Mommiedom

Friday, September 23, 2011

Girls will be Girls

I knew it would happen sooner or later- issues with the girls at school with Miss O. It really isn't anything major just something I am glad I am aware of and am filing in the back of my mind for possible future if more of a problem arises.

So here it is, Miss O made a fast friend at school who she spends all her time with at school. Well there is another girl there that seems to also want to play with Miss O's friend but not with Miss O. It broke my heart to hear that this little girl didn't want Miss O to play her games From Miss O it sounded like she was intentionally excluded because there was a group playing this kid's game.

What I found interesting is what Miss O said to me- she thinks this girl is jealous of her and that is why she excludes her. I asked her who told her that and she told me no one, she just figured it out on her own. I think that is likely the right assessment and the girl is just trying to show her dominance over my passive kid.

I told Miss O that it will pass and that just be the bigger person. I told her to always include everyone when playing even if they haven't included you in the past. I also told her to let me know if anyone is out right mean to her and that it is important to let the teacher know as well. I don't want her to a tattle tale but I also don't want someone to mean for the sake of being mean.

I know as a Mom, this might sound like bragging about Miss O but for you all that have meet here, I think many will agree that she has this special light about her. I don't know how to best explain it but she is an incredible child who seems often to be much older than she is. I also know that this shine she has will both attract and bother kids her age. Either a girl her age will be attracted to her like a moth to light or they will find this to be threatening.

I was hoping that it would be longer before she experienced her first negative experience in school. The good thing is that she is this awesome kid that will survive this and many more things like this. I also know that girls are fickle and that in weeks, Miss O and this girl will be playing together like crazy.

The good thing is that sometimes when you start out not liking someone from school, that they end up being one of your longest and greatest friends (I know she know who she is!). This might not be the case but girls are girls and Miss O is having a blast so far and it is going to continue between school, girl scouts, and all the other things she is able to do.

# School

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

School Groove

Becky 3:27 PM 0 Comments

We are now in our third week of school and so far so good. Miss O loves it and has made a friend that she talks about quite a bit. I finally got to meet the friend and found out she is here in our subdivision which is nice for future play dates and such.

We have gotten in a groove as well in getting ready in the morning and getting out of the house. The one person who needs to most prodding is my husband to get out the door. Once they get out the door and head off, it is just Mr. L and I.

Here is the tricky part for me- it is just him and I. I am a tad bored with him. I was so use to having someone here all day that I could carry a conversation with and now I hear grunts and someone who points for most of his stuff. Plus I don't have that second set of eyes here watching him which tires me out so much.

So far since school has started he has spilled the laundry soap all over my rug, gotten into countless things that he never has before and has finds it funny to sit on top of the train table. He is testing me all the way.

Overall though I am loving having the one on one time with him. I am finding him saying more words overall during he day. I just need to get use to just having a toddler around without an older child to entertain him.

He is a very different kid that Miss O. Miss O never touched anything while he touches everything. He likes to constantly touch and grab the picture frames all over the house. It actually is kind of fun, because I always ask him who is in the picture and where they are.

This has been an adventure for us which has been fun. Miss L and I are learning new things together while Miss O is thriving at school. So far so good and I hope it only gets better (as long as I keep the laundry soap up where it belongs).

# School

Monday, August 22, 2011

First Day - Awesome

Becky 2:06 PM 0 Comments

Last night at dinner Miss O raised her hand and asked if sh could go to the bathroom. She told us all that was the rule in school. One day of school and she was already applying all the things she learned.

Her first day was awesome for her. We took her and walked her to her class. Her first stop was to the potty than finally to her room. Her teacher is so nice and showed her where her lunch went as well as her backpack. Miss O seemed a little when she was looking for her seat but once she found it, she quickly opened the box of crayons and started coloring away.

We left her sitting there with the other kindergartners as they began their journey into learning. I on the other hand started crying the minute I walked out the door which of course set my mother in law off as well. We both teared up that this kid just seemed to be babbling away as she played with her blocks and now she is in school.

The day went pretty fast for us because we occupied our time (today not so much). Before we knew it was time to walk over to pick her up. We packed up Mr. L with a sippy cup and goldfish for the walk in the 100 degree weather yes it was very hot but lucky us it was shaded and there was a breeze.

We arrived at the school and waited till the kids came out. As we walked home together, we asked what she did during the day and she said she played, colored, and had fun. Her biggest complaint was the walk home because her feet were sweating in her tennis shoes.

Overall she had a great day and could not wait to go back this morning. She was standing at the door with her back pack about 15 minutes before she had to go. School is going to be a good thing for her. We all noticed a big difference in her yesterday when she came home- almost as if she wanted to show she is a big girl.

Now I am excited to see how school will go for her. She seems to want to ensure that she is good every day to get her green smiley face which will lead to getting a treasure. This is a incredible journey and we are all excited for her.

# School

Sunday, August 21, 2011

School Days - Part 2

Becky 10:22 AM 0 Comments

Today is the day before I officially have a kindergartner and it is exciting. We have talked about what she is going to pick for her first day and what she wants to take for lunch. We went Thursday night and had the parent orientation which made me honestly - very nervous. But I have gotten over it since than and feel much more confident about it.

We meet the teacher on Friday who is very nice and I think Olivia will warm up to her quickly. I am sure my kid will be a chatty kathy soon enough in the class and yes we will be having a conversation about it in the near future.

