Showing posts with label toddlers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label toddlers. Show all posts

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Ima, Tell me all about . . . the recipe for water

My 4yo is a Chatty Cathy to the extreme. Her recent "Tell me all about" was for the recipe for water.

I explained briefly, then as any good listener does, she repeated the highlights back to me:

"Hashem (G-d) takes two hydrans, one oxidigen, mixes it up. Makes water, puts it into a bottle, puts on the lid so, so tight so you need a mommy or a daddy to open it. Unless you are big enough and can open it yourself."

Yep, that's basically how it goes!

My 4yo is a Chatty Cathy to the extreme. Her recent "Tell me all about" was for the recipe for water.


I explained briefly, then as any good listener does, she repeated the highlights back to me:

"Hashem (G-d) takes two hydrans, one oxidigen, mixes it up. Makes water, puts it into a bottle, puts on the lid so, so tight so you need a mommy or a daddy to open it. Unless you are big enough and can open it yourself."

Yep, that's basically how it goes!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Inspired by Parent Hacks & Amazon!

I've found some amazing tips at ParentHacks.com and some amazingly helpful products at Amazon.com (yay free shipping!) but never before has shopping at Amazon collided with Parent hacking!

My kids are between sizes at the moment. Too skinny for their size, and too tall for the next size down. I had safety pins and belts in my Amazon shopping cart when I came across Smartie Pants cinch belt for adjusting kids' pants/skirts whether there are belt loops or not. Brilliant! And cute colors, I was almost sold until I remembered a little something I had stored away in their sock drawer. Extra mitten clips to the rescue! My mother is forever buying hats, gloves, and mitten clips at a rate exceeding our number of heads, hands, or sleeves.

Isn't a mitten clip the same idea as the cinch belt? So I did a test run.

From iTookThisOnMyPhone

Success!

Here are some of my fave Parent Hacks from ParentHacks.com:

What to do with onesie snaps during diaper change or potty time?

What to do with extra wipes containers?
How to make slippery finger foods easier to hold

Hack away!

I've found some amazing tips at ParentHacks.com and some amazingly helpful products at Amazon.com (yay free shipping!) but never before has shopping at Amazon collided with Parent hacking!

My kids are between sizes at the moment. Too skinny for their size, and too tall for the next size down. I had safety pins and belts in my Amazon shopping cart when I came across Smartie Pants cinch belt for adjusting kids' pants/skirts whether there are belt loops or not. Brilliant! And cute colors, I was almost sold until I remembered a little something I had stored away in their sock drawer. Extra mitten clips to the rescue! My mother is forever buying hats, gloves, and mitten clips at a rate exceeding our number of heads, hands, or sleeves.

Isn't a mitten clip the same idea as the cinch belt? So I did a test run.

From iTookThisOnMyPhone

Success!

Here are some of my fave Parent Hacks from ParentHacks.com:

What to do with onesie snaps during diaper change or potty time?

What to do with extra wipes containers?
How to make slippery finger foods easier to hold

Hack away!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

If Amelia Bedelia had shabbos guests

This shabbos proved that when British English meets toddler logic, hilarity ensues. A friend is coming for a meal with his girlfriend. We're meant to meet, greet, impress, provide a comfortable table. This is what happened instead:

Hubsters: "Our friend is coming with his bird." (British slang for girlfriend or woman)

Later during dinner:

3yo asks puzzled: "But he did not bring a bird."
Me: Pause. "No, no he didn't, but thank you Amelia Bedelia" unrestrained laughter.
3yo: polite giggle. Sigh. "You thought he was going to bring a bird." Headshake.

Me: tears.

The best part was her mature "silly grownups" patronizing reaction. From a 3yo still funny. I'm hoping it stops while she's ahead.


