Two out of the four Christmases we are having are over and done with in our house and I already think my crazies were more than taken care of in the toy department. In my opinion, even a little spoiled. I am OK with that as the people we have spend the two Christmases with were grandparents and they are allowed to spoil the kids.
I do not spoil my children. In actuality, some people think I am a little stingy with them. I do not by them toys for Christmas. Santa brings them toys, but The Husband and I only buy them books and clothing.
The reason for this is because everyone else seems to buy them toys. Sure there might be a movie or book thrown in, maybe the occasional outfit for good measure, but mostly other people buy them toys.
Right now my house looks like a toy store exploded all over the floor. There are My Little Pony and Barbie pieces all over the hallway, cars and trains at the top of the stairs and baby toys strewn all over the living room floor.
The next few days will be a purge here at our house. Get rid of the toys that are no longer played with, or the crazies have outgrown and donate them so other children might be some enjoyment from them.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Noise Level Warning
Anyone who has spent any amount of time with Crazy 2 knows he is loud. I don't mean just annoyingly loud either. When he shrieks, it actually hurts your ears so bad your brain hurts.
He has always been loud, but he is also pretty much always happy and his excitement just bubbles out of him in crazy loud shrieks.
I am to the point now that I need him to be quiet at times, like when Crazy 3 is napping, but I am unable to get him to understand or to comply with the request. I am not sure if he truly doesn't understand or if he just is choosing to ignore me.
Suggestions have been made to get his hearing tested, but I don't believe that is what the issue is. He hears me when I whisper to him and he can whisper back.
My thoughts are maybe I need to seek help from a behaviour therapist of some sort to get techniques on how to get him to understand that he cannot be so loud all the time. It seems everything I have tried has failed so now it is time to look for assistance.
The bigger issue is that Crazy 1, even though she is older, is starting to get louder more often, most likely to compete with Crazy 2. Also, Crazy 3 has started to find his voice and because it is so loud in our home because of Crazy 2, he might actually be louder.
I guess the other option could be to invest in earplugs.
He has always been loud, but he is also pretty much always happy and his excitement just bubbles out of him in crazy loud shrieks.
I am to the point now that I need him to be quiet at times, like when Crazy 3 is napping, but I am unable to get him to understand or to comply with the request. I am not sure if he truly doesn't understand or if he just is choosing to ignore me.
Suggestions have been made to get his hearing tested, but I don't believe that is what the issue is. He hears me when I whisper to him and he can whisper back.
My thoughts are maybe I need to seek help from a behaviour therapist of some sort to get techniques on how to get him to understand that he cannot be so loud all the time. It seems everything I have tried has failed so now it is time to look for assistance.
The bigger issue is that Crazy 1, even though she is older, is starting to get louder more often, most likely to compete with Crazy 2. Also, Crazy 3 has started to find his voice and because it is so loud in our home because of Crazy 2, he might actually be louder.
I guess the other option could be to invest in earplugs.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Blogging About Other Blogs
Yesterday my post was about another blog post that I read. Some people think that this means I have no original ideas when in fact it is the exact opposite.
Other people's blogs, especially parenting ones, make me think about things a little more deeply sometimes and then I can reflect on my own blog how I feel about it.
Whenever I choose to create a post about a blog I have read, I will ALWAYS make sure that there is a link to the original post to give that author their credit due. I personally would consider it a compliment if someone linked to one of my posts and expanded on their own experience or opinion.
I want to know there are other like minded people out there, that I am not alone.
Other people's blogs, especially parenting ones, make me think about things a little more deeply sometimes and then I can reflect on my own blog how I feel about it.
Whenever I choose to create a post about a blog I have read, I will ALWAYS make sure that there is a link to the original post to give that author their credit due. I personally would consider it a compliment if someone linked to one of my posts and expanded on their own experience or opinion.
I want to know there are other like minded people out there, that I am not alone.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
What Happened to the Village
Last night The Husband passed me his IPad and told me to read this blog post.
I did and it hit home.
I definitely feel like I try to do too much sometimes with my crazies, mostly because everyone else seems to be able to have their $h!t together, and I feel like I don't.
