You are currently browsing the category archive for the 'parenting' category.
May 5, 2008 – Monday |
SAT’s
Current mood: blessedOk so this weekend my son, Matthew, took the SAT’s. He is twelve. I am so proud that he did it, but also feel guilty for putting him through it. He was a wreck before it started, but then found out it wasnt so bad. He walked out of there very relieved, while the high schoolers around him were crushed at how hard it was. I cannot believe how smart this boy is. I love the fact that he is so proud of it. If he was to get a C on his report card he would be crushed. I am happy he has this drive, while still being a funny, sensitive child (on the verge of being a man!) Good going, Matt, shoot for the stars!!
2 Kudos
|
I have had some complaints on the lack of posts about my mother. I apologize for the missing posts, there is just too much to say.
This woman raised me and my brother alone half of every month until we were teenagers because my father was always at sea. She attended school functions, cooked bake sale cupcakes, and helped make Girl Scout apple pies. She worked part-time so that she was always there for us when we got home from school. She knows exactly what to cook when we are sick. When I was 20 I was seriously injured in an accident during a vacation in Florida, she dropped her life and flew down to stay with me for three months until I was able to return home. She stood by me through a painful divorce and gave me well earned step-parenting advice my second marraige.
My children worship her and respect her advice. They often will go to her instead of me, knowing she will always answer honestly and unbiased.
She has shown her devotion and loyalty to my father for over 40 years. We are talking through good times AND bad. Through sickness AND health. Through retirement…lol.
I only hope that I can be as strong and devoted as she has shown me how to be. Love you mom!
It is very hard to handle when your child is faced with disappoinment and hurt and there is nothing you can do to change it. It is a lesson they need to learn as we all have.
My daughter signed up to perform with a friend at the school talent show. This is something I never would have done, myself. I could be part of a cast in a play but standing up there alone or with a partner for all too see (or boo as they see fit,) I just couldn’t do it.
The girls were going to perform a dance number. I, honestly, thought that the girls would grow bored of it and not follow through, but they actually practiced together and were quite excited about the end result.
A dress rehearsal was required the day before the show and my daughter’s partner did not show. Since my daughter had signed up to be with a partner, and her partner didnt show for practice, they were not allowed to perform in the show. I think this is pretty harsh for the 4th grade, but I do not make the rules. I just have to handle the repercussions. She was quite angry and hurt, but I used my motherly skills and distracted her with a shopping trip for summer clothes. But let me tell you, I would love to go bop that kid in the head!!
So anyway, my daughter was quite disappointed when her friend “bailed” on her.
My daughter and I watched the video of “Tinkerbell – the movie” on DVD on Monday night. It was quite delightful. It showed the creation of the fairy named Bell and her growing into her quirky self. It seems a fairy is born after the first laugth of a baby. It even showed the eventual link to London and the Peter Pan connection. The movie was a great example of not trying to be like everyone else and being happy with what you are best at. It is a perfect mother-daughter move. There is another Tink movie in the works and I can’t wait to share it with my daughter.
Now the average friend of mine would think I was biased, given that I am obsessed with Tinkerbell. But I can honestly say it was a delightful movie for young girls.
So its official. My firstborn is now a teenager. The signs were there. Getting taller & thinner. Voice dropping. Wanting privacy. But now its official, and I feel so old.
With the start of the new school season, it was time to break the she-devil in Sara. After one (yes 1) night, the “not sleeping in her own bed problem” was gone. We used the supernanny technique (thank u Jo Frost) of whose television show Sara & I are great fans of, and it actually worked. Vin & I both also sat her down and talked to her and apparantly there is a lot of stress between Dad’s house and Mom’s house, and Dad’s girlfriend trying to gain favor. That has been cleared up now, at least in Sara’s head anyway.
Homework has historically been a problem, so the Supernanny (and a tough 4th grade teacher) worked for that too. Now if I can just get her to straighten up her room…one battle at a time.
Today started the new school season. I am so glad to get the kids back into a schedule. Curfews, homework, calendars, RESTRICTIONS! As Sara & I were wandering around Target yesterday, I could see the look of anticipation on all of the fellow mothers faces!! We would all just glance at eachother and understand!
Of course, Sara gives us the most resistance. Fighting sleep until 12:30 AM. Up at 5:00 AM getting dressed. Not wanting to do homework. Wanting to start a new career (this week – Journalism – so that she can expose her unfortunate older brother.) Demanding a personal digital camera…a trampoline…a dog…video camer…You name it, different request every hour.
She came home from Dad’s with 5 new outfits (with strict instructions as per school use ONLY.) Already wore 3 on the first day. Gonna be a great week. Thanks to Laura (Dad’s fiance) in updating Sara’s wardrobe. She definitely feels spoiled by you.

2008 Olympic Mens Diving
So dh & I go out for a few drinks last night, planning to meet up with a coworker of mine. We sit at the bar and watch the Olympic Men diving competition. And wait, and drink, and wait. Our company arrives just as we were getting ready to leave. Which was disappointing, but at least we got out of the house for a few hours. We have not had much chance to be alone without the children lately and the two hours was quite refreshing. Thanks Nana for babysitting.
Ok, can someone explain to me why my 9-year old daughter suddenly can not make it through the night without me? I wake up during the night and find her asleep on the floor next to my side of the bed. This was the child who slept through the night by 6 months. She never slept with the parents (well occasionally i would let her sleep with me between marriages.) The child who isn’t afraid of anything is suddenly afraid of bumps in the night, house creakings and nightmares. She had a great room with her own bed, pull out couch, TV, books, Gameboy, toys. But somehow my hard floor seems more desireable to her.
At first I figured it was a phase and would pass, so I just let it happen. But now it is happening every night, so privacy is out the window in my marriage. I have tried punishing her, but she is immune. Tonight if she shows up in my room again, she plays with NO friends tomorrow and has to write a 500 word essay on why it is wrong to sleep in my room. (Lets just say she is excited to get started on it.) I even tried using positive reinforcement (if she stays out, she will get some extra special one on one time with me.) She chose punishment.
Now 2 days a week, she stays at her father’s house. There is no problem there. Anyone have any advice? I am at my wits end here.
Sorry for the delay in my latest post. It is the end of the summer and things are just going crazy. Thanks for your patience. Also, thanks for the comments so far! I appreciate it. I have been researching this blogging thing and hope to fine tune my blog for more interest!
School opens in just over 2 weeks and I cannot believe the summer is almost over. We were able to see Ian last weekend, he is 6 already!! We had a fantastic time playing on the Wii. Quite a wit, he is!
My mother celebrates her 65th birthday this weekend and we look forward to taking her out to celebrate! She certainly deserves it!
I hope to log on again soon!

blessed