Parenting Confessions

Have you sold out if your child goes to pre-school?

Author: Flora

Ladies and gentleman, the day has come that I am reaching out for some regular help with my little man (now 1 1/2). I always knew I would consider pre-school at SOME point for Chunky Monkey. But, I wasn’t sure when. I guess in my mind I thought it would likely be around age 3 1/2 or 4. But then, life never goes quite as you had imagined, does it? It SURE hasn’t for me.

I learned through a friend about a Montessori teacher in Bozeman who wants to open a small 5-child pre-school specifically for kids around 2. It’s 3 hours in the morning for 3 days a week. It just seems too good to pass up. He will have some great time to learn and socialize, while I will have time to…. Well, I’m not sure exactly what I will do. But I have no doubt I will find a way to fill the time. Hopefully it will mean I can blog post more often! Maybe I can take a yoga class to help my achy back that gets all outta wack from holding this 28 lb kid! Also, I hope to put the word out more in my community to teach some more parenting workshops.

There is a part of me that wonders if I am selling out on being “Just” a SAHM. But I am also trying to stay flexible in my expectations and not do anything just because I think I “should” (a constant battle as a SAHM).

If you have done something similar, drop a line to share your thoughts. It’s great to share in this journey with others.

These days are the greatest

Author: Flora

Since I have shared some of the really difficult days, I want to share some of the best days too. 🙂

Today we enjoyed one of the first days of spring, here in Montana. We got to play at a park with friends in the m orning, and then went to a duck pond and another playground in the afternoon. Lots of laughter and smiles filled the day, and my heart feels so full of gratitude for the fact that this is my life.

How 1-year-olds are the best teachers

Author: Flora

This week I have been noticing how my child has an amazing capacity to help me enjoy the present moment more than I ever have before. So I want to just take a moment to say thanks for all he does.

1. When I follow his lead, I am so much more present to the world around me.

Last weekend we were on a walk down our friend’s street and he started screeching. At first I thought it was a sad/angry tantrum, but as I looked at his face he was smiling. I was perplexed for a moment, and then I realized he was echoing the birds in the nearby trees. I hadn’t even tooned into their beautiful songs, and yet he was able to notice and start mimicking them. What a wonderful thing to be stopped in my tracks to listen and “talk” with the birds.

2. He helps me to notice things big and small.

There is nothing like having a 1-year-old to help you notice the tiniest things in life. I may notice a giant beautiful tree, but Chunky Monkey will stop with incredible curiosity to marvel at a tiny blade of grass. He loves to explore every detail of gravel rocks, dirt, plants, etc. I have never spent so much time noticing “tiny” things on the ground level, and I must say, I’ve been missing out!;)

3. He helps me to treasure little moments in a spectacular way.

I have always loved buying myself a latte or having 1-on-1 time with a friend. But now, if I have a moment to myself to slowly savor one of those treats, I soak up every little second as if I was spending it with a celebrity. Similarly, there are such precious moments with my son. Hugs, kisses, and the word “momma” have never been sweater than when they come from this little 2 foot man.

So, I am just feeling especially greatful this week for the gifts this little man brings to my life. I am always thinking of ways to teach him, but at 1 year of age he is already teaching me!

Maybe I should listen to my husband….

Author: Flora

Here’s another confession. So, the other day I’m cutting our son’s nails. Yeah. If you have done this with a 1-year-old, you probably know what a wonderful chore it is, huh? So, I’m trying to get through the wiggling and squirming and trying my best to stay upbeat about the whole process while holding my son’s hand so tight his circulation was probably getting low. “It’s ok honey.. Mommy is just going to get a few more fingers and then we will be done.” clip. And then… he let out a giant wail. “What?” I look down and I have accidentally caught his pinky finger as I was clipping the nail beside it, and it is dripping blood. That’s right. His FINGER got clipped. Oh boy. That is not what I meant to do. I immediately rush to get a cloth and my oh-so-helpful and thoughtful and caring husband says, “You know. He seems to hate getting his nails clipped the last couple of times. Do you think we should try using a nail file?”

I immediately flash him daggers via my eye balls and say, “That is only for babies. His nails are too hard for that now. I’m doing the best that I can. You are absolutely welcome to try the files if you want to” (slyly thinking in my head that I will get sweet revenge when his unrequested advice doesn’t work).

I hand him the child and he comes back with the nail file and sits CM on his lap. I agreed to help hold CM’s other hand, so he won’t try to rip the file out of Daddy’s hands, but all the while I am just waiting for this to fail. And…

It didn’t.

He actually giggled the whole time because it felt like the nail file was tickling his fingers, and the job got done just as effectively (umm…ok. Maybe even more effectively considering no blood was drawn in his approach).

So, I am just saying. Maybe… sometimes… I should listen to my husband. *But if you tell him I said so, we will no longer be friends.;-)

Have you sold out if your child goes to pre-school?

These days are the greatest

How 1-year-olds are the best teachers

Maybe I should listen to my husband….

Author: FLORA

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Parenting Confessions

Author: FLORA

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