Today my small group of moms with preschoolers experienced discrimination at the hand of school teachers. Now, my own mother was an elementary teacher, and I respect the hard work they do for so little gratitude and pay. And I’ve led tours for field trips when I worked in museum education, so I understand how stressed teachers can be when taking their students on an outing. I mean, it’s hard enough to make sure they all arrive together, not to mention preventing injuries or fights or mental breakdowns once they arrive at their location. And that’s just the teachers.
So I wasn’t too surprised when our plans to hang out at a splash pad were shot down by the school teachers. I mean, I was surprised you could reserve an entire park, something I’m pretty sure the teacher lied about (way to demonstrate ethics to your students there, Ms. Pantsonfire). But let’s face it, moms of preschoolers don’t want to be outnumbered by schoolchildren 100 to 1 anyway. Those kids are bigger…and meaner…and…bigger. They eat children like ours for breakfast.
But it does make me wonder why the needs of the many outweigh those of the few.
Maybe I’ll understand when my son is in school. Then I’ll be the one scowling at the young(ish) stay at home moms, telling them they can’t play here. Or I’ll just volunteer to be the bus driver, then I can turn this bus around and end their precious little field trip!
When I was a kid, I remember my mom getting her workout on to Richard Simmons’ Sweating to the Oldies. Sometimes I would join in, but mainly I thought it looked silly.
But now I’m a mom who likes to get her workout on in a fun way, and in a way that my son can join in (if he doesn’t think it looks too silly). All I can say is thank goodness for streaming videos online, and YouTube. I’ve found many zumba-inspired workout videos like this one from Hull College. My favorite part is when a girl asks in her cute English accent, “Do you want us to walk with attitude?” To which the instructor replies, “Yeah, strut it.”
I also enjoyed this soca dance video, made by Keairalashae. It’s fun, upbeat and I love her sense of humor.
But when I feel like I really need a serious workout, nothing beats Jillian Michaels‘ 30-Day Shred and Yoga Meltdown.
Mom workouts have come a long way since Sweatin’ to the Oldies. But if Richard Simmons works for you, then go for it. What type of exercise do you find works best for you?
When she was still a baby, the family moved to Iraan, Texas, where she met her sweetheart, my dad. She loves to tell the story of how he proposed to her over the phone from Italy, where he was docked while in the Navy.
My mom and dad standing behind the beautiful cake stands my dad hand crafted.
Together, they raised three brilliant children, including myself as the middle child.
Got to love the big ’80s hair.
She instilled in us a love for music…
My momma was a flautist in the band, so I’m not sure what’s in that box she’s carrying.
The mountians…
She’s the one blowing a bubble with her sisters and cousins at 30 mile campground near Creede, Colorado.
And cooking. Not! She says her favorite thing to make is reservations. ;)
My mom with her younger sister at one of our famous Beckett feeds.
She is a retired teacher.
Showing school spirit as an Iraan Brave teacher.
And she was first runner-up in the Ms. Alley Oop beauty pageant. Although we’re all pretty sure it was rigged and that she really won.
She loves to talk.
She loves red roses.
And she loves Christmas time.
But the most important thing she taught us was faith in God, love for Christ, and peace of the Holy Spirit.
Standing in front of the church cabins at Paisano Encampment near Alpine, Texas, a place I have grown to love.
Well, that and how to laugh and have fun.
Don’t ask me, I have no idea.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom! She taught me everything I know about how to be a loving mother!
In answering this week’s writing prompt from Mama Kat’s Writing Workshop, I had to pick #3: Chances are you’ve heard of the Reasons My Son Is Crying tumblr page…write your own version. I hadn’t heard about this page, but I recently posted this picture on my facebook page with the following poll:
My son is making this face because:
A) he drank the bath water
B) he splashed water out of the tub
C) he wanted the yellow towel
Yes, the correct answer is C. The yellow towel, not the monkey towel, even though the yellow towel was dirty and the monkey towel, well, looks like a monkey, complete with ears and a tail.
But when you are three years old, I guess the color yellow can mean everything. Other reasons my son may be crying:
We drove past our church on our way to the store and he just knew we were going to stop and go to church. Why wouldn’t we stop on a weekday and go to church?
I didn’t turn the lights on inside the car while I was driving. This was during a phase when he loved to see lights turn on and off. It’s a hard game to play while you’re driving.
I couldn’t find Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? for us to read before bed. The favorite bedtime story can sometimes be substituted with Goodnight Moon, Green Eggs and Ham, Mr. Brown Can Moo, Can You? and Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? But not always.
I didn’t cut up his peanut butter sandwich for him, or spoon-feed his oatmeal to him. At 3 years old. (Maybe I baby my only child too much? Naahh.)
I pulled him away from the swings when he was about to be kicked in the head.
We ran out of apple juice. That is unforgivable!
