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Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Discipline

How is it that a cute, smart, adorable, blessing of a 2 year old (almost 3) can drive you crazy, make you mad and push you to the limits of your control - over and over?

I refuse to be "that Mom." But I refuse to have "that kid."

Discipline at this age.

I'm sure it's more for me than it is for him. But when he's 12 it will be too late to figure it out then!

So... I will not give in. He will not win!

And I will not lose... myself.

Almost Over!

One and a half months. The trust fund will be gone!

Ok, it was never a trust fund! Instead, it was a blessing - a remarkable blessing as a result of the normal tragedies of life.

And so when I joke and say the "trust fund" is almost gone, I cannot say in turn, that the blessings are almost gone. Because the truth is, more blessings are about to come!

It has been one long year full of trials and struggles and hardships, worries and concerns - even a few fears.

But now it seems, in 2 weeks to 2 months time, the money issues will be resolved, the sale of property will finally be done and over (1 year escrow!!), and our beautiful dream house will finally be "affordable."

Yeah! I'm hanging in there.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Life, job & money

Soon the time is coming when I will no longer be able to live like a kept woman; a trust fund baby. The trust fund is quickly running out.

And the goal; the plan has always been to build up my businesses and compensate for how much of the money I'd been spending on necessities each month.

And, at only being able to afford 3 full days a week of toddler school, I've still been working like a full time job, at hobby pay. Ok, no pay.

How it has happened this way, I cannot say. Each new success, is a tiny, painful step on the rung of a ladder with the rungs way, way too far apart.

But there have been successes! And so, I cannot quit, cannot give up hope, will not give up the faith, my faith that it will work out. It has to. I have no other options before me.

And so, if there are any Moms out there reading in the Burbank area, come check out a free demo class of Baby Signs (r) for 3 year olds and under. Get more info at www.mommyshappyhelpers.com.

Otherwise, pray for me.

Or consider a birthday party for your child - I've developed new packages and will be updating information on this site soon: www.jubilationparties.com

Otherwise, please just continue to pray for me!

So Life is good...

So, it's amazing what a few days can do.

I feel we've all calmed down. The potty usage is consistent, the routine of life is consistent and discipline... well...

I felt like I was just getting too angry. I was too frustrated. So, I used my husband as an example and calmed down. And I became quieter and more consistent with my discipline. Well, as every child will - the J-man decided to meet me at my new level and challenge it.

He flat out, big and bold - hurt our feelings. Yelling, screaming, spitting - the usual untolerated fare... and then told us he didn't like us. That's new... not entirely unexpected, but certainly not this soon. J-man, that's not nice, you apologize, you hurt mommy and daddy's feelings. He refused to apologize and that's what hurt! He's never not apologized before!

And oh was he a new kind of stubborn. And darn right mean. And I cried. And he didn't care. We certainly weren't going to discipline him into apologizing for hurting our feelings, but he did have to acknowledge as always that the spitting and screaming was unacceptable.

And then here comes the husband, "well I think he just feels like he didn't do anything wrong." Ok, that's acceptable for a teenager but not a toddler. That's how he'll learn some empathy by teaching him now, if he hurts someone's feelings, then you show them you care about them by apologizing. Am I right or am I right? I'm right.

Well, it took all day, but when I finally picked up the j-man from toddler school, he apologized. And, he apologized to his dad without being prompted also. Yeah! I mean, I was really, really hurt. And scared. What if he hadn't learned that lesson?

I am now positive that sympathy and empathy must be watched carefully. It will determine how he treats his teachers, and authority, and small animals and women... After all, I'm not just trying to raise a good boy, or a good man - my goal is to raise a good HUSBAND. That way, even if he doesn't want to get married, he'll still be a great guy!

Saturday, October 13, 2007

My Review of On the Go Potty Liners (10 pack)


Decent Travel Potty

By Dez from Sylmar, CA on 10/13/2007

 

4out of 5

Pros: Lightweight, Easily Stowed, Easily Cleaned, Great for standing up, Easy Setup

Cons: Hurts to sit on

Best Uses: Boys

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

It's great for the car - we call it the "pull-over potty". He asks to use it but only standing up. Which is great. He won't sit on it to go #2. It hurts his bottom and is not comfortable. He is 3. It has been a lifesaver for #1, once we figured out to lift it up to his body.

(legalese)