The boy was coming up with idea after idea, argument after argument- anything that might mean not doing what I had asked him to do. "Ok, that's it- no more arguing"

"Mom, I-"

"I said NO MORE ARGUING, no more NEGOTIATING!!"

So here's where my 5 year old turns into parenting counselor...

Being my mom would be so easy if you just followed my directionsKarate Chop to my Pride!"Mom, Mom, wait, you didn't even let me finish. I wasn't about to start 'gotiating again! You should have let me finish. If you would have let me finish I was gonna say "Mom, I won't argue any more. I'll have quiet time. But you didn't listen. You shouldn't interrupt. Do you want to know what you were supposed to do? (I don't remember whether he continued without waiting for my answer or if I simply nodded dejectedly)

"You were supposed to let me finish, and then, if what I said was 'gotiating, and since you just told me no more 'gotiating, then you could have just put me in time out or spanked my bottom- I rather time out" (Yes, we have chosen to spank bottoms occasionally in our house- I'm happy to talk with anyone about this decision.) "But since I wasn't going to 'gotiate, you wouldn't have to do those things, but if I did then, I would just be in trouble- that's it! You really should listen first though."

I think I must have staggered away in a daze...

Ok, so what response was I to give to THAT? "Uh, Sir yes sir, I'm sorry sir, It won't happen again SIR!"

I do try very diligently to raise a thinker, a problem solver and a good communicator. Sometimes, it comes back to bite me in the butt- like when my fiver year old is giving me parenting tips, and they are pretty much right on! Sheesh!

This time it's different. So, Pocahontas is 11 months old and starting to wean. She doesn't really take a bottle- she mostly plays with sippy cups (drinking bits here and there) and mainly loves water from a normal cup witha  straw. I am still her main source of fluids. But things are changing. Some days she nurses 4 times a day, sometimes twice a day, other days she wants to nurse 5-6 times a day. She's also getting tooth upon tooth right now and is biting, biting, BITING! Ouch! I am struggling with my milk supply being painfully in flux, soreness from her teeth, the heartache of knowing our special close time is almost over, and elation at knowing that a little more freedom is just around the corner. I would love some tips about how to do this well. Moms out there- help! What do you think? Send me your tips.

Second Prize (Gift certificate for $5 PLUS  a coupon for $20 off $50 at the diaper shop!)

Third Prize (Coupon for $15 dollars off $50 at the diaper shop!)

Fourth Prize (Coupon for $10 off $50 at the diaper shop!)

We would like to thank all contestants for their participation and offer a coupon for $5 off $50 at the diapershop as a way to show our appreciation! Contact us for the private coupon code.

Thanks again, and be on the look out for more giveaways in the future!

Thanks again!

You throw a shoe at the dog because he smells.

You tell your son you're putting 10 minutes on the timer and secretly put 8 just to be spiteful.

Oh, oops, that was all me! Who is spiteful to a 5 year old you ask with doe-like innocence and wonder in your eyes. That would be me, I am sorry to say.

Mommies, when is the last time you checked in with yourself to see how you're doing? Or better yet, when is the last time you checked in with another girlfriend to see how each of you are doing? Time has got to be on the list of endangered resources these days, and I know it can be hard to find even a half hour to sit down and take stock. But if you can bear the thought- just hear me out for a sec- if you can find some time to be quietbear the thought of leaving the dishes in the sink and the laundry unfolded just a little while longer. If you can let the kids run in the yard *gasp* semi-unsupervised, or *bigger gasp* set them down in front of a show for a little bit, maybe you can find someone to talk to, to pray with to kvetch, moan, cry or laugh with for just a little bit. Or take the time to sit alone and be quiet.

Quiet reflection and talks with girlfriends-  I have been missing this big time lately. Big, big time. With all of the business there just hasn't been time for the "frivolous" self-care or self-assessment. But guess what, I'm a stingier mom, and a grumpier wife when I foolishly assume that it's impossible for me to make time for me. If I don't sit down to think, journal, pray, trouble soon follows. I am slowly learning that.

Just these past few days I've had occassion to talk with some on my closest friends about hte things weighing down my heart. How encouraging! It reminded me of just how much I need this.

So one of the wagons that I am jumping back on is this one: taking care of my heart. Are you taking care of yours? If yes, how? I am still trying to figure this all out!

Hard at work: Can we build it? Yeah!

