My other blog, Brad's Reader, is turning 5 this year. To celebrate, I'm giving away a $25 Amazon gift card!
It couldn't be easier: Just leave a comment (not here, at Brad's Reader) saying what your favorite book of 2011 was. The book doesn't have to be published in 2011, just a book you read and liked. I will chose a comment at random as the winner.
Please visit this post for all the details.
Happy Holidays!
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
I want it, I want it, I want it!
My DS has entered a new phase in his toddler development: The "I want it" phase. This means that he wants everything he can't have. And when he doesn't get it, he throws a tantrum.
This is probably the most frustrating phase he's entered because it's not something that can be easily remedied. Like I said, he wants things he can't have, this includes: Expensive electronics, hot mugs of coffee, the TV remote control, and so on.
How have I dealt with this? How can you deal with a toddler who wants everything? Here are a few things that have helped:
1. Hide everything that your child shouldn't get his/her hands on. The old saying "Out of sight, out of mind" is the best strategy. This is easier said than done, though. Keep everything you don't want your child to get his/her hands on out of sight.
The problem here is that you'll always miss something. And eventually my DS finds something new that he wants. Overall though, I've learned what he'll go after and have just kept them hidden. Since then there have been much less tantrums.
2. Give your toddler what he wants. This might not be the best strategy because you don't want your toddler to think that he/she can have whatever they want. It's a bad precedent to set.
However, there are certain things I give in on. My DS likes to play with his diaper bag. So I take out everything that can be a hazard and let him play with the bag. He likes to take out the extra diapers, a set of extra clothes and empty bottles.
3. Stand your ground. If you can deal with tantrums and a lot of crying, then this might work (although it will take a while). Most toddlers will eventually settle down. Try distracting them with one of their toys, or something new like a piece of Tupperware. I've used this strategy with relative success. It just takes a lot of patience and a higher level of tolerance for a crying toddler.
Hopefully this will give you a few ideas to cope with the dreaded "I want it" phase. Remember that it won't last forever. It's just one more challenge in the parenting experience.
How do you deal with your toddler who wants everything?
This is probably the most frustrating phase he's entered because it's not something that can be easily remedied. Like I said, he wants things he can't have, this includes: Expensive electronics, hot mugs of coffee, the TV remote control, and so on.
How have I dealt with this? How can you deal with a toddler who wants everything? Here are a few things that have helped:
1. Hide everything that your child shouldn't get his/her hands on. The old saying "Out of sight, out of mind" is the best strategy. This is easier said than done, though. Keep everything you don't want your child to get his/her hands on out of sight.
The problem here is that you'll always miss something. And eventually my DS finds something new that he wants. Overall though, I've learned what he'll go after and have just kept them hidden. Since then there have been much less tantrums.
2. Give your toddler what he wants. This might not be the best strategy because you don't want your toddler to think that he/she can have whatever they want. It's a bad precedent to set.
However, there are certain things I give in on. My DS likes to play with his diaper bag. So I take out everything that can be a hazard and let him play with the bag. He likes to take out the extra diapers, a set of extra clothes and empty bottles.
3. Stand your ground. If you can deal with tantrums and a lot of crying, then this might work (although it will take a while). Most toddlers will eventually settle down. Try distracting them with one of their toys, or something new like a piece of Tupperware. I've used this strategy with relative success. It just takes a lot of patience and a higher level of tolerance for a crying toddler.
Hopefully this will give you a few ideas to cope with the dreaded "I want it" phase. Remember that it won't last forever. It's just one more challenge in the parenting experience.
How do you deal with your toddler who wants everything?
Friday, December 2, 2011
First Rule of Parenting: Stay Flexible (And Sane!)
Flexibility is the name of the game for any full-time parent. It's a must. My own flexibility (and sanity) is being put to the test this week while our basement gets remodeled. The remodel will last several weeks. I survived this first week...barely.
The construction crew works all day, making a lot of noise. There's nowhere in the house where you can escape the constant pounding, sawing, drilling and all the other noises associated with a construction site.
This means that I'm trying to take care of my son with all the commotion of the basement remodel. It makes my job twice as hard.
