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Mommy Talk
November 2007
Friday November 30, 2007
Posted by: bagel at 6:38PM CST on November 30, 2007
Help! The baby is sick. Work has been crazy busy the past two weeks. I was in a wedding two weeks ago, and have a family baptism next weekend. Of course, I'm also trying to work my schedule around my 4-year-old's preschool Christmas program, my extended family Christmas party and planning ahead for stories while I'll be gone from work for a few days over the holidays. Needless to say, I'm feeling very overwhelmed. And I haven't bought a single gift. Not one. How do you do it all moms and dads? How do you destress when life gets too hectic? How do you have fun with your children and carve out little bits of time for yourself? -Marci Monday November 26, 2007
Posted by: eyoung at 11:09AM CST on November 26, 2007
The National Education Association polled more than 2,500 teachers last spring, asking what gift they most enjoyed receiving from students. Forty-eight percent chose "hearing the words 'thank you' or receiving a thank you card." Apparently a short note from parents showing their appreciation — especially when tucked inside a card created by the child — goes a long way. Receiving a spa or other gift certificate came in second place, with 30 percent of respondents choosing this option. Other possible gifts included an appreciation breakfast or lunch (15 percent) or a plant (6 percent). As for apples? Only 1 percent of teachers said an apple would top their wish list. As a parent who is extremely grateful for the loving, watchful care my daughters have received from their day care, preschool and now elementary school teachers, I try to show our appreciation with small gifts at the holidays. My first year as a mom, I gave chocolates to my daughter's three day care teachers — never considering just how much candy they must get at the holidays. Whoops. Since then, we've opted for gift cards, restaurant gift certificates, movie passes, etc. Teachers, what gifts do you most appreciate receiving? What gifts would you rather parents and children didn't send? I surveyed a few friends who are teachers and here's the consensus: No coffee cups, desk trinkets or homemade goodies, please. With 20-some students, those types of gifts make for a cluttered desk and a lot of calories. Gift cards are always appreciated. although some said gift cards are so impersonal. Most answered that they never expect a gift, so it's always a nice surprise. Parents, what gifts do you give, if any? Do you also try to thank art, music and gym teachers, bus drivers, office staff? Do you tip your baby-sitters and day care providers?
Tuesday November 20, 2007
Posted by: HSmom at 12:33PM CST on November 20, 2007
Sorry if the photo above offends anyone, but this is about what I saw yesterday at Mayfair Mall - except it was a little girl who was shaking her fist and yelling at her parents. I don't know what caused her to become so angry, but as her parents were calmly walking away from her (I knew they belonged to her, as they were smiling and occasionally looking back to her as if she were the cutest thing on earth) she was yelling things like, "I'm serious, I'm going to scratch you - I'm going to give you a spanking!" At the top of her lungs. She couldn't have been much older than 5. Also recently, I saw a tiny girl - probably about a year old - being allowed to sit on top of the table at a decently nice restaurant and play with the salt shaker. She she (inevitably) spilled salt all over the table, her mother just laughed and said something about how she shouldn't have done that (but it was pretty obvious that mom thought it was pretty cute). The little girl cried a little when her mother attempted to take her off of the table... so she was put back on top of the table. Whatever happened to parents being in charge? I have 2 children and have taken care of other people's children as well as my own for about 25 years now. I have thought all of them were very cute - but I always let them know that I, as well as any other adult in our family, was in charge! No yelling needed, no hitting needed, just calm, firm discipline - it really isn't magic. Some common sense is also needed - don't take your young children to Wal-Mart at midnight - that is a good rule to follow! Don't allow children to sit on top of or jump on anything that you wouldn't want them to as teenagers! Nip habits in the bud. Do you have any bratty kid stories? What have you witnessed lately? Or do you have any suggestions for parents?
Friday November 16, 2007
Posted by: mlaehr at 12:10PM CST on November 16, 2007
On Thursday when I went to pick my 5-year-old up from school, his teacher handed me a worksheet she had helped him fill out that day. I read it, and laughed so hard I had tears coming out of my eyes. I hope it makes you smile or laugh as well. Here's what it said: Cesare’s Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe: Ingredients: Beef sandwiches, Mushrooms, Turkey spices Serve with: Pumpkin pie and corn Directions: Grandpa goes out hunting and gets a turkey. He chops the head off and plucks all the weeds out. Put it in the oven. Cooking time: 10 minutes Temperature: 36 degrees Wednesday November 14, 2007
Posted by: eyoung at 9:55AM CST on November 14, 2007
So we’re what, three months into the school year? So far, I’ve hawked goodies to friends, family, neighbors and co-workers for three separate fundraisers. And there’s at least two more fundraisers just down the road. I love my daughter’s school, so I have no problem doing our part to support her education. But my goodness, there are a lot of fundraisers. While we’ve been doing a lot of selling, we’ve also been doing a lot of buying. So far this school year, in my very small neighborhood, children have come to the door selling pizzas, pies, Pocket Peeler coupon books, cookie dough, popcorn, Christmas wreaths, candy bars and gift wrap. There’s been pledge sheets for walk-a-thons, bowl-a-thons and read-a-thons. It’s hard to say no – especially when you’ve been on the other side of the door, begging yourself. So we’ve purchased a lot of pizzas, pies, cookie dough, coupon books, caramel corn and candy bars. Our freezer is quite full. How do you handle all these fundraisers? How much do you end up buying?
