and act in “Oklahoma” and “The Sound of Music” and when we tired of that, we would look forward to skating weather and talk about that until we tired of that too and I would go home.
By Denise E Lindquist5 years ago in Families
Can a parent have a favorite child?
"Can a parent have a favorite child?" My husband and I were having a nice afternoon barbecue at our friends' garden when this question became a hot topic. We were there with other young parents like us, and we have always enjoyed sharing our parenting experiences with each other, laughing about the countless 'oops' moments, and simply being there to listen and learn from each other.
By C.J.Erolan5 years ago in Families
What Are Some Child Visitation Rights For Fathers? Also - Child Support Definition
Historically, one often thinks of a bygone era where child custody was always seen as a woman's right. But, times have changed, and a more enlightened world has realized that a mother as the sole custodial parent is not always the best solution.
By Ava Sanghvia5 years ago in Families
Are You Raising An Asshole? Part 2: Are You Teaching Your Kids To Be Fat-Phobic on Purpose or Is It Just A Bonus?
I have loved (most of) the last 3.5 years nannying for two spirited kids. The little girl and I are best friends- we'll call her LG for little girl. And the boy, who I spoke about in the Part One of this series, we will call PC, short for Problem Child. I love him too, but he keeps me on my toes!
By Bonnie Joy Sludikoff5 years ago in Families
Are You Raising An Asshole? Part 1: Why To Avoid The Word Karen
The words we use matter. Now, if you're a parent, you can obviously say whatever the hell you want, right? You have every *right* to allow your kids to casually use bad language. But some words hit heavier than others- and before you pull an "I'll raise my kids how I want," I implore you to think about what your choices means for your kids, their future, and everyone around them.
By Bonnie Joy Sludikoff5 years ago in Families