I’m sure there are others, but unfortunately the only one I caught on film is the yellow towel. I plan to submit it to the photo contest, with hopes of winning a better camera for capturing even more silly reasons my son crying! Hahahahaha!
I shared that quote on Monday after the terrible bombings in Boston, but after the explosion yesterday in a small town about an hour away from where I live, I felt it needed to be shared again. And then when I got to my Bible study this morning, Beth Moore opened with this scripture: “There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty.” ~ Deuteronomy 33:26
When tragedies happen, it’s difficult to know what to do, and what to say. But we can find some comfort in knowing that people will help. And they help because God has shown us how, for He rides through the heavens to our help.
I think when you look for the helpers, you will see not only good hearts, but love. Love made by the One who created us.
I know that’s not much comfort for those suffering with loss right now, but I pray that it’s a lesson I can hold onto when I’m faced with loss.
I’ve been putting off this post for some time now. Mainly because I’m exposing a weakness of mine, and it’s never fun to talk about your weaknesses. But sometimes the best way over is through, so here goes.
I have developed a horrible habit of telling my son two little words any time he says my name. Yes, it’s the same two words in the title of this post. It’s a knee jerk reaction, because I usually have my hands full from carrying groceries/cooking dinner with my hands covered in raw chicken/cleaning up after my son/wasting time on my computer when I should be working/actually working on my computer/insert any other mundane activity you can think of here.
In the course of my day, I probably say, “Hold on,” a thousand times. Heck, I probably even say it in my sleep. But I didn’t really notice how bad it was until I was making breakfast/washing my hands after handling raw chicken meat/carrying my dustpan to the trash/preparing my taxes/or whatever mundane activity I was doing the other day and I heard that little voice again say, “Mommy!”
“Yes, Arty?” I reply with a tinge of frustration and impatience. Ok, maybe more than a tinge. Maybe a smidge.
“Hug!”
I was about to let out those two words again when I stopped myself. Was I really about to tell my son that he would have to wait on me to hug him back? Granted, it wouldn’t be the worst psychological damage I could cause my son, but it’s not loving and kind. And the one thing my husband and I have established our family on, it’s being loving and kind. Well, that and a love for Star Wars. Well, and Dr. Who.
And sometimes it’s difficult to get a task done when I feel like I hear my name being called non-stop. “Mommy, triangle!” “Mommy, lion!” “Mommy, Tigger!”
Yes, Arty, I see that. Yes, Arty, that’s good. Yes, Arty, you can bounce like Tigger.
I have to stop myself and realize that his enthusiasm to share stuff with me will only last a short time. And then I’ll be the one saying, “Arty, triangle!” “Arty, Tigger!” And he’ll be the one with his earbuds plugged in, or whatever mind-numbing technology they’ll have in ten years that will separate us from real relationships happening in real time.
That said, I’m going to put my laptop away, grab my son, and hold on.
For this week’s linkup from Mama Kat’s Pretty Much World Famous writing prompts, I decided to go for #1 and share a 7th grade memory. The year was 1994-95, and I was still sporting the bushy eyebrows of my youth. I specifically remembering resisting using makeup or beauty products until I was in high school. I had this impression that it meant more work and I was in rush to find out. Turns out, I was right.
I’m seated in the front with my little sister and big brother behind me. “Now everybody smile like you love each other.”
My seventh grade year sticks out in my mind for many reasons, the biggest one being the move from the tiny town of Iraan, Texas,
Alley Oop Park in Iraan, Texas.
to the terrifying, electrifying metropolis of Midland.
By the mighty hammer of Thor!
JK. I just thought that lightning image was cool. It actually looks like this:
From the right angle, it looks pretty nice. And look! I can see Wal-Mart from my house!
It was only an hour and a half north of my hometown, but it felt like a whole new world. Plus, I was in middle school. Everything is dramatic in middle school.
So saying goodbye to my friends in 7th grade and worrying about who I would sit with at lunch on the first day of 8th grade were the biggest things I remember. However, there are a few other memories that stick out. One involved the science lab, my least favorite subject.
I’ve never been one with a mind for science, and the stench of formaldehyde from dissecting creatures in the sixth grade was still fresh in my mind. So imagine my enthusiastic surprise one day when the new girl nearly burnt down the lab? She had lit something with the bunsen burner and caused an evacuation of the whole middle school. It was the most excitement our school had seen in some time. Well, except for the bomb drills.
Yes, one of the luxuries of living in an oil town is the heightened awareness of enemies from the Middle East, or whoever it is that wants to put a cap in our resources. At least that’s what I vaguely recall from those many years ago. I should really call my dad and get my facts straight on it.
But I remember in 7th grade how the entire student body (meaning every student in grades pre-K through 12th) met in our designated locations in the parking lot, loaded onto busses, and traveled about 5 miles outside of town. Then when “the coast was clear,” we turned around and came back to school. Of course, if the Al-Qaeda or whoever decided to unleash a weapon of mass destruction, I doubt 5 miles would really make much difference. But those in charge of all of us kiddos had to at least try to plan for such threats, bless their hearts.
