Wordless Wednesday~The Princess (a gift for Daddy)

In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms ~ Book Review

I recently had the opportunity to read and review Dr. Laura Schlessinger's book In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms. I'll openly admit that I had no idea who Dr. Laura was (no gasping, please), but an opportunity to read any book on parenting is a good idea, in my opinion.

I spoke with a couple friends while waiting for the book to arrive and the fact became clear that you either LOVE Dr. Laura...or you don't. People had very strong opinions, just as Dr. Laura does. I'm sure she runs into this often. I'm not going to debate her views or beliefs, I'm merely going to tell you my feeling about this book and why I think it would be beneficial to anyone who has decided, or is trying to decide to stay at home with their child(ren).

I knew my whole life that I would have children. I also came from a home where my mother NEVER worked. She was home and doing her own thing. She made sure dinner was on the table every night at 6:00 pm, but other than that I do not remember any great bonding moments. We were not close. She was NOT the mother every little girl dreams of and I imagine, as a tomboy, that I fell short of her expectations as well. I spent more time in trouble than not, and I wasn't a bad kid, I was just a kid. There were 3 of us, and at times (a lot of them) I feel that was too much for her to handle, or more than she wanted to...but that is a whole different post.

I became, at a very young age, more independent than I needed to be. It was my survival tool. I started babysitting at 9 and made regular income from that age forward. I had a "real" job as soon as I was old enough (16). I made the determination that I would never rely on anyone to "take care of me". I knew when the day came for me to have children, I would not make the same mistakes. I would love my children unconditionally. I would also make sure (as a child of divorce) that I could provide for myself and my family on my own...just in case. I never intended or planned to be a Stay-at-Home Mom...but then I had my son.

One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was to leave my little boy in the care of his grandmother, so I could go back to work. I wanted to spend every minute with him. I had a career, and I was good at it, but it became so unfulfilling in comparison to the time spent with my baby. Shortly after my son turned one, my FIL had a heart attack and grandma was no longer available to watch Boog. I took a week off and found the best day care/learning center in our area and he started a week later. He was miserable. He was no longer my sweet little boy. He was sick the entire 9 weeks he was there. He cried at drop off and was zombie-like when we wold pick him up. That was all I needed to get my priorities in check. I submitted my 2 weeks notice, told Hubster our income was going to be cut by more than half, I didn't care if we had to live in a shoe box, I could not leave my child in the care of others for one more minute. Thus began my journey as a SAHM. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Dr. Laura's book is written to honor SAHM's. She explains how valuable this role is and defines the purpose. It is written to motivate those struggling with the decision. She explains insightful ways to fend of feminists who believe woman could/should be more than just Mom. While I never looked back after making my decision, I think there are plenty of women who view this job as unappreciated and a waste of their intelligence. Dr. Laura will make you think twice. She will also tell you how to cleverly get your husband's/mate's buy in if they are already not already on board.

The highlight of the book, for me, were the chapters and reminders about making your house a home by instilling confidence and security in all it's members. I think I do a pretty good job where the children are concerned but fall drastically short where my husband is involved. I think it's that independent streak that doesn't readily allow me to "need" my husband or make him feel needed. I've been trying to work on this since reading Dr. Laura's book, as I know it will make our family stronger and happier. I've been less quick to judge and put down, and tried to focus on the positives. I've bitten my tongue when harsh words would normally come out, I've tried to give praise to my partner, who relies on it. I'm not perfect, but reading Dr. Laura's views on how to strengthen the Motherly roll, has inspired me to be a better wife, so the family unit can be more confident as a whole.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Backyard Rainbow

It's Not Supposed to Look Like This

I can not believe a week has gone by and I almost totally forgot to tell you the big news. That'll teach me to go days without wine. I obviously think better when I have my daily dose. Last weekend we were graced by the Tooth Fairy, not once, but two nights in a row!

If you saw my earlier post for WW (a couple weeks ago, and the picture was from March) you'll know that my darling baby boy was growing his permanent teeth right smack dab behind those little baby buggers. We had been to the dentist who just told him to wiggle them. He wouldn't touch them or let anyone else. We would convince him that we needed to help him brush to make sure we got everything out from between the four teeth, but really we just wanted to put some force on them to make them come out. No luck.

Saturday night he was laying on the couch and decided it would be a good idea to chew on, of all things, a super ball. Now, you can say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, but when I heard the popping noise a super ball makes when being split it two (yes, I know) I never even thought of the teeth. I immediately looked at him and whispered (so his sister wouldn't hear) "You broke it, didn't you?" He just nodded his head yes. I didn't want her to hear because it was actually her ball (we have several) and she is having some attachment issues (she's attached to whatever someone else has, especially if it's pink which the ball was)and I didn't want her to freak out. I got down in front of him with the intention of taking the ball slyly away to the trash without her seeing when I saw the blood. Not a lot, but enough that I knew. I said "Open your mouth." Sure enough the tooth (just one) was gone. I started looking around for it but couldn't find it. I told Boog he had lost his tooth and he just had this scared look on his face. I asked if he knew where it was and he opened his fist to show it to me. He thought he had broken it. His sister had to have some teeth pulled before she turned two and of course the roots were all still intact. When he saw how small his tooth was in comparison, he thought he had just broken it and therefor was afraid to show me. Poor thing. Once he realized it was the whole tooth he was pretty excited. I gave him a box I had gotten when he was 6 months old (he's a first child) and he quickly put his tooth in it. We went upstairs and laid it under his pillow. He didn't want the TF to take the box too so he wrote a note asking her to leave it.

