TTThursday

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

1. I like having our secondary MHT do PCAT with us, she is so encouraging.

2. Owl is picking up words so quickly now.

3. I admitted to our agency SW yesterday that I am scared about the upcoming trial, she tried to calm my fears but how can the potential loss of children be a fear that's calmed?

4. We ran out of PullUps so Owl slept without one last night and woke up dry this morning!

5. Puberty is hitting A hard, her emotions are out of whack and she is stinky. I completely get the emotional stuff (crying about everything) but J needs a lesson in parenting a girl in puberty.

6. Butches with lots of tattoos are sexy. Yes I look. Don't judge.

7. Apple is such a ham, she does this silly waddle walk to get our attention and make us laugh.

8. Iz is really excited about our garden project, it makes me happy that we can relate on this.

9. I emailed the college about their master gardener training and haven't gotten a response yet, maybe it's too early in the season?

10. I would like some good coffee this morning.

[tattooedmeegs]

1. The holidays were so wonderful. I love this time of year.

2. That said, I am SO glad to be getting back to a normal schedule again.

3. Of course, that means queue up Gwen having a little trouble getting up and out the door, with means T getting frustrated with mornings taking longer and getting all "start looking for new daycare's for her so you can do the morning commute, I'm done dealing with her." ::sigh:: This morning it took all I could muster to bite my tongue and not invite him to go sleep at his grandfather's place for a few days if he needed a break so badly.

4. Its not that I don't get his frustration, but we've gone through this, give her a day and it gets better.

5. In general things have been good lately, but I've also been feeling like we aren't on the same page for a few weeks now. I hate it.

6. I've had the hardest time concentrating at work lately.

7. I'm currently reading The Fault in our Stars... amazing.

8. Next is either Wild, A Prayer for Owen Meany, or The Satanic Verses. Then its onto the pile of 20+ new books at home!!

9. I don't want to take down our Christmas stuff, but it will be so nice to have the space back. We'll probably do it this weekend.

10. My brother is taking his fiance to the airport Saturday, so they are probably coming over to spend the night on Friday. Can't wait!

[eratmama]

1.my brother and his wife are having a baby in march. I feel like i should offer to loan stuff, but i am not sute we are done.

2. And selfishly, they haven't been the aunt & uncle i hoped they would be (have not babysat once) amd they make significantly more money than we do, so i am not feeling so generous.

3. The girls dont go back to school til mon. Its hard to make social worker calls with them here.

4. Sunday night i am having a BIG glass of wine. And might stay in my pjs all day mon.

5. Zucchini is actually doing ptetty well. Helpgul with her bro and sister.

6. Our menu thread makes me wish my girls would eat fish. We used to eat it onve or twice a week.

7. I wish i could "pin" articles from magazines when i am reading one on my nook.

8. That makes me sound like such a geek.

9. But really, i see a recipe-- i cant rip it out, cant pin it, i have to what...get out a pen and paper???

10. The girls have been playing quietly fifteen min and i havent checked on them. This either makes me a bad mom or the wii the best $100 we have spent.

[never2amazing]

1. It is hard not to complain with my whole brood sick, but I have a WONDERFUL boss who has been VERY understanding.

2. I pray my Mom doesn't catch the flu.

3. Our pup-pup was so happy to see Little Man that she purt-near knocked him over by nudging him with her head.

4. It broke my heart this morning when my Peanut told the doctor (with tears streaming down her face), "No more flu tests."

5. I am at work, but am calling it an early day and will be teleworking tomorrow, which means I only spent 4 hours in the office this week.

6. My prayer is that everyone will be healthy this weekend and we can do something out...even if it means going to the mall.

7. I think we are ready to just call in movers to pack up the "old" house and call it done.

8. I miss not being around family, it sure would have helped this week.

9. I have no new year's resolutions, I just want to be happy and less stressed...but it would just stress me out if that is what I "aimed" for.

10. If you can, pease thank a veteran...too many are dying by their own hands.

[2brides]

1. If traffic was like it has been since Christmas, I would be a happy happy happy woman. 45m from pulling out of my driveway to work - and that included dropping off the kids! WHOOO HOOO!

2. I was supposed to have my annual review today. My supervisor handed it to me, I skimmed it and joked that I guess I got to stay another year, she laughed and said yes, we talked about random other stuff not related to my performance, she got called to go to her unit...end of my evaluation. LOL.