This shabbos proved that when British English meets toddler logic, hilarity ensues. A friend is coming for a meal with his girlfriend. We're meant to meet, greet, impress, provide a comfortable table. This is what happened instead:


Hubsters: "Our friend is coming with his bird." (British slang for girlfriend or woman)

Later during dinner:

3yo asks puzzled: "But he did not bring a bird."
Me: Pause. "No, no he didn't, but thank you Amelia Bedelia" unrestrained laughter.
3yo: polite giggle. Sigh. "You thought he was going to bring a bird." Headshake.

Me: tears.

The best part was her mature "silly grownups" patronizing reaction. From a 3yo still funny. I'm hoping it stops while she's ahead.


Sunday, May 9, 2010

Kids and Guests

We love having guests. We don't have the most spacious accommodations, but we don't mind sharing what we have. My kids have occasionally heard me lament any Shabbos we weren't able to drum up guests. We're lucky enough to have several regulars who make sure this doesn't happen often.

This past shabbos we were invited out to lunch, fun for all, but that means no guests. On the way home the kids saw some people out for a walk.

"Are those our guests?" They asked pointing excitedly. The disappointment when I said no made me very glad I'd thought to invite a family to join us in the late afternoon! Awa and Hubsters sped home while RE and I plodded along together slowly.

Then RE saw a dog. "Can the dog come to my house?" He asked at least five times before I could answer. Seeing that we couldn't catch up with the dog I decided to use the opportunity to coax some conversation out of my strong n silent little guy.

"What would you say if the dog came to our house?" I asked, proud that I thought of a non yes-or-no question.

"YES!" RE nodded. So much for avoiding yes-or-no. "I'd say, Yes you can come to my house doggie."

"What would the doggie do at your house," I continued the interview.

"Um, I'd give him strawberries and melon." RE spoke with certainty.

"Where would the doggie sleep?" I was on a roll.

" . . . " Confused look.

"Ok, who else should come to our house?" I asked desperate to keep him talking during his rare moment in the spotlight without his older sister piping in.

"A dog, and a cat, and Nana & Papa (my parents), and Saba & Safta (hubster's parents), and a dog. . . . and a cat" RE listed.

Phew! He was still willing to talk, and boy did he have plans!

"And where will they all sleep?"

". . . " Again confused look.

I guess he'll do the inviting and I'll do the worrying about who will sleep where and what to serve outside of the fruit course.

We love having guests. We don't have the most spacious accommodations, but we don't mind sharing what we have. My kids have occasionally heard me lament any Shabbos we weren't able to drum up guests. We're lucky enough to have several regulars who make sure this doesn't happen often.


This past shabbos we were invited out to lunch, fun for all, but that means no guests. On the way home the kids saw some people out for a walk.

"Are those our guests?" They asked pointing excitedly. The disappointment when I said no made me very glad I'd thought to invite a family to join us in the late afternoon! Awa and Hubsters sped home while RE and I plodded along together slowly.

Then RE saw a dog. "Can the dog come to my house?" He asked at least five times before I could answer. Seeing that we couldn't catch up with the dog I decided to use the opportunity to coax some conversation out of my strong n silent little guy.

"What would you say if the dog came to our house?" I asked, proud that I thought of a non yes-or-no question.

"YES!" RE nodded. So much for avoiding yes-or-no. "I'd say, Yes you can come to my house doggie."

"What would the doggie do at your house," I continued the interview.

"Um, I'd give him strawberries and melon." RE spoke with certainty.

"Where would the doggie sleep?" I was on a roll.

" . . . " Confused look.

"Ok, who else should come to our house?" I asked desperate to keep him talking during his rare moment in the spotlight without his older sister piping in.

"A dog, and a cat, and Nana & Papa (my parents), and Saba & Safta (hubster's parents), and a dog. . . . and a cat" RE listed.

Phew! He was still willing to talk, and boy did he have plans!

"And where will they all sleep?"

". . . " Again confused look.

I guess he'll do the inviting and I'll do the worrying about who will sleep where and what to serve outside of the fruit course.

Happy Mother's day!

This year was my first real Mother's Day. The kids learned about it in school a little and made gifts for me.

