Today, I was surprised when my twelve-year-old son declined when he was offered a piece of taffy. I decided to ask why he didn't want it, and he said, "Taffy is really bad for my teeth."
I felt a swell of maternal pride in having a son who was willing to take precautionary measures for the sake of our dental bills... and I told him so!
"Oh, TJ, it's great that you want to take care of your teeth!"
His response tempered my pride: "No, Mom, it's just that I don't wanna brush my teeth, so I avoid things like taffy that get stuck in them."
Hmmmmm.
Someday, hopefully soon, he'll discover that girls like breath that smells like freshly-brushed-teeth and that will motivate him in a way that apparently I haven't been able to.
In the meantime, thank goodness he stays away from taffy. It does show some degree of maturity in the forethought and sacrifice, right?
This is quite the illustration to me of the "line-upon-line" concept. I've determined that I'll be patient with his learning curve. I'll pray that he'll learn the next line while he still has teeth to brush.
Tuesday, July 30, 2013
Sunday, July 28, 2013
I'm Three Years Old, ya know
In my religion, we most often refer to God as our Heavenly Father. I love thinking of him as my parent -- particularly as I am a parent at this point in my life. It's endearing to realize that a lot of what I am going through raising children is also what God is going through as he raises me...
The other day, I was on a walk with my three year old, Reed. Frustrated with the glare in his eyes, he declared that he hates the sun. I pretended to be the sun, and sobbed, "Boo-hoo, Reed doesn't like me," to which Reed responded, "Mom, the sun doesn't talk."
"How do you know?" I asked him.
"Mom, I'm Three Years Old, ya know!"
How often do I respond to God that way? "C'mon God, I'm 37! Are you really trying to teach me something new?!"
Okay, okay, so Reed was right, in this case... the sun doesn't talk. BUT I wasn't really trying to convince him that it does. I was trying to get the point across that hating doesn't spread happy feelings, and that there are other, possibly more productive ways to deal with our frustrations -- like using the stroller's canopy to shade our eyes.
I hope I'll be more open to the lessons God, my Father in Heaven, wants to teach me. I know he wants me to learn things that will save me from a lot of frustration and anger. He wants me to have peace in my heart and enjoy the world around me -- the world that does, in its own sense, talk, and wants peace, too.
The other day, I was on a walk with my three year old, Reed. Frustrated with the glare in his eyes, he declared that he hates the sun. I pretended to be the sun, and sobbed, "Boo-hoo, Reed doesn't like me," to which Reed responded, "Mom, the sun doesn't talk."
"How do you know?" I asked him.
"Mom, I'm Three Years Old, ya know!"
How often do I respond to God that way? "C'mon God, I'm 37! Are you really trying to teach me something new?!"
Okay, okay, so Reed was right, in this case... the sun doesn't talk. BUT I wasn't really trying to convince him that it does. I was trying to get the point across that hating doesn't spread happy feelings, and that there are other, possibly more productive ways to deal with our frustrations -- like using the stroller's canopy to shade our eyes.
I hope I'll be more open to the lessons God, my Father in Heaven, wants to teach me. I know he wants me to learn things that will save me from a lot of frustration and anger. He wants me to have peace in my heart and enjoy the world around me -- the world that does, in its own sense, talk, and wants peace, too.
Friday, July 26, 2013
Wink, wink!
Winkers have always had a special place in my heart. My first crush as a young child was on an elderly man (who was married -- Sh! Scandalous!) -- all because of the twinkle in his eye as he winked at me.
What's in a wink?
I've been known to flash a wink at my kiddos to alert them to my teasing. It's a wink that says, "Don't take me seriously, sweetie -- you know I love you!"
I'll wink as I smile at a tiny stranger who is unabashedly staring at me in the grocery store. This time, the wink is saying, "Don't worry, someday you'll get old and funny-looking too..."
Winking can be a way of letting someone in on a secret, asking them to join me in a joke, or helping them understand the fine print -- that some restrictions may apply.
When I'm hurrying through the hall at church and can't take time to say hi to everyone, I'll smile, nod, wink in different directions, not wanting anyone to feel neglected or ignored. So these winks are saying, "You're valuable to me even though my rushing past you may make you wonder!"
This post was inspired by watching my three year old practicing his winking in the mirror. The eye movements were accompanied by hand signals that definitely got this message across: "You, my friend, are one cool dude!"
I'm glad my little guy has such a positive self-image! And what a wonderful thing a wink can be -- a tiny twitch of the eye that can get across such happy feelings!
