Lately, my 5 year old has been a real handful. Arguments, back talk, sass, the whole shebang. I could tell him the sky is blue and he would contradict me. It is exhausting. Timeouts do not work, taking things away does not work, so what's left? Bribery, er, I mean, goal-making. Most recently I had … Continue reading We don’t call it bribery. We call it goal making. So there.
I want the very best for my children. I want them to be able to achieve whatever goal they will eventually set for their lives. Recently it hit me that I do not care what that goal is, but I want it to include them being good people. The evening before my son's first … Continue reading I just want to raise good humans.
C2 is my middle child. She is 3-years old, fiercely independent, and unpredictable. I am constantly questioning my ability to parent her in a way that encourages self-expression, while keeping the batshit crazy in check. Her freak-flag flies high. Imagination C2 is a kiddo with an ability to turn any situation into an … Continue reading Parenting a Painfully Independent Spirit
I was tired. I desperately needed some extra sleep after being held-over to work until 3am. It was a cool morning and my husband had cracked a window in our bedroom. I was cuddled under a down blanket. My husband had left for work, so the bed was mine. The baby woke … Continue reading Some days I rock the “Mom” title. Today my kids ate 2-pounds of sandwich meat for breakfast while I slept.
Motherhood is hard. If you are anything like me you are likely your biggest critic. I experience constant doubt about my parenting skills. I often wonder just how badly I'm screwing up my kids. There have been multiple moments that I am sure a therapist will hear about in 20-years or so. Adding the critical … Continue reading Cut the Crap: The sanctimommy B.S. needs to stop
I am one of those parents that usually speaks before I think. This results in some super random comments coming out of my mouth. Potty training: "Don't touch the poop!" "No, your vagina and your butthole are not the same thing." "It will not miss you, flush." "It's cool that you can pee with no … Continue reading A list of crap I can’t believe I’ve said: Parenting Edition
There have been times in my budding parenting career that a true battle of wills has ensued. I never thought I would spend so much time and energy trying to rationalize with a freaking toddler. These conversations are unavoidable, but they are survivable. Pick your battles. Before the battle begins, make sure it is worth … Continue reading Hostile Negotiations: True Parenting Skill
I had it all figured out, before I had kids. Enter baby #1 and the world cracked open to display my inadequacies, short comings, and general dumbassery (autocorrect hated that one). Total Screw Up 1: I thought pregnancy would be easy. You can stop laughing any time now. I got pregnant my last … Continue reading I was the best mom, before I had kids: A cautionary tale.
I have seven more hours. Seven hours until the sun comes up and the world demands my attention. I will be forced to perform as an adult on the highest level. Three kids, the house, the farm, the husband, and work all want me. They all want all of me. Here's the thing. … Continue reading I should be sleeping: Enjoying the quiet of the late night hours.
The above picture is my chicken, Luke, and her seven little Jedi. Luke is a badass mama who doesn't take any crap from anyone. She has successfully raised her littles and defended them from an army of barn cats, a 120lb lab, and my own human littles who want to love her chicken littles to … Continue reading Luke the chicken has the right idea: Let your kids enjoy the dirt.
Tired Not Dead 