So about the huge delay between blogs folks! It's been a strange month and I've found myself crawling to bed first chance I get rather than taking time to write. There's been some good stuff happening here though! Not the least of which has been Potty Training! Those who know me would know that this has been a nearly 1.5 year process marred with a lot of frustration. But, in the past few weeks T man has transitioned from a hard core diaper wearer to a do it himselfer! He insists that he doesn't want to be a "big boy", but enjoys his diaper free days! We're getting there! It feels great. This has been a big learning experience for me, and as I've been thinking about it and trying to get back to blogging I've come to realise - Everything I need to know about parenting I have learned through Potty Training.
Here we go:
Potty training....
Has taught me the difference between being persistent and being pushy.
It has taught me to really listen to my child and to trust his instinct as much as mine
Potty training has taught me that some things are taught - others are simply learned. It has made me realize that certain things you can only be involved in - the big decisions are up to the child.
Potty training has taught me that I can be extreamly creative - and that creative means nothing if your child isn't interested in the goal!
You are never "in control" of the situation. It's a team effort all the way.
Bribery is a slippery slope - in the end the reward is in the doing (believe me! this is hard to wait for but it's true)
Potty training has taught me....Patience, patience, patience
It's taught me to ask for and listen for advice in a sincere and humble manner. And that other parents are truly interested in helping ease the parenting experience.
Most of all Potty training has taught me that "s_ _ t happens" but it's usually not as hard to clean up as you think it's going to be and it happens less frquently as you learn how to manage!
SO...relax a little, laugh a little don't take things too seriously! And when you find yourself chasing a run away terd across the floor, or cleaning up a puddle because your husband tried prematurley to teach your son "the shake" - you can rest assurd you're far from alone.
Potty Training - who knew!???
G'Night
Friday 17 February 2012
Friday 3 February 2012
Human beings are awesome
It's a quick little one tonight.
We were in Ottawa yesterday and decided to spend some time at the mall. This is a big deal for us because we love being among all the people and letting Trystan and Loukah see that the world is colourful in every sense of the word.
We stopped in the food court for a snack and while eating heard a woman say "May I join you?" I turned to see a middle aged Asian woman speaking with and older (maybe European) woman who was sitting alone. Cool! When is the last time any of us did that? Asked a stranger to share a table. The two sat down together - no idea we were eaves dropping on their conversation. They launched into a delightful banter that ended with the older lady teaching the younger all about her new Apple I pad! Beautiful. I looked at Eric who had the same look on his face as I did. "Human being are awesome" he said. And off we went about our day. I think I'll make a point of sitting down to lunch with a stranger sometime soon.
G'Night
We were in Ottawa yesterday and decided to spend some time at the mall. This is a big deal for us because we love being among all the people and letting Trystan and Loukah see that the world is colourful in every sense of the word.
We stopped in the food court for a snack and while eating heard a woman say "May I join you?" I turned to see a middle aged Asian woman speaking with and older (maybe European) woman who was sitting alone. Cool! When is the last time any of us did that? Asked a stranger to share a table. The two sat down together - no idea we were eaves dropping on their conversation. They launched into a delightful banter that ended with the older lady teaching the younger all about her new Apple I pad! Beautiful. I looked at Eric who had the same look on his face as I did. "Human being are awesome" he said. And off we went about our day. I think I'll make a point of sitting down to lunch with a stranger sometime soon.
G'Night
Wednesday 1 February 2012
Play
One of the things I love about winter is that young or old we all play in about the same way. We bundle up in warm clothing and head outside to slip, slide and throw snow! I know I know, some people do not call this play at all and would far rather be throwing back a couple shots of jagarmeister! But those who play - play the same way we did as children. It think it's wonderful!
Today we spent about three hours outside with Trystan. We rode down our home made "Whistler Mountain" on an inner tube. We were so delighted to discover we can slide clear across the yard!! We crawled around the back yard maze and tunnels, and hid in our snow fort hoping that the Abominable Snow Monster wouldn't find us!! We've spent entire afternoons "painting the house" by throwing snowballs and trying to see if we could completely cover all the brick in snow! (My shoulder hurt by the end of that one! lol) We slip and slide and lay on our backs looking at the clouds etc. etc. This never becomes boring. Every moment of this is pure delight for Trystan and for Eric and I. Snow, is the great equalizer. It makes us all children again - reminds us to slow down (after all who's going anywhere fast when you're bundled up in all those layers of snow clothes and heavy boots!?) Reminds us to play - and often, those little tiny flakes of white tumble down and bring a lot of fond, cozy memories. Like egg nog and toast for lunch. Hot chocolate by the fire. Giant snowball fights with the neighbors, nights filled with skiing, wine and conversation with dear ones... It's so good to play! I think it's one of the corner stones of a rich life. It's about not taking yourself too seriously, being in the moment and connecting to the child within. JUST PLAY :)
Today we spent about three hours outside with Trystan. We rode down our home made "Whistler Mountain" on an inner tube. We were so delighted to discover we can slide clear across the yard!! We crawled around the back yard maze and tunnels, and hid in our snow fort hoping that the Abominable Snow Monster wouldn't find us!! We've spent entire afternoons "painting the house" by throwing snowballs and trying to see if we could completely cover all the brick in snow! (My shoulder hurt by the end of that one! lol) We slip and slide and lay on our backs looking at the clouds etc. etc. This never becomes boring. Every moment of this is pure delight for Trystan and for Eric and I. Snow, is the great equalizer. It makes us all children again - reminds us to slow down (after all who's going anywhere fast when you're bundled up in all those layers of snow clothes and heavy boots!?) Reminds us to play - and often, those little tiny flakes of white tumble down and bring a lot of fond, cozy memories. Like egg nog and toast for lunch. Hot chocolate by the fire. Giant snowball fights with the neighbors, nights filled with skiing, wine and conversation with dear ones... It's so good to play! I think it's one of the corner stones of a rich life. It's about not taking yourself too seriously, being in the moment and connecting to the child within. JUST PLAY :)
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