Comments on: Lend me your parenting manual http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/ Mon, 21 May 2012 18:43:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Matt http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4804 Matt Fri, 10 Nov 2006 17:03:45 +0000 http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4804 Well, I certainly feel for you. I've got two of my own, 3yrs and 19months, both boys. This weekend we've got the cousings over 'til Saturday... twin boys aged 8. They were dropped off at my work yesterday (Thurs), and by the time my wife go home, I was on the bottom of the dog pile and fading quick. After only a few short (did I say <i>short?</i>) hours with them by myself, I found myself thanking God I only have two!! Mom's there by herself with all four today while I'm at work, I haven't called yet to see how (or if) she's surviving. I exptec there'll be lots of stuff for a lengthy post after this weekend on my blog. Well, I certainly feel for you. I’ve got two of my own, 3yrs and 19months, both boys. This weekend we’ve got the cousings over ’til Saturday… twin boys aged 8. They were dropped off at my work yesterday (Thurs), and by the time my wife go home, I was on the bottom of the dog pile and fading quick.

After only a few short (did I say short?) hours with them by myself, I found myself thanking God I only have two!!

Mom’s there by herself with all four today while I’m at work, I haven’t called yet to see how (or if) she’s surviving. I exptec there’ll be lots of stuff for a lengthy post after this weekend on my blog.

]]> By: Kay http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4719 Kay Thu, 09 Nov 2006 22:42:55 +0000 http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4719 Right now since my lil tornado is still too young to comprehend much, I just tell him "what you did was bad!" and he understands that mommy is not happy with what he just did (spilling water, milk, throwing things, or slapping mommy as an act of love) and he would immediately hug me by laying his head on my shoulders and kissing me. I make sure to tell him that it's what he did that was bad and not him. I also clapped real hard whenever he does something good to affirm it. I look like a fool but I don't care. What's important is that my son gets to know that there are right and wrong things as early as now. Right now since my lil tornado is still too young to comprehend much, I just tell him “what you did was bad!” and he understands that mommy is not happy with what he just did (spilling water, milk, throwing things, or slapping mommy as an act of love) and he would immediately hug me by laying his head on my shoulders and kissing me. I make sure to tell him that it’s what he did that was bad and not him. I also clapped real hard whenever he does something good to affirm it. I look like a fool but I don’t care. What’s important is that my son gets to know that there are right and wrong things as early as now.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4520 Michelle Tue, 07 Nov 2006 06:11:32 +0000 http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4520 Grace (my middleschooler) goes through "everyone hates me" phases every night at 8:30. This probably isn't anything like what you're describing but with her I've just come to realize that she breaks down after 7pm when she's tired. When she gets all emotional like that I just give her a hug and send her to bed and then it's usually better in the morning. But it took me a while to figure this high-tech strategy out. Grace (my middleschooler) goes through “everyone hates me” phases every night at 8:30. This probably isn’t anything like what you’re describing but with her I’ve just come to realize that she breaks down after 7pm when she’s tired. When she gets all emotional like that I just give her a hug and send her to bed and then it’s usually better in the morning. But it took me a while to figure this high-tech strategy out.

]]> By: Catherine http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4517 Catherine Tue, 07 Nov 2006 05:35:18 +0000 http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4517 It sounds to me like you are doing a wonderful job already, Betty. I'm with Tonya -- read and quote those BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS. AND MORE BOOKS. :) On the other hand, I'm always looking for those lightbulb moments when I can see that my kids have figured out how to solve something for themselves. I think the best gift we can give our kids is self-reliance. That being said, it's so HARD to stand back and watch your kid hurt or suffering. You're right. Hard with a capital H! It sounds to me like you are doing a wonderful job already, Betty. I’m with Tonya — read and quote those BOOKS BOOKS BOOKS. AND MORE BOOKS. :)

On the other hand, I’m always looking for those lightbulb moments when I can see that my kids have figured out how to solve something for themselves. I think the best gift we can give our kids is self-reliance. That being said, it’s so HARD to stand back and watch your kid hurt or suffering. You’re right. Hard with a capital H!

]]> By: Heather http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4501 Heather Tue, 07 Nov 2006 03:48:45 +0000 http://www.beforebaby.com/waya/2006/11/05/lend-me-your-parenting-manual/#comment-4501 I think my heart will break the first time I hear of my kids being teased. But I cry over everything. I guess that's how I deal. I think my heart will break the first time I hear of my kids being teased. But I cry over everything. I guess that’s how I deal.

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