Play Group, the giant socialization experiment, where 50 kids who’ve never shared, and a biased referee for every one of them, are thrown into what is essentially a giant gymnasium filled with hula hoops, and slides, and tunnels, and balls, and books, and puzzles, and babies, and toddlers, and big kids, and mothers, and fathers, and grandparents, and music, and chaos.
My boy loves it.
He spends most of his time dancing and running in circles, caught up in the internal frenzy of what to play with first. This morning he started with a grungy yellow ball, which we tossed back and forth. An older boy came and snatched the ball away when it was fumbled by my guy, which is by the way every time, he’s only 3. The little face contorted, and the eyes welled up, I knew what was coming, so I leaned in with a hug and whispered that he should wait and watch, because, I bet a trillion dollars that that little boy will throw it away any minute. Sure enough, within the minute, the boy tossed it carelessly to the side as he climbed up the slide. My watchful boy went after it, happy again.
Not wanting to lose it again, our game of catch was changed to a rousing game of I’m Just Going to Run Around in Circles Holding the Ball, (not nearly as fun I’m sure but he was happy again).
About 5 minutes later, the older boy came over, yelling and trying to snatch it out of his arms this time. I reluctantly intervened, (I so hate disciplining other peoples kids) and pointed out another ball that no one was playing with. He was not interested.
Thankfully, his mother came over.
But, this is what she said to him:
“I know it was yours, and you had it first but…”
ECK!
I silently retorted “It is NOT yours, and, you did NOT have it first”
(Silently is always the best way to retort.)
So, where’s the lesson for this kid?
You own whatever you touch?
You own anything you touch first, or have perceived to have touched first?
I’m sure his mom had the best intentions in getting her child to share, and maybe I’m the weirdo who just gets caught up in semantics. But I think kids are a lot more perceptive of these nuances than we give them credit for. Maybe it also goes back to my issues with things and just having too much of them. Objects are just things, people, and feelings, and general fairness to others, always trumps the object.
I can’t be sure of the lessons either of us taught our kids in that instance. But I do know that a few minutes later, when the older boy came back and snatched the ball, yet again from my little guys hands, both I and the other mom looked on quietly, while my guy reacted a lot differently. This time a grin spread across his face, and he actually laughed as he started a new game of Chase the Kid Who Took the Ball. The kid was unfortunately not into playing this game, but maybe he should have been. Maybe every kid there should have been,
March 31, 2008
March 30, 2008
more graphics for our organic onesies
$24 each { not your average run of the mill sayings }
I've added 3 more graphics to the Organic Onesie collection...! We have 8 in total. Click here to see them full size.
I'll come up with more when my brain can start processing again. Or even sooner when Buddy takes me through another life experience that would be a keeper to jot down!
time and energy
Everything boils down to these two words; time and energy.
After Buddy, I was asked like a billion times "How is motherhood". Even by men. Like, what answer could you possibly give them? How can men relate to what "motherhood" is like? I'm not being mean or anything, but seriously, how can you describe it? So I've come up with the perfect saying.
As Morpheus said to Neo: "no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself" (Just replace the Matrix with Motherhood)
So what does this have to do with the topic? If I can build a template and not use up whatever energy I have left, and have my mouth open and the answers come out by itself, that would make my day.
I admit, I use to be one that would be at the grocery lineup thinking about that screaming kid "Man, that mom needs to discipline her child!" or "I'm never going to raise my kids that way!".
Ok, now that I'm on the other side (no it's not an elite side or anything), I realize that I now sympathize with those moms and dads. Yes, it came to bite me back in the ***! and I admit it!
I feel especially not worthy because I only have one child. Imagine John and Kate + 8!
With screaming kids having a meltdown at the store, remember that their parents just may not have the time and energy at that moment.
Don't judge a parent without walking an inch in their shoes!
After Buddy, I was asked like a billion times "How is motherhood". Even by men. Like, what answer could you possibly give them? How can men relate to what "motherhood" is like? I'm not being mean or anything, but seriously, how can you describe it? So I've come up with the perfect saying.
As Morpheus said to Neo: "no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself" (Just replace the Matrix with Motherhood)
So what does this have to do with the topic? If I can build a template and not use up whatever energy I have left, and have my mouth open and the answers come out by itself, that would make my day.
I admit, I use to be one that would be at the grocery lineup thinking about that screaming kid "Man, that mom needs to discipline her child!" or "I'm never going to raise my kids that way!".
Ok, now that I'm on the other side (no it's not an elite side or anything), I realize that I now sympathize with those moms and dads. Yes, it came to bite me back in the ***! and I admit it!
