After The Tantrum

Can I Be Absent?

2009-01-12T07:42:00.000-08:00

"Can I be absent on all school days?"

This is what my four-soon-to-be-five-year-old said to me this afternoon. She likes school, but it's too long. The bus driver keeps switching kids around in their seats. The teacher keeps telling them to sit down and listen.

"She wants me to listen!"

My gosh - the nerve of that woman! I want her to listen too, but I'm not holding my breath...my little darling has an amazing ability to tune out what she doesn't want to hear (she gets it from me).

These are the problems of a kindergarten student.

Oh, how I wish I was still in kindergarten! Being read to, playing house (not cleaning it), getting to run around and scream without anyone looking at me like I'm crazy...yes. Those were the days. And naps. Naptime would be a hit with me if I was still in kindergarten.

Dancing With Dollls

2009-01-02T07:39:00.000-08:00

I'm referring to my little girls here when I say dolls. My oldest would not appreciate me calling her little or a doll, but hey, there are worse things a mom can do, right? Anyway, they love to dance and they recently discovered a song that we can all enjoy. Dancing around the kitchen and family room is one of our favorite hobbies. Yes, sometimes I even get into it. Dancing counts as exercise, even if you're wearing a bathrobe.

The following video is from the classic Disney movie 101 Dalmatians which was recently re-released on DVD. Certainly, it's a way for Disney to make more money off of their classic animated films, but it's a good thing because our VHS version wore out ages ago. This new version of the song Cruela De Vil is performed by Selena Gomez, star of Disney Channel's Wizard's of Waverly Place.

My girls love to grab their Karaoke microphones and imitate this one again and again!

Mommy Meltdown

2008-06-04T09:16:00.000-07:00

Did you ever have one of those days where your kids just pushed you to the edge resulting in a major mommy tantrum? That's right - now I am talking about being out of control as much as your two year old! What brings it on? What can you do to stop it? How can you recover from a meltdown?
Read about the day that sent me over the edge and some little tips I think will help.

Mommy Meltdown

I have also included several episodes of In The Motherhood, a hilarious look at day to day life as a mom.

Perfect Baby Pictures

2008-05-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Taking a beautiful picture of your baby is not as hard as you think. Your baby is most comfortable in familiar surroundings looking at his favorite person than he would be in a studio, with all the lights and people that may seem strange to him. For a quick and easy guide to taking a great picture of your little lovey, check out Perfect Baby Pictures.

The Power of Words

2008-05-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

When I think of some of the things that have slid out of my mouth, all too fast, when speaking to my children, I cringe a little. Okay, I cringe a whole lot. During moments when I am totally loosing my cool, I say things I always promised myself I would never say. I make my kids responsible for my anger, as in "If you would just listen to me, I would not have to yell like this!" The truth is, of course, that I have the choice to behave like an adult, calm and cool, or like a child and throw a good old tantrum myself.
Can any of us really control our tongue? I often think that if someone I greatly admired was standing in the room I would not speak that way. I would not loose my cool. I would behave quite nicely, I am sure.
Hmmm. My children deserve to be treated with respect (we all do). How is an overworked, overtired mom supposed to get control over the most unmanageable tongue?

In my recent article for HubPages, I wrote in depth about this topic. The Power of Words

Knitting For Kids

2008-05-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

There are so many reasons to teach your child to knit. It is a relaxing hobby that goes anywhere (excellent for long car rides). Knitting helps develop hand-eye coordination, and it is an excellent way to express their creative side! Don't know how to knit? Perhaps you could learn together with the simple instructions and beginner project that you will find in the following article:

Knitting For Kids

You will also find instructions on finger knitting, which children as young as five can master and create little bookmarks, hair accessories, belts and bracelets. You could just be getting started on a life long hobby!

The Trapeze: Learning To Fly

2008-05-06T10:25:00.000-07:00

If your child is a circus fanatic (I have one of those living here) then you may want to consider letting them try out some of the fun first hand. Kids as young as 6 or 7 can learn to fly in a safe and encouraging environment. Check out the full article I wrote at HubPages:

The Trapeze: Learning To Fly

Be sure to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Educational Games Online

2008-04-13T12:59:00.000-07:00

My daughter has an addiction. Oh, say it isn't so! She is only 4 years old!

