When I was younger, toys didn't require as many batteries. Now, you not only have to buy the toy, but the power to make it do those cool things that it does on TV. What happened to being content with a bucket of Legos, Lincoln Logs, or playing a game of Mouse Trap? I can remember quite clearly NOT needing to install batteries to have the toy work.
Some of my favorite toys when I was a child never needed batteries. I can't remember a classic game of Monopoly, Mouse Trap, or Uno needing to have some type of alkaline power to function. A jump rope, books, cards and other forms of entertainment were enough to satisfy my attention span for hours with my siblings.
I feel very lucky to have grown up in a generation that didn't require the use of batteries for the simplest of toys. The outside world, some sidewalk chalk, and an imagination was enough to keep us out of the parents way for ample time.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
New Mommy
I recently visited a good friend of mine who just had a baby girl. I have known this friend since before we were in school. When I had my daughter, she was there to visit me in the hospital and see me through the rough time I had coping with motherhood at a young age.
I now understand how she felt roughly 9 years ago. The roles have now changed and seeing her with her new baby puts a whole new spin on life for her. She was always the friend that said she wasn't going to have children, wanted to be an aunt, but not ready to be a mom. So, you can imagine the shock I experienced when I was one of the first people to know that she was with child.
She is so in love with her baby, as any new mom would be. I can now for the first time be the one giving advice to her instead of the other way around. In a way, my daughter was the "guinea pig" kid for all my friends who are now thinking of having or have had kids. I got to see my friend become a mom right before my eyes. She changed in a way that cannot be described unless you have seen it or gone through it yourself. Being an aunt is going to be fun. Why? Because 9 years worth of noisy payback toys and sugar is coming.
I now understand how she felt roughly 9 years ago. The roles have now changed and seeing her with her new baby puts a whole new spin on life for her. She was always the friend that said she wasn't going to have children, wanted to be an aunt, but not ready to be a mom. So, you can imagine the shock I experienced when I was one of the first people to know that she was with child.
She is so in love with her baby, as any new mom would be. I can now for the first time be the one giving advice to her instead of the other way around. In a way, my daughter was the "guinea pig" kid for all my friends who are now thinking of having or have had kids. I got to see my friend become a mom right before my eyes. She changed in a way that cannot be described unless you have seen it or gone through it yourself. Being an aunt is going to be fun. Why? Because 9 years worth of noisy payback toys and sugar is coming.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Scary movies
The sound of thunder and rain usually make me tired. On this day though, I decided to do a favorite activity of mine while it's raining. Watch a scary movie!
I have always loved scary movies, and I think that trait has carried over to my daughter as well. My son is too little to understand what's going on when we get the popcorn out and turn the TV up. All he knows is that food is being made and he wants some. That's why 90% of the time we wait until he's down for a nap.
My daughter usually picks out the movie. I know what you're thinking, "You let your 9 year old watch a scary movie?! What's wrong with you?" Yes, I know. Letting my daughter watch a scary movie is the biggest parenting sin I could commit. It's horrible and I should not let her watch the movies she enjoys. However, we do watch these in the middle of the day, NOT right before she goes to bed.
So, my daughter gets the popcorn out for me to pop, and she gets the TV trays and chairs out. (We like to sit close.) The thunder is rumbling, rain is falling hard on the window, and it's a perfect setting for the movie. We are munching away on our popcorn and as the movie gets to a spooky part, I feel my daughters hand reach for mine. She squeezes it, even though she knows what's coming. After the initial jump, she looks at me and smiles. A little sunshine in here, and the storm outside is long gone to me.
I have always loved scary movies, and I think that trait has carried over to my daughter as well. My son is too little to understand what's going on when we get the popcorn out and turn the TV up. All he knows is that food is being made and he wants some. That's why 90% of the time we wait until he's down for a nap.
My daughter usually picks out the movie. I know what you're thinking, "You let your 9 year old watch a scary movie?! What's wrong with you?" Yes, I know. Letting my daughter watch a scary movie is the biggest parenting sin I could commit. It's horrible and I should not let her watch the movies she enjoys. However, we do watch these in the middle of the day, NOT right before she goes to bed.
So, my daughter gets the popcorn out for me to pop, and she gets the TV trays and chairs out. (We like to sit close.) The thunder is rumbling, rain is falling hard on the window, and it's a perfect setting for the movie. We are munching away on our popcorn and as the movie gets to a spooky part, I feel my daughters hand reach for mine. She squeezes it, even though she knows what's coming. After the initial jump, she looks at me and smiles. A little sunshine in here, and the storm outside is long gone to me.
