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Dis Eenvoudig. Dit Werk.
Ek wil graag met julle deel wat nou-die-dag, in die kar, op pad huis toe na afloop van ‘n kuier by maatjies gebeur het. ‘n Onderonsie het tussen my 11-jarige en 8-jarige ontstaan. Die 11-jarige sê toe vir die 8-jarige: “Ek kort spasie asseblief…”Waarop die 8-jarige antwoord: “Dankie dat jy vir my gesê het wat jy nodig het.”Waarop die 11-jarige antwoord: “Dankie dat jy my respekteer.” Dit is natuurlik op hierdie punt waar die uwe amper die kar rol met ‘n opgewonde gejuig: “Dit is sulke goeie kommunikasie! Julle kan só trots voel op julself! Hoe voel dit???” (Dit is ‘n doelbewuste tegniek om die spesifieke gedrag te versterk en hulle…
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The Talent Show
the cousins are visiting. Last night the girls decided a talent show was to be had. They would be the judges. Everyone had to participate. I did not want to. Stages aren’t my thing. I was wholly unprepared. I told a joke which did not land. No surprise – I did not place. Afterward my 11 – almost 12 year old – came to me and said I sucked. We both laughed because, well, truth. However, he then went on to say that I should’ve gone up there and have been a mom, because that is my talent… (Disclaimer: this is not about me – my son has a beautiful,…
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They Get To Have Their Feelings
Parents are allowed to hold the boundaries. And kids… well they are allowed to feel upset about it. Does that make you do a double-take? Well, it ought to, because it is so contradictory to how most of us were raised. Parents used to think that they could dictate how children should feel about something which, in hindsight, makes no sense at all. Spoiler alert: we can’t hi-jack their feelings or experiences! They get to have their feelings. If the thought of the aftermath of boundary setting makes you break out in a cold sweat, wanting to reach for a tub of ice cream, an adult beverage or a solitary,…
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When Only YOU Will Do!
Let’s talk parental preference for a moment. Yes – it is a thing. You know those times when your toddler only wants one parent to do absolutely e-ve-ry-thing. That, friends, is parental preference. It can be exhausting for the (cue the deep announcer voice with an echo) CHOSEN… CHOSEN… chosen one and frustrating (even rejecting) for the other parent. Don’t worry – you didn’t do anything wrong; you didn’t mess up. Preference does not equate love! Underdeveloped toddler brains are obsessed with control – OB-SESSED. So, this is just one more area where they try to explore (exert) decision-making and autonomy. (Remember: it is developmentally their job to push boundaries…
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Running out of ideas?
do you ever feel like you are running out of ideas to keep your toddler entertained? Yeah – me too! Here are some great, creative, easy-to-do ideas that you could try:
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A teething baby is so much fun… (said no one ever!)
taking care of a teething baby is best done in shifts… by well-rested people. We know it is hard, mama. Especially when you have tried e-v-e-r-y-thing and nothing seems to soothe them! We want to help in any way we can and think this teething hack from Tobbie is a fabulous idea to provide some relief – to both you and your babe (or maybe a werewolf – not quite sure).
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meet the MONTHSTERS!
“WHAT on earth is a monthster?!” I hear you say. Monthsters are friendly monthly monsters and the creative of mrprintables. Each printable monthly calendar comes in the form of a cute monster that folds to a small pocket size and stretches to a long monthly calendar, with days you can write on and fill in. Your wildlings can either keep it with them when needed or put it up against their wall. i especially love it for times when you have to go away. Wildlings do not understand the concept of time and need something more tangible and kinesthetic to help ground them. So, what can you do: you print…
