Behavior :-)

This will be short but, I wanted to share with everyone a quote that was presented to me this week.

If a child doesn't walk, we teach them.

If a child doesn't swim, we teach them.

If a child doesn't read, we teach them.

If a child doesn't behave, we......punish? (Wait, that doesn't make sense!!)

I LOVE this quote, I have ALWAYS felt this way but, I have never seen it so well written!!

We have to help our kiddos LEARN HOW TO BEHAVE.  Don't just stick your kid in the corner, help them, show them, make them do it again (the right way).  Stop punishing your kid all the time,  TEACH THEM!! 

TELL THEM WHAT THEY CAN DO, not just what they CAN'T do!

Pre-School!

2nd day of Pre-School, being a goof ball

Where have we been??? All we know is that it has been waaaayyyy to long, this blog is so therapeutic for both of us and we have been neglecting it for too long!  That is life!  And it shouldn't be that way!

Why do we often neglect the things that bring us the most "balance" in life?  I can think of a millions answers to that question.  But, I don't think that they matter.  What I think matters is that we all need to take better care of ourselves.

Lets catch up shall we? 

Christmas was AWESOME and my little Miss had her 4th birthday!  It is kinda crazy! The big event in our house has been Laura's transition into Pre-school.  Previously Laura had always gone to a lady's home for my child care needs.  But, NOW she goes to a pre-school that has before and after care.  This was a necessary move and it has completely changed her needs.  This has been HARD. Before, when Laura would attend her previous babysitter Laura could take a nap whenever she needed, get a snack whenever she needed and definetly received a ton of one on one attention.  But, NOW no naps, food at scheduled times and no opportunities to just "veg on the couch".  Laura LOVES school but, it has necessitated a HUGE need that she goes to bed at 7 (7:30) at the latest.  I HATE it.  Due to her need for sleep I am barely seeing my sweet girl.  We get up, she goes to school, I pick her up at the end of the day, dinner, bath, bed.  Repeat 5 times a week. 

I am grateful that she LOVES school and I am also grateful for the support that I receive.  But, I have also noticed that Laura has developed a lot stronger need to be by my side.  I think as our kids go through changes and transitions that we have to be vigilant parents.  We need to keep our lines of communication open with our kids and also observe their behaviors.  What brings me peace of mind is having 'casual' conversations with her about school and its obvious that she loves going everyday.  (This gets rid of some of my guilt).  I also have ensured that she is getting enough sleep (barely).  (We all know that I am a huge advocate of sleep, lol).  And most importantly seeing that she has needed lots of extra TLC.  She has been clingy (we all know that can be frustrating) and just wanted to snuggle.  And as a working Mom sometimes it is hard to remember to just sit down and "be" with your kid.  But, I am TRYING!

Being a Mom is exhausting :-)  But, she is soooo WORTH it!

Now, that we are getting this blog back up and running and I think we have worked out the bugs for "Comments" please leave us your thoughts and ideas of topics that you would like to hear about.