RE made a little bowl that said "Ima" (mother) in Hebrew stickers. Inside was a little cupcake and a cookie. Which he at Shabbos morning when he woke up early! Little scamp! "Happy Mother's Day Ima! I got you a bowl of crumbs and an empty cupcake wrapper!" Urp!

Awa's gift survived until today. It is a painted box filled with: A heart with her name in it, 2 muffins, a button key chain, and "Ima there's coffee!" A little sleeve of french vanilla instant coffee. I like to think her maturity and love kept her from scarfing it, but I think she just forgot all about it.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! May the crumbs always frame smiles of love!

This year was my first real Mother's Day. The kids learned about it in school a little and made gifts for me.


RE made a little bowl that said "Ima" (mother) in Hebrew stickers. Inside was a little cupcake and a cookie. Which he at Shabbos morning when he woke up early! Little scamp! "Happy Mother's Day Ima! I got you a bowl of crumbs and an empty cupcake wrapper!" Urp!

Awa's gift survived until today. It is a painted box filled with: A heart with her name in it, 2 muffins, a button key chain, and "Ima there's coffee!" A little sleeve of french vanilla instant coffee. I like to think her maturity and love kept her from scarfing it, but I think she just forgot all about it.

Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there! May the crumbs always frame smiles of love!

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Toddler Bedelia


Conversations with toddlers often leave both sides rather confused. A confused look from a toddler however shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of understanding or slowness. I'm still boggled at the cleverness my two and a half year old showed this morning once I caught up with him.

I was helping him get dressed.

Me, holding socks: Do you want to wear socks today or have bare feet?
RE: Bare feet.
Me: Ok. (puts away socks)
RE, grabs favorite teddy, throws to the ground, stands upon its back & yells: Bear feet!
Me: wha?
RE, points to bear: Bear feet!
Me: oh, ok . . . wait . . . lol!


Apparently he inherited my side of the family's curly hair, olive skin, wide short nose, cleft chin, AND love of bad puns.

Of course that's assuming he meant to be funny and wasn't just pulling an Amelia Bedelia.


Conversations with toddlers often leave both sides rather confused. A confused look from a toddler however shouldn't be mistaken for a lack of understanding or slowness. I'm still boggled at the cleverness my two and a half year old showed this morning once I caught up with him.


I was helping him get dressed.

Me, holding socks: Do you want to wear socks today or have bare feet?
RE: Bare feet.
Me: Ok. (puts away socks)
RE, grabs favorite teddy, throws to the ground, stands upon its back & yells: Bear feet!
Me: wha?
RE, points to bear: Bear feet!
Me: oh, ok . . . wait . . . lol!


Apparently he inherited my side of the family's curly hair, olive skin, wide short nose, cleft chin, AND love of bad puns.

Of course that's assuming he meant to be funny and wasn't just pulling an Amelia Bedelia.

Monday, December 28, 2009

Conversations with a Toddler: The one that proves 3yo is FFB*

*FFB = frum from birth, ortho-lingo for raised religious.

I wasn't raised with religion. I know that sounds hard to believe, but since my parents wanted me to make my own decisions about religion we didn't discuss or participate in religion until I was in high school and my dad worried we'd fall prey to some cult if we didn't have some kind of background in something to pull from.

Well, today I had a conversation with my 3year-old that I couldn't have participated in until after I was 20 years old.

dd: How can Aba (daddy) be the king?

me: Because he's the Aba of the house, that makes him king.

dd: But how can there be two kings?

Already a deep concept.

me: There aren't two kings, Aba is the king and Ima (me, mommy) is the queen. That's it.

dd: But Hashem (G-d) is the King.

Stunned silence.

me: That's true, Hashem is the King of the whole world and Aba is king of this house.

Wow. So exciting and validating to know my children are getting a head start on all the questioning I navigated in college. Course I hope I always know the right thing to say even when I don't have the answers!

*FFB = frum from birth, ortho-lingo for raised religious.