3. My dad is coming this weekend and I have a whole weekend of work planned for us. We need to dismantle the huge media cabinet, get it into my van and take it to the dump, build new entertainment cabinet, buy new tvs, and take old tvs to the donation center. I also need to get the kids haircut and take Carter's backpack to LL Bean.

4. I am happy we have a lot of stuff planned. It is so hard to find stuff to do with him and the kids. And L is off writing this weekend, so I don't have to deal with the crazy tension between L and my dad.

5. I've been saying we don't need new tvs forever (we have old tube tvs), but now that we are getting them, I am really excited!

6. I've been planning our summer vacation. I am not sure if we can spend the $$ to do it, but I've been looking at Lake Placid or Lake George. Anyone been? Thoughts? Driving distance from DC, perferably north, stuff to do with kids, not too $$$.

7. Work keeps getting in the way of doing my TTT

8. L bought me a crap load of candy for my Christmas stocking and then packed it for me to take to work and get it out of the house. So what am I doing now? Sitting at my desk eating swedish fish.

9. This weekend Carter and I had 1:1 time while Gray and L ran their race. We had such a nice, laid back time. No one was horseplaying, acting like fools, being obnoxious to their sibling. It was awesome. I realized what a different parent I am to 1 vs 2 kids.

10. Guess I need to actually work for the next few hours.

[2brides]

Jan 3, 2013 13:30:56 GMT -5 eratmama said:

10. The girls have been playing quietly fifteen min and i havent checked on them. This either makes me a bad mom or the wii the best $100 we have spent.

Well, if it makes you a bad mom, than I am a horrible one. My kids will play Wii for a while without me checking on them. And I do think it is the best $100 we spent. (Though I am ready for warmer weather so we can ditch the Wii for being outside!)

[hensmum]

1. I am not adjusting so well to the new year, end of holidays, etc. I'm kinda grumpy! Though, less so today than yesterday, so that's a plus.

2. I am facing embarking on a career path, and it is exciting and scary.

3. It is also going to start happening very fast. I want to become a postpartum doula (and in future, maybe a childbirth educator and lactation consultant), and the training I need is happening in TWO WEEKS. So I need to make a hundreds-dollar decision of whether or not to get started now ASAP.

4. I am feeling so ready to get Henry in school for more hours and me working. At the same time, I've been where I'm at for almost 3 years and it is scary to make the leap.

5. I am also starting the ball rolling on becoming a teacher in the music program Henry and I do together. I wish I could start right away, but wasn't ready when the last training happened, and now won't be able to get certified for several months.

6. Our kids' respective nap patterns and schedules are making it hard for me and my best mom friend to get together. It's a bummer.

7. We ordered Henry one of those alarm clocks that lights up when it's okay to get out of bed - cross your fingers that it will help our little rooster learn to sleep in (5am is getting reallllll old)

8. I want to EAT. And EAT. And EAT. I guess it's the after-holiday effect? My god, I feel like I can't stop.

9. Hen is doing a sports class now. Big-kid style! I sit outside and watch! Omg it is so cute.

10. Okay, I'm off to hit the Xmas chocolate stash.

[joyseattle]

1. I got early pregnancy labs done yesterday. Of course I got my thyroid results back first thing in the late afternoon, of course they're still elevated and of course this starts/increases the m/c panic.

2. I just called and spoke with the endocrinology nurse and found myself saying "I'm just concerned about how this could impact my baby". It was so weird to say that out loud to someone other than C. Now I have to wait to here back about changing my supplementation level.

3. I cannot wait until our u/s Monday!

4. I'm sick and giving myself as much slack and rest as possible today, but I feel guilty that I'm behind on some work for my project coordinator position.

5. I should probably email my supervisor (who's out on maternity leave for two more weeks) to let her know what's up.

6. C gets home in about an hour and I'm looking forward to it. I feel very close to her these days and she's so cute and supportive. I read something on my bump bmb yesterday about a woman who's husband gives her a hard time about her fatigue and morning sickness and it made me even more grateful.

7. I just got my cbe teaching schedule for the year and it's always stressful getting it all on my calendar and inveitable there are at least one or two classes I need to get subs for which can be a pain. Classes more than three months out we can give up without getting coverage ourselves, so I haven't told the coordinator that I won't be teaching for at least a few months August onward.

