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How’s your toddler treating you? Starting around 14 months or so, when children start to individuate from their mothers, and stretch their little wings, look out, parents, tantrums are on the horizon. I’ve written about tantrums since SuperBoy was around 14 months. I have an entire section of this site devoted to Toddler Behavior, mostly because I find it perplexing and fascinating all at once. I’ve written about everything from Teaching Toddler Independence & Toothbrushing to Tantrums Abound . . . HELP! and so much more in between. SuperBoy is just over 2 years old now, and if you have a child around that age, and are struggling with dealing with the constant meltdowns and tantrums, here’s our 3 step method that may help you, too.…
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I only have two kiddos, right? And one of them can just barely roll over, so I’m a pretty benign baby-household neighbor. And they’re cute, right? Sorta feral looking, but cute. Still, I’m guilty of several of the following indicators that my neighbors live next door to someone with children: 1) You think a feral cat is being attacked by coyotes but it’s the baby protesting (insert any plethora of things here). 2) You feel like you live near a nudist colony but really it’s just that the kids are constantly protesting clothing during the summer, or are mid-clothing change, or are potty training, or are getting their daily vitamin D dosage. SuperBoy was streaking up & down the driveway tonight after running through the…
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This is part 17 of our Birth & Parenting Series. Our other parts can be found on the front page under “Birth & Parenting Series” toward the bottom, or linked here. Thanks to Liv for this guest post! She shares with us her method of potty training. Yes, you can train your young toddler with determination and the right tools–way to go, parents and way to go, little V. — I’ve had a great time potty training my 19 month old. Yes, I know, “great” and “potty training” are not words often associated with each other. So, for this reason, I feel obligated to share my experience with other parents. Our approach was simple. We put V in underwear. When she peed (or pooped) in her…
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We’ve all had failed parenting days. We’ve certainly all had failed partnering days. Sometimes we have both. Somedays, like SuperBoy here, we just have to play with a wind chime while clutching our hunting camo hat in hand. See below for six phrases to repeat while parenting & partnering for a better stab at both. I say all of these often. 1) I am sorry. Drop your defenses. If you were rude and impatient with your child, model humility. Ask for forgiveness. If you just sniped at your partner, stop, rewind, and apologize without a litany of excuses. They will understand; they have failed moments too. The child might not understand, but luckily he or she usually has the memory span of a goldfish. 2)…
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This is part 16 of our Birth & Parenting Series. Our other parts can be found on the front page under “Birth & Parenting Series” toward the bottom, or linked here. This is a story of loss, and having to deal with the pain of miscarriage, a terribly common burden on women today but one that goes unspoken all too often. LR writes about her experience here and I hope this can bring some community and understanding around a difficult topic. When your plan for children hasn’t gone the way you hoped, and everyone around you is having children, it can feel isolating. She writes beautifully and poignantly that you are not alone. — We had been trying for over a year, which I mention…
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This post is the kick-off to our Domestic Arts Series. I began it when I was 8 months pregnant, and have finally finished it! My sister & Joe have been together forever. Or practically forever. And Joe’s been brewing beer for quite some part of that forever. And we’ve all (except me when pregnant & nursing) been enjoying that beer for all of that part of the forever! I interviewed and photo-journaled Joe about his love of homebrew. I hope this inspires you to do your own! There are now three homebrew stores in the Metro–a good sign that this isn’t just a growing trend, it’s an established pastime. Joe is experienced in homebrew. He originally chose Northern Brewer (with a St. Paul Grand Ave…
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