The poor kid went to bed gripping the box under his pillow and as soon as he fell asleep I made the switch, tooth for cash. I sprinkled some fairy dust (glitter) under his pillow and around his head and in various spots across his bed and then went to do the same for his sister. When she lost (had extracted) her teeth, she was too young to know what the Tooth Fairy was, so we decided to keep her teeth until her brother lost his first tooth. Same thing there, swapped teeth for cash and sprinkled my Fairy dust.

They were so excited in the morning, except Boog thought the TF took his tooth and the box and left NOTHING! Since he was clutching the box when he fell asleep and I had to get it out of his grip to make the switch, his hand was still under the pillow. I put the box back and he must have swiped it right off the bed in his sleep. We found it on the floor under his bed.

The next day we were wrestling around and tooth number two came out, (YAY). Same thing as the night before, but he swiped it onto the floor before I made the swap so I had to crawl under the bed and get it.

Now the only thing I'm missing is the toothless photo. The other ones are already moving forward and I'm missing out on seeing my kid without his bottom front teeth:(. He's been put on notice...If I even see a speck of tooth popping through on the top before he loses one of those...I am so going to knock them out!

Wordless Wednesday ~ My Brothers and Me

Keeping Kids in Check

There's a lot of controversy on how we raise our kids these days. Are we really teaching them about life when we reward their every action? Are we teaching them to do their best if every sport they participate in rewards them just for participating? At what age should they realize that some kids are going to be better and trying their best is important but will not get them an award? We are warned about over complimenting them, this is a hard one. Should we be realistic in our expectations of their abilities and comfort them when they fall short or should we always tell them they are the best no matter what? If you're worried about over praising your child, just make sure there is a sibling close by to put them in check. Here was a conversation we had this afternoon. Hubby and I were on our laptops and the kids were playing with playdoh...

Puddin Pop: Mommy, am I pretty?
Me: You're the prettiest Princess in the world.
Puddin Pop: Daddy, am I pretty?
Daddy: You're the prettiest girl I know.
Puddin Pop: Boogie, am I pretty?
Boogie: You look like mud.
...and it starts over
Puddin Pop: Mommy, am I pretty?
Me: Yes baby, you are a very pretty little girl.
Puddin Pop: Daddy, am I pretty.
Daddy: Yes, you're my pretty girl.
Puddin Pop: Boogie, am I pretty?
(silence)
Puddin Pop: Am I pretty?
(silence)
Daddy: Boog, you're sister is talking to you.
Boogie: No. You look like a big pile of mud.
Puddin Pop: Okay then. I'm not pretty.

and just like that she goes back to playing with her playdoh with no emotion at all. She's not upset. She's not mad at her brother. Makes you wonder who she believes.

I'm A Triple Threat

I've been sitting on these (some of them) for a while. Call it laziness, call it whatever you want, I just haven't gotten around to it and I'M SORRY. I have been given the lovely blog award from several people and to all 3 of my blogs. Since I so cherish this award and the individuals who gave them to me. I am going to post this on all 3 blogs and give credit to each of my senders 3 times. That's how much they mean, even if it took me a while to say thanks. I do appreciate the award and the givers. So, to More Fun Than Allowed...With Kids, this award was received from Dawn @ Two Pretty Little Skirts, mapsgirl @ funny things are everywhere and from Chris @ The Mommy Journey. To Wine at Five?, this award was given to me from Stacy @ Married With Boys. To Because Someone Cares the award was received from mee mOe @ When Life Becomes a Book. Thank you so much, I will display this award proudly. (There was one more sender but her post and comment on my blog were deleted so I'm assuming she no longer wanted to play in the blog award fun. If I'm wrong, let me know and I'll add you too.)





Oh yeah. Here is my wonderful award

Here are the rules:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link.
2) Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Normally I find it hard to select such a small group of bloggers to give awards to, but I'm going to make an exception. I've recently been blessed with many new friends and would like to recognize them now. Congrats to my chosen 15. Grab and Enjoy your award. FYI: It was hard to pick just 15 and even harder to find 15 that had not already received the award. If you have already received it, here's another anyway, 'cuz your good like that. If you don't do awards, that's cool, just know I appreciate you and your blog!

Sue @ Stay At Home Mom
Sarah @ God's Not Finished With Us Yet
Sandy @ Traveling Suitcase
Russ @ Grampy and You
Evie & Chris' Mommy @ Raising Irish Twins
Kelley @ 30 Something And Searching
Erica @ Parenthood for Me
Sandi @ Nothing Off Limits
Kristen @ All In A Mom's Life
Stephanie @ A Pocket Full Of Buttons
Tracy @ The Crazy Suburban Mom
Carolee @ Working in my jammies and lovin' it
Sherdenise @ A Blog With No Name
Joeshico @ Why Wine Blog
Randy @ The Wine Whore

She Vlogs

It's official. Puddin Pop is a vlogger. This is her first installment and we'll be getting her her own site soon.

The truth is, I set up my laptop for her to have a little fun. I had told the kids I was going to do a vlog post from Relay For Life, but it got canceled due to lightning. PP decided she wanted to do a vlog post after I got home. It was really just for kicks and giggles, but it turned out so hilariously funny (at least to me) that I had to share. I edited it to spare you the 20 minutes she rambled, I must also warn you that at times she talks really soft and at other times she starts belting out a song...so have your finger on the volume control. Oh, and the lighting is awful, so she resembles Patrick Swayze's character in Ghost, with a glow.

First thing this morning she climbed up to the bar and said, "I'm ready to blog." We'll post that on her new site when it's up.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Snuggle Time