8. Luckily, I'm not teaching much June-Aug to prep for my board exams.

9. I just found out I can get into Human Biology (the last class I need for my pre-reqs to sit for it) for Winter Quarter (Jan-early March, rather than waiting for Mar-June which was cutting it close). That's $600-700 I wasn't expecting to have to pay this month, but getting it out of the way will be good.

10. I dislike being hungry and yet not feeling like anything sounds good. This is the story of my life right now though.

[seattlekari]

1. Someone I work very closely with just shared some info about a family situation that is going to cause her to be absent for an undetermined amount of time. It has to do with one of her kids and I am fighting back the tears.

2. Another reminder of how precious life is.

3. Tonight I have get the tree down and hopefully put away all the decorations.

4. This weekend E and I are going to see The Wizard of Oz at the children's theatre. I am SO excited!

5. Roller derby season starts in 2 weeks. Woot! Can't wait to go watch it with my girls!

6. Still doesn't feel like tomorrow is Friday, but I am not complaining!

7. I need to get going on some work here this afternoon but my head is not in it.

8. I have had this window open for a while and am not coming up with anything else, so I guess this is it!

[mk]

1. We're having a visit with bio mom tomorrow.
2. Super scared and worried.
3. Baby S started kissing and saying momma today.
4. Dealing with my own heart break is bad enough, but watching Katie suffer just really sucks. Especially since I talked her into this
5. I can't stop eating Christmas candy. We already got rid of all the cookies and other treats.
6. I felt two teeth coming up this morning! No wonder he's been so fussy.
7. I love 8 months! He's babbling, wiggling, and snuggling so much!
8. In 3 weeks we will all be in FL on vaca! So excited.
9. I recently became obsessed with Young House Love.
10. I'm ready to move! This house is too small.

[ct]

1. I've become a HuffPo stalker. when are they going to post?? did someone decide they hate it and aren't going to run it?? omg where is my article??

2. I'm enjoying the kids so much now, and that is a welcome relief. mama got her grove back.

3. We purchased a groupon for the local YMCA to take the kids swimming this winter. they are going to be so excited...if we only find the time to actually go.

4. my dad is babysitting tonight for the first time. all he will have to do is literally read them books and put them to bed (and we might even put Daisy down before he comes over), but i'm still nervous...

5. Andrea is power-struggling with the kids a lot lately. I know this is common in parenting, but it drives me crazy. I see her daily frustration and am all, "omg woman, don't you see there is another way???"

6. we had an at-home date night last night. while DW put the kids to bed I ran and got take out from Cheesecake Factory. Food was cold after waiting forever in the "to go" spot, they forgot the sauce for DW's burger, only gave her like 6 fries, no bread or utensils, my salmon was dry, and she found a HAIR in her food that def wasnt ours. After not eating her meal, she fell asleep on the couch at 8:30. so much for date night.

7. that reminds me to send over a complaint email now...

8. there is a new function on Amazon that will give you a report of what you spent for 2012 (and all other years). It's depressing.

9. Got back to the gym yesterday. sore today.

10. I decided that I don't want to TTC again - ever. I was 90% sure but that is a solid 100% now.

[hensmum]

CT - I would love to hear some of your thoughts on parent/kid power struggles. I have trouble with this sometimes. Let's chat

[ct]

Jan 4, 2013 10:56:15 GMT -5 hensmum said:

CT - I would love to hear some of your thoughts on parent/kid power struggles. I have trouble with this sometimes. Let's chat

basically my motto is that the kids don't need to power struggle with me because I freely give them as much power as possible in any situation. When you trust kids to make a good decision, they usually do. (that is stolen straight from my fave parenting book)

so the biggest piece is giving choices and not dying on a hill you don't need to. also, when you need cooperation, ask for it rather than demand it. skip "I need you to get dressed right now" in favor of, "Could you help me with something? I'd like for you to get dressed, how could we make that happen?" I'm big on the team approach - to everything.

if things are a recurring issue (usually they are), address it proactively at a neutral time. DW has a hard time in the mornings so I've "coached" her through things like sitting down with them at afternoon snack and saying, "Have you guys noticed that mornings can be tough? What can we do about that? Let's talk about a plan that would work for both of us."

for my older kids, I'm really trying to teach them that cooperation is for everyone's mutual benefit. We say the word "cooperation" about 10,000 times a day. "You'd like some milk? Sure, I'd be happy to get that, especially after you were so cooperative with XXX." Its like a new kind of reverse bribery

And, when all of the above doesn't work (because sometimes it just wont), walk away. It takes 2 people to fight - 2 people to power struggle. You never *have* to engage in it. This is the most effective when they are too young to rationalize or plan. Instead of wrestling Daisy into her clothes on a day she's not feeling cooperative, I simply walk away saying, "I love you and I'm not willing to fight with you. Let me know when we can work together."