What's in a wink?
I've been known to flash a wink at my kiddos to alert them to my teasing. It's a wink that says, "Don't take me seriously, sweetie -- you know I love you!"
I'll wink as I smile at a tiny stranger who is unabashedly staring at me in the grocery store. This time, the wink is saying, "Don't worry, someday you'll get old and funny-looking too..."
Winking can be a way of letting someone in on a secret, asking them to join me in a joke, or helping them understand the fine print -- that some restrictions may apply.
When I'm hurrying through the hall at church and can't take time to say hi to everyone, I'll smile, nod, wink in different directions, not wanting anyone to feel neglected or ignored. So these winks are saying, "You're valuable to me even though my rushing past you may make you wonder!"
This post was inspired by watching my three year old practicing his winking in the mirror. The eye movements were accompanied by hand signals that definitely got this message across: "You, my friend, are one cool dude!"
I'm glad my little guy has such a positive self-image! And what a wonderful thing a wink can be -- a tiny twitch of the eye that can get across such happy feelings!
Tuesday, July 23, 2013
Swimmin'
We are blessed with a wonderful neighbor who lets us know when her family will be swimming, and invites us to join in the fun.
My kids LOVE to hear the announcement that I received a text from the Larsens... and they hurry and get their "stuff" done so they'll qualify to go jump in the cool chlorine!
I personally don't take too well to the chemicals, so I sit on the patio chairs nearby, nursing the baby who's sacrificing her afternoon nap for the sake of everyone else's well-earned fun.
I enjoy watching the kiddos splashing and "diving" (actually, belly-flopping) and learning to duck their heads under and then come back up for air. I can see them wanting to stretch themselves a little, challenge themselves to do something a little more risky than last time. I celebrate with them when they tell me how far they can "swim." That's in quotation marks because I don't think any professionals would use that word to describe my children's efforts to not drown.
What's important to me -- the purpose of this post -- is that my children are experiencing a unique mixture of ingredients that will lead to delicious self-satisfaction every time...
First and foremost, they are setting their own goals -- and they are excited about it. They WANT to get better at this crazy notion of sticking their heads under water and flailing their limbs for dear life. I'm not in the pool giving pointers or even coaching from the concrete. Self-motivation... rare these days!
Neck-and-neck vying for first place is that they are HAVING FUN while they are challenging themselves. WOW!!! They are enjoying the cool water amidst the hot air and even hotter cement. They easily ignore splashing from fellow swimmers. They are not focused on any of the possible drawbacks or obstacles but accept them as part of the package deal and just keep swimming... (thanks, Dory).
And another element that is interesting to note is their willingness to keep taking risks. Hooray for them! Fear is not the driving emotion in their decision making.
I have a lot to learn from them...
My kids LOVE to hear the announcement that I received a text from the Larsens... and they hurry and get their "stuff" done so they'll qualify to go jump in the cool chlorine!
I personally don't take too well to the chemicals, so I sit on the patio chairs nearby, nursing the baby who's sacrificing her afternoon nap for the sake of everyone else's well-earned fun.
I enjoy watching the kiddos splashing and "diving" (actually, belly-flopping) and learning to duck their heads under and then come back up for air. I can see them wanting to stretch themselves a little, challenge themselves to do something a little more risky than last time. I celebrate with them when they tell me how far they can "swim." That's in quotation marks because I don't think any professionals would use that word to describe my children's efforts to not drown.
What's important to me -- the purpose of this post -- is that my children are experiencing a unique mixture of ingredients that will lead to delicious self-satisfaction every time...
First and foremost, they are setting their own goals -- and they are excited about it. They WANT to get better at this crazy notion of sticking their heads under water and flailing their limbs for dear life. I'm not in the pool giving pointers or even coaching from the concrete. Self-motivation... rare these days!
Neck-and-neck vying for first place is that they are HAVING FUN while they are challenging themselves. WOW!!! They are enjoying the cool water amidst the hot air and even hotter cement. They easily ignore splashing from fellow swimmers. They are not focused on any of the possible drawbacks or obstacles but accept them as part of the package deal and just keep swimming... (thanks, Dory).
And another element that is interesting to note is their willingness to keep taking risks. Hooray for them! Fear is not the driving emotion in their decision making.
I have a lot to learn from them...
Friday, July 19, 2013
Waking Up on the Right Side of the Bed
When my baby calls out on the monitor that she's awake, I hop right up to go get her. I want to get to her before she climbs out of bed by herself so I can help her get up on the right side of the bed...