Monday November 12, 2007
Posted by: eyoung at 9:18AM CST on November 12, 2007
After almost two months of meeting every deadline for book rental fees, lunch money fees, permission slips, family homework assignments and all the other responsibilities that come with being a kindergarten parent, I finally did it. I forgot something. I forgot the fruit. All of the students in my daughter’s class needed to bring in a can of mixed fruit for an upcoming event. I knew this. I’m sure I wrote it down on something that resembled a shopping list. But I completely forgot — until my daughter reminded me at bedtime one night last week that she needed to bring it in "tomorrow." Of course. ... (more)Friday November 9, 2007
Posted by: mlaehr at 10:01AM CST on November 9, 2007
I was thrilled with the reactions my 4 and 5-year-old sons had to their baby sister when she was born in May. For three months, while I was home on maternity leave, they displayed absolutely no signs of jealousy. They were actually quite helpful. But for the past month or so, my 4-year-old and former baby of the family, has been noticeably more difficult. He demands attention by doing things he knows are wrong. He argues with me over EVERYTHING. And, most irritatingly, he’s never quiet - EVER, literally unless he’s sleeping. He’ll talk. He’ll sing. He’ll yell. He’ll hum. He’ll make animal noises - anything to attract attention to himself. I still punish him for doing stuff wrong - that’s a time out in our house. I try not to get involved in the arguments with him. I admit, I’m at a loss as to what to do about the constant noise. I also try to give him a little extra love every day. I remind him that he’s my baby boy. I still sing to him at bedtime when he wants me to. I try to give him an equal amount of attention at the dinner table. He loves it when I call him my "pickle in the middle." But I’m starting to get the feeling he doesn’t love his placement in the family. With a big brother who can do everything and a baby sister who needs everything, I think he’s a little lost. Any suggestions on how to handle this, reassure him, help him on his way? -Marci Wednesday November 7, 2007
Posted by: Cheers at 8:14AM CST on November 7, 2007
Well, it looks like I am entering back into the workforce. And yes, I am freaking out about it. I wasn’t really looking for work. I had decided that I would just continue to stay home until Cassidy started school full time. But then this job just happened to fall into my lap and being that we could really use the money, I felt I had to take it – perhaps it was a sign. But I have so many reservations and I am quite nervous for several reasons. It is a part time Managerial Assistant position. It is about 25 hours a week. Pay is not great, but something I guess. No benefits. It seems like it will be pretty laid back. I think I can wear jeans or whatever to work. So that is nice. And I will be doing basic office/computer work which shouldn’t take me long to learn as I have done that sort of thing for many years. I will be working hours where I will pretty much be there alone – the techs will all be gone by the time I get there and I will leave before they return. There are two managers in that garage and they will be there on and off. I do like working alone. So that is nice too. It appears I don’t even have to interview for the job. They are sending me the paperwork (W4s, Drug Screen Waiver, etc) in the mail and once I return them, they will send me to get a drug test. I guess after that I will start working. I know it sounds like a decent opportunity, but for some reason I cannot stop worrying. I haven’t worked outside the home in 5 years. And even more, I have been with my daughter everyday for over 3 years. And while I know she will greatly benefit from going to “school” 5 days a week...it breaks my heart. Also, I am so used to just being able to go as I please everyday. Take a shower when I feel like it...not wear make up if I don’t want to...go grocery shopping in the morning when it is slow...if I am not feeling great or super tired, I can take it easy. Not that being a stay at home mom is easy. Even when I am wearing my PJs I still have to do all my mom/wife/runner of the home stuff. But at least that can be at my own pace. Especially in the winter. I hate driving in the winter...and now, when I don’t want to – I just stay home. Now I have to get up every morning and fix myself up, get her ready and drive across town regardless of weather. Plus, mornings are the hardest for me. Always have been. I think I just take to change poorly. It scares me. Not to mention the ‘what ifs’. What if I have a hard time learning their system? What if I hate it? What if after daycare and gas it isn’t worth it financially? I am such a negative nelly. I know. It’s terrible. I know Cass needs to get around other people/kids more. I know she needs to learn things I cannot always teach her. I know I need to get out and around other adults too. I need time away from home very much, but for some reason, that scares me. What I probably need the most scares me the most. How screwed up is that??!! And yes, like I said, a few extra bucks certainly won’t hurt. Especially this time of year (Christmas and property taxes – yuck). I just wish I could stop worrying and feel more excited and relaxed about this. Perhaps once I get there the dreaded anticipation will fade and I will find a new groove. God, I hope so. Anyone else go through this and have these feelings? Any words of wisdom?? Monday November 5, 2007
Posted by: eyoung at 9:18AM CST on November 5, 2007
So there’s this room in our house that I absolutely love. It has a large, arched window that fills our entire second floor with sunlight. I love the paint color on the walls. I love the curtains on the gorgeous window. I love the entire space. But I cannot go in there. Why can’t I go into this room, arguably the best room in our house? Because I cannot fit in it. Because it has been completely taken over by inflatable toys. ... (more) |
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