W.W.Y.D.? (What Would You Do)

Time for yet another W.W.Y.D. segment. Please post your opinions or if you have a question for the next WWYD segment then email me at mudpiesandminivans@gmail.com.

A mommy is having a tough time finding a sippy cup that doesn't leak. She has at least tried 7 brands & is still not satisfied. What brand do you use?

UPDATES!

New helpful hint in "Creative Solutions" tab. Check it out! If you have 1 to add then please email me @ mudpiesandminivans@gmail.com. BTW is it just me or are kiddos obsessed with wipies? Lol...Its like a toy to them or candy. Ha ha.

-M&M Momma

Healthy Exposure

So, this week we had the privilege of visiting the zoo. Aidann is still going on & on about it. The only unfortunate thing is the part that she brings up the most often are these bright yellow birds we saw towards the end. "Mommy, I want to go see yellow birds" she says at least 5 times a day. Why do I say "unfortunate", lets just say those birds weren't just (clears throat) kissing....Lol! Of course. At least she doesn't know that. Anyway, on to tonight's post...

I think that play dates are a MUST when you have lil' ones. Some would say its for a stay at home mom's sanity,a chance to socialize with someone above 5, but I believe it is SO much more. Its a chance to expose your kids to others in order to learn how to deal/relate/interact. I am by NO MEANS suggesting you should let just any kids hang with your babies, on the contrary. I think the "selection process", if you will, is something a mom should take very seriously. But with play dates you are presented with the unique opportunity to take the steps towards preparing your children for the real world in a somewhat controlled environment.

You see, when a kid is just exposed to just their siblings, it can be a lil' less challenging because they are raised the exact same way, follow the same rules & expectations, they hold the same values, etc. When you throw a new child/children into the mix, its kind of a healthy new challenge. It will help them in learning how to problem solve, compromise, share, etc. It requires them to interact with people not like them, exactly what they will be faced with later on in the "Big World".

Some parents I have talked to say they would prefer to wait until their child is a lil' older, 4 or 5, before exposing them to others because they want to wait until they are more "established". But there in lies the problem, they are already established-set in their ways. By that age, their personalities are already solidified & they have missed out on the chance to develop some very necessary qualities & social skills that they will need later on. Interacting with others, ie play dates & so forth, challenge our kids to grow as a functioning part of society under the watchful eye of adults. They get to see how people/families do things differently & that's okay. It widens their horizons & helps them understand that "different" isn't necessarily wrong & we don't need to always judge. Diversity can be a good thing! There is a weakness in lack of exposure that our kids don't have to have. Exposure actually can make our kids stronger people & as parents we should try to find that healthy balance between having our kids play with their siblings & also having opportunities to interact with others from time to time.

Play dates can also be healthy for us. They present the unique opportunity to see other parents in action, what they do & don't do, say & don't say. We can learn from each other & help each other-We are not alone!  Raising well balanced kids is something I am sure we all desire & exposing our children to others is a very important key in doing so.Have a great night, All!

-M&M Momma

PLAY DATE FUN:

Play date snacks!

Oopsie! You Caught Me!!!

So, today my husband & I were riding in the car with our whole beautiful crew (we had spent a wonderful day together at the zoo) & I was discussing with my husband how we need to be so careful how we conduct ourselves in front of the kids especially. I was saying how we don't want to be hypocritical & yaddah yaddah when suddenly this huge mosquito looking thing lands right next to me. I swear if the car wasn't moving & I wasn't buckled in, I would have literally jumped out the window. Oh my goodness, talk about getting caught red-handed! I just contradicted myself in less than a minute!?! I always tell my girls "No fear" & I even taught them a song to sing every time they get intimidated. I don't want my kids freaking out over bugs. I quickly had to suck it up and practice what I was just preaching... I quickly told the girls, "We are bigger than bugs, no fear!" & smashed the you know what out of him. I am definitely going to have to watch myself in that area.

Being a parent we have to realize that there is always something we can improve upon. It is a constant process of revising & growing in our parenting skills. I would not say I am nosey, but I am constantly leaving my ear open & observing other parents interacting with their kids. Not to judge, but I'm no fool, there is always something you can learn from others whether its what not to do/say or something awesome you would like to incorporate into your own parenting.

This week at the store I observed a toddler & mommy. The lil' boy didn't want to sit in his stroller & kept sliding out of seat, wiggling around, & acting up. His mom warned him a few times & then threatened to spank him. Despite her warnings he continued to misbehave. Over & over again she kept threatening him, but did not follow through with the spanking once. I even ran into them again later on & he was still acting up. I made a mental note to myself, "I need to constantly keep up with my follow through on what I promise-good or bad". Kids need to know that if we say something, we WILL do it.

At the zoo today a toddler needed to use the bathroom, but was being really grumpy about it. The grandma then grabbed a bag of chips of the stroller & said, "Maybe we can bribe her to go". I personally DO NOT agree with that approach in any situation, but to each his own.

One of my friends came over to my house the other day to hang out & make bows. Well, when it was time for her to start packing up she made sure all her kids helped clean up their messes, but when 1 of her kids asked her to come & look at the area she had cleaned up by herself (she was so proud), my friend dropped everything & made such a huge deal out of what her lil' girl had done. I think that is so important to make kids responsible for the messes they make at their own house, but especially at others' houses. I also loved how she made sure her lil' girl knew she was important & that mommy cared about what she had accomplished.

We can learn a lot from others. There is know "arrived" in raising kids so keep your eyes & ears open. Constantly evaluate yourself, but also be open-minded to picking up something new.

Night all,

-M&M Momma



Going to the PHX Zoo



Kettle corn addict

Who turned out the lights?

Eat your veggies...

Priceless