Easter traditions?

What are your Easter traditions?

When I was a kid, we'd decorate eggs the day before. Easter morning, my sister and I would wake up and find that the "bunny" had hidden all of the hardboiled eggs and some candy around the house. We'd find our new Easter dresses (which we had picked out), hanging next to our empty Easter baskets and then we'd go on a mad hunt throughout the house for all the loot. It was in upstate New York so there was a good chance there was snow on the ground outside or at least really cold. Then we'd have breakfast (creamed eggs on toast, which I would refuse to eat) and go to church.

Now, even though we never got sick, I'm leery of leaving hardboiled eggs out all night around the house. And we don't do much candy. So I buy a few little gifts and hide them around the house and my daughter finds them. Then we head to church.

What do you do?

My 14 month old and my boyfriend! HELP!!!!!!!

I have a 14 month old daughter. She has always had a hard time with
people doing things for her (if they are not her mommy). Her father
left when she was about two months old so I know this problem has
nothing to do with him not being here. When he left we moved in with my
parents and she wouldn't let anyone do anything for her. She would
scream if my father or brother even looked at her and my mom would
spend an hour every night trying to get my daughter use to her. She
would scream that intire time for about a month and a half. About three
months after we moved in she started to let my dad hold her for about
five mins at a time. Now she is ok with them but still has issues
sometimes.

 I have started dating this guy we have been seeing
eachother for about 10 weeks or so and we spend a lot of time together.
My girls and I spend the night a lot and my boyfriend trys so hard with
her. When I cook he takes her in the other room even though she crys
the whole time. He has started putting her to bed even though she
screams at him. He gets up with her in the morning trying to let me
sleep, not that I can beause I feel so bad that she is yellin at him.

Now
I dont want you to think she is always like that. She plays with him
sometimes mostly when they or we are outside. And he is so nice to her
and doesnt do anything that I think should make her feel wrong at all.
But I don't know what to do. I know it is starting to get to him. And
it is about to drive my CRAZY. 

IF ANYONE KNOWS WHAT TO DO OR HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN PLEEEEAAAASSSSEEEE HELP ME!

Free expression not for kids

I haven't been paying too close attention to John Rosemond's columns lately, but his headline caught my eye this morning: "Free expression isn't for kids." Read the column by clicking here.

Maybe I'm misunderstanding his point of view, but is he really saying that children should not be allowed to express that they are angry, happy, sad, mad about something? I agree children can be self-absorbed, but I'm confused why this would be a good way of combating that.

Isn't the goal to teach children how to deal appropriately with their feelings? How would not allowing them to express them teach them anything except that their feelings aren't valid? Or is that what Rosemond is saying: That their feelings aren't valid?

Do Kids Ruin Marriages?

There's an interesting Op-Ed in The NY Times today about whether or not having kids diminishing the quality of marriages.

Apparently two dozen studies have found that marriage quality drops when the kids come.

In my case, it definitely changed things, but I don't think the quality dropped. It's just different. We talk about different things, our focus is on our daughter, but it's not like we're less committed to each other. We do work to schedule some date nights. Thankfully my mom in town makes that a lot easier for us.

But now I'm wondering if I'm just a lucky one ...

MIL Moves In With Obama

It's hardly news, but Obama's mother-in-law will be moving in with him and the family at least at the beginning.

CNN gives him tips here: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/personal/01/12/mom.in.law.talks/

I have to say my own mom moved to the area after I had my daughter. And while I was nervous at first, it's worked out great. I've said before I'm so glad that she's here.

But (and I say this knowing that my mom would agree), we're both glad we don't live together. Obviously, Obama and the fam have some special circumstances. Security being No. 1, I suppose.

But have you lived or would you with your own mom or mother-in-law?

Big Moves With Kids

I moved around a bit as a kid and remember that for at least the year after we moved, my parents would encourage me to write to my old friends.

I started thinking about that a little bit today (as I cleaned out my childhood bedroom and ran across some of those letters and watched some of the coverage of Obama's visit to DC).

For those of you who have made big moves with your kids, what have you done to help make a smooth transition?

Rosemond and Discipline

John Rosemond offers some out of the box discipline techniques in his column today.

In a nutshell, Rosemond writes about parents who have:

1. Taking away a child's most loved toy when he won't poop in the potty.

2. Punishing a child, who was afraid of dark rooms or being left alone, when he followed her or refused to go into a dark room.

3. Telling a five-year-old, who liked to be defiant, that she needs to be obedient if she wants to show her parents that she really loves them.

I'm not sure these techniques really address the problem behind the discipline problem. But, it seems to me, that's really not what Rosemond is all about. And they appear to work for the families.

So what do you think of these suggestions? And do any of you have any out-of-the-box discipline approaches that have worked?

Spanking = Child Abuse?

A new study released today by doctors at UNC-Chapel Hill says that parents who spank their children with an object - a belt, switch or paddle - are nine times more likely to abuse their child through more severe means.

The findings come from a survey of 1,435 moms of kids in North and South Carolina. They were randomly selected to share details of the discipline they and other caregivers use in their homes.

Twelve percent of those moms who spanked 50 times or more in the last year admitted beating, burning, shaking or hitting their child with an object, according to a story in The N&O today.

Spanking is a controversial subject - we've already had some back and forth here on Mom2Mom. Many child development and health groups recommend against spanking. Here's what the American Academy of Pediatrics offers as alternatives.

What do you think? Do you spank? Do you agree with the findings of this study?

CPR/First Aid/Fiearms/CCH Class/Unarmed Self-Defense

I'm a Paramedic Certified by the American Heart Association to teach CPR, AED, Choking Management, and First Aid for infants, children and adults. The first 2 to 3 minutes in an emergency is the most critical time in a medical emergency, and the average person can learn lifesaving techniques in 3 to 4 hours. I believe this is a must for all parents. I can come to you, or set up a class. A minimum of 8 students is required.

I'm also certified to teach the following:

Pistol, Rifle, Home Defense (NAR).

Concealed/Carry Handgun Class (N.C. Department of Justice).

Unarmed Self-Defense (Martial Arts Experience).

Contact me for more information.

Van

Almost New Jeep Overland Jogging Stroller

For Sale:  Jogging stroller bought new, only used a few times.  Grey with turqoise stripes.  I can send picture or you can come see it.  Asking $120 919-389-7970