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Archive for parenting – Page 2

Warning! Smartphone Don’ts when parenting teenagers!

Parenting Teenagers

Parenting teenagers is like playing the game Operation in the dark. One wrong move and the buzzer is going to get you. There is no preparing for this new level of teenage hypersensitivity. Things that were innocent when they were little, now cause deadly embarrassment.

When parenting teenagers, to not cause your teen imaginary pain, it is wise to observe some smartphone etiquette:

-Do not use the camera to take funny images of them.

-Do not use the voice recorder to record them on the phone and play it back to them and their friends.

-Do not use the Facebook app to tag them in embarrassing photos.

-Do not use the music app to play a song they think is corny or dumb.

-Do not use the photo app to show their friends old, humiliating photos.

-Do not text their friends.

These tips will not reduce their moodiness but should give them one less thing to complain about. The good news is this chaotic period only last a few years.

Parenting Teens

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What are WE doing with American Education?

What are WE preparing our kids for with our American Education System????????

Education in America

 

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Baby Loves Music!

Sleeping Lilly Dreaming of Music

I was reading a great article by Daniel Molloy about rock songs to play for energetic kids and it got me thinking about what baby music I play for my baby.

She really likes the songs on Disney Junior, but there is only so much of that stuff I can take. We often listen to my iPod. It is easy to tell what she likes as she smiles and will move her hands and feet in rhythm. I use the music to calm her down. Some parents will play classical music for their kids, but I find the below list works best as baby music:

I have a special playlist of those artists. Before she was born, she would react to the music I was listening to. I have always felt it was important to expose my kids to music at a young age and the article by child psychology specialist, Cara Batema, describes the benefits.

What baby music does your baby like to listen to? Has their tastes been consistent? Please let me know in the comments.

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Lies, Lies, Lies! 3 Lies Told to New Moms!

Lies!

I came across a blog post on ParentingInMotion.com about 5 Lies told to new moms:

Lies Told to New Moms!

  • “You won’t have time to shower for days.”
  • “Sleep when the baby sleeps.”
  • “Just let the laundry and dishes pile up, they can wait”
  • “You will never eat a warm meal again.”
  • “If you learn to do it right, breastfeeding won’t hurt.”

While there are many crappy lies we tell new moms, 3 important ones that were missed in that list were:

  • Always follow instincts. A new mom will have a lot on her mind as she attends to the day to day care of her new baby. She will also be tired and sometimes aggravated. Not every idea that pops into her head will be right or make sense.
  • Friends and family will be a lot of help. While they mean well, most offers of assistance are hollow gestures. They sound great and polite but most parents are on their own.
  • All these products are needed. Everyone will recommend all the stuff the baby will NEED. Many of the items will offer convenience and help make things easier but rarely are they necessary.
Rather than giving advice to a new mom, how about actually helping her with something. Offering to help with a meal, run needed errands, or take some of the load off will provide more benefits and make more of an impact.

What other lies are needlessly told to new moms?
What help would you have rather received instead of crappy advice you were given?
Please let me know in the comments.

P.S. If this topic interests you, please check out the very popular and helpful book by Claudine Wolk called It Gets Easier!…And Other Lies We Tell New Mothers: A Fun, Practical Guide to Becoming a Mom.

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Cherish Simple Things

Cherish The Simple Things

 

Last Christmas I was looking for a gift for my husband, who is difficult to shop for. It is always a challenge finding a present for someone who doesn’t want anything.  My husband pretty much gets himself things that I would normally want to get him for gifts.  Serendipity struck while I was wandering at Target and I found a perfect wall hanging with the saying, “Cherish The Simple things”.

This item spoke to me because it is something my husband says often. We have tried to live by this motto in our marriage and in parenting. When I think about what it means, it is very basic, SLOW DOWN! Be Engaged in the moment.

Life moves by so fast. Everything is competing for our attention and it can be very easy to miss things. I think also, that sometimes we live on auto pilot. I know I do when I am tired and just trying to complete a task. I am there but not really “THERE”.

Some people use the sayings “Live for Today” or “You only live once”(YOLO) to motivate them, thinking it accomplishes the same thing. I see those quotes as different than “Cherish The Simple Things”. Those quotes refer to getting as much into a day or into life as possible. They reflect a mindset of DOING MORE.

“Cherish The Simple Things” is about quality, not quantity. It is possible to “Live for Today” and not really appreciate and treasure what’s going on. The laugh of a child, a nice cool breeze, a moment of silence, the glimpse into a loved one’s eyes, all require engagement to take them in. Cherish simple things in all aspects of life by paying attention.

Phones have become big siphons of our attention and get in the way of this experiencing of life. Since they can almost do everything, we stay glued to them. The quote, “Cherish The Simple Things”, motivates me to get me off the phone and into the moment I am in.

We hung the wall art in the front room where we can’t miss it, as a reminder every day. I also have sticky notes with the saying in various places to get the message across. For something so important as LIFE, I best be an active participant in it and “Cherish The Simple Things”.

I hope you do to.

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