I wasn't raised with religion. I know that sounds hard to believe, but since my parents wanted me to make my own decisions about religion we didn't discuss or participate in religion until I was in high school and my dad worried we'd fall prey to some cult if we didn't have some kind of background in something to pull from.

Well, today I had a conversation with my 3year-old that I couldn't have participated in until after I was 20 years old.

dd: How can Aba (daddy) be the king?

me: Because he's the Aba of the house, that makes him king.

dd: But how can there be two kings?

Already a deep concept.

me: There aren't two kings, Aba is the king and Ima (me, mommy) is the queen. That's it.

dd: But Hashem (G-d) is the King.

Stunned silence.

me: That's true, Hashem is the King of the whole world and Aba is king of this house.

Wow. So exciting and validating to know my children are getting a head start on all the questioning I navigated in college. Course I hope I always know the right thing to say even when I don't have the answers!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Judging favorably: The toddler edition

We have no shortage of night wakenings here even though my "baby" is two years old. Generally it's my three year old with a night terror once or twice and while startling, they don't require any act on my part besides a comforting "shush shush." Last night it was the lil man, screaming with blood curdling effectiveness that a child works to perfect just to keep mommy on her toes and her hair on end. I went in and the poor thing was thrashing about moaning "the butterfly, the butterfly" the same way a horror movie actor would repeat the zombies, the butler, the horror, etc. The idea gave me a chuckle and a pretty funny mental image of Attack of the Killer Butterflies. I calmed him down with a little tummy rubbing and a few good patronizing "Mommy won't let the butterflies hurt you" thrown in for good measure. What an imagination! I thought.

I returned to my comfy spot on the couch still smiling at the idea that the poor babe was scared of butterflies. Twenty minutes later I was attacked by the butterfly, which was in fact a low flying stink bug! It buzzed aggressively, dived bombed me a few times before settling in the nearby light fixture only venturing out when I thought I was safe to give a few more buzzes before landing in a different location. Definitely startled any smugness or patronizing mommy knows best feelings right outta my noggin!

Butterfly. Nope.
Dangerous. Nope.
Buzzing, winged creature that would scare the pants off someone sleeping or relaxing in the dark. YOU BETCHA!


We have no shortage of night wakenings here even though my "baby" is two years old. Generally it's my three year old with a night terror once or twice and while startling, they don't require any act on my part besides a comforting "shush shush." Last night it was the lil man, screaming with blood curdling effectiveness that a child works to perfect just to keep mommy on her toes and her hair on end. I went in and the poor thing was thrashing about moaning "the butterfly, the butterfly" the same way a horror movie actor would repeat the zombies, the butler, the horror, etc. The idea gave me a chuckle and a pretty funny mental image of Attack of the Killer Butterflies. I calmed him down with a little tummy rubbing and a few good patronizing "Mommy won't let the butterflies hurt you" thrown in for good measure. What an imagination! I thought.


I returned to my comfy spot on the couch still smiling at the idea that the poor babe was scared of butterflies. Twenty minutes later I was attacked by the butterfly, which was in fact a low flying stink bug! It buzzed aggressively, dived bombed me a few times before settling in the nearby light fixture only venturing out when I thought I was safe to give a few more buzzes before landing in a different location. Definitely startled any smugness or patronizing mommy knows best feelings right outta my noggin!

Butterfly. Nope.
Dangerous. Nope.
Buzzing, winged creature that would scare the pants off someone sleeping or relaxing in the dark. YOU BETCHA!


Thursday, November 19, 2009

Advice needed: Restless Sleeper Toddler Syndrome

My 3yo spend the first year of her life swaddled. She was a restless sleeper even then and being swaddled helped keep her asleep. Now she is a big 3yo who sleeps on a mattress on the floor. Actually she starts out on a mattress on the floor but can be found almost anywhere in her room as she rolls, scoots, crawls, spins, wiggles, shakes, inchworms in her sleep. She wakes up when she bumps something we haven't figured out how to pad or cushion. She talks, cries, yells, babbles, whimpers, whispers, all with her little baby face screwed up in sleepy confusion. Often when passing by her room after 10pm I see her awake, peering around her door watching and listening to what's going on in the house, the lure of the lights and sounds of her parents partying while she sleeps too much to resist.

