Growing Child: Grandma Says

Growing Child: Grandma Says <GrandmaSays@growingchild.com>

Articles that appear from Grandma Says are focused on general parenting practices and philosophy and are not as age-specific as articles that appear in Growing Child. "Grandma Says" is a feature of Growing Child and we encourage you to send your comments to: GrandmaSays@GrowingChild.com CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE I watched two young children, playing at a swimming pool. One child seemed a bit timid about jumping off the side, though she clearly wanted to join the fun. The other little girl stepped close to her, patted her arm, and said, "You can do it. I know you can." I smiled at hearing the grown-up tones and words, thinking how she had obviously benefited from some encouragement herself. Back when I was a young mother, this poem by Dorothy Law Nolte was posted everywhere--in doctors' offices, parenting magazines, and on school bulletin boards. Not having seen it in a while, I figured it was time that a new generation of parents received the words to ponder the amazing effects on children of the words and images they see every day. Whether those experiences are positive or negative, children absorb without judgment or evaluation all that they see and hear. Since parents provide most of the living examples that surround children, it is important to become fully aware of the messages we send. The question for every parent is, what are your children living with today? Children Learn What they Live is written by Dorothy Law Nolte, 1972. Find a full poster of this available for free download at http://www.empowermentresources.com/info2/childrenlearn-long_version.html CHILDREN LEARN WHAT THEY LIVE If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight. If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves. If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty. If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children live with acceptance, they learn to love. If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal. If children live with sharing, they learn generosity. If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness. If children live with fairness, they learn justice. If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect. If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them. If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live. © Growing Child 2010 Please feel free to forward this article to a friend. Receive your free subscription of Grandma Says at www.GrowingChild.com/FreeGrandmaSays or contact Growing Child customer service at service@growingchild.com or call (800) 927-7289 To learn more about Growing Child, and obtain a sample of our products please visit: www.GrowingChild.com

Vacation Days don't really mean Vacation

I have taken several vacation days and been on what most consider a vacation. Honestly, though, I don't feel like I'm on vacation. Some may consider this complaining, and yes, it is, but I just have to say it like it is. I'm totally exhausted.

I would love to sleep the whole night. That would be just great, too. It's not who you'd think though, it's not Thomas waking me up! Thomas sleeps a whole night, but not Joanna. She wakes 2 times a night at least and fights her nap time like crazy.

Reigning this in to perspective, years from now, when my kids are grown, I'll be trying to schedule time with my kids instead of time away from them. If I'm lucky to live long enough, someone will be changing my diaper and want me to take a nap so they can have a break.

Joanna and the Python

  Joanna wasn't even afraid of the snake. She cried when we had to leave. I think it would have tried to eat her if we had been this close in the wild. Woah!

Thoughts

We had a good weekend around the house. Yesterday, we gathered with Jason's mother and brothers. We went to church today. Joanna and Thomas were cute all day.
Thomas is getting his top teeth in. I noticed the two blister-like bumps today. Bless his little heart! Joanna was a sweetie all day. She listened to me really well when we were at the spaghetti lunch in the fellowship hall today. The last time we were at an event, she wanted to run around. This time I told her that she needed to stay close to mommy. She was cute when it was time to leave. A friend got Thomas and took him over to show him off. Joanna said, "Where's Thomas?" When I told her, she said, "Let's get him."

Joanna sings Old Mac Donald this way: "Old Mac Donnel had a cow. E, I, E, I, O. And a moo, moo, here and a moo, moo, there. E-wah (everywhere) moo, moo." Aww.

Thomas is sitting by himself unassisted for a long period of time now. He had meat for the first time today. I wasn't really planning on this as he has just only had green beans and sweet potatoes along with rice for his first three flavors! I did not take along enough rice cereal and Thomas was quite hungry. He had 1/2 of a vienna sausage smashed up to resemble the baby-food meat (but quite tastier). He did seem to like it. I'm sure it was a wild transition for him!

Yard Sale and Joanna Milestones

Date: Sat, Apr 3, 2010 at 11:09 PM

Today was a huge day. I am incredibly tired. I am going to bed at the
end of this note.

We had our first yard sale. It was pretty successful. We had a nice
time visiting with those who joined us in the sale. I got some new
clothes out of it too.
It was fun preparing, sort of. Our house is a little less full now,
though you can't tell it. Surprisingly, several items we thought would
sell did not.

Joanna had a milestone day. She let herself in and out of the back
fence by herself, more than once. She not only opened the gate, but
she closed it, too. AND, the dogs did not get out.
The gate is not latched with a regular latch. It is a bungee cord that
hooks on to a nail, okay. That is one reason this amazes me--it's
simply hard to do!

She also opened the door by herself. And unlocked it too. This is bad.

She washed her hands by herself in the bathroom sink. She dried them too.
She had paint on them and I reckon she washed her hands before I saw
that she had paint on them. She painted me a really nice picture with
a handprint on it. I'm so proud my heart just melts.

I ran into a friend from high school who has a 10-yr-old they don't
get to see much. I was truly saddened to hear this.

Jason took Joanna on the back porch after dark to water plants. He
said she saw the stars and raised her hands and sang the "Twinkle,
twinkle" song in it's entirety, twice. He wished he had it on tape,
but I hope that by writing it down, this lovely memory will be
preserved. So many of these wonderful, tresaured moments go
unrecorded, but I hope my children know how much I enjoy every single
magnificent day that I am with them.

I am most wonderfully blessed by our Lord and Savior! I have eternal
salvation, a spectacular husband, a beautiful family, and great
friends.

Invitation to view a photo from Amy's Picasa Web Album - Kidd 032710

Easter photos at UT Gardens. What a fun afternoon. Joanna didn't want to leave.

Yard Sale and Joanna Milestones

Today was a huge day. I am incredibly tired. I am going to bed at the
end of this note.

We had our first yard sale. It was pretty successful. We had a nice
time visiting with those who joined us in the sale. I got some new
clothes out of it too.
It was fun preparing, sort of. Our house is a little less full now,
though you can't tell it. Surprisingly, several items we thought would
sell did not.

Joanna had a milestone day. She let herself in and out of the back
fence by herself, more than once. She not only opened the gate, but
she closed it, too. AND, the dogs did not get out.
The gate is not latched with a regular latch. It is a bungee cord that
hooks on to a nail, okay. That is one reason this amazes me--it's
simply hard to do!

She also opened the door by herself. And unlocked it too. This is bad.

She washed her hands by herself in the bathroom sink. She dried them too.
She had paint on them and I reckon she washed her hands before I saw
that she had paint on them. She painted me a really nice picture with
a handprint on it. I'm so proud my heart just melts.

I ran into a friend from high school who has a 10-yr-old they don't
get to see much. I was truly saddened to hear this.

Jason took Joanna on the back porch after dark to water plants. He
said she saw the stars and raised her hands and sang the "Twinkle,
twinkle" song in it's entirety, twice. He wished he had it on tape,
but I hope that by writing it down, this lovely memory will be
preserved. So many of these wonderful, tresaured moments go
unrecorded, but I hope my children know how much I enjoy every single
magnificent day that I am with them.

I am most wonderfully blessed by our Lord and Savior! I have eternal
salvation, a spectacular husband, a beautiful family, and great
friends.