Calm Parenting Experiement

Today is the first day of my year of calm parenting.  I am a very high strung Type A personality who wants to be the best at everything I do, but sometimes stress gets in the way of me being the most patient, best mother I can be (which is my number 1 priority).  So I am starting a challenge today. The goal?  Absolutely no yelling at my daughter for ONE YEAR! I don't yell a lot, but I always feel like a terrible mother after I do it, so I am going to try to not scream for a year.  I will try to update you guys along my journey, and hopefully inspire others to parent in a calm manner.  Just because our lives are hectic doesn't mean we should instill that in our children.  My hope is that my daughter will be able to truly see my love all of the time, even in the most challenging of moments.  Wish me luck!

Have any of you tried "calm parenting?"  What were your results?

Are You Potty Training Too Early?

I have been very busy this month, organizing, cleaning, making  a plan for a year, not to mention beginning the introduction of the "potty" with my almost three-year-old.  My doctor has been harping for me to start potty training since before my daughter was even 2 1/2.  I had read this article by Dr. Steve Hodges, when my daughter was very young and had decided to follow his recommendations regarding potty training. 

However, my doctor (who I typically love very much) made me feel like I wasn't being a good mother, because I wasn't already trying to potty train.  Don't get me wrong, we had a little potty and offer for her to try it, but we weren't forcing the subject.  Well, finally he made me feel neglectful, so I tried hard core potty training for a week and it made both my daughter and I feel like failures, and our success rate decreased.  I decided it wasn't right for her to be potty training yet.  She didn't even have words for "poop" and "pee" yet for goodness sake!

A quick summary of Dr. Hodges' research:  Dr. Hodges is a urologist and he has done extensive research, including x-rays of children's bladders.  Dr. Hodges states, " I believe in potty training when kids are ready -- when they show an interest and can tell you when they are peeing or pooping -- and I believe that few kids are genuinely ready before age three."  My daughter cannot actually tell me when she is going, which tells me she isn't quite ready to successfully potty train.

Furthermore, Dr. Hodges stated, "Kids hold their pee and poop because they simply don't understand how essential it is to get themselves to the bathroom when nature calls. Kids think you only go to the bathroom only when you desperately need to, or when your mom threatens to withhold treats if you don't. The most seriously constipated kids I treat are those who trained earliest and with ease. In other words, they've been deciding for the longest period of time when they should pee or poop. But even kids who train later can develop problems, especially if Mom and Dad aren't keeping tabs on them. Parents cringe when I say this, but getting your child out of diapers is the easy part!" His point here is that children don't understand the importance of going to the restroom, instead they are more concerned with playing, which may result in accidents or even worse over the long term, true medical issues with toileting.  It is our responsibility as parents to make sure our young children go to the restroom enough, so that they aren't "holding it" too long.

I plan to ask my doctor next time we visit, what exactly are the benefits of potty training early. The only things I can think of are less diaper rash (which my daughter never has) and not having to change diapers (which don't really bother me).

 Hopefully you take the time to read Dr. Hodges' insight on potty training.  He does not define a specific age that is "perfect" for training your child.  Instead he simple reminds us that our child knows when they are physically ready to use the potty. He also explains that accidents (once potty trained) are not normal and that the child may have urinary problems or be severely constipated.  I wish you luck with potty training your child. I know (from experience) that it's not all rainbows and butterflies!  Just remember to celebrate your child's successes and expect a few accidents.

SLPs: Have you tried TPT?

As an SLP I have been excited to see the increase in the amount of SLPs sharing their therapy materials on the Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) website. I have downloaded lots of freebies but just only browsed the "pay" items. With all the free stuff why pay to download anything right? Boy was I wrong! I finally took the plunge and decided to actually pay for some materials. I feel like I hit the jackpot. My $4.00 that I invested was totally worth it and I will have these materials for years! So, fellow SLPs, read on, pull out your laminator, file folders, plastic baggies, scissors, and cardstock. Get ready to download, print, and make some cheap, adorable, and everlasting therapy materials. Tip for printing things from TPT: Actually read the directions on how many of each page you should print. I forgot to do that! Okay, now lets get to the good stuff.