But now she won't nap during the day. So she's even more tired. Earlier bedtimes just mean earlier wakeup times. I've tried reasoning, consequences like no playdates or library time for tired kids. Elmo watching is also reserved for kids who sleep. I'm not as good at swaddling as hubsters is, so that doesn't work if he's not home. Pause for a minute to imagine a 3yo swaddled in a comforter, it's pretty funny! Of course she screams if I try it, so the funny moment is fleeting.

We've tried running around like nutters so she'll collapse in exhaustion, she can outlast her baby brother and her mommy at that! We have a bedtime routine, going to bed isn't the problem, it's having peaceful sleep the whole night that's the problem. She doesn't wake me up, so that's not my motivation either. I'm out of ideas, can I borrow one?

My 3yo spend the first year of her life swaddled. She was a restless sleeper even then and being swaddled helped keep her asleep. Now she is a big 3yo who sleeps on a mattress on the floor. Actually she starts out on a mattress on the floor but can be found almost anywhere in her room as she rolls, scoots, crawls, spins, wiggles, shakes, inchworms in her sleep. She wakes up when she bumps something we haven't figured out how to pad or cushion. She talks, cries, yells, babbles, whimpers, whispers, all with her little baby face screwed up in sleepy confusion. Often when passing by her room after 10pm I see her awake, peering around her door watching and listening to what's going on in the house, the lure of the lights and sounds of her parents partying while she sleeps too much to resist.


But now she won't nap during the day. So she's even more tired. Earlier bedtimes just mean earlier wakeup times. I've tried reasoning, consequences like no playdates or library time for tired kids. Elmo watching is also reserved for kids who sleep. I'm not as good at swaddling as hubsters is, so that doesn't work if he's not home. Pause for a minute to imagine a 3yo swaddled in a comforter, it's pretty funny! Of course she screams if I try it, so the funny moment is fleeting.

We've tried running around like nutters so she'll collapse in exhaustion, she can outlast her baby brother and her mommy at that! We have a bedtime routine, going to bed isn't the problem, it's having peaceful sleep the whole night that's the problem. She doesn't wake me up, so that's not my motivation either. I'm out of ideas, can I borrow one?

Monday, November 16, 2009

101 things to feed a toddler

Step one: Find something the toddler eats
Step two: Feed it to them
Step three: repeat 100 times

Today my two toddlers are home sick (more about that later I'm sure). They are pretty consistent in their breakfasting habits. They choose from:
  • yogurt drunk through a straw or eaten with cheerios/corn flakes mixed in and a spoon
  • peanut butter sandwiches (with or without the crust depending on the direction of the wind, the phase of the moon, and the current adjusted for inflation price of tea in China)
  • oatmeal - plain oatmeal with raisins, a dash of cinnamon, a dash of honey, and occasionally a handful of cheerios or cornflakes. There is no accounting for taste when it comes to a toddler.
Well, lunch time just rolled around and I offered the usual. They both wanted oatmeal. The same thing they ate for breakfast. We haven't left the house and the whole thing is giving me a Groundhog Day feeling. They must get it from their father who had egg sandwiches for breakfast and dinner last night.

Step one: Find something the toddler eats
Step two: Feed it to them
Step three: repeat 100 times

Today my two toddlers are home sick (more about that later I'm sure). They are pretty consistent in their breakfasting habits. They choose from:
  • yogurt drunk through a straw or eaten with cheerios/corn flakes mixed in and a spoon
  • peanut butter sandwiches (with or without the crust depending on the direction of the wind, the phase of the moon, and the current adjusted for inflation price of tea in China)
  • oatmeal - plain oatmeal with raisins, a dash of cinnamon, a dash of honey, and occasionally a handful of cheerios or cornflakes. There is no accounting for taste when it comes to a toddler.
Well, lunch time just rolled around and I offered the usual. They both wanted oatmeal. The same thing they ate for breakfast. We haven't left the house and the whole thing is giving me a Groundhog Day feeling. They must get it from their father who had egg sandwiches for breakfast and dinner last night.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Toddler approved packed lunch ideas

I know I am blessed in many ways, one of which is that no matter how annoying & fickle my toddlers can be at meal time, they are still considered amazingly good eaters when measured on the toddler scale from "lives on air" to "eats everything in sight as long as it isn't broken in half or touching anything else."

