Welcome
Hello All! I hope this issue finds you well!
I now fully understand the phrase "the struggle is real" when describing a two year old! A little over a week ago we celebrated my son's second birthday. The party went really well. Lots of friends and family and tons of fun! Surprisingly, my son enjoyed every second of the 2 hour long birthday--no melt downs! Victory!
Since the party, my kiddo has really started to test his boundaries. It is amazing how much more he is communicating and how much more he understands---in the same thought---it is also a difficult time. I was talking to a friend of my mine and mentioned how exciting it is when my sweet boy tells me something and I know exactly what he is talking about. It is also thrilling when I give him a direction and he knows precisely what to do! As I said this to my friend, I watched as my son (in our weekly gym class) tries to pull a kid away from the tunnel he wanted to crawl through. Of course I run over to redirect my son and his body goes limp---ohhhh boy---here it comes---meltdown! The struggle is real!
Today, I took my son to see his cousin's dress rehearsal at his elementary school. My child was very happy, especially when he saw his cousin appear on stage! This is great, I thought. Then when his cousin had to go sit with his class and my son was not able to go see him---it was like the world was over. He was not a happy camper. And again, the struggle is real!
On our car ride home, as I am feeling frustrated and tired, from the backseat I hear clapping and my son starts saying his cousin's name over and over. In this moment, I knew he loved the show. He was happy to see his cousin and in his mind, that little moment of disappointment was just that--a moment.
I think as parents, we work so hard to make things special or do fun things with our children and when a meltdown comes, all we can focus on is that one rotten moment. We climb into the car or sit down for two seconds with a feeling of defeat or irritation that this job as a parent is so tough and sometimes feels like nothing can go right and then your child does something to let you know they are happy! (like the clapping in my backseat). I am learning: the struggle is real, the meltdowns will happy, BUT more importantly my child is happy and healthy and I just need to let those tough moments go and relish the GREAT moments!
Have a wonderful weekend and enjoy issue #63!
Best Reads
Teaching Peace in Elementary School
FOR years, there has been a steady stream of headlines about the soaring mental health needs of college students and their struggles with anxiety and lack of resilience.
Now, a growing number of educators are trying to bolster emotional competency not on college campuses, but where they believe it will have the greatest impact: in elementary schools.
11 Hilarious Comics That Totally Sum Up Motherhood
This will lighten your Friday and make you laugh!
The 5 Things Your Kids Will Remember About You
What parenting habits are the most significant to kids?
How to Banish Mom Guilt This Holiday Season
Here's how to stop pesky holiday guilt before it zaps the spirit right out you:
Girls Aren’t Meaner Than Boys. It Only Looks That Way.
Girls can be mean. Really mean. Yet despite their widespread reputation for cruelty, we have little evidence that girls are meaner than boys.
Mommy Approved
Are You Pushing Your Kids Too Much?
Here's a go-to guide to decide whether we are being encouraging or downright pushy:
Free Play
Thanksgiving Printables and Activities
Need to keep the little ones out of the kitchen while you cook the turkey? Kids of all ages will have fun decorating the Thanksgiving table with these printable Thanksgiving place mats, place cards, paper crafts, and other great activities.
10 Indoor Winter Fun Activities for Kids
Don't dread the cold weather as much with these fun activities to do with the kids!
Smartest Kid on the Block
Do 4-Year-Olds Lose When They Share Classrooms With 3-Year-Olds?
By collecting data on 2,800 children in nearly 500 Head Start classrooms and comparing academic performance metrics of 4-year-olds in classrooms with 3-year-olds and those in separate classrooms, the research team found that 4-year-olds in shared classrooms were behind.
7 Ways to Create a Great Parent-Teacher Relationship
Carving out time to connect with your child's teacher is one of the best things you can do for your child—and your own peace of mind.