I recently received an email from a dear friend in a similar situation to myself, having babies very close together. My first two are 13 months apart and, as I type, my third bun in the oven will be only 16 months younger than my second. Here's what she writes. "I was wondering how ...
The difference between protection and over protection
Perhaps it's because I am neurotic, paranoid about my children's physical safety or just because I think too much about things, but the term over-protection has grated on me. I would think "how can you over-protect?" Then, it hit me, when people speak of others - negatively - as being ...
To Breastfeed or not to Breastfeed
I was going to title this article Breastfeeding: Does it or does it not suck? But since I've already used that when talking about pacifiers, I thought I'd just be a grown-up and use a nice title. Now, this article will not enter into the age-old debate on breast vs. bottle. Breastmilk is natural ...
“Nurture Shock” book review (children and lying)
If you've wondered why children lie, what motivates them, the nurture shock book will help. It's great parenting advice for families. I've already familiarized you with Nurture Shock. The authors, Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman, have reviewed research concerning various behaviors children ...
What I Learned when my daughter woke up the entire 2nd floor of our hotel
And it was not a small hotel. In fact, resort would be the more apt description. It went something like this. She was up late the evening before because we hosted for Thanksgiving. After being put down for a nap in the hotel she had been sleeping roughly an hour when the neighbor's very loud ...
What I learned getting a urine sample from an 18 month old
Here I am again, talking about things medically related. And, about how to get urine sample from a toddler, of all things. This winter we had quite a few visits to the doctor. But, this was a special episode. My - then - 18 month old baby girl had us convinced she had a UTI. She was acting all weird ...
Postpartum Anxiety
Many people probably read the term "postpartum anxiety" and immediately think, nah not for me. It seems extreme, as though one must be having panic attacks at 15 minute intervals and in the supermarket check-out line to be considered anxious. While, this sure can occur, I think the most common form ...
Are your Children Jealous of your phone?
I remember the moment vividly. I was playing with my toddler then reached for my cell phone. She took one look at my phone and burst into tears, while continuing to stare at my phone. I felt horrible and threw it down and went to her. After a few less emotional probably fake cries she stopped. She ...
Scheduling + Routine
Scheduling & routine are dirty words in some circles. How does the clock know when your baby is tired or sleepy? So you starve them if it isn't "time" to eat? I don't want to get into the nitty gritty debate of attachment parenting vs. parent-directed feeding. Here I want to lay out some reasons ...
What I Learned when my Baby Ruined my Bedding
For some reason the adult bed in the house is our hangout. Maybe because it's comfy and my daughter likes to stand up and fall down. Maybe because I like to lay somewhere soft now and again. Maybe because I lay them on it before a shower or bath. That is when it happened. I like to put on my bathing ...
How Long until you See Results?
Parenting is often a guessing game. I don't know what's wrong with her....she can't talk yet. I think she's teething...or she's sick, or she's just fussy. I don't know why my child is angry, is it something I did or something that happened at school? Is the rash an allergic reaction, because of the ...
“The 5 Love Languages of Children” book review
You are probably thinking, if I read the 5 Love Languages then won't this book just repeat everything? To a certain extent, yes of course, but let's think of it another way. Is there a difference in making your spouse feel loved romantically and making your children feel loved maternally? Uh, I ...
What I Learned at the Public Pool
We don't have a pool. I wish it were different, and being a Florida girl at heart who swam almost every summer day growing up, it can tend to gnaw at your insides. So, in an effort to be content with where we're at and still get to swim, we go to the nearby public pool. We went to the pool the other ...
Why There’s No Sense in Reasoning with Toddlers
Reasoning with toddlers is a bad habit to start. I am going to explain ways to avoid meltdowns and when it is necessary to avoid battles for everyone's sanity. Have you ever been challenged to a dual? Chances are, if you're raising children... you have! I'm referring to the one-on-one ...
What I Learned at a birthday party
I planned a birthday party for my boss recently. I have yet to enter the birthday-party-every-weekend phase of life since my children are a little young for that, but boy did I get a taste of what's to come. Here's what I learned: 1) Adults are way more concerned with party decor than ...
Honor Respect + Authority
7 Secrets of Successful Families puts it like this: "The parents who do not exercise righteous authority and require their children to obey and honour them aren't only creating problems for themselves and society; they are also cursing their children with a life of problems....We must ...