We have all had bad days as parents. You know the day. When your child wakes before the birds, thinks naps are for the weak, tantrums galore....you know. This was our day today. We hit a point where I wanted to cry right along with Rocket Baby. I decided to do something else instead.
Our toddlers don't always have the ability to communicate with us. They can't tell us their needs or wants. Today reminded me of this. Crying wasn't going to help the situation. Instead I started talking to him.
"I know you aren't feeling well today, buddy"
"It's ok to be cranky. Everyone has cranky days"
"This day has been hard, but I want you to know Mama loves you very much and God loves you even more"
It just dawned on me how much I want positive words to influence my child. I've overhead and even read people calling their children names like "asshole" or "little shits". These aren't words I ever want my son to associate himself with. Sure these words aren't always spoken in the presence of the child and it's often said as a joke.
I don't get the joke.
We all vent and release angry and frustration in different ways, but I don't ever want to be someone who chooses to release my issues on my child. I know I'll slip up. I know I'll fall short but it's so important to try my hardest. To do my best.
It's become second nature for me to tell Rocket Baby how much I love him, how special he is and how awesome he makes life, daily. Our kids will be teased and picked on and see so much negative in the outside world, we don't need to bring that home. And I know we all love our children immensely. This is in no way an attack, but hopefully an eye opener. What are you saying to your children? Are your negative words more frequent then the positive? Really pay attention to your words. I chose to be positive today and despite the bumps in the road, this day was still a blessing. Rocket Baby is still a precious gift. He deserves to be loved and nurtured not cut down and beaten up.
I encourage anyone reading this to use your words wisely! Use them for uplifting and healing and helping. Use them to nurture and love. This is important stuff. After all, kids are our future and no one wants to end up in an old folks home ;)
- Jasmine
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Playing Catch Up
This very poor and neglected blog! We have been so busy that I haven't had the energy to write at the end of the day. Toddler life is crazy and Rocket baby is definitely giving us a run for our money. So between fun crafts, insane tantrums, park trips and a toddler that doesn't sleep...well, you get the picture. Sleep is actually what this post is about.
We decided months and months ago not to sleep train Rocket Baby. After several failed past attempts and growing in our abilities to make decisions on our own (pesky docs and well meaning family!) we decided to play it out and see how he does on his own. We have finally come to a head and something has to give. I've considered weaning him, which he is not ready for so we will wait. We successfully transferred him to his crib for part of the night. Then all hell broke loose.
He has never consistently slept through the night (friendly tip - from a doctors perspective sleeping through the night is 5 consecutive hours, so if you're getting that be grateful!!) and while that is the ultimate goal, we are approaching it gently. Oh, I totally lost my train of thought, thanks mom brain. So all hell broke loose by way of Rocket Baby climbing out of his crib or freaking out and throwing himself in the rails, which I assume is by accident since he throws himself during tantrums all day long.
After hearing tons about Montessori Floor Beds, I decided why the heck not? Let's give it a go. There are several moms I follow on instagram that use floor beds and many blog posts about them. The basic idea is that everything should be on your child's level. It helps them feel comfortable, safe and secure in their space. This means pictures, mirrors and any other decor at their eye level. I spent most of today working on this
Naptime started out great, but ended badly after Rocket Baby woke up screaming with a stinky diaper, which also meant no nap today and darn it this Mama is tired! Bedtime went much better. I nursed him as usual until he was sleeping. This is something I haven't done in awhile, but I knew with how upset he got during our nap attempt, he was going to need some help. So I nursed him, laid him down and he popped right up screaming. I ended up nursing him again while awkwardly lying in bed with him then I moved myself to the floor and laid there until he fell asleep and snuck out. He has been asleep for almost 2 hours as I write this! We peeked in on him sleeping and he is cuddled up into his giant lion (its kind of like an oversized pillow pet) on the floor. At some point he rolled off of his bed, but hey..he didn't wake up and that's all that matters!
Hoping tomorrow we have a better naptime experience. I'm sure a park playdate will help ensure a tired baby at 1.
-Jasmine
We decided months and months ago not to sleep train Rocket Baby. After several failed past attempts and growing in our abilities to make decisions on our own (pesky docs and well meaning family!) we decided to play it out and see how he does on his own. We have finally come to a head and something has to give. I've considered weaning him, which he is not ready for so we will wait. We successfully transferred him to his crib for part of the night. Then all hell broke loose.