She loves to play online games featuring her favorite characters. She will spend hours playing, if I allow her. As long as the games are slightly educational, I don't have a problem with it!

Here are two articles with extensive lists of the best games my daughter and I have found, and trust me, we looked everywhere!

Improve-Your-Childs-Math-Skills-Online-Games

Fun Websites for the Youngest Readers

I am sure you will find some great games here for your child to enjoy and learn from. Let me know if you find any additional sites for my list!

Safe Toys for Babies

2008-04-11T06:41:00.000-07:00

Choosing safe toys for your sweet baby has never been more difficult. There are so many things to consider, from lead paint to the harmful dust produced by plastics. What is a parent to do? There are other issues to think about as well, including age appropriateness, fun and learning opportunities.
The following article may help you better understand some of the basics.
http://hubpages.com/_2vomjehbfdps8/hub/Playthings-For-Baby

Make Bedtime Fun

2008-04-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

Bedtime has not always been dreamy at our house. Quite the opposite, really. A bedtime routine is essential, especially for the really young ones. In the article Bedtime-Games
you will find a long list of creative activities and fun for you and your child to explore and enjoy together. Bedtime can be an whole different experience with a little practice!

Life Overflowing

2008-04-03T14:14:00.000-07:00

Some of my days with the kids are overflowing with hugs and laughter, fun and games. Others, like today, are filled with a different kind of overflow. Noise. Excessive noise. A kitchen floor covered in cereal, thanks to my 1-year-old. Filled past the recommended capacity washer and dryer, due to the vomiting of my 8 year-old and trail of crafty debris throughout the house, compliments of my 4 year-old.
Trying to keep it all together without totally and completely losing my mind is my challenge, always. Love is patient is my motto, but I would be a big fat liar if I pretended that I am consistently patient with my children. Patience is something I work at daily, and (with the love and mercy of God) I am making progress. Slow progress. But it is still progress.
In My Cup Runneth Over I write about this daily life as the mom of 3 little loves more extensively. As always, with a sense of humor and thankfulness for the life I have been given.

The Toddler Storm

2008-04-02T09:12:00.000-07:00

The first time my daughter had a tantrum, I called her pediatrician. I know that sounds crazy, even more so because she was my second child, and I was already a seasoned tantrum handler. But my daughter was only 13 months old, and she kicked, screamed and rolled around on the floor for an entire hour. She was inconsolable and she did not stop until she was thoroughly exhausted. Her tantrums peeked around 3 years old, to the point that I was often afraid to leave the house with her, not knowing when she would completely loose it.
The ultimate tantrum occurred at this time, in a restaurant,(luckily towards the end of the meal). She somehow lost a very tiny piece to a toy she had just bought with grandma (I advise against ever purchasing any thing so small that you have to crawl around on the floor to even see it) and we searched for it, but couldn’t find it. She began to cry, then scream. I quickly put the baby in her seat, and had grandma and grandpa take my other two children to the car as I pried my now screaming three year-old, who was refusing to leave with out the bone from her Polly Pocket set. She was gripping the side of her chair so tight that I had to pry her little fingers one by one to release them (in front of a full audience of diners) And carry her through the crowded restaurant.
It didn’t stop there. She refused to be buckled in the car, and when I leaned over to secure her belt, she lifted her knees to her chest, got her feet under me and kicked straight out, pinning me to the back of the drivers seat. I had kept my cool until then, and at this point I didn’t even scream, I cried in pain. I won’t finish this story. I will only say that it took me 3 months to get the courage to enter another restaurant with her.

Now, at four years old, she still has the occasional tantrum, but when she is put in her room to get over it, she will then tell me that she cried because I didn’t give her what she wanted. It has been a long road, getting her out of this cycle, helping her learn to use her words to express herself instead of screaming, and deep down, I still have a fear that she may go crazy on me again. I took four months for me to venture out with her to another restaurant after that incident, and she was a perfect angel.
Toddler Tantrum Taming is an extensive article I wrote at HubPages that includes tips and advice on preventing and managing tantrums.