This week I attended my first PTO meeting ( I know such an exciting life I lead). I had to take Evan with me though, so it wasn't as effective as I would have liked it to be. After going through all the toys, books and snacks in my purse, we ended up playing with the camera to keep him entertained. Here's one of his photos.
We love apple season at our house. Both kids eat at least one whole apple a day. I love it, because it is healthy plus it keeps them both entertained for quite some time. Evan eats pretty much everything except the seeds and he's probably eaten some of those too!!
As always I spent a good portion of the week running after this little guy at Sophie' s activities. He took off today after church and it took me a while wandering the crowded hallways to find him. I finally got tipped that someone had seen him headed to an empty classroom. I'm not sure who let him in...This boy is so fast and always on the go. He sure keeps me on my toes.
We did our traditional sugar cookie making and decorating of the Halloween season this week. We had an enrichment on traditions and since this is a favorite tradition of mine from growing up, I made a plate of iced and candy coated sugar cookies for the relief society. After hearing a few comments from people, I realized that only kids(and me) love sugar cookies. I think it's so much fun to decorate them for every holiday with the kids and they are also pretty tasty. I also talked about how Pat and I love to celebrate every holiday (okay let's be honest, this is probably more me than Pat), usually with food. Life gets so mundane unless you have things to celebrate. This past Columbus day we had some friends over for Minestrone soup (our traditional Columbus day food) and played some games. Such a good time!
Despite all the good times we had this week, I also had a rather difficult week with the kids. Not sure if it's me or Soph(probably a combo of both of us), but I feel like we are constantly butting heads. Getting her dressed and out the door in the morning has become such a hassle and I feel like I am always getting after her. We have resorted to driving to and from school because in addition to the cooler, rainier days, I always end up carrying her part of the way, while pushing the stroller down a busy 4 lane highway and the rest of the way fighting her tooth and nail. I just decided it wasn't worth it to walk. I feel like I am failing miserably at this mothering business and it's got me feeling somewhat depressed. I am hoping for a better week this week. I'm really working on my patience and trying to find ways to reinforce and encourage good Sophie behavior. Normally Evan has been doing pretty good when Soph is at school, but when she is home and whining, he will join right in. If anyone reads this blog anymore and has tips I would love to have them...
6 comments:
I can totally relate to the struggling with parenting a strong-willed child! I have noticed that if I make a better effort to talk out expectations before doing EVERYTHING helps a ton. For example, even if you think she knows what is expected in the morning to get ready for school, once she wakes up talk out what the plan and process will be for that morning. For Abby, that seems to help her stay a little more focused on the tasks that need to get done. Also, getting whatever we can done the night before(together while talking it out) seems to help a lot too. Takes a lot of effort to talk everything out...but seems to help her think my expectations are also "her idea" as well. Sometimes she even puts in her two cents about how she thinks things should be done and we compromise on something before it hits the point of butting heads. Good luck!
I don't have any suggestions, sorry. I am sure someday I will be turning to you for advice. I do have to tell you what my husband always tells me when I feel like I am failing: You are doing so much better than you even realize. You are a fantastic mom, even on the days it doesn't feel like it. :)
From someone who now has grown children. Just love them and in the end you get to be a grandma (it is so much fun). I know that seems like it will be a long ways away but it really isn't. None of us are ever perfect and some weeks are so much better than others. Thank heavens the good weeks make up for the bad!
Oh Sister- I am sorry you had such a rough week. I don't have any advice but I know how you feel and how easy it is to get down on yourself. You are a wonderful mother! I love you and wished you lived closer so we could see you more.
I think the fact that you worry about the kind of Mom you are shows that you are a great Mom! Because you care about how you treat your kids & want to improve. I know how you feel. Just in the last few weeks I've been feeling like I get after my kids/yell at them way too often. It just makes everything more stressful having a kid to get off to school. Hyrum can be difficult too but it helps him a lot when I thank him for the times he gets ready fast etc. & when I take the time to give him a hug or tickle him or somehow show him some love :) You're doing great!
ps I love sugar cookies too, so you're not the only adult :) We should break that out this week too-thanks for the reminder!
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