I feel especially not worthy because I only have one child. Imagine John and Kate + 8!
With screaming kids having a meltdown at the store, remember that their parents just may not have the time and energy at that moment.
Don't judge a parent without walking an inch in their shoes!
March 28, 2008
robot babies
No, not robot chicken, robot babies.
Mr. Hubsters and I used to call his niece and 2 nephews the demolition crew. This was when they were about 2-5 years old. (They are very mature teens now). One day, we decided to do a test which would involve a kind of empty basement. It had a sofa, a TV and 3 pillows. That was it.
10 minutes passed, we went down. The place magically turned into a war zone complete with a wrecking ball. We didn't get it. I don't think there was a a feather left in any of those pillows. We sat there in hysterical laughter.
Barney came on singing to that dreaded tune "Clean up, Clean up, everybody, everywhere".... blah blah. Immediately, something went off in those 3 little brains. They started picking things up and putting them in their proper places. Quietly without hesitation. Has anyone ever seen the Manchurian Candidate?
Fast Forward to now. My own little Buddy Dude and that Purple Dinosaur who is still in syndication. Barely able to talk but when the word "Clean up" is uttered, he will pick up Lego off the floor and throw it into the toy bin.
I have hated Barney for 14 years. I vowed never to let my own child(ren) watch him. But everything I've said about everything else has gone out the window, so what difference does Barney make anyway. But I still believe he is the devil.
Got that song in your head, didn't I?
Mr. Hubsters and I used to call his niece and 2 nephews the demolition crew. This was when they were about 2-5 years old. (They are very mature teens now). One day, we decided to do a test which would involve a kind of empty basement. It had a sofa, a TV and 3 pillows. That was it.
10 minutes passed, we went down. The place magically turned into a war zone complete with a wrecking ball. We didn't get it. I don't think there was a a feather left in any of those pillows. We sat there in hysterical laughter.
Barney came on singing to that dreaded tune "Clean up, Clean up, everybody, everywhere".... blah blah. Immediately, something went off in those 3 little brains. They started picking things up and putting them in their proper places. Quietly without hesitation. Has anyone ever seen the Manchurian Candidate?
Fast Forward to now. My own little Buddy Dude and that Purple Dinosaur who is still in syndication. Barely able to talk but when the word "Clean up" is uttered, he will pick up Lego off the floor and throw it into the toy bin.
I have hated Barney for 14 years. I vowed never to let my own child(ren) watch him. But everything I've said about everything else has gone out the window, so what difference does Barney make anyway. But I still believe he is the devil.
Got that song in your head, didn't I?
bins and purging
Ever get the urge to throw out everything you own?
That’s me right now!
Cleared house = cleared head
I just feel like I’m drowning in post-consumer waste. That feeling times 100 with kids. I get to the point that I hate getting gifts, please don’t clutter my house more, the real gift you could give me and the kids would be to come and take something away. I’m currently reading an issue of Dwell where the cover story is the under 1000 square foot house. They showcase several amazing houses, but it’s obvious that these inhabitants have cancelled Christmas, all birthdays, and every other gift giving occasion. A bigger house however would only make the situation worse. More places to put more stuff. I like my small house, it forces us to be clever about storage, we have a Goodwill box in our hall closet which is delivered at least monthly, we really aren’t chronic shoppers, but still, the amount of stuff that accumulates in this house makes me feel crowded, stressed, and adds to my already procrastinating personality. If only my house was organized, I could get stuff done.
We have about 50 Rubbermaid bins in the basement, maybe I should buy another 50, empty the contents of my house into them and see what items I miss.
My guess would be none of it.
That’s me right now!
Cleared house = cleared head
I just feel like I’m drowning in post-consumer waste. That feeling times 100 with kids. I get to the point that I hate getting gifts, please don’t clutter my house more, the real gift you could give me and the kids would be to come and take something away. I’m currently reading an issue of Dwell where the cover story is the under 1000 square foot house. They showcase several amazing houses, but it’s obvious that these inhabitants have cancelled Christmas, all birthdays, and every other gift giving occasion. A bigger house however would only make the situation worse. More places to put more stuff. I like my small house, it forces us to be clever about storage, we have a Goodwill box in our hall closet which is delivered at least monthly, we really aren’t chronic shoppers, but still, the amount of stuff that accumulates in this house makes me feel crowded, stressed, and adds to my already procrastinating personality. If only my house was organized, I could get stuff done.
We have about 50 Rubbermaid bins in the basement, maybe I should buy another 50, empty the contents of my house into them and see what items I miss.
My guess would be none of it.
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