For today, she is still a preschooler, enjoying just doing as she pleases. She is watching Tangled and having her mac and cheese. Tomorrow will be a new adventure that will include lots of fun and different things.

Stay tuned as to how day 1 goes for both of us. :)

# School

Thursday, August 18, 2011

School Days- Part 1

Becky 8:14 AM 0 Comments

I know for many of us we are sending our kids to school for the first time, or a second and even third are about to start school. We start on Monday and I am a ball of nerves about it and am working very hard not to show it to my soon to be kindergartner. I know for this to go smoothly, I have to remain calm when we go on Monday.

My husband and I have set the rule no crying while there but if we must we can after she is dropped off. I guess what is hard for me and so many parents is that this is a point where we realize that our kids are growing up. Kindergarten seemed like eons ago when she was born and now in four days we will be getting her lunch ready and walking her through the doors of what is now her life for the next 13 years.

All her supplies have been purchased, new clothes are awaiting to be worn, and the lunch box still looks brand new. In a few weeks, I know that the supplies will be used, clothes will be what ever we can throw on quickly, and the lunch box will have that old food smell. This is a big change for the house overall and it is a good change.

I am excited to see the friends she will make, and all of the things she will learning. I am also scared for her because I know how hard it can be in those first few weeks. I know she will be cared for by her teacher because they are all very good at the school. I know the few older kids she will know will be there to show her the ropes as needed.

I don't really remember my first day of school. I had a new baby brother at the time and it was only a half day. This is an exciting time for all of us though it seems so hard to go through. I will keep you all posted on how well we are doing with it. I look forward to sharing stories of all those new things we are learning about school.

# School

Thursday, August 11, 2011

What it costs to raise a kid!

Becky 11:52 AM 0 Comments

So I was wandering around the parenting.com website today and I found this calculator that calculates what it costs to have a kid. I typed in Miss O who was born in 2006 and her cost from birth to 18 was nearly $561,000. Alone it is estimated that her first year was nearly $26,000 which I can believe between formula, diapers and daycare though I think we were closer to about $15,000 at the time.

Here is the link to the calculator: http://www.parenting.com/cost-raising-child

The breakdown includes what it will cost for housing, health care, food transportation, clothing, childcare, education, higher education and general misc. stuff that they have like that train table that recently made it into my house.

When I did Mr. L who was born in 2010, his cost was about $640,000. This survey takes in account your income, family status as well as where you live in the country. I do think it is a rough estimate but I could see between clothes, education, etc. that rearing a child is expensive.

No one really warns you how muck a child will cost you. You can estimate out but they are expensive especially their first year with multiple doctor visits, formula, and child care if you aren’t working. We paid close to seven grand a year when Miss O was in childcare and that was at an excellent place that was reasonable.

I just found this breakdown interesting. I can see that kids are expensive but also know this is a sampling and not necessarily the true amount.

# kids

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Mommy Confessions

Becky 1:48 PM 0 Comments

So I sat down and watched the Today show this morning because they were talking about how us Mom's deal with the everyday as well as confessing our deep down secrets about how we really feel about motherhood.

You can read the article and see the piece here: http://moms.today.com/_news/2011/08/09/7318658-whats-your-deepest-darkest-secret-moms-confess-in-our-survey?GT1=43001

I thought this was a great piece and am looking forward to more of it over the week. For us Mom's and Dad's too- parenting is a tough job. We often do it with limited means and time. I know that I am not getting it right all the time. I also know that I am at my wits end at lot of the time with these kids.

Motherhood is both what I expected but also at the same time wildly different that I ever imagined. I would never have guess at this age that I would be a stay at home Mom with two kids. Motherhood changes you- for some it is a wonderful change and for others they struggle.

I have to say I think it was a wonderful change and yes at times it is a struggle for me. Yes I wish I had more time for myself. For me this is a 24 hour 7 day a week job.

Last week we were on vacation but honestly it wasn't really a vacation for me. I still had to be a Mom and do all those Mom things so my kids could have a good time. I don't expect a true vacation until the kids are either much older or even out of the house.

There are so many things I would love to once again have since having kids but honestly there are also so many things I have gained since their arrival. Being home with them is wonderful. I really don't have a burning desire to go back to a regular job- for now this is my job.

Yes I wish I could sometimes just pick up and go with out having to lug two kids, and a diaper bag but I know it gets easier (the diaper bag is getting smaller).

Ultimately I work hard at making it look easy. I work the best and most efficient when I feel things are in control. I know my kids aren't perfect but I am constantly working with them to be responsible adults as they grow up. I know that there are things that I lack at and wish so much that I could figure that out but I try hard at not stretching myself to thin with the kids, house, and life in general. I also know that for many this is the biggest battle for Moms.

For me personally, my household is about to have a major transition in the next few weeks when my oldest begins attending school. I admit that I don't cope well with change and would love her to stay home with me but I know that for her going to school is a much better thing. It comes back to me and the control issue.

Basically we are all overworked, stressed out, and stretched to thin. Some more than others. We are all trying to get by and give our kids the best in this life. We both succeed and fail at it with hopes that those failures are minor but also educational while the success don't spoil us to bad.

I love this life but yes I have moments where I would love to trade it in though they are far and few. I look at my kids even when they are at their worst and am glad that they are part of life- yes even when the dare devil is dancing on the kitchen table while juggling knives (okay he hasn't done that yet).

We are all dealing with similar issues. We all struggle and it will eventually work out for you . I know this can't last forever and I try to enjoy them in the moment.

# Macaroni Kid