My son is going on 6 years old so its been a while since I have had to try and interpret the interesting language of a toddler.My daughter is now almost 17 months and we moms know what this age can be like.Happy,fun,confusing,frustrating and difficult all at the same time.Some days it seems like there is no pleasing her and both of us just get through the day the best we can.
I often think to myself, if I could only know what it is that's bothering her, then maybe I can make it all better.Figuring out what is causing her frustration will surely ease mine.Sometimes it's obvious and sometimes not.So, I decided to start paying closer attention to some of her gestures and foreign words to see if I could better figure out what makes her tick.
If you think about it even adults that have communication barriers have problems in their marriage,on their jobs,friendships,and family.What to do about it?
Learn a persons style of communicating and pay closer attention to what they are trying to say or need from you.
So here is what I have learned in the past month by trying to better understand what the melt downs really mean.
We were at my Mom's and while my kids were in the living room playing,my mom and I walked down the hall to her bedroom so she could show me the curtains she made.We finished that and as we were coming back down the hall, Gabriella was working her way toward us.When I got to where she was I took her hand and was going to lead her back to the living room with us.Well,she threw herself in the floor and began to cry! At first I was thinking,what in the world is this all about and attempted to get her to calm down and go with me.Then,it hit me to think where it all began.We were in the bedroom and she was on her way to us.So,I took her by the hand and said,"you want to go see too?" Instantly she quieted so we walked to the bedroom.She looked around curiously at the room and smiled.Then she turned around to go back to the living room.All she wanted to see where we had been and what we were doing and she was fine.
We learn pretty quick as parents what their cues are as far as hunger,need for a nap,and wanting to be held because that started at birth but as a baby grows and learns about the world around them they begin to have interest in things other than the basic needs in life.Its up to us to figure out those cues as well.I know we all have busy lives but sometimes it only takes a few minutes to satisfy them.If your toddler is standing close to the door and is screaming at the top of their lungs, its probably not just a by chance she chose to have a melt down in that particular spot.Could be if you get down on her level and talk to her there might be a chance you will find out just by asking a simple question what the problem is.Do you want to go outside? Then open the door and watch for a reaction.If she seems to be happy about it, then take a five minute break for some outdoor time.More than likely just those few minutes will solve the problem.Also,by asking the question she may learn to say outside over time,making the communication barrier a little easier,and no reason for all the screaming about that particular desire again. In my sons case "ou si" was the first go at the word but it was enough I knew what he meant. Toddlers may not know what to say but they understand more than you might think what you are saying.So don't be afraid to ask what they want,thinking they don't know what you are saying.Sometimes I will take her hand and say show me what you want and I watch for pointing and what she may be looking at.
Of course,there are just some things they will want that they just cant have because it maybe dangerous, unhealthy or just bad timing.That's OK though, because we are not the only ones that have things to learn.The best thing I have found for those situations is distraction to get their mind off the forbidden.A lot of times my favorite trick is to turn some music on or begin to sing her favorite songs.
Understanding my toddler been one of my biggest challenges but I am glad to finally be seeing progress!
Its Friday and I am so thankful.Looking forward to spending a fun day with the kiddos tomorrow.Planning on going to our spring festival our church puts on every year.My son is especially excited about the bounce house! I'm just looking forward to some good old adult conversation and godly fellowship.Today I have plans for making a chocolate cake for the bake goods table and just trying to get the house in good shape so we don't have to worry about anything tomorrow but having a great time together.
I am so looking forward to school getting out so we can have more of these fun times.I just really enjoy spending time with my kids.Life is tough and life is short! Make the best of it and enjoy your children while you still have them by your side.Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Seems like life is always changing the past couple of years! Sometimes I cant keep up with how fast things are moving.This past year we had 3 major changes in our lives.New baby girl,Joseph started school and my hubby's career change.All three were good changes but all have really took some getting used too and required even more changes in my routine just to keep up with all the new things going on.
The only one of those changes I have only recently been disappointed about is Joseph being in school.Its not that I dislike the school or his teachers.The school has been great and he has learned so much, but he has also learned things that chill me to the bone from other kids.The things Kindergartners are doing and talking about in this day and time are mind boggling.I prefer my child to remain a child and enjoy his childhood without all the extra baggage of adult knowledge and such ungodliness.I know kids will find out things from other kids eventually but it should not be Kindergarten.
Why are kids 5 and 6 years old using profanity?(which is not even half of the problem) The answer to that is because they hear it at home.I feel as though I'm fighting a losing battle trying to be a good example and teach my son right but I'm allowing him to be exposed to every abomination under the sun, everyday of the week that he goes to school.I only know the things that go on because I question him everyday after school about how his day went,who he played with and so on.The things he tells me has only left me to one conclusion,I must make another change! My heart can not handle it no more.I have to take him out of public school.It's not really what I want to do but it's something I feel way down deep I need to do.
Being private school is way beyond what I can manage financially right now, we will be home schooling next year.I have actually gotten excited about it now and really looking forward to it.I have picked out what curriculum I will be using (ABeka),purchased some organizational stuff,a desk and have done tons of research.Joseph loves school and I was worried about how he would feel about it all, but to my amazement he was excited too.
