About this blog

If you're looking for me to brag about how cute my kids are (which they are) or talk about how much weight I did or didn't lose this week, you are in the wrong place! I have a Facebook account for that. This blog is about the blunt truths of parenting, tips and tricks of the trade, some addicting mommy junk and all the other disgusting hilarity that ensues when you have kids...especially two kids only 12 months apart like myself.

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Showing posts with label help for single mothers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label help for single mothers. Show all posts

Monday, April 11

Let's Teach Together: The ABCs

Ok parents. We all know how hard it is to try and teach our kids everything we want to because of well, life! You have more than one kid or your house is dirty or you need to go to the gym or you work full time...lots of not valid, but real excuses! Maybe you have the best intentions, but you get overwhelmed with trying to teach your child ALL the letters or ALL the colors at once.

This is what I do at home and I thought you may all like to join me as we are just starting over!

I do a letter a week. I go in alphabetical order and then start over. I have these super cute Nerdy Baby ABC Flashcards for Very Young Scientists that I use along with your standard magnet alphabet letters. You can by nice ones like Melissa & Doug Magnetic Wooden Alphabet or the cheap ones from your local Dollar Store (just don't let your younger children play with the cheap ones because they have exposed tiny magnets in the back that can pop out and be a chocking hazard).


This is how you do it. Monday morning you show your child/ren the flashcard and letter of the week. Tell them the letter and have them repeat. Say a few nouns that start with the letter (think airplane instead of amazing...much easier for young children to understand nouns, parents). Put it on the fridge and continue your life. Every morning point out and say the letter. Every time you see that letter (ok, maybe not every time) throughout the week on a sign you are walking by or in a book you read, point it out.

Next week, go onto the next letter and so on.

No child is too young for this. You read to your newborn, may as well engage them more by pointing out some letters...plus it might keep the new, first time mom from going as insane! If your child is older, consider adding a vocabulary word or a multiplication family (think 2 x 1, 2 x 2, 2 x 3 etc).

Teaching your child in this non forceful, no stress manner will give your child the knowledge they need to succeed and the confidence they need to thrive without the pressure to preform. It is the least we can do for our children.

Thursday, March 10

How to not beat the crap out of your kids....

Before I had kids I truly believed people who beat their kids or shook their babies were monsters. Now that I have two of my own I know that many are not monsters, but perhaps uneducated or lack resources. After being beyond sleep deprived and with Bubbi being less than 6 weeks old with her first cold, I gained some raw insight into the truth about shaken babies. Don't worry, I didn't shake her! I know not to shake babies. I know that when I've reached my limit I set the baby down in a safe place and walk out of the room. I know that if I am not capable of walking back into that room any time soon I call for help (daddy, mother-in-law, neighbor even) and take a much needed nap or simply a shower. Insert single mom with no local help or money to pay for a sitter...stuck alone in her apartment with a newborn baby who hasn't allowed her to sleep for weeks and possibly a few more kids. No help, no end in site. I can see it happening. Doesn't make it right, but it is a conceivable action.

Ok now let us look at another age. Now I was never tempted to shake my little babies even though I could see how someone might. Beating the crap out of my two year old? Now that has been a bit more tempting! After a long day of testing me and literally doing everything he could to piss me off and push every button he could find (basically acting his age), I asked Boo if he wanted me to hit him. He said, "YES!" OMG take a deeeeeep breath and walk away. This is a great time to literally lock yourself in a room away from him for a few minutes while chanting, "he's acting his age, he's acting his age...." It is also a great time to ring your mother-in-law and confirm some free sitting ASAP so you can enjoy the luxury of um, say, grocery shopping alone! Maybe even call daddy and make sure he'll be home on time so you can run to your friends home that evening to enjoy a glass (or five) of wine.

I am extremely lucky to have a helpful mother-in-law and afford the luxury of some intermittent childcare when I need a break. Not all moms can. Always know you have a friend that WILL help you if you truly need the help...just ask!!! Also, there are these amazing services for parents call crisis nurseries where you can drop off your child/ren for 24 hours to 30 days for free. They also offer counseling and assist families in utilizing local resources. All services are 100% confidential. Every major city most likely has one. I have included a link below to my local organization, but just google "crisis nursery <your city name>" and I'm sure you'll find one. Don't need one like me? They are always taking volunteers!

http://www.crisisnurseryonline.com/index.htm