Are there any particular times/scenarios that give you a hard time? A lot of parenting stuff is easier when applied to a specific situation

a couple notes:
- i'm totally not perfect at this and, yes, sometimes i power struggle with my kids because its such an ingrained way of parenting. But this is what i shoot for

- when its a safety concern, all bets are off. I win, i'm the mom, and my #1 job is to keep you safe.

[ct]

damn, that was longer than I expected. sorry!

[2brides]

CT - I am your wife. 8-D

I am going to try that getting dressed in the morning line on Carter. Damn, that kid can dilly dally. I must have told/asked him to get dressed 5x this morning...

[ct]

Jan 4, 2013 11:28:43 GMT -5 2brides said:

CT - I am your wife.

I am going to try that getting dressed in the morning line on Carter. Damn, that kid can dilly dally. I must have told/asked him to get dressed 5x this morning...

a) would he respond better to a timer?

b) I know its not within everyone's comfort zone, but it only took 1 time of me bringing Sprout to school in his PJs to make him excellent at getting ready in the mornings I do the whole, "Car leaves at X o'clock. Your choice if you are in your clothes or your pajamas at that time."

[hensmum]

Ah, thank you so much! All of that is super helpful. I think I am going to put some of those sentences on my refrigerator or bathroom mirror or something, haha.

I have been using "cooperation" with Henry a lot - but I love the idea of using at times other than the moment, referring back to a previous cooperation.

I am always reminding C to not ASK Henry when the thing she's trying to accomplish really can't be a choice.

We do and always have tried to give him choices much of the time, and it really does help a lot.

I have trouble with the leaving the house issue sometimes - if I "walk away" in that instance, he gets what he wants, not leaving.

I am always working on putting the "walk away" into practice. Sometimes in the heat of the moment, it can be hard to remember how effective it can be.

Thanks so much for sharing!

[bluedaisyus]

Jan 4, 2013 11:28:43 GMT -5 2brides said:

CT - I am your wife.

I am going to try that getting dressed in the morning line on Carter. Damn, that kid can dilly dally. I must have told/asked him to get dressed 5x this morning...

Ditto. It doesn't help that NO ONE in my house is a morning person.

[2brides]

a) I've tried that and it stressed him out. I've tried to do a playful competition of who can get dressed faster? Can you get dressed before I make the bed? Let's get dressed in my room (away from the books/etc) that distract you in your room. But that kid is a dawdler...

b) I tried that 1x and he had such an utter meltdown that he plastered himself to the floor in hysterics which just made us more late. But maybe I need to try again.

[ct]

Jan 4, 2013 11:38:43 GMT -5 hensmum said:

I have trouble with the leaving the house issue sometimes - if I "walk away" in that instance, he gets what he wants, not leaving.

yeah, they get smart quick and learn how to use our strategies against us, lol!! maybe a timer would work for you here? (yeah, i use the timer a lot) "When that timer dings, its time to leave house! What do we need to do before then?"

my kids respond so much better to that stupid bell than my nagging voice!

[ct]

Jan 4, 2013 11:42:04 GMT -5 2brides said:

a) I've tried that and it stressed him out. I've tried to do a playful competition of who can get dressed faster? Can you get dressed before I make the bed? Let's get dressed in my room (away from the books/etc) that distract you in your room. But that kid is a dawdler...

b) I tried that 1x and he had such an utter meltdown that he plastered himself to the floor in hysterics which just made us more late. But maybe I need to try again.

they certainly don't love it, but *hopefully* it doesn't have to be done too many times. Maybe warn him about the "new plan" the night before and then set your alarm a bit early on that day to give a little more wiggle room if things go south?

[hensmum]

I have often thought about how I could use a timer to help us with recurring issues - I think it's def worth a shot for getting out of the house.