He has never consistently slept through the night (friendly tip - from a doctors perspective sleeping through the night is 5 consecutive hours, so if you're getting that be grateful!!) and while that is the ultimate goal, we are approaching it gently. Oh, I totally lost my train of thought, thanks mom brain. So all hell broke loose by way of Rocket Baby climbing out of his crib or freaking out and throwing himself in the rails, which I assume is by accident since he throws himself during tantrums all day long.
After hearing tons about Montessori Floor Beds, I decided why the heck not? Let's give it a go. There are several moms I follow on instagram that use floor beds and many blog posts about them. The basic idea is that everything should be on your child's level. It helps them feel comfortable, safe and secure in their space. This means pictures, mirrors and any other decor at their eye level. I spent most of today working on this
Naptime started out great, but ended badly after Rocket Baby woke up screaming with a stinky diaper, which also meant no nap today and darn it this Mama is tired! Bedtime went much better. I nursed him as usual until he was sleeping. This is something I haven't done in awhile, but I knew with how upset he got during our nap attempt, he was going to need some help. So I nursed him, laid him down and he popped right up screaming. I ended up nursing him again while awkwardly lying in bed with him then I moved myself to the floor and laid there until he fell asleep and snuck out. He has been asleep for almost 2 hours as I write this! We peeked in on him sleeping and he is cuddled up into his giant lion (its kind of like an oversized pillow pet) on the floor. At some point he rolled off of his bed, but hey..he didn't wake up and that's all that matters!
Hoping tomorrow we have a better naptime experience. I'm sure a park playdate will help ensure a tired baby at 1.
-Jasmine
Sunday, June 3, 2012
A For Adventure
For some strange reason, Rocket Baby has been taking two naps again (I'm blaming the fact that he wakes with the birds). Normally this throws off our day and plans have to be shuffled but yesterday it worked out well. We ended up taking him to The Starlight Parade in Portland, Or.
This was a very last minute decision, we left our house at 815 and got to the parade at 845, about 15 minute after we arrived. Parking wasn't as hellish as I anticipated and we were able to find a place only two blocks from the action.
I wish we had planned a bit better since I ended up with Rocket Baby on my shoulders for quite a stretch of time, just so he could see. Staking a claim would have been an adventure in and of itself since typically people arrive hours early to get a great spot and that task with a high energy 18 month old sounds like a freaking nightmare. In all, I'm glad we braved the crowds. I don't even mind my sore neck and shoulders from holding Rocket Baby up most of the time we were there.
6 years ago on June 2nd 2006, my now husband proposed to me. Last night was also Rocket Baby's 18 month birthday. So to be standing in a crowd, watching floats and bands go by, was truly a surreal moment. Carrying my darling son with my husband by my side on a night that held great signfigance for us. I'm glad we took this adventure together. I'm so thankful Trevor sacrificed a night at home after a 10 hour work day to stand in a crowd with us. I imagine the twinkle in Rocket Baby's eyes was worth it for him. Rocket Baby has taught me so much. Life is an adventure and I'm glad I have these men in my life to enjoy it with.
- Jasmine
I wish we had planned a bit better since I ended up with Rocket Baby on my shoulders for quite a stretch of time, just so he could see. Staking a claim would have been an adventure in and of itself since typically people arrive hours early to get a great spot and that task with a high energy 18 month old sounds like a freaking nightmare. In all, I'm glad we braved the crowds. I don't even mind my sore neck and shoulders from holding Rocket Baby up most of the time we were there.
6 years ago on June 2nd 2006, my now husband proposed to me. Last night was also Rocket Baby's 18 month birthday. So to be standing in a crowd, watching floats and bands go by, was truly a surreal moment. Carrying my darling son with my husband by my side on a night that held great signfigance for us. I'm glad we took this adventure together. I'm so thankful Trevor sacrificed a night at home after a 10 hour work day to stand in a crowd with us. I imagine the twinkle in Rocket Baby's eyes was worth it for him. Rocket Baby has taught me so much. Life is an adventure and I'm glad I have these men in my life to enjoy it with.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
And So We Begin
Writing is something that gets me by. I am by no means a genius writer, it is strictly something I enjoy doing. Sharing my thoughts. Writing away the day. This is the general premise behind this blog for myself. Ideally I can get Trevor on board to share his thoughts as well, although his posts I assume will be few and far between (especially since I have yet to mention it to him). While this venture is mostly for my family, it is also for the reader and input on topics is always welcome! Here's to hoping we all get something out of this together.
- Jasmine
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)