I know it will definitely be a big commitment and a challenge but we will work our way through it just like we have all the other changes in the past year.I think it will be great also, that he will always be home when his daddy is home.Him being a truck driver and not being home much is hard enough on him but it makes it even harder when his dad comes home but he cant be here the whole time because he is at school.Might not seem like a big deal to some but when your dad is away 2 weeks at a time every hour counts when he is home.I feel like it will be a good change for our family.
I'm always trying to figure out ways to make healthy snacks my kids will eat.Joseph is picky and Gabriella will pretty much eat anything but can't eat just anything due to choking hazards and things like that.
I noticed on the gogert box that it said you could freeze those little tubes of yogurt.Joseph likes those, but yogurt in those little cups just are not any fun I guess, cause he wont eat that kind.So,it hit me that maybe I could make it more fun and appealing to him.
I decided to buy a large cup of yogurt and make frozen yogurt bites,which makes it a nice little finger food for Gabriella.I made some smaller ones for her.They turned out great and pretty much melt in your mouth quickly so I don't have to worry about Gabriella choking on them.
She gobbled hers right up! Joseph liked them but complained about them being cold.He is temperature and texture sensitive, so I kind of expected that comment.He eats ice cream in the Summer, so I'm thinking he will warm up to them and will make a great summer snack at some point.
I just dropped a little on a cookie sheet which I lined with wax paper just to not have the extra mess.Put it in the freezer for about 20 minutes.As they got done I put them in a freezer bag until I got the container empty.
When they were all froze I wanted to be able to just dump them all in the original container for freezer storage.
If your children like yogurt this might be a great option for summer time snack.Much healthier than ice cream.A toddler that is unable to use a spoon yet can actually feed themselves yogurt without quite the mess.
Ready for the freezer
Comes right up with a spatula once froze
My kids love bananas and I used to feel like I could only buy a few at a time because some would go bad before they could get around to eating them all.I was constantly running out and Joseph telling me we needed more bananas.
When I was working in a produce department at a local grocery store, I discovered a tip from a customer one day.She said just put them in the refrigerator and they will keep up to 2 weeks sometimes.I tried it and it worked like a charm! Instead of just buying a few at a time,I could buy a bunch to last the entire week or more.
The only catch is the peel will turn brown and look like it is bad but when you open it up,you find a perfect banana.You will want to refrigerate them when the are ripe or however you prefer to eat them.If you like yours green(believe it or not some people do) refrigerate when it is green.
This is a banana that has been refrigrtated about 4 days
Also, I will add if you need your green ones to ripen faster to make that pudding you are wanting asap,put it in a brown paper bag and it will ripen a day faster.
I don't know about you but I never feel like I get enough use out of my daughters clothes before she grows out of them.I try to find deals at thrift shops and consignment but sometimes its hard to just find what you like or the right size.I have found a way to make her continue wearing her clothes long after she has out grown them and also have more to choose from in stores by being able to by them to small or too big.I just have to make a minor adjustment once I get them home.
Below there is a pink sundress for a 12 month old.My daughter wears 24 mths now and this dress would not completely cover her diaper if she had it on.I'm pretty picky about the length of a skirt or dress even on a baby.
All I had to do was cut the straps off and there isn't even any sewing required.She now has an adorable skirt.
The one next to it is an 18 mth but as you can tell would fit a bit shorter than the first would have.The way this one is made you cant just cut the straps so I just went down a bit below.This type will require a little sewing so it does not unravel the material, but it is something even I can do and I don't sew hardly at all.I like to find the ones like the pink one of course if I am actually purchasing it for this purpose in mind.Both of these I paid very little for at a thrift store.
The other two I already had and she just grew out of them.The white one was the first one I did like this.She wore it last year as a dress and is still wearing it today almost a year later.You can also find the little long summer tops to do this with especially if they are a size or two bigger than what your little girl would wear.
Todays economy have so many people discouraged and wondering how to make it from pay check to pay check.Just seems the dollar goes nowhere anymore and does not seem that its going to improve anytime soon.
I admit there are times I am so overwhelmed while paying bills and have a list of 100 other things I truly can say I need,but dont see it happening.
I know I am not alone in this and knowing God has always seen me through somehow has always been my strength and comfort.Also,I find a comfort in feeling like there are things I can do while being a stay at home mom to feel like I am doing anything to relieve the pressure while my husband drives his truck doing his best for his family.
Couponing is always a help and if it were not for a few sites that focus on finding me coupons,I would have no idea where to begin at times.They have been such a help to me,so I would like to take time to say thankyou and also share them with you.They can all be found on Facebook,so if you want some great deals check them out.
The Savvy Savin' Mama
WeUseCoupons.com
Money Saving Mom
Deal Wise Mommy
Freebies 4 Mom
These sites have helped save me on everything from food,diapers,household products and pictures.Since my daughter has been born I have gotten 2 free photo books and hundreds of free photos.
Not only do they find me great deals but they provide me with encouaging and interesting topics I can relate to as a mom.I always do my best to look on the brightside when things seem tough, but its also nice to have some resources to help us out.We all feel better if we feel like there is something we can do instead of feeling helpless.
I often think to myself, if I could only know what it is that's bothering her, then maybe I can make it all better.Figuring out what is causing her frustration will surely ease mine.Sometimes it's obvious and sometimes not.So, I decided to start paying closer attention to some of her gestures and foreign words to see if I could better figure out what makes her tick.