We are further limited by the school's rules which include no nut products and no meat.

It's still a struggle to find things that are consistently finished when I go to empty the lunch boxes at the end of the day. I only do easy peasey recipes. Here are a few vegetarian, nut free ideas:

Always eaten:
  • tuna & cream cheese filled puffs. The puffs are sold By Athens are come precooked & frozen.
  • Zucchini muffins (link to my recipe)
  • pasta tossed with olive oil, frozen corn, cherry tomatoes, & avocado (Awa doesn't like tomatoes, so she eats around or I leave out) and possibly cheese
  • whole wheat tortillas filled with cream cheese & spinach
  • Morningstar Farms Chik patties
  • leftover pizza
  • pizza sandwich (Awa takes off the cheese)
  • cream cheese & jelly sandwich
  • pancakes
  • raisins
  • string cheese
  • boiled eggs
  • cubed melon
  • oranges
  • jello cups
Sometimes eaten:
  • apples
  • bananas
  • plain cream cheese sandwiches
  • rice cakes
  • baggie of dry cereal
  • salmon patties
NOT eaten:
  • tomato sauce sandwich (surprising since it's the same as the pizza one without the cheese and that's what Awa eats when she removes the cheese)
  • chummus sandwich, unexpected since they both love to dip into chummus.

I know I am blessed in many ways, one of which is that no matter how annoying & fickle my toddlers can be at meal time, they are still considered amazingly good eaters when measured on the toddler scale from "lives on air" to "eats everything in sight as long as it isn't broken in half or touching anything else."


We are further limited by the school's rules which include no nut products and no meat.

It's still a struggle to find things that are consistently finished when I go to empty the lunch boxes at the end of the day. I only do easy peasey recipes. Here are a few vegetarian, nut free ideas:

Always eaten:
  • tuna & cream cheese filled puffs. The puffs are sold By Athens are come precooked & frozen.
  • Zucchini muffins (link to my recipe)
  • pasta tossed with olive oil, frozen corn, cherry tomatoes, & avocado (Awa doesn't like tomatoes, so she eats around or I leave out) and possibly cheese
  • whole wheat tortillas filled with cream cheese & spinach
  • Morningstar Farms Chik patties
  • leftover pizza
  • pizza sandwich (Awa takes off the cheese)
  • cream cheese & jelly sandwich
  • pancakes
  • raisins
  • string cheese
  • boiled eggs
  • cubed melon
  • oranges
  • jello cups
Sometimes eaten:
  • apples
  • bananas
  • plain cream cheese sandwiches
  • rice cakes
  • baggie of dry cereal
  • salmon patties
NOT eaten:
  • tomato sauce sandwich (surprising since it's the same as the pizza one without the cheese and that's what Awa eats when she removes the cheese)
  • chummus sandwich, unexpected since they both love to dip into chummus.

10 tips for Travelling with Toddlers: Part 1 Packing

I know the title of this blog (even with it's nifty alliteration) might seem like it could easily lend itself to a horror novel, I know it gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it! Yet I managed to survive moving cities, moving countries, moving states (by myself no less!), and visiting family overseas, plus frequent bus rides where it's just me, my two toddlers, a stroller, a diaperbag and a small scrap of sanity.

I don't always remember to do the things on this list, but when I do it sure does make everything go a bit more smoothly! One trick is to always have a little more of everything than you'll think you'll need, cuz something will happen and you will need it!