The best trick I've learned is to enter the room with a big smile, arms outstretched, thrilled that she's awake.
This is one of the strongest evidences I have personally experienced of how mama's attitude affects the whole atmosphere of the home!
Waking up grumpy (since grumpy doesn't always go back to sleep) can also affect the whole atmosphere -- so this proven technique of happily approaching the freshly awaking child is preventive to a high degree!
Honestly, I feel like overall, it helps ME as much as it helps baby... because baby's nap doesn't always seem long enough... So it can be a little disconcerting to hear the voice over the monitor that alerts me to her apparent decision to NOT just roll over and snooze a little longer.
I -- sometimes with great effort -- conscientiously put away those negative thoughts of frustration and put on a new face, a big-delighted-infectious-ear-to-ear-sincere SMILE.
And ya know what?
It turns out that it is NOT just an outward transformation -- I really do *feel* happy too!
I no longer yearn for the half-hour that could have been mine had she slept a little longer.
I start to embrace the idea that I still have that half-hour -- and that I get to share it with an angel! An angel who is happy, too, because of how Mom came to help her get up on the right side of the bed.
The best trick I've learned is to enter the room with a big smile, arms outstretched, thrilled that she's awake.
This is one of the strongest evidences I have personally experienced of how mama's attitude affects the whole atmosphere of the home!
Waking up grumpy (since grumpy doesn't always go back to sleep) can also affect the whole atmosphere -- so this proven technique of happily approaching the freshly awaking child is preventive to a high degree!
Honestly, I feel like overall, it helps ME as much as it helps baby... because baby's nap doesn't always seem long enough... So it can be a little disconcerting to hear the voice over the monitor that alerts me to her apparent decision to NOT just roll over and snooze a little longer.
I -- sometimes with great effort -- conscientiously put away those negative thoughts of frustration and put on a new face, a big-delighted-infectious-ear-to-ear-sincere SMILE.
And ya know what?
It turns out that it is NOT just an outward transformation -- I really do *feel* happy too!
I no longer yearn for the half-hour that could have been mine had she slept a little longer.
I start to embrace the idea that I still have that half-hour -- and that I get to share it with an angel! An angel who is happy, too, because of how Mom came to help her get up on the right side of the bed.
Monday, July 8, 2013
My Wonderful Weeders
I'm so proud of my kiddos -- they help me every day with weeding. Our yard REALLY needs it... so it's quite gratifying for us to get out there and make a measurable difference. It helps that I give them fudgesicles afterwards, too!
Today, sweet three-year-old got out there and told me he was going to earn a fudgesicle. I got to pulling weeds and after about twenty minutes called out quittin' time. Three-year-old started crying!
"Why are you crying, sweetie?"
"Because I didn't work yet, so I won't get a fudgesicle!"
"Well, hurry up and pull some weeds!"
"No!" (Tantrum)
It occurred to me that this might be a behavioral pattern to break starting now! Life can be quite disappointing for procrastinators, and such disappointment is multiplied many times over for procrastinators who won't work under the pressure of a final deadline opportunity.
I've been known to procrastinate. Perhaps it's hereditary... I've also been known, though, to pack a lot of power into those last few hours/minutes before time is UP. I hope three-year-old can be inspired to choose more wisely in the future.
His sister helped him succeed today. She was able to calm him down and get him out there filling a bucket. Thank goodness for angels like her in my own life who have soothed the stress and encouraged the final success...
I'm blessed with such good kids!
Today, sweet three-year-old got out there and told me he was going to earn a fudgesicle. I got to pulling weeds and after about twenty minutes called out quittin' time. Three-year-old started crying!
"Why are you crying, sweetie?"
"Because I didn't work yet, so I won't get a fudgesicle!"
"Well, hurry up and pull some weeds!"
"No!" (Tantrum)
It occurred to me that this might be a behavioral pattern to break starting now! Life can be quite disappointing for procrastinators, and such disappointment is multiplied many times over for procrastinators who won't work under the pressure of a final deadline opportunity.
I've been known to procrastinate. Perhaps it's hereditary... I've also been known, though, to pack a lot of power into those last few hours/minutes before time is UP. I hope three-year-old can be inspired to choose more wisely in the future.
His sister helped him succeed today. She was able to calm him down and get him out there filling a bucket. Thank goodness for angels like her in my own life who have soothed the stress and encouraged the final success...
I'm blessed with such good kids!
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