The biggest obstacle I'm facing is nap time. There's too much noise for him to sleep in his crib. There is nowhere else to go to put him down for his daily nap.
My solution? I drive him around for an hour. It sucks! Not only is it mind-numbingly boring, but my car is eating up gas like crazy. I also can't get anything done while I'm driving. No blogging. No writing. No chores. Nothing.
I must add, however, that as bad as driving him around is for his naps, it sure beats having him crabby in the evening, and possibly too tired to sleep well at night. Small price to pay for a little peace a night.
If this isn't enough, he's also getting some molars in. Any parent knows that teething is bad enough, but molars seem particularly bad. So on top of the basement construction going on, he has little temper tantrums throughout the day.
The point of this post is that you just have to go with the flow as a parent. You can't fight it. Trying to fight will only make things worse. You have to be flexible.
When things get bad, I always tell myself that it's only temporary. The basement will be finished and he'll be able to take normal naps again. He will stop teething. He will grow out of having temper tantrums. Nothing lasts forever.
But even when these current challenges disappear, new ones will come to light. That's where flexibility comes in. You never know what will come next.
The construction crew works all day, making a lot of noise. There's nowhere in the house where you can escape the constant pounding, sawing, drilling and all the other noises associated with a construction site.
This means that I'm trying to take care of my son with all the commotion of the basement remodel. It makes my job twice as hard.
The biggest obstacle I'm facing is nap time. There's too much noise for him to sleep in his crib. There is nowhere else to go to put him down for his daily nap.
My solution? I drive him around for an hour. It sucks! Not only is it mind-numbingly boring, but my car is eating up gas like crazy. I also can't get anything done while I'm driving. No blogging. No writing. No chores. Nothing.
I must add, however, that as bad as driving him around is for his naps, it sure beats having him crabby in the evening, and possibly too tired to sleep well at night. Small price to pay for a little peace a night.
If this isn't enough, he's also getting some molars in. Any parent knows that teething is bad enough, but molars seem particularly bad. So on top of the basement construction going on, he has little temper tantrums throughout the day.
The point of this post is that you just have to go with the flow as a parent. You can't fight it. Trying to fight will only make things worse. You have to be flexible.
When things get bad, I always tell myself that it's only temporary. The basement will be finished and he'll be able to take normal naps again. He will stop teething. He will grow out of having temper tantrums. Nothing lasts forever.
But even when these current challenges disappear, new ones will come to light. That's where flexibility comes in. You never know what will come next.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Is Being A Stay-at-Home Dad A Dream Job?
It appears that some out there consider being a stay-at-home dad a dream job. Not because of the joy of raising a child, rather, because it means no boss, no long commutes, no office politics, etc. These people should think again.
I saw this hilarious article on Cracked.com. In part, the article says:
I'd agree that a baby/toddler can be a very demanding boss. My DS keeps me on my toes the entire day. One minute he's quietly eating his snacks, the next minute he's crying and fussing for no apparent reason. And there really isn't any time off from being a dad. No weekends. No holidays.
I joke with my wife that I get paid in dirty diapers.
The last part of the article talks about some women divorce their "househusbands" because the traditional belief that the man should work still holds - and women lose respect for their husbands. That's a different post for a different day.
I saw this hilarious article on Cracked.com. In part, the article says:
The first perceived perk of leaving a traditional job to be a househusband is that there is no longer a boss to deal with and you are now able to dictate your own schedule and tasks, on your own time. But in reality, the exact opposite is true. A stay-at-home dad has the most demanding, most obnoxious, rudest boss possible: a child. Babies and toddlers make unreasonable demands and give out impossible deadlines to meet at all hours of the day (and night). In fact, the job never ends. There is no time clock, no shift whistle and no drinks with the guys after work.
I'd agree that a baby/toddler can be a very demanding boss. My DS keeps me on my toes the entire day. One minute he's quietly eating his snacks, the next minute he's crying and fussing for no apparent reason. And there really isn't any time off from being a dad. No weekends. No holidays.
I joke with my wife that I get paid in dirty diapers.
The last part of the article talks about some women divorce their "househusbands" because the traditional belief that the man should work still holds - and women lose respect for their husbands. That's a different post for a different day.
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