Play-Learn-Grow-Repeat

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
We had a fabulous time during our Christmas break. My sister, brother-in-law, and their two teenage boys came to visit with us for Christmas and New Years. We enjoyed being gracious hosts. Everybody had fun opening their gifts, and we spent hours playing with our new toys. We got used to slow mornings, great meals, and the company of family at every turn, especially in unseasonably mild weather for December. However, after two and half weeks away from school and responsibilities, I am ready to get back into our daily routine.

I have a love/hate relationship with long holiday breaks. I look forward to some time off, to catch up on rest, and spend time together. Yet, by the end, it usually throws us way off schedule. The kids go to bed late and get up later, and they get tired of each other after so many days together. The warm weather is gone, and it rained the last four days. They are ready to go back to school.

Every New Year has plenty of goals and resolutions. I’m going to be realistic and focus on one or two things monthly. My first goal is to get my boys back into the routine that was working before vacation. Keep it simple, don’t get overwhelmed, and set reasonable daily goals. I hope my strategy prevails.

I wish you happiness in the New Year!

From Wednesday Mom – Janelle:
New Years is an opportunity to set goals. Many people have big plans and resolutions. Some succeed and some fail. One of our goals for this year is to get Tate to use the potty.  Several months ago I posted about a possibility of him having an interest in the potty.  Unfortunately, that possibility quickly vanished.  Tate has a special seat, special book and even Toy Story underwear that Santa brought him, but he has expressed no interest in using the bathroom. He will talk about it. He claims to be a “big boy,” but he is still intimidated, I suppose.

We haven’t tried any of the extreme potty training tactics found online. We got Jack to use the potty by offering him dry pants and a sticker system. I do believe every child is different in the way they learn just about anything.  And since Tate has been our more challenging child, it is only fitting that he’s not showing any interest at this point.  I know it’s still a bit early for Tate, but by mid 2013 this house will be diaper free.  The idea of never buying a diaper again is motivating me to get Tate interested in the potty.

Tate surprises us everyday with new words, tricks and drawings.  I’m sure that special day will come when he surprises us with using the potty.   Until then, I’ll be enjoying every moment with our boys, diapers or not.

Happy New Year!

As I look back on 2009, it has been a tough year. While I am proud of the successes of the year, I am ready for 2010! I am sure it will still be a bit of a struggle getting used to the single parent thing. But I am ready to take it ON! In honor of the New Year, I have done a TOP TEN GOALS list for myself (for you). I would love to hear your goals for the New Year, feel free to comment.

1. Brady will be potty trained during 2010.

2. Forgive those who have hurt me and accept things that are out of my control.

3. Get Brady into monthly service projects, even if it is just a visit for an hour to a local nursing home. Something to foster a sense of selflessness, not selfishness.

4. Get completely unpacked (seriously, still have a lot to do).

5. Find a better balance of working at home and playing with Brady.

6. Go back to making lists. I used to be so good at this (back when I had time). I had my strict budget, grocery list, to do list, and more. I feel so much better about life in general when it is organized and I can check off those items!

7. Fly on an airplane again, and take Brady (let’s just say that I have been in two emergency landings and have a slight phobia of flying). But I want to get over this, so my fear doesn’t rub off on Brady.

8. Visit the gym twice per week (yes, it should be more often, but I am trying to be realistic)

9. Step back a little bit and let Brady be his own person (safely and age-appropriately, of course). Each year I let go a bit more, because I am often reminded, I am not raising a little boy, I am raising a future MAN. So I need to slowly cut the strings, so he is ready to face the world when the time comes.

10. SURVIVE!