  1. Don't do laundry too close to your departure. You want their blankets, favorite items, etc to still smell familiar.
  2. If you are shipping things, make sure most of your kids' stuff comes with you, is shipped faster, or is at the front of the truck/container. You want to be able to set them up in the new place with as many familiar items as you possibly can. When we moved countries and had to sell many belongings, I sacrificed a few of my own things (cookbooks, gadgets, etc) to be able to take more kids' stuff. Some beloved items cannot be replaced, but if possibly close substitutes can fill the void.
  3. During travel have accessible (carry-on if possible):
    • a change of clothes for everyone (including parent as I once discovered, ick)
    • diapers & wipes, 2 baggies for garbage or soiled clothing
    • snacks - baggies of cheerios/small cereal, cheese, any non-messy filling food.
    • toys & books that require imaginative play or discovery so they keep small attentions longer. Our faves are magnadoodles, stickers, pretend cameras, crayons & paper

I know the title of this blog (even with it's nifty alliteration) might seem like it could easily lend itself to a horror novel, I know it gives me the heebie jeebies just thinking about it! Yet I managed to survive moving cities, moving countries, moving states (by myself no less!), and visiting family overseas, plus frequent bus rides where it's just me, my two toddlers, a stroller, a diaperbag and a small scrap of sanity.


I don't always remember to do the things on this list, but when I do it sure does make everything go a bit more smoothly! One trick is to always have a little more of everything than you'll think you'll need, cuz something will happen and you will need it!

  1. Don't do laundry too close to your departure. You want their blankets, favorite items, etc to still smell familiar.
  2. If you are shipping things, make sure most of your kids' stuff comes with you, is shipped faster, or is at the front of the truck/container. You want to be able to set them up in the new place with as many familiar items as you possibly can. When we moved countries and had to sell many belongings, I sacrificed a few of my own things (cookbooks, gadgets, etc) to be able to take more kids' stuff. Some beloved items cannot be replaced, but if possibly close substitutes can fill the void.
  3. During travel have accessible (carry-on if possible):
    • a change of clothes for everyone (including parent as I once discovered, ick)
    • diapers & wipes, 2 baggies for garbage or soiled clothing
    • snacks - baggies of cheerios/small cereal, cheese, any non-messy filling food.
    • toys & books that require imaginative play or discovery so they keep small attentions longer. Our faves are magnadoodles, stickers, pretend cameras, crayons & paper

Monday, June 22, 2009

What's mine is mine & what's yours is mine: Struggling with toddler sharing






I keep telling myself that sharing will get easier and better once Awa and RE are older, but things have gotten only worse and more complicated lately. Awa is usually the culprit. If RE has something she wants it, no matter what it is.

It used to be that RE would wait patiently during the hostage negotiations for his toy and if they were unsuccessful would happily accept a replacement if the toy had to disappear for world peace. A baby can only be pushed so far apparently.

Now it's all screeching and WWF wrestling. I've bought different toys so they can be individuals, didn't work. I've bought identical toys to keep the green eyed monster at bay, they are apparently still different at some molecular toddler level. I try empathy "wouldn't it make you sad if someone took away your toy?" "wouldn't it make RE soooo happy if you gave it back?", hardball (taking the offending object away), timeout, walking away and ignoring. I pick tactics based on situation, my mental state (frazzled or really frazzled), and toddler attention span which ranges from potted plant to goldfish.

One hang up I have is saying "Don't grab from your brother" as I grab the item back for her. Rather than teaching not taking, I feel it's just teaching that you must be the biggest to take. Same as yelling at them not to yell (I try to whisper), or spanking because they hit (hands are not made for hitting no matter what size).

The major downside besides all the yelling, crying, baby WWF, is that my sweet, gentle RE has started hitting and biting in retaliation. :( I'm praying that the good days stretch into good weeks and that I find the right balance of protecting my sweet boy from my aggressive girl while still allowing them to mediate themselves, not enforcing their weaker vs stronger roles creating a victim mentality, and other gobblygook they might need therapy for later. Hmm, when I hit the mall later I should keep an eye out for a black n white striped shirt.