I decided to start with one of my very favorite SLP blogger's, Jenna Rayburn's, TPT store. At her store, I browsed and browsed and finally decided on my first purchase. I chose to buy her Winter Receptive Language: Speech Therapy digital download. This digital download came with 4 separate games. I will give you a brief description of each since she already has the descriptions available at her store.

Game 1. Ski Trip: Following Directions had more than enough cards for a session ranging from very basic directions, conditional directions, to two-step directions temporal directions. She also includes some "special" cards to make playing a game with these cards more fun. I love that I could use the title sheet on a file folder to make it look like a real board game for my kiddos. It included the game directions as well. I stapled the sides of the file folder to make a pouch that holds everything. This game also came with two place holder cards. All the items were printed on cardstock, laminated, and the cards were held in a plastic baggie. 

Game 2: Penguin: Answering WH Questions. This game is pretty self explanatory. It contains a visual for types of WH question words which is a great bonus and has lots of "special cards" and even blank cards. I use the blank cards to ask personal questions. 

The graphics are just so cute!

Game 3: Hot Chocolate: Comprehension. This game includes some well written winter related paragraphs, some adorable special cards, five task cards, and two place holder cards. The instructions are also included. 

Game 4: Artic Animals: Sequencing. This game has all of the same awesome features. The cards have a topic and 4 steps to sequence. 

Ugh, I just love everything about this set of games! $4.00? That is $1.00 a game. I know how long these things take to make too. Just think, if you invested $10.00 a month to new therapy materials on TPT you could have an amazing collection in no time. I will continue to shop here. Now that I know it is worth it I'm hooked. I hope you guys check out Teachers Pay Teachers and get some inspiration!

Lacey

Change How You Change a Diaper to Reduce Fussiness

A friend's infant's chiropractor recommended this video. Apparently we've all been changing babies ages 0-6 months incorrectly.  Rather than lifting their legs, we should roll them from side to side because 80% of their learning (I am assuming he means neurologically) is through their "gut."  He says that this technique reduces colic significantly. It' amazing that such a simple change (once you get used to it) can change you from having an extremely fussy baby to a happy baby. I will definitely try this with my next little skittle!

If you have a baby that's not yet crawling please take a moment to watch this video and you will make your life a lot easier!

Advent Calendar Activities

1. Help decorate by putting your favorite ornaments on the tree.
2. Take a picture wrapped in Christmas lights
3. Write a letter to Santa and mail it
4. Make edible snow (it only takes 5 minutes) 

Advent Calendar

I have a friend that I swear should be an interior decorator.  This was her craft so I don't have many pictures, but she gave me permission to share her idea with you.

First, she went to Hobby Lobby and bought a frame that did not come with glass.  She was planning to paint a frame, but this rustic look was perfect for her vision.  Then she chose a variety of different designs, such as miniature clothes pins, stockings, large cute gift tags, and she added some kid socks for character.  Next, she cut chicken wire and stapled it on the back of the frame.  Finally, she hung up the various Christmas stockings and tags after writing an activity for her children to complete each day.  Such a simple, but cute idea.  Thank you Natalie for allowing me to share your creation! I can't wait to make one for my house!

Stay tuned for Advent Calendar activity ideas....

My Favorite Free Toddler Apps

Blog to Book

Oh how I love to blog.  Every time I hear a friend is pregnant (especially if it's their first baby) I always encourage them to make a blog. The greatest benefit of making a blog about your pregnancy and the life of your child is that all of your family members have the same access to the story of you and your baby's development.  I love when a family member calls me and tells me I read your blog and I can't believe (and describes the event). 

Recycling Broken Crayons

I hate being wasteful and as a child I remember loving rainbow crayons. The mystery of what colors would appear excited me for some reason.  So I gathered all of our melted (from being in the car) and broken crayons and peeled the paper off of them.

Discreet Potty Training Seat

 As I begin preparing for the journey known as potty training, I have tried to become as prepared as possible.   So far the only part of the process of potty training I've become excited about is this toilet seat I discovered.  It looks like a typical toilet seat right? Look closer...there is an extra seat lifted up that is child sized.  I love that once our little girl is done with the potty chair we can a toilet that looks adult but still accommodates my little girl' needs.