History behind my daughter
It seems like it's been forever since I've had my daughter. She is 9 years old and one of the greatest kids ever. I'm bias of course. I can't imagine leaving her side in a time of need. That's what someone else did to her though. Someone who is supposed to be very close to her.
I may not have mentioned him before but my daughters biological dads name is Steve. Just as quickly as he came into my life, he was gone. Leaving me with an infant when I was 20 years old. I had no clue what to do, no job at the time, and if it wasn't for the guidance and support of my close friends and family, I would have been in a bad place.
I won't go into details, but Steve left very abruptly and is no longer a part of her life. My daughter could not pick him out of a police line-up if she had to. He is a stranger to her and doesn't send so much as a birthday card. It's like she doesn't exsist. It's upsetting to me as a parent that he could even brush off his own kin like he does. Did I mention he has a son who he takes full responsibility for? Yep. He will do anything for his son. He loves and adores him, clothes him, takes him places, does all the normal parenting with his son. He has not done a thing for his daughter though.
That's okay though. I have grown over the years to find that one of the best things he could have done was leave. If he isn't going to be an active parent, then don't come to me when she wants the 18 years of back child support that she's owed. When she gets married, he won't be walking her down the aisle. When she decides to make a life changing decision, he won't be there. I'm just fine with it too.
I may not have mentioned him before but my daughters biological dads name is Steve. Just as quickly as he came into my life, he was gone. Leaving me with an infant when I was 20 years old. I had no clue what to do, no job at the time, and if it wasn't for the guidance and support of my close friends and family, I would have been in a bad place.
I won't go into details, but Steve left very abruptly and is no longer a part of her life. My daughter could not pick him out of a police line-up if she had to. He is a stranger to her and doesn't send so much as a birthday card. It's like she doesn't exsist. It's upsetting to me as a parent that he could even brush off his own kin like he does. Did I mention he has a son who he takes full responsibility for? Yep. He will do anything for his son. He loves and adores him, clothes him, takes him places, does all the normal parenting with his son. He has not done a thing for his daughter though.
That's okay though. I have grown over the years to find that one of the best things he could have done was leave. If he isn't going to be an active parent, then don't come to me when she wants the 18 years of back child support that she's owed. When she gets married, he won't be walking her down the aisle. When she decides to make a life changing decision, he won't be there. I'm just fine with it too.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Friday, April 13, 2012
Garage Sale Time
I never liked going to garage sales when I was younger. Now that I'm a mom, I find them useful. The saying is true. Another ones junk is someone elses treasure. Sometimes you have to dig hard for it. I like to go to the Friday garage sales simply because one child is in school, and having one to deal with is better then two some days. However, with my kiddos being spaced 8 years apart, big sister can help with little brother during the sale. She doesn't like to stay as long as my mom and I do though.
Some things that I have found useful while going to garage sales and getting in and out of the car with young ones are as follows.
Bring snacks: Make sure that they are something not too sweet as their appetite may not be good for lunch.
Take change (coins): Sometimes these garage sales have cookies and little toys for hardly anything. I found that this was a good time to teach my kids about money and getting change back. Sometimes I let her make the purchase on her own.
It's ok to get lost: My mom and I have done this numerous times. Sometimes, you stumble upon some great sales that may not have been advertised.
Treat the kids too: Take them to the park or their favorite spot when all the garage sales are done for the day. My kids enjoy the running around time that they may not have been able to do at the sale.
These things don't always work, but they help. Sometimes it may be best to leave the little ones at home with dad or a trusted relative. Whatever the case may be, I find garage sales to be helpful in purchasing something for hardly anything.
Some things that I have found useful while going to garage sales and getting in and out of the car with young ones are as follows.
Bring snacks: Make sure that they are something not too sweet as their appetite may not be good for lunch.
Take change (coins): Sometimes these garage sales have cookies and little toys for hardly anything. I found that this was a good time to teach my kids about money and getting change back. Sometimes I let her make the purchase on her own.
It's ok to get lost: My mom and I have done this numerous times. Sometimes, you stumble upon some great sales that may not have been advertised.
Treat the kids too: Take them to the park or their favorite spot when all the garage sales are done for the day. My kids enjoy the running around time that they may not have been able to do at the sale.
These things don't always work, but they help. Sometimes it may be best to leave the little ones at home with dad or a trusted relative. Whatever the case may be, I find garage sales to be helpful in purchasing something for hardly anything.
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