WARNING: YOU PROBABLY DON’T WANT YOUR CHILDREN UNDER 10 READING THIS IF THEY’RE STILL FANS OF THE MAN IN RED.
Image from MyLot.com
If there’s one thing I admire about parents, it’s their refusal to “parent by default.” That is, they take a stand for something, anything, and give it their best shot to not let society trample their beliefs. They avoid activities they deem inappropriate, educate their children about their beliefs, and oftentimes have to duck and dodge popular culture with its ever-present marketing messages. It’s tough. But they’re trying. They question popular toys or customs, and don’t automatically participate just because “all the other parents are doing it.”
A friend of mine is one such parent. She and her spouse want their children to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, Christ’s birth. And they don’t want them distracted with …
She looked so sweet, and smelled so…bad.
My sweet toddler has been sick for four days now. And if you’re squeamish, you may not want to read any further. But if you’re a new parent, or considering parenthood, I strongly urge you to hold your lunch and read on. After all, I believe expectation management is the key to happiness. If you know what’s coming, you’ll be better able to handle the “joys” of parenthood. Here is what you can expect when your little one gets a super nasty stomach bug, especially if they’re able to run through the house (while vomiting), yet not able to reason quite yet (around 18 months old or so).
Your child may seem cranky/irritated leading up to getting sick, but they can’t tell you they’re getting ready to throw …
My toddler’s sick bed on the living room floor. Does she need me, or do I need her?
“Mommy, I thought we weren’t supposed to touch baby sister or we’ll get sick!” My preschooler was right. I’d warned her not to give her little sister the customary bedtime kisses and hugs, as she’d just started throwing up an hour earlier. She didn’t understand why I would be cuddling my glassy-eyed, vomiting toddler. But I explained. “Sweetie, this is what mommies do. We take care of our babies. Even if it means we get sick, too. Even when they’re smelly, or yucky, we just pick them up and give them love.”
She gave me a knowing look, and nodded her head. “It’s just what mommies do.”
And I can’t help but feel blessed that this is what I do …
See that one in the back? She’s one of Mr. Sandman’s best secret weapons. She’s already plotting to wake up her sister!
Dear Mr. Sandman,
Well, you’ve done it again. You’ve managed to elude me for the third night in a row. No, make that the third year in a row. Who do you think you are, anyways? You think you’ve got a monopoly on sleep? Huh? You think I can’t go somewhere else to place my order? Ok, so you kind of do have a tight grip on this whole nighttime gig. But there’s got to be someone else out there, there’s got to be! You don’t own me! We didn’t sign a contract!
Sigh. I guess we did sign a contract. Or at least, we renegotiated. Back in the day, after I got married. You …
I am SO in love with these sweet sisters. My children. My heart.
There are times when things settle down, when the crying subsides, when the whining takes a break, and I can simply enjoy the presence of my children. We’re entering an “easier” season of parenthood, sure to be followed by a hard one. But I don’t want to worry about that. I just want to enjoy. Things are still crazy, still hectic, still messy, but either it’s getting better, or I’ve just adjusted my outlook and am better able to cope. Either way, it’s a blessing.
Daily, sometimes hourly tantrums have gone to weekly. Constant monitoring has gone to frequent sideways glances (as I hear a bowl of dry Cheerios spill in the next room). Things aren’t easy, but they’re easier. I’m only getting …
(image from celluloidheroreviews.com) No wonder his parents gave in to his request. Look at that face! Too bad my kid has a cute face, too.
“I want a Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle. Oooooooh!”
Now, instead of a round-faced spectacled young boy, picture a curly-haired, green-eyed young girl saying:
“I want a Cinderella dress that lights up with a Cinderella ring and a Cinderella salon. Oooooooh!”
With Ralphie-like enthusiasm, my preschooler knows what she wants for Christmas. Over and over and over again, when asked by aunts, grandparents and friends, this has been her response. It wasn’t always this answer, though. First, it was “sparkly pink light-up shoes.” So, we got her some. They’re waiting anxiously in my closet, ready to be opened Christmas morning. But will she have an enthusiastic response? Or …