Although I am not sure on where the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" originally comes from, in past generations there was a lot of truth to it. Nowadays, I ask where has the village gone? With most families having both parents work, too many activities to choose from even at the earliest ages, and competition running amok to have your child be the best, the first, the brightest, it is hard to see the village.
I think access to the internet has a big impact as well. Although obviously I am not immune to its power; I blog, I am on Facebook, I tried Twitter, I reject Pinterest. I think the information that is out there is overwhelming to parents. What you should be doing with your child from activities to feeding to sleeping is laid out by scores of 'parenting' websites. What happened to a parent just knowing what their child needs? What happened to letting children be children and make believe and play with whatever is handy? Why do we push them so hard at such an early age?
In previous generations, most mothers did not work, lived fairly close to other female relatives that did not work and had a group of other mothers that did not work. This then allowed for the mentality of having a village help raise your child. You could co-op babysitting, you could have your children play and socialize while you enjoyed some adult companionship. In today's society, families are separated distance wise, grandparents travel the world and most mothers and fathers are working. As a stay at home mom, I am in the minority.
I am thankful that I am able to be home and raise my children, to have home cooked meals for my family and somewhat take care of the housekeeping. I am overwhelmed with all there is to do out there, and all that people think I should do with my children. I am grateful that The Husband is an amazing man and brings me back to earth when I think I am failing as a parent and a wife. I do get lonely and I do long for adult conversation. Would I change this part of my life though, NEVER. I love my life and I love my family. Sometimes I just wish more people could have the same mentality as me, that more mothers could stay home and that there was a village to help raise my children.
I did and it hit home.
I definitely feel like I try to do too much sometimes with my crazies, mostly because everyone else seems to be able to have their $h!t together, and I feel like I don't.
Although I am not sure on where the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" originally comes from, in past generations there was a lot of truth to it. Nowadays, I ask where has the village gone? With most families having both parents work, too many activities to choose from even at the earliest ages, and competition running amok to have your child be the best, the first, the brightest, it is hard to see the village.
I think access to the internet has a big impact as well. Although obviously I am not immune to its power; I blog, I am on Facebook, I tried Twitter, I reject Pinterest. I think the information that is out there is overwhelming to parents. What you should be doing with your child from activities to feeding to sleeping is laid out by scores of 'parenting' websites. What happened to a parent just knowing what their child needs? What happened to letting children be children and make believe and play with whatever is handy? Why do we push them so hard at such an early age?
In previous generations, most mothers did not work, lived fairly close to other female relatives that did not work and had a group of other mothers that did not work. This then allowed for the mentality of having a village help raise your child. You could co-op babysitting, you could have your children play and socialize while you enjoyed some adult companionship. In today's society, families are separated distance wise, grandparents travel the world and most mothers and fathers are working. As a stay at home mom, I am in the minority.
I am thankful that I am able to be home and raise my children, to have home cooked meals for my family and somewhat take care of the housekeeping. I am overwhelmed with all there is to do out there, and all that people think I should do with my children. I am grateful that The Husband is an amazing man and brings me back to earth when I think I am failing as a parent and a wife. I do get lonely and I do long for adult conversation. Would I change this part of my life though, NEVER. I love my life and I love my family. Sometimes I just wish more people could have the same mentality as me, that more mothers could stay home and that there was a village to help raise my children.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
School Breaks = More Work
I have come to the conclusion that school breaks create more work for me.
Our routine is disrupted, I have to come up with ideas of things to do and it's just overall more hassle for me.
Crazy 2 had no play school this week, but Crazy 1 still has kindergarten. Crazy 2 was very upset that he was not going to school today. Thank god for Netflix! Dora the Explorer marathon saved the day.
Crazy 1 is done on Friday and doesn't go back until January 8th. Now I have to figure out how to fill days for the next two weeks with activities that they both will do and enjoy.
At least The Husband is planning on taking the entire week off next week so we can get some family time in.
Not that I don't love spending time with the crazies, but Crazy 3 is at an awkward stage right now, just starting to crawl so the stroller/car seat are not the saviour that they used to be. He's also starting to get a little heavy in the Snugli.
Here's to hoping the weather cooperates and The Husband can take them to the park across the street in their snow gear and run off some steam.
Our routine is disrupted, I have to come up with ideas of things to do and it's just overall more hassle for me.