Of course, I can't singled handedly disassemble a swing set and haul it back. Enter my trusty dad- who is handy, retired and owns a pick up truck (coincide, I think not, it was for such a time as this that he was made!) He set out at 8 am the next morning with his tool box and came back 6- yes 6; thanks dad!- with an unattractive pile of weathered wood in the bed of his truck. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder though- it must be, because that pile of weathered wood looked to me like an ab ripped hottie (or better yet, a thick slice of cheesecake...can you tell I'm dieting?!) I envisioned the days of having my children happily occupied on the swings and slide while I sip lemonade and tweet about the joys of The finished productmotherhood.

Mowgli and Pocahontas, each with their own swingSo after more hours of hard work, here are the results. I am very pleased, very thankful, and yes, I will be tweeting about this!

Another favorite of his (and mine) are audio books. This can be an excellent alternative to watching TV and also can help with the development of the imagination and increase the attention span. I will often sit down in my office to do some work, and set up a book on cd for Mowgli to listen and 'work' (this can be in the form of coloring, cutting paper, drawing, painting, working with clay- anything that requires sitting at a desk) along side me. The result? Mowgli is enjoying a great story and I ususally  buy myself at least 30 minutes to an hour of fairly peaceful time (that is if Pocahontas is asleep or otherwise entertained).

So- take a look at the ticker on the left side of the website for a lists of books that we are currently reading (I've included children's and adult books)

Enjoy this video of Mowgli reading to Pocahontas back when she was just a few months old.

You don't have to look very hard into my life to find inconsistencies all over the place. I'll admit it, I am neither perfect nor a purist about much. What works one day may not work another. Sometimes, what's on sale rules, other times, we sacrifice to make the wiser purchase. This 'flip-flopping' shows up in other areas of life too, not just what we buy or what we eat, but how we spend our time and how we run our home as well. In this highly politicized world where 'flip-floppers' are doomed to public ridicule, it feels Moms have to bend in all sorts of directions!good to confess! Granted, some of these flip flops are things I want to work on, places where I want to see growth and change in my life... others, are just a result of living a life so full that somethings spill over the edges and somethings can't always be the same.  Actually I prefer to think of myself as flexible (sounds more flattering doesn't it?) Life is dynamic and sometimes requires the flexibility of a Cirque du Soleil contortionist. We try to find what works, make the best choices that we can, and use what we have to the best of our ability. So, I'm ok with our inconsistencies... to me they just mean that 'my plan' doesn't rule my life.  Besides, the weather's getting really nice... definitely flip flop season!

Where do you flex, or flip flop?

Actually, I have brought my kids to 'those types of places' and endured the looks, sighs and 'polite' suggestions.

Loud, inquisitive, rambunctious, energetic, argumentative, strong-willed. Yes, I have those types of kids. And most days, I'm pretty glad about (albeit wiped out by) this reality.

3 feet in the air- as usualMy son, 5, (we'll call him 'Mowgli', since he has gorgeous shiny dark hair, and sometimes people think he was raised by wolves) struggles to not ask you about that weird mole on your face, jumps from the top step in our 10ft celing Colonial Revival, and uses words like Sarcophagus over dinner. Yes, I linked it; no need to be shown up by a 5 year old.  

 My daughter (we'll call her 'Pocahontas' since she's a free spirit), is decidedly a complete and utter people person; she wants no part of alone time or being put down for a nap (we do it anyway!). She never took a pacifier, blankie or any other type of outside comforter. She wants only to be with someone, in their arms, playing chase and jumping together. She will scream to high heaven if she isn't kindly invited to join you when you use the toilet.

So yes- I have those kind of kids, and probably, so do many of you. Good news! Those kind of kids, grow into those kind of adults- brilliant, daring, courageous, ambitious, caring and bold. But it takes lots of patience to see them as more than 'a handfull' sometimes. I have made it a goal to encourage moms and look for encouragement wherever it may be. So, in the grocery store, when a mom is struggling to parent well the child who is throwing a tantrum, I look at her. I'm sure you've been looked at before in the grocery store when your child is throwing a tantrum. You get the kind of looks meant to embarrass you. The kind of looks that make you want to give in to the tantrum just to make the scene stop. No, that's not the kind of look I give- I give the 'yep, mine did that yesterday' look; the 'hold firm mommy!' look.  I love when other moms look at me that way too!

What kind of kid do you have? How do  you struggle to parent well? How do other moms make it harder or easier for you? Let us know!