The Mom Challenge: Week 6

Last weeks challenge was to find something that your child does that makes you proud and celebrate.

I admit it was a tough week at our home.  With the Waldo fire happening in our city, we weren't able to go outside because of the air quality so the kids were bouncing off the wall.  Needless to say, this mama was going crazy.  However, Tyler and Katie helped me clean the house, their bedroom, the toys downstairs and they mostly played well together.  So Saturday night, we went to the $1 theater and saw the Lorax.  I thought it was a great movie and it was nice to be together as a family.

Week 6 Challenge is to FOCUS ON OUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR OUR CHILDREN and come up with a mission statement.

I am really excited for this because I frequently envision Tyler and Katie when they are grown up, maybe what their profession will be, if they are married and have kids.  Last night Brad and I were talking about it as they were doing their own things and we decided Tyler would be an artist because he loves to draw and has a great imagination.  Katie would be a graphic designer as she was drawing on the computer.  All I know is it is up to me to help them develop their talents, to find their own personalities and discover who they are and what they want to be.

Mom Challenge: Week 5

This week's challenge is to find something that your child does that makes you proud - and celebrate.

Here are some examples:

• Learning to tie their own shoes - get a fun colored pair of shoelaces

• Doing their homework - surprise them with their favorite dinner

• Putting away their toys - rent a movie from Red Box

• Waking up on time for school (perfect for those of you with kids who either don't like to get up or high school kids!) - make a cake and write awesome job for waking up!

• Spot your child reading - pick up a few new books

• Paint an awesome picture at preschool - frame it and put it up

Write a note, bake something, take them to a movie, rent a movie, post a picture, pick up a favorite candy bar, let them have a Sprite with dinner (this is a big deal at our house!!) do something!  

(ideas from live a fabuless life)

 

Last week was a tough week.  It was to be positive.

Chores not being done, kids fighting, not going to sleep at night until 10 pm, fighting...did I mention that.  I will continue to work on being positive with the kids.  When they did do good hi-fives were definitely given.  Something for me to think about more.  Kids can always use more praise and a positive atmosphere.

Mom Challenge: Week 4 ~ Stay Positive

Last weeks challenge to have realistic expectations went fairly well.  We have a new chore chart and I expect the kids to do them every day.  Sometimes they need help or need to be shown how to do it.  I can't expect my 4 year old to make her bed as well as my 6 year old.  When I say clean up that is so overwhelming for them as opposed to look at your chore chart, it is explained by a picture such as pick up your clothes. 

This week for week 4:

STAY POSITIVE!

Sometimes this is hard for me.  I get frustrated.  But, I think it is more than that.  When a child fails at something or it isn't their best, it is better to encourage than to tear down.

My 4 year old is really struggling with peeing in her pants.  Not because she isn't potty trained because she is, it is more of a power struggle or because she just doesn't want to.  This is going to be a very interesting week to see if I can

STAY POSITIVE.

I need to continue to encourage her to go potty.

Here is a list of 101 ways to praise a child.  Enjoy it!  Use them often!  Continue to build up your child.

 

 

Join The Mom Challenge

Mom Challenge Week 3: Set Realistic Expectations

Week 2: SLOW DOWN, went great! We had a fantastic vacation and it was nice to be able to spend time with Tyler and Katie. We went swimming, rode the 4 wheeler, ate snow cones, played games, slept, visited family. It was really nice to be in the hot, hot sun! It was fun to just relax and not have to be here or there.

Week 3 challenge is: set realistic expectations.
I wonder how often I truly set realistic expectations for my children.  ie, clean the basement.  That is a fairly overwhelming task for a child.  But, if it is pick up the dinosaurs and put them in the toy box is much simpler task and more realistic.  I am really going to work on this this week with T & K,

Mom Challenge: Week 2, SLOW DOWN

Week 1, Eat together as a family went great!  We almost always sit together and have dinner.  It is the only time we are all together and I love it.

Week 2 is SLOW DOWN!  We live in a very rushed society.  Everyone, including myself is always in a hurry to be here or there.  I always feel like there is something to do.  

This week, I have slowed down.  Granted we are on vacation at my parents house, we don't have anything pressing to do.  I have very much enjoyed this time with my kids.  We have been able to go swimming, play games together, sleep in :), and enjoy each other.  The kids even helped me make a cake for Ethan's 19th birthday.  Hopefully we will be able to spend more time with our cousins and maybe go 4 wheelin'.  Hopefully there will be pictures too.  I have not done good at documenting this trip to AZ.

The Mom Challenge

I have been feeling I need to communicate better with my children.  They are growing up so fast and I feel I am missing out on some things in my life because I put other things 1st.  I found this on pinterest (what would we do without pinterest).  I am committed to this challenge.  I know it won't be easy but things worth doing aren't always easy.  

The 1st weekly challenge is to:

Eat dinner with kids at least 3 times this week.

I know this will be easy for us because we eat dinner together every (almost) every night.  What I need to concentrate on more is talking with them.  Having them share what happened during the day.  Their happies and sads.  (I got that from 71 toes).

This challenge is found at:  liveafabulesslife.blogspot.com

I can't wait to see how our relationship grows.  I think this is going to be awesome!

I want to be a good mom!  That is my number 2 goal in life.  My number 1 goal in life is to be the best wife I possibly can and support my husband.  He takes really good care of us.  He is amazing!  I wish everyone could have what I have been so amazingly blessed with. 

 Brad is awesome!!!!

And realllllly goooood looooooking! :)