Crazy 2 had no play school this week, but Crazy 1 still has kindergarten. Crazy 2 was very upset that he was not going to school today. Thank god for Netflix! Dora the Explorer marathon saved the day.
Crazy 1 is done on Friday and doesn't go back until January 8th. Now I have to figure out how to fill days for the next two weeks with activities that they both will do and enjoy.
At least The Husband is planning on taking the entire week off next week so we can get some family time in.
Not that I don't love spending time with the crazies, but Crazy 3 is at an awkward stage right now, just starting to crawl so the stroller/car seat are not the saviour that they used to be. He's also starting to get a little heavy in the Snugli.
Here's to hoping the weather cooperates and The Husband can take them to the park across the street in their snow gear and run off some steam.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Untitled Rant 1
Not sure what to call this one.
I am annoyed. It seems like ever since I got pregnant with Crazy 3 my friendships have changed.
Some people gave up on me when I was actually pregnant, some people after I had Crazy 3, and some people lip service but are not really there.
I do believe that friendship is a two way street, and I'll admit that with three kids under five it's a little hard for me to always make the call or the playdate. I know that in some instances I am to blame as well, I have no doubt.
I do believe that one of my 'friends' is no longer really speaking to me at all unless there is a group of us girls getting together. She has changed in the past few years and her interests are quite different from mine, almost complete opposite now. I also believe there might be a little bit of resentment as she always wanted lots of children, but she and her husband decided to quit after two.
The other issue is with another group of 'friends'. I have often felt like a tag along with this group as I became part of it due to a family relationship. They have always assured me that was not the case, that I was their friend just as much as my family member. Since Crazy 3 has been born, I have not been invited to events, both with the kids and without. This issue could be more around the fact that the other kids are starting to get older and I still have babies.
Overall I am starting to believe that I need to look closer at my relationships and decide who will actually be there for me. There are a lot of times that I feel like I am totally alone and have no one except The Husband to talk to. That is not fair to him, he has enough stress worrying about financial responsibilities for the family, he doesn't need to worry about my mental and emotional stability.
Here is to finding new friends and renewing connections to old ones, ones that will enhance my life and give me motivation, not bring me down!
I am annoyed. It seems like ever since I got pregnant with Crazy 3 my friendships have changed.
Some people gave up on me when I was actually pregnant, some people after I had Crazy 3, and some people lip service but are not really there.
I do believe that friendship is a two way street, and I'll admit that with three kids under five it's a little hard for me to always make the call or the playdate. I know that in some instances I am to blame as well, I have no doubt.
I do believe that one of my 'friends' is no longer really speaking to me at all unless there is a group of us girls getting together. She has changed in the past few years and her interests are quite different from mine, almost complete opposite now. I also believe there might be a little bit of resentment as she always wanted lots of children, but she and her husband decided to quit after two.
The other issue is with another group of 'friends'. I have often felt like a tag along with this group as I became part of it due to a family relationship. They have always assured me that was not the case, that I was their friend just as much as my family member. Since Crazy 3 has been born, I have not been invited to events, both with the kids and without. This issue could be more around the fact that the other kids are starting to get older and I still have babies.
Overall I am starting to believe that I need to look closer at my relationships and decide who will actually be there for me. There are a lot of times that I feel like I am totally alone and have no one except The Husband to talk to. That is not fair to him, he has enough stress worrying about financial responsibilities for the family, he doesn't need to worry about my mental and emotional stability.
Here is to finding new friends and renewing connections to old ones, ones that will enhance my life and give me motivation, not bring me down!
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Sharing is Not Always Nice
All three crazies were sick over the weekend with one thing or another. The weird part was that none of their symptoms were the same. Crazy 1 had a fever and runny nose. Crazy 2 was just really not himself and had a cough. Crazy 3 had a pretty high fever, almost enough for me to take him in, and that's it.
They are all on the mend now of course, but they had to share first. With me!
These are the moments I wish I worked outside the home. I really wish I could take my kids to daycare, dayhome, whatever and call in sick.
Alas, there is no rest for the wicked, or the stay at home mom.
They are all on the mend now of course, but they had to share first. With me!
These are the moments I wish I worked outside the home. I really wish I could take my kids to daycare, dayhome, whatever and call in sick.
Alas, there is no rest for the wicked, or the stay at home mom.