I keep telling myself that sharing will get easier and better once Awa and RE are older, but things have gotten only worse and more complicated lately. Awa is usually the culprit. If RE has something she wants it, no matter what it is.


It used to be that RE would wait patiently during the hostage negotiations for his toy and if they were unsuccessful would happily accept a replacement if the toy had to disappear for world peace. A baby can only be pushed so far apparently.

Now it's all screeching and WWF wrestling. I've bought different toys so they can be individuals, didn't work. I've bought identical toys to keep the green eyed monster at bay, they are apparently still different at some molecular toddler level. I try empathy "wouldn't it make you sad if someone took away your toy?" "wouldn't it make RE soooo happy if you gave it back?", hardball (taking the offending object away), timeout, walking away and ignoring. I pick tactics based on situation, my mental state (frazzled or really frazzled), and toddler attention span which ranges from potted plant to goldfish.

One hang up I have is saying "Don't grab from your brother" as I grab the item back for her. Rather than teaching not taking, I feel it's just teaching that you must be the biggest to take. Same as yelling at them not to yell (I try to whisper), or spanking because they hit (hands are not made for hitting no matter what size).

The major downside besides all the yelling, crying, baby WWF, is that my sweet, gentle RE has started hitting and biting in retaliation. :( I'm praying that the good days stretch into good weeks and that I find the right balance of protecting my sweet boy from my aggressive girl while still allowing them to mediate themselves, not enforcing their weaker vs stronger roles creating a victim mentality, and other gobblygook they might need therapy for later. Hmm, when I hit the mall later I should keep an eye out for a black n white striped shirt.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I love toddlers because:

  • They will nod along while you are talking to them and when you ask they say they understood, but they really had no idea what you are talking about.
  • You will talk while they look at you blankly or ignore you, but they heard every word and can repeat it back to you later!
  • Full diapers make them walk like John Wayne.
  • Getting the giggles is a common occurrence.
  • You never know what the next thing to come out of their mouth will be. Belabela = peanut butter, asses = glasses, Blow bubbles = lovable, wheels on the bus go wound & wound
  • They put so much energy into hugging and kissing they grunt with the effort.
  • They never, ever get bored of pointing out airplanes, trucks, dogs, cars, leaves, anything they find interesting, even if it's the 100th one that day
  • The same kid who is digging in the dirt will later come up to you, hands outstretched, horrified that they got dirty
  • Wearing mommy's shoes & being able to walk around in them is a badge of pride
  • "Wight, I'm a big giwl?" Wight!
  • Choosing nursing over a cookie, or with a cookie, or in between bites of a cookie, or while covered in cookie crumbs.
  • All it takes is a little song to get them in the mood to do something they didn't want to do a second ago.
  • Mommy is still a superhero!

  • They will nod along while you are talking to them and when you ask they say they understood, but they really had no idea what you are talking about.
  • You will talk while they look at you blankly or ignore you, but they heard every word and can repeat it back to you later!
  • Full diapers make them walk like John Wayne.
  • Getting the giggles is a common occurrence.
  • You never know what the next thing to come out of their mouth will be. Belabela = peanut butter, asses = glasses, Blow bubbles = lovable, wheels on the bus go wound & wound
  • They put so much energy into hugging and kissing they grunt with the effort.
  • They never, ever get bored of pointing out airplanes, trucks, dogs, cars, leaves, anything they find interesting, even if it's the 100th one that day
  • The same kid who is digging in the dirt will later come up to you, hands outstretched, horrified that they got dirty
  • Wearing mommy's shoes & being able to walk around in them is a badge of pride
  • "Wight, I'm a big giwl?" Wight!
  • Choosing nursing over a cookie, or with a cookie, or in between bites of a cookie, or while covered in cookie crumbs.
  • All it takes is a little song to get them in the mood to do something they didn't want to do a second ago.
  • Mommy is still a superhero!