Parenting Check in March 15th

[karlamo]

Today's check in is brought to you by Bubble Gubbies! This show let me vacuum my upstairs at 6:45am.

What's new in the parenting world?  Anything new going on?

QOTW:  What's your favorite kids tv show?  Least favorite?  If your kid doesn't watch tv, what's your favorite/least fav song?

[2brides]

I think we all have a case of spring-itis. Even though we've only had a couple of warm days, everyone is getting antsy. We leave for our Spring Break trip Saturday and there is so much that needs to be done before we leave. Not to mention, L is out of town for 2 nights, Gray has dance tonight, and the kids start soccer on Friday (who thought practice on Fridays from 5:45-7 was a great idea?!) At least we are driving and have no specific start time on Saturday so we can do whatever doesn’t get done during the week on Saturday AM.

L and the kids have been rocking and rolling their science fair projects – and while we will probably have to bring their laptops with us to do a few things while on vacation, they are making great progress and seem to have gotten in a great rhythm. Buuuuut…..Gray came home yesterday saying they need to make a doll out of a bottle and it is due the day they get back from spring break. WHA? So, on top of the science fair shenanigans, we will be making JK Rowling out of a bottle on Easter and the Monday before they go back to school. Off to Michaels for supplies tomorrow night. Color me not pleased.

QOTD: The kids don’t watch much tv. They aren’t allowed any tv/video games during the week and on the weekends they would rather play PS4 than watch tv. They recently got into Dukes of Hazard and find it hysterical. LOL. They also like WWE. (ugh) Stuff we watch together is anything on the Food Network (they love the Food Network!), the news, and Jeopardy/Wheel of Fortune.

[serpentine85]

Having a sensitive week. Not sure if it's the fact we begin TTC #2 in less than two weeks or if it's tension from a recent argument with my mother. general warnings for following passage if you're in a sensitive place today.

One of the reasons I took a hiatus from parenting message boards was because I was dealing with the after effects of little S's birth. Being an introvert, I already largely preferred my own company but in the months following S's birth, I retreated from busy environments that had suddenly become distressingly over stimulating for me. I planned my trips into town for very early, when there would be as little foot traffic as possible, I did our food shopping in the last half hour before the store closed and I only stayed at the community play meet for the first quiet half hour once a week.
My mother regularly makes comments about little S being isolated and not getting to socialise (which I know isn't good for an active toddler, really I do) but I can't handle anything more than that. If I make myself stay longer at the play group than I can comfortably handle for example, I get on edge and I start getting a headache and then losing my temper. I actually snapped at my poor little baby last week for not getting her hand into her coat properly. The worst part was, she just put her free thumb into her mouth and lay her head down on me for a hug. I felt completely wretched.
I'm trying to work past my current issues but forcing the matter in the way my mother does is not helping. It just makes me feel more miserable and more useless as a mother.

I'm sorry for the less than positive post today but as you can tell, I hit a low this morning.

[healz413]

Hugs serpentine85. You need support from your mom not judgement!

[healz413]

Late to it this week. My dad and brother were in town this weekend and Monday.

Ellis will be 7 months on Friday. I'm back at work and my partner is home with E. I've enjoyed going back to work and M enjoys being home. She also realizes how much work it is to be home with the baby and that makes me feel affirmed.
E is learning new sounds which is fun. She's been pretty crabby recently which could be because she's teething again. Or it could be the adjustment to me back at work. Or it could be that she's not sleeping quite enough because she still takes short naps. I'm not sure.
But overall she's doing well. And when she's happy, she's so happy.

Qotw: not watching any yet but my favorite from 10 years ago when I was babysitting is backyardigans

[mahler5]

C is 2.

We had a photo shoot on Saturday that I think went well. Unfortunately it was raining or overcast during it but we did get some fun pics of her playing in the puddles at the end. I'm anxious to see all the pics soon.

She seems less interested in potty training now. And is telling me "no" often when I ask her if she wants to sit on it.

The weather has been nice and she wants to be outside ALL the time. It was really warm yesterday afternoon and I got out the baby pool. The water was too cold for her to do too much, and she was so upset when I made her come in and dry off to warm up. My friend was there with her 20 month old and was surprised at the level of "tantrum" that ensued. Her level of anger and defiance is definitely a different animal the last few months. I'm still trying to find a good balance of being firm but not too strict. Although honestly I'm not even close to being strict right now. Partly because I'm a pushover at times and also because I haven't been feeling as well with the pregnancy and sometimes just don't want to take the energy to punish her.

QOTW--I love Daniel Tiger for her because it has useful messages and songs. Like I will try and sing the "clean up pick up" song when I try to get her to pick up etc. I don't think it helps much though. I like it has a lot of music in general and also some diversity. It's great for her age.

She's starting to like curious george a lot too which is good. She also likes Mickey Mouse Club which is tolerable.

She loves the song "heigh ho" from Snow White so much I finally got the movie for her. I didn't realize how sexist and scary some parts are. Although I also don't remember how cute some of the scenes are either. It's pretty amazing they made it back in 1937.

I hate anything on the Baby Channel. The shows are annoying and not very educational, especially for 2+ kids.

[cetcar]

M is still smiling up a storm. Her sleep at night has been about the same. Some nights better than others. Last night we had a 4.5 hour stretch.

Last night she was a little fussy when falling asleep and wasn't really nursing. So, I handed her to CET and she was all swaddled and started smiling. A smiling burrito. It was hilarious.

She started to make a new sound that almost seems like she's trying out her voice for a coo. It's pretty sweet.

Today we're a bit of a fussy pants. We typically go for a 3 mile walk every morning and she dozes for the majority of it. However, today she cried for the second half and hasn't taken a real nap all day (it's 1pm). She either wants to eat or be held. I think she had some gas earlier. I guess we all have our different moods.

We haven't watched any children's shows with her yet. Her favorite toys are Freddie Firefly and a crinkling ball with different colors and patterns on it.