Are You Paying Attention To What Your Children Are Seeing

 

I had a conversation with a little boy the other day. He is 6 years old. His parents and I share a garage together. I haven't seen him in awhile. I asked him how he is doing. Then I told him to tell his parents I said hi. He continued to tell me that is his mom's friend over there with his mom. Then he tells me they do nasty things together. WOW ! I was so taken back by that. I didn't ask for details ,because really I was afraid to know. 

Are You Paying Attention To What Your Children Are Seeing?

For sure these adults are not paying attention to what they exposing this child to. I have a 6 year old as well. I understand he has one eye and one ear on my at all times. Even when I think he might be sleeping or preoccupied . There is still that chance he knows what is going on. 

Are parents forgetting to protect there children from themselves. Sometimes we do things that are fine to adults. There are also lines we don't need to cross with our children. We ask ourselves why are the children of today growing up so quickly ? Reasons like exposing them to adult like behavior at a young age is the answer. Children mimic what they see.

What are you showing your kids?

When is it time to wean off the bottle?

When is it time to wean your child off of the bottle? People all have a difference of opinion on this subject. The fact of the matter is there is an appropriate time. Bottle are meant for feeding. Feeding refers to food. When a baby gets a bottle you put Formula or Breast milk into a bottle. That is considered a baby's food.

OK so now that we have that established , we can move on. Once the baby moves up to other beverages we can put them into other drinking devices. such as sippy cups or sports bottles(for kids). So maybe by 6-7 months your child is drinking water. You put that into a cup. Still leaving the bottle for feeding. Not drinking. As you start to incorporate foods into the diet you will be giving less bottles.

By the age of 11 months would be the perfect time to put a stop to the bottle all together. That is the age when you would start to introduce another type of milk to your child. You would put that new milk into a cup . Maybe just have a special milk cup.That is what i did. Only milk when into those cups. By the time my kids were 1 year old they didn't even know what a bottle was.

Parents have to understand . You create habits for your children. Most of there bad habits are created out of pure laziness on the parents part. You feel bad for them they cry, it is easier to just give them the bottle. When the reality of it is they shouldn't even have it anymore. The longer you wait the harder it is on them .

Top 10 Ways to Excel as a Parent

People complement me all the time on what a great mother I am. I was born with motherly instincts. Some people are and some of aren't. That is Okay. We are all human and are capable of learning. I am going to list the Top 10 Ways to Excel as a Parent.

1. Take care of yourself
   
2. Remember you didn't learn everything overnight and neither will they
3. Have patience
   
4. Bend down and talk to them face to face
5. Take the time to explain why
6. Lead by example
7. Instill manners and morals
8. Teach respect
9. Practice discipline {not the physical type}
10. Love them unconditionally

I myself use these Top Ten Ways to Excel as a Parent everyday. I have two of the most understanding , caring and kind children around. They make me proud. They didn't get that way by themselves. Children have to be taught behaviors . They look to you to teach them. Don't fail your children .

Quality Time with Your Kids

There is nothing more important in life when you are a parent then being there for your children. Quality Time with Your Kids is irreplaceable.

If you think back...what stands out in your memories of your childhood the good or the bad? For me I always was able to reflect to the bad quicker than the good. I wanted different for my children.

They only way I would be able to make that happen for my children is to create the most amazing memories. Give them life in abundance. Trying to spend as many happy memories a we can with them. My kids love doing everything with us including food shopping. Most parents would rather do even that without their children. I look at it as more of an adventure,than a chore.

Even on our anniversary we took the kids with us for dinner. For us we weren't just celebrating our marriage together. We are celebrating our life together as a family.

Just remember when you create so many good memories they won't have the time to reflect on the bad. When I took on the role of being a parent I promised myself I will protect my children from harms way. That was including any harm I may cause them during my learning curve of growing into the type of parent I want to be.

I am pretty happy with the type of parent I am, but I do have the knowledge to know that I can always be better.

What kind of Quality Time do you spend with Your Kids?

Picture From last nights Mets game 6/23/08

Other Children at the Playground

So, I am At the playground with my kids after school. We ALWAYS have to deal with Other Peoples Children. I teach my children that we share the space at the park with other children.

My daughter comes up to me and tells me a little 3 year old is shoving her hard in the stomach. My daughter is rather tolerable of other children. I raised her to understand not every body's parents teach good manners. I address the mother at the playground. Her reaction was a blank stare. Like what do you want me to do? So I walk away and let it go. Not even 10 minutes later my son comes over and tells me the same story.

Again, My son is even more tolerable of other children. So, again I address the mother.Telling her that again your child has aggressively touched my other child. I also way trying to tell her that her daughter was fake crying to make it like something happened to her. She proceeded to tell me her 3 year old said it wasn't her it was someone else.

Do you think she took her child to the side and talk to her? NO! She took her to the ice cream truck and rewards the behavior. I just don't get it. How is she going to learn to keep her hands to herself if she doesn't receive some form of discipline?

The best is yet to come... They are leaving the park and her friend says to me
" We are leaving so your kids won't be bothered by her."

Sure leave and don't teach your child anything! Hey folks... these are our future adults.

Manners and Morals

Are Manners and Morals a lost art?

I find that todays children aren't being raised with the manners and morals of yesterday.

Growing up, I was taught there was a time and place for everything and everything had a time and place. You respect your elders. You say please and thank you .It seems to be a dying art.

I am a mother of two children. I have a daughter that is 8 1/2 , My son is 6.

I am often told how wonderful and exceptional my children are. I have also been asked if i am a strict. I wouldn't go as far as saying i am strict, As much as children need to be taught behavior. I teach my children manners and morals that they should live by for the rest of their lives.

I think parents forget that behavior is taught. The way you eat, speak , act interact with others. When you see a child and you are blown away by their behavior, I see it as a reflection of what they are taught at home. I am proud of my children ,they represent my husband and I well. I can take them anywhere for any reason and don't ever question what their behavior might be. They know at home we can let loose. When you are out represent yourself with respect that you want to receive and that is what you will be given.

I am very active in my children's school and I am floored by the lack of self respect the children have. How can i expect them to show me or the school staff any respect when they haven't been taught to respect themselves.
When are the parents going to step up?