I blog about all women, for women. I talk about all the issues we as women face today. All the struggles, and all the things we sit on the fence about in life, marriage, career, kids, friendships, health, and more. And I love it. I don’t have to tell you, I say it all the time… I’m living my dream. But I’m only living my dream for one reason… because my husband let’s me do so. So today, on our 10 year anniversary, I want to pay tribute to him.
This is our story…
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“You can have anything you want – if you want it badly enough. You can be anything you want to be, do anything you set out to accomplish if you hold to that desire with singleness of purpose.” –Abraham Lincoln
I’d like to dedicate today’s post to all the mothers and their children. Today’s post came about as a result of my monthly girls’ dinner that I attended last night. As always, every month, we shoot the breeze over some good food and booze, and chat about everything from current events (Hello psycho Mel Gibson), to the development of our kids. Nine girls catching up is always… well… LOUD.
So over at my end of the table, we were discussing how each of our kids are enjoying the summer and camp so far. I talked about how my boys are having truly the best summer of their lives. We’ve really turned the corner. My big son doesn’t cry anymore when he leaves (took him forever to separate from me), and my little son jets off to camp like he owns the place. They’re swimming, playing tennis, soccer, basketball, arts and crafts, skating, golf. You name it. They have a great dad (cuz yes honey, you don’t ever deny them anything when it comes to exposing them to new experiences). They’re lucky.
We all want assertive kids. We all want polite kids. We all want kids with great self esteem and a high confidence level. I am sure no one is on the fence here. Where the lines get blurred, is how to raise an assertive child, to teach them to get their needs met, without being obnoxious and rude.
I know an assertive kid who totally comes off as rude and obnoxious, but he definitely gets his needs attended to. I look at my big son– he is ANYTHING but rude, but we are working on his assertiveness, and trying to teach him how to ask for what he wants. My little son on the other hand, walks into a room, and you know he’s there, boy! He asks for what he wants, he gets what he needs and he’s super assertive. But with him, I have to be careful he doesn’t cross the rudeness line. God bless my two polar opposite children. Besides them both being handsome like their dad, you’d never guess they were related! Yesterday morning, I caught my little guy singing, “Shake your balls, shake your balls.” When I asked him who taught him this song, he told me it was this one kid in his class… the SWEETEST kid in his class. My husband and I don’t believe him. And when his actions evoke a strong reaction from my husband, that’s all my little one needs… he RUNS with it… “Shake your balls, shake your balls, shake your balls….”
Independence: The state or quality of being independent; freedom from dependence; exemption from reliance on, or control by others; self-subsistence or maintenance; direction of one’s own affairs without interference.
Independence: Yours. Your childrens’. How do we create our own, and foster our childrens’ independence? I’m going to cover this topic under one umbrella, because whether you’re 6, 16, 36 or 66, every girl or woman needs to be equipped with independence skills.
Growing up, I was always taught to assertive and independent. I think my parents taught me well, because, sometimes, I’m a little TOO independent and can become a bit of a loner, but that’s a whole other topic. I was taught the value of a dollar, and that a woman should be intelligent, well read, and be able to stand on her own two feet, even if she doesn’t end up having to utilize all those skills for survival. I know many women who are exceptionally independent to this day, and those who couldn’t take a “crap” without their husbands. I love both kinds and I don’t judge.
I would like today’s Blog to address a comment a friend of mine made to me the other day. It went something like this:
“Erica, I have to tell you, I’m losing my patience. I’m yelling at my kids a lot lately. I can’t remember the last time I sat on the floor with them to do a puzzle. I’m short tempered with my husband. I’m pulled in a million different directions, and I’m completely frazzled!”
Can any of you relate? I gotta admit, I can completely relate to this on most days.
As a stay-at-home mom, as a working mom, as a single mom, or as a busy career woman, we are under tremendous strains. Our entire day is planned, from the moment the alarm goes off, to the time we plop into bed at night. We run from thing to thing, from this to that. In fact, I sometimes feel like Thing One and Thing Two from The Cat in the Hat. Look at these two creatures! They look like someone pressed the fast-forward button on them!
Calling out all mothers!! Although, I have to say, even if you’re not a mom yet nor even thinking about it (wow, you’re smart… just joking!!), this has gotta sound entertaining.
As mothers, we wear many hats depending on the day, the situation, or simply, our moods. Parent, friend, disciplinarian, good cop, bad cop, nice mom, mean mom, and the list goes on. Depending on the age of your children, you may be going through any number of issues during any given time.
I have two boys, age six and almost three. I have to simply laugh when I think about myself as a parent. In the marriage, I would say I am more the disciplinarian. So, on a school night, when I’m trying to put my grade one boy to bed, and it’s 8PM, and he’s still playing Wii, WITH MY HUSBAND, I start to get riled up, to the say the least. Isn’t my husband supposed to be on my side? Aren’t we as a team, supposed to say, “Now, ‘Johnny,’ it’s bedtime. Shut that thing off ASAP.” I hear my pitch raising, my voice cracking, I’m starting to lose it! In fact, Wii during the week was never even supposed to be an option!! It’s my husband who’s hooked, and needs a playing partner!!
Hi Ladies,
Anyone home now? I am!
It’s Saturday night, and our babysitter wasn’t able to sit. Just put the last child to bed and am gonna watch the Hockey Game on TV. I’m totally wiped.
The good news… we had our FIRST double sleep-out last night. My kids slept at my parents’ house. Woo hoo!! I dropped them both off at 4PM. My mom took them downtown for dinner, and they all slept in her bed. It was great fun for them. My hubby and I went for dinner at 6PM, were home by 7:30PM, and asleep by 9:30PM! LOSERS! We slept until 8:30AM this morning. It was heaven! The last time I slept 11 straight hours I was a teenager with a hangover. It was AWESOME!
Today, my two year old FINALLY got his first pair of ice skates. He has been waiting since the ripe old age of ten months. No joke! Those who know him, know he has been begging to play ice hockey for the past eighteen months. He is seriously obsessed. So, lessons start Monday, and he’s ready to go. He’s worn his skates around the house ALL DAY. I kid you not. And now, they sleep on the floor beside his crib. He cried for 30 minutes tonight to sleep with them in his crib, but my husband said he would Edward Scissorhands himself during the night. Based on last week’s drama, that’s the last thing we need right now!!! He’s utterly delicious.
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on ANNOUNCEMENT: Erica Diamond Brand Ambassador for RetailMeNot.com
on ANNOUNCEMENT: Erica Diamond Brand Ambassador for RetailMeNot.com
on ANNOUNCEMENT: Erica Diamond Brand Ambassador for RetailMeNot.com
