Search Results for: blog letting things slide

Letting Things Slide

Having to deal with an extremely combative 5-year-old, you learn to pick your battles very carefully. Prior to having kids I envisioned myself being an extremely strict parent. More “Do as I say” than “Okay, let’s negotiate.” However, these days, I find myself letting things slide more than I ever thought I would. Don’t get me wrong; I am very much a stickler when it comes to important issues, such as hygiene (there’s no negotiating out of daily teeth brushing), manners (“please” and “thank you” are required, not merely suggested), proper behavior (talking back and hitting are never tolerated), and … Continue reading →

How to Remove Bunchems from Hair

Every year, there is are specific toys that are considered to be the hottest, most popular, Christmas gift for kids. This year, a toy called Bunchems has attracted a lot of attention. The toy inspires creativity, but, unfortunately, also can get stuck in children’s hair. Bunchems is a toy that functions similarly to LEGO. Each Bunchem is a round, colorful, ball that appears to be made out of plastic. Each Bunchem is covered in little hooks that enable it to connect to other Bunchems. The cool thing about this popular toy is that it inspires creativity. Kids can build things … Continue reading →

Three Ways to Avoid Holiday Debt

It is easy to start racking up the debt during the holiday season. There are many demands on our money, such as holiday gifts, special events, travel costs, food, decorations, and other entertaining costs. We often get carried away when we spot the perfect gift or want to make it the best season ever. As you are planning, cooking and shopping, you might want to use the following strategies to avoid holiday debt. Start with a Holiday Budget In order to control holiday spending instead of letting holiday spending control you, you will need to set a budget. Start with … Continue reading →

Preparing for the 4th

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Is your house ready for the 4th of July? Usually, I decorate for every holiday, lately, I’ve been letting those things slide. I think it’s time to at least get some flags out and show a little spirit. For most of the United States the 4th means bbq’s and family. I love summer holidays, any excuse to get together with my family and friends, I’ll take it. Holiday dinners in the winter are nice but there is something to be said about sitting outside, after the sun goes down on a warm summer evening and watching the kids run around … Continue reading →

Expect Delays

If you have a toddler, you are likely familiar with TST, more commonly known as Toddler Standard Time, which tends to run significantly behind the rest of the world. We’ve all been there. You’ve got a doctor’s appointment in half an hour, your child refuses to eat breakfast, they’re throwing their toys across the room, and just when you manage to get them in the car you hear the ever familiar words, “Mommy! I have to go potty!” Needless to say, you may be a little bit late for that doctor’s appointment today. This isn’t uncommon when you have a … Continue reading →

How Much Do You Value Your Child’s Opinion?

When I get ready to go out in public I generally look like my profile photo seen at the bottom of this post. However, there are many times when I don’t bother sticking in my contacts, adding make-up or styling my hair. Instead, I throw on my glasses and a baseball cap and rush off to wherever it is that I need to be. Those are the times when I typically hear this from my 6-year-old daughter: “Ewwww, Mommy! Are you wearing your glasses in public?” To which I usually respond: “If you want to get to school on time—-yes!” … Continue reading →

End of the Year Slump

Every year I notice a pattern, the end of the year slump. For my son’s first year of high school that meant his grades went down some. I am very thankful that although he is antsy about the school year ending, his grades remain good. I have come to notice something else though. It’s not just my children that get into the end of the year slump. I tend to do the same. I guess I get to that point where I am ready for it all to end—the early mornings, getting everyone up, chauffeuring, driving from one activity to … Continue reading →

Why Do I Even Bother?

Why do I even bother asking my kid to find anything? Why? Nothing ever good comes from it. Never mind that the items I’m asking my 5-year-old to locate belong to her. Her mittens, her scarf, her boots, her socks, her backpack, her library book… Why? Why do I waste precious time, energy and oxygen lecturing her about responsibility and being conscientious about her belongings? Why do I rant about creating a system whereby she places her winter gear in the same exact spot each day, so she can find them in that exact spot each day? Why do I … Continue reading →

Rethinking the “Rules” of Parenting

Are you a staunch advocate of the “five-second rule?” Do you teach your kids that it is a no-no to double dip? In a previous blog I discussed the merits of letting things slide in an attempt to preserve one’s sanity as a parent. What I failed to mention is that sometimes when we tweak the rules we do our children a disservice. Case in point: The “five-second rule,” as it applies to food dropped on the floor. As a young mother I was a fervent follower of the “five-second rule.” I would never dream of allowing my precious baby … Continue reading →

When There’s a Problem, Deal With It!

Yesterday we looked at the little things in marriage that can be a problem. As well as not letting them build up, there is another reason those who run marriage preparation courses advocate dealing with the little things. If you can’t talk about the little things how are you ever going to be able to talk about the big things in your marriage? Communication is something that needs to be practiced and made a habit, we not only take into our marriages but keep up once we are married. Sometimes we may think we don’t want to talk about certain … Continue reading →