Although I should have been scared when we were loading onto the busses, I only remembering thinking how cool it was I missed science that day. After all, I had already lived through an F-4 tornado in 1990. That’s one step away from the worst, an F-5, where it looks like this:
When my son entered into his terrible two’s a little over a year ago, I started a series based on the Dr. James Dobson book, The Strong-Willed Child. You can read parts one, two, and three if you want to catch up (or can’t get enough of how to work through the frustrations of a strong-willed child).
With the exception of his stubborn resistance to potty training, his behavior has drastically improved in the past few months. However, I received an email the other day from Marcia Hall at GoNannies.com about how to gain your child’s cooperation without yelling, and I thought it was worth sharing. I’ve learned that modeling the correct behavior is just as much of a struggle for me as good behavior is for my son at times. (I guess he gets it from his strong-willed momma.) It’s so easy to lose my patience and want to force my son to behave, but anyone with a child knows you can’t force a person to do anything. They have to want to behave, like the joke from the movie The Break Up.
Now I’m not implying that husbands should be talked to as a small child, or that Jennifer Aniston could have used these tips in dealing with Vince Vaughn…but that’s a whole other topic for another blog post. If you are looking for get your child to cooperate without losing your cool, here are the tips from GoNannies.com:
How to Gain Your Child’s Cooperation Without Yelling
When you get frustrated at your child because she’s not listening to you or doing what she’s supposed to do, it’s easy to lose your cool and start yelling. However, yelling can have adverse effects on your child, including her starting to fear you. There are other ways to get your child to cooperate without raising your voice.
Always Back It Up
When you lay down an edict without backing it up with some kind of consequences for choosing not to listen, there will be no reason for your child to stop. It doesn’t have to be anything terrible, but your kids need to know that you mean what you say the first time you say it. If you say “stop” and then ignore them until the next time you look up from what you’re doing, your child will perceive that you did not really mean it and that he still has some wiggle room before getting into serious trouble. So, before it escalates to yelling at your child for defying you, try speaking firmly, looking him in the eye and laying down the law.
Instead of demanding that he stop his behavior several times before you make a move, back it up as soon as they don’t listen. This will teach them that they should pay attention to you the first time you speak instead of waiting around until they know you’re about to snap. In time, the habits of your child will change to reflect this new way you speak to him. He will start to listen right away and stop trying to push your buttons when he realizes he can’t let it get that far out of control anymore.
Don’t Wait for Them
Repeating yourself will not help your children understand that they need to be listening to you. Just like a broken record, eventually you tune it out because it’s just the same thing over and over again. Expect the same behavior from your kids.
Don’t wait for your children to “catch on.” They may be too young to understand that their behavior is not acceptable by simply hearing you ask them to stop time and again. If it is something like cleaning up after themselves, don’t ask them several time before giving up and completing the task yourself. It may take a little longer, but make sure they understand they have to do it right away. First, state what you want them to do, then say why, then repeat what you want them to do and emphasize it needs to be done now. Now, here’s the tough part: watch them do it. Eventually you won’t have to do that last part, but until they catch on that you mean what you say when you say it, you’ll have to make sure they do it.
Clarity is Best
Do you do something if someone asks you if you’d like to, even though you really don’t? Your kids won’t choose to either. Keep the questions short, sweet and clear. Tell them exactly what they need to do, not what you would like them to do or what they should do. For example, don’t say, “It would really be nice if you would help your father set the table for dinner.” Instead say, “Please set the table. Dinner is almost ready.” The reason behind your request is clear and the request itself is clear as well.
Reward Work with Play
Getting your kids to cooperate can be as simple as telling them they can do something they really enjoy when they are finished with the chore. Gift your child with a few extra minutes of playtime after an unpleasant task is completed. It’s very important to make sure your children understand that the fun comes second and the work comes first. They need to realize that the thing they want to do can only happen when they listen to you and get the chore done.
Take a Deep Breath
Keeping calm is key. When your children are not listening to you and you are starting to get frustrated, it’s easy to just lose it. If you feel yourself getting to the point of yelling, just stop, take a deep breath and start over. No one likes to be yelled at and your kids are no exception. So, above all else, keep your cool. It’s not always easy to keep a grip on your temper, but the payoff for managing the task is a yelling-free, peaceful household.
This is a story of an aging couple Told by their son who was President of NBC NEWS.
This is a wonderful piece by Michael Gartner, editor of newspapers large and small and president of NBC News. In 1997, he won the Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing. It is well worth reading, and a few good chuckles are guaranteed. Here goes...
I'm a west Texas girl now living in central Texas with my husband, a freelance photographer, and our son. I write, design and layout books, write some more, take care of my son, write some more, help my husband with photobyskeebo.com, edit a little here and there, and then call it a day with a nice glass of red wine.
