The Cool Parents

The older the Bubs gets to be and now that we're pregnant with another precious little boy, I can't help but think about how things will be when they both get older. Their personalities, their friends, their ways of thinking, their challenges and triumphs.....you know, what every parent wonders about. I also wonder if we will be those parents. The "it" parents that our son's friends are so comfortable being around that there's always an extra place to set at dinner or a friend over on Saturdays.

Now, I know that Hubby would prob'ly be the belle of the ball if that were to happen. Y'all should see all of the anime movies, game systems and games that the man has! A boy's dream come true. However, he's very strict about what the Bubs is allowed to see. The more adult games are only played at night or when the Bubs is with Ammah and Poppi at their house. I'm fairly certain that the same rules would apply to any friends. Smart man, that!

I've been fairly easy going with the little visitors we've had in the past. I don't mind loudness or silliness in general and have fun watching their antics. I only have a few expectations, though. They're expected to share, be safe, and under no circumstances are they to be behind closed doors. I'm sure that I might add a couple things when they get older, but those are the basics at our house.

I know a few of my readers have children that are a bit older than the Bubs....got any advice for me?

A "Positive" Note, Cont'd

As most of my readers have figured out from my Wordless Wednesday post (below), I am indeed pregnant! If my math is correct I think I'm about a month along, give or take. I'm excited, slightly shocked and nauseous. The Hubs is, of course, delighted (a little on the smug side, too). The differences between the beginning of this pregnacy and my first have left me bemusedly confused (sorry...I think I just went a little Dr. Seuss-y). The differences being that I've had very little morning sickness this time around and have, instead, been nauseous in the afternoon/evening. And dizzy! Oy, I'm fine one moment and feeling like I'm on one of those dang tilt-a-whirls the next. Maybe all these differences means it will be a girl this time....?

I'll be going to the doctor next week to confirm and make sure everything's progressing like they should be....and because the Bubs will be in school and I won't have to worry about finding a babysitter. Oh, speaking of the Bubs being in school, he's totally stoked about school starting next week. He's even started a countdown for himself! Yesterday when he called his Poppi on the phone, he happily told him that there were only 4 days left until the first day of school and he was right on the money! Now if I could just get him to understand that the first week of school for kindergarten is a staggered enrollment, meaning that the class is divided to come on different days, we'd be good. He's a smart little guy so I'm sure he'll understand.

Recently the Bubs has also been very excited about babies. Any baby he sees, he makes a big deal over and usually earns smiles from the tiny tot's parents and squeals of delight from the baby, too. All this before we knew I was prego. Funny how things kind of work themselves out, isn't it? The Hubs and I were both concerned how the little guy would react but, for now, he seems happy. I don't think the news is completely real to him just yet, but we'll get there. Right now I think he equates a baby with a puppy......he thinks babies are pets. That's okay, though. At least he's trying to reason things out for himself. We can work with that!

My to do list....incomplete?

I wasn't planning on posting tonight. I was just going to read posts from fellow bloggers and take an evening off, so to speak. That was until I read Jennifer's post for today.

It stopped me in my tracks. Most of her posts challenge me and get me thinking, but today was a bit different. It was about parenthood and how easy it is to forget to enjoy our children in the midst of raising them. I was instantly convicted.

I tend to think in lists (my mom is nodding her head as she's reading this). Since I'm hopelessly forgetful and absentminded, I have to be this way in order to get all the necessary bits done. The downside to that is, that kind of thinkin' doesn't often leave room to simply enjoy my son. Now, understand that the Bubs is in no way neglected or left wanting for attention, but there are days where, yes, my infamous to do list is checked off but I didn't enjoy the Bubs the way I really like to.

So I need to remember that playing chase with my Bubs around the house, getting "sugar", reading books together, giggling over little boy silliness, and delighting in his train layout creations are as, if not, more important than anything I could ever put on a list!

Inspired by the Success of a Boy

I just got through reading a post about a little boy who's finding his place in the world and experiencing tangible success for something he enjoys doing, possibly for the first time. He won in a local art contest and will be heading to a national competition in May.

Even though I haven't worked in a classroom for several years, I still get the greatest feeling when I see, hear or read about a child's success. So when I got the news that a fellow blogger's son had not only been brave enough to enter a community art contest, but had won...Well, I made it a point to read about his success as quickly as I could!

As I was reading about this little boy and his wide variety of interests, I was struck by several things. First, that both of his parents are so very proud of him and it comes through every sentence of the post. I wish every child could experience what it is for a parent to be proud of them for something they are interested in, successful or not. DS#2, as his Mom calls him, may have had the same success with his art project without the support and love that he gets from his family but, oh, how much sweeter it all is because he does!

It also hit me that even though DS#2 and his family are in Ireland and my family's in the States, some things are (or should be) constant. Children should be allowed to pursue their dreams, just as adults do. As a parent to a very bright and curious little boy, I find myself constantly challenged to both facilitate his interests and introduce him to new ones. I hope I can be the kind of mom who is able to stand back every now and then and let my Bubs discover who he is and what his particular interests are. Out of all the hurdles I may have to jump in the marathon of parenthood...this may be the hardest for me. Yes, you show your children the difference between right and wrong, to have respect and compassion for those around you, how to survive and thrive in this crazy world...but you cannot, technically, tell them who they are meant to be and what their place is.

At the end of the post, I couldn't help but melt when I read that DS#2 was congratulated by both of his siblings instead of subjected to bad attitudes because of jealousy. I have seen what jealousy between siblings does and I don't wish that on any family. It was a tribute to their Mom and Dad when they lended support to their brother. In fact the author, Anne Marie, got choked up writing about her children being supportive of one another. When you're a parent (or a teacher of any subject), it can sometimes feel like your instructions and lessons are falling on deaf ears. Then, suddenly, your child (or student) does something that lets you know that, YES, they were listening and watching you!! Ahhhhh - so I'm not talking to a brick wall like I thought I was!

Anyway, head over to American Quilter in Ireland if you've got a moment and share in a little boy's success....After all, every child should be raved over!