Fireside Park, Phoenix
The green boogies, white boogies, runny boogies, and crusty boogies. I swore that I would never have on of those boogie faced kids. You know the ones who you are afraid to hug because you would not want their boogies rubbing against your hair, face, or sweater. I've learned that during Toddler years, colds are unavoidable. Regardless, I have had enough of the sick season and have seriously considered locking Olivia , my 2 year old, up in a bubble until all of the humans around us stop leaking boogies. But, that is not a reality. I am the Pre school teacher to her class, and we will go insane if we are locked in our home for more than 3 hours. Vitamins, Vitamin C, herbal non-caffeine tea, honey, water, the boogie bulb, humidifier, and rest has gotten us through every cold and germ out there. I pray we stay healthy! My hands are dry from washing and sanitizing, our classroom reeks of disinfectant spray, and Olivia is so trained to ask for a tissue and hand sanitizer that the regimens are in fact annoying. I had no idea Phoenix, home of the Sun would have such an intense cold season. I guess Olivia will develop an insanely strong immune system able to fight off these germs so that next year we will be even stronger with germ muscles! It's part of the Toddler stage-
Oh well. There is always something. Right now we are so happy for the weather that it makes up for the boogies. We have been out at parks, riding trains and carousels, feeding ducks at the pond, and all the while able to enjoy the steamy hot tub at night. There are certainly bonuses to living in Phoenix! There are so many things to do with children and so many great friends to do them with!
Rail Road Park, Scottsdale
Anthem Duck Pond
There are some things that as a Mom - you just have to laugh at, other wise you mine as well go completely insane! Olivia, my amazing 2 year old, has decided that she is in fact the boss...of everyone. She walks up to our car, and says "Livi's Car". She walks into our house and says, "Livi's house. She walks into her room and says "Livi's room". This of course is accurate, it is her room. But she also has decided to called me "Mine" instead of "Mommy" and has directed me in ways such as, "Mine, Uppie. Walk. Milk. Wawa. Bath time. Eat time. No sleep time." And there are days when this is exhausting, as I am constantly reminding her and redirecting her back to reality, telling her that no- I am the Mom, I am the boss, and she will follow my schedule. Of course I try balancing the control issues that flare up during the day by offering her choices with simple things such as a banana or strawberry, the park or the pool, shoes or boots? But the mystery remains how such a small, cute, new-to-the- world little human being can in fact claim so much control. For example during a visit to the store, she threw her boots across the room, climbed out of the stroller (yes she was buckled in at the time) and stripped off her underwear yelling, "Mommy! Peepee time!" Wow. Ok. Ultimately I admit that I am jealous of such freedom, and irresistible control.
Fireside Hike
Thank God for Mommy friends. Just when you think that you have lost it, your Mommy friends remind you that you are ok, and in fact doing a great job as a Mom. SO here's to you Mommy friends--- for encouraging, listening, sharing stories, laughing, and even lying when you have to just to make your self and your friends feel like its all going to be ok. You know when we say things like, "it's just a stage, this will pass, you look great really, and oh your little one is so cute!" When in fact the truth is, -this stage is one of many more frightening ones ahead of you, this will pass with another heap of challenges in line, you look like you haven't slept in days, and your little one is driving me crazy at the moment! Come on. The truth is hilarious!
A few helpful tips that have been getting Olivia and I through some of our "stages"
1) I tell Olivia what she CAN do rather than NO, or what she can't do- "You can stomp your feet when you are mad"
2) I tell Olivia what I expect of her such as, "you will put this toy away when you are finished- or you will eat your food before I give you a treat"
3) I break things up into simple steps. "First lets get your socks. Now lets put on your shoes. Ok. Lets go outside. First sit down. Now lets color. Ok time to clean up".
4) We use a visual schedule when things are challenging. The photos explain what we will be doing
5) I am taking away a privilege or a treat as a consequence for misbehaving
6) We have been using "break time" as a way to control and calm down before behaviors get out of hand. Olivia will ask for a "break time" if she knows she is getting out of control, and will sit down and count to 10
7) I tell Olivia what she did well during the day."I love how you shared that toy today with Dylan!"
8) Olivia is able to make requests during the day, however if it is not reasonable, I tell her, "I'm not willing to do that right now"
10) I give 5 minute and 2 minute warnings before we change activities- "2 more minutes to eat, then its clean up time".
Learn and Play Pre School Class
Sometimes these tips work like a charm, other times I am screaming on the inside. But the more tricks up my sleeve the better! Sometimes working with autistic children was easier because I was not constantly having to negotiate! It seems it's always easier with someone else's child....
Anthem Picnic
