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Tina P.
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| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 8:31am | IP Logged
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Cheryl wrote:
| I am going to try to eat and drink better and take vitamins. I know I don't drink enough water and I eat too many empty calories. Nissa, thanks for the specific suggestions. I noticed yesterday afternoon that I felt like crying around 3:00 pm, so I went outside with 3 of the dc and I felt much better getting that fresh air and getting away from my surroundings. I almost always tell myself that I can't go out until I finish this or that and then I rarely end up going out at all. |
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I do the very same things, especially the last sentence. I need to take your advice to heart. Thanks for posting this.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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nissag
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| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 8:50am | IP Logged
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Cheryl wrote:
I am going to try to eat and drink better and take vitamins. I know I don't drink enough water and I eat too many empty calories. Nissa, thanks for the specific suggestions. I noticed yesterday afternoon that I felt like crying around 3:00 pm, so I went outside with 3 of the dc and I felt much better getting that fresh air and getting away from my surroundings. I almost always tell myself that I can't go out until I finish this or that and then I rarely end up going out at all. |
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I'm so pleased that the advice helped. My Nana used to go outside on the porch for a few minutes when she was feeling overwhelmed. Turn off the burners first. 
My daddy always told me to do that, too. When I get frustrated with the kids - take a bit of a break before blowing up. I need to be more mindful of that advice. I have a hot temper and find it difficult to flip the switch long enough to think about going out. 
And my grandfather always believed that a good dose of fresh air and sunshine was essential to mental health. If all you had was fresh air and rain (or snow), take it. Put your boots on and walk. Being out there surrounded by God's creation makes you realize how insignificant the stuff at home is. You know, when God can care enough to design every vein of every leaf on every tree... He can certainly help you get through a day.
(((HUGS)))
Blessings,
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Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
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Marybeth
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| Posted: Nov 03 2008 at 6:52pm | IP Logged
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Cheryl,
The best $20 we ever spent on our ds education was to have him take the learning test from Mercy Academy. It confirmed some of our thoughts on his learning style, gave practical applications for us to implement and advice on curriculum for each subject area. We did this test after a very very very stressful year. My little girl came full throttle into our lives in September of 2006. She literally ran down hallways at 9 1/2 months which was two weeks after we brought her home. Last year was spent chasing her and trying to get a handle on first grade. Lots of tears!!!
I learned my triggers. I know the bare minimum of what I need and expect.
Also, a priest on retreat said pray everyday at the same time. People tend to push their prayer time off until this is finished, the kids are doing xyz and then the day ends and no prayer time. He said even if the prayer is only "help me Lord, I need you and love you." It is still praying and setting the path to true humility to give God this daily time.
I love your blog. Don't be too hard on yourself. You are a great Mom. Your family is beautiful!
Mb
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Marybeth (Mb)
http://held-together.blogspot.com
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Cheryl
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 7:43pm | IP Logged
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Hello ladies,
I somehow missed this page of responses. I've already forgotten to go outside again. Thanks for the reminders. Marybeth, I did those Mercy Academy tests. I should pull them out. Do you think that the dc might answer the questions differently now that they are a couple of years older?
Things have improved with my dd2. She's been sleeping in her bed and behaving better. I wish I could say things are better with ds 9. I am having trouble communicating with him. I'm sure a lot of it is my fault. I might be looking for his input too much on things. I'm probably expecting him to be more mature than an almost 10 year old. He's been very emotional lately and gets really upset if he doesn't get his way. Example: Last week I took everyone to the Eric Carle Museum. I told everyone we weren't going to buy anything there. I packed a lunch. He wanted to buy lunch at the cafe. I said no and he was miserable the rest of the day. He made the car ride home miserable for his siblings and I ended up taking away his legos and some other toys.
Situations like this keep popping up. He wants something and if I say no, he doesn't drop it and he ends up crying. I wonder if we have spoiled him, or maybe we're not strict enough, or could it be hormones, or maybe this is part of growing up???
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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Cheryl
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 7:46pm | IP Logged
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BrendaPeter wrote:
Another excellent use of time is to put the acadamic studies aside to focus on virtue-training. Usually that starts with just taking the time to re-connect and go over expectations. I have recently been asking myself what good is it if my dc turn about to be great scholars, yet are selfish & unmannerly? Where are my priorities?
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Does anyone have suggestions on what you've done for virtue-training? Or reconnecting?
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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nissag
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 7:59pm | IP Logged
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Cheryl,
Nine is a tough age. It's been really challenging for both my sons and daughters so far. It's one of those stages they need to get through, but it's time for dad to take a firm hand in training your son in manners and in how to channel his frustration to something productive like stacking wood.
You can't be very far from me if you went to Eric Carle... I'm in Charlton, MA. PM me if you think you'd like to meet somewhere one of these days!
Blessings,
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Nissa
Deacon's wife, mother of eleven, farmer, teacher, creator, cook.
At Home With the Gadbois Family
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BrendaPeter
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 8:33pm | IP Logged
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Cheryl wrote:
BrendaPeter wrote:
Another excellent use of time is to put the acadamic studies aside to focus on virtue-training. Usually that starts with just taking the time to re-connect and go over expectations. I have recently been asking myself what good is it if my dc turn about to be great scholars, yet are selfish & unmannerly? Where are my priorities?
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Does anyone have suggestions on what you've done for virtue-training? Or reconnecting? |
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I like to read my kids the "Treasure Box" books. My dc really enjoy the stories & they open up topics for discussion. I also read paragraphs from "The Hidden Power of Kindness" as springboards for discussion. We seem to be always focusing on charity over here .
As I mentioned earlier, boys are challenging and having Dad help out is really crucial. We have to remember that our husbands have been given special graces as heads of our families. My dh knows what our boys need so much better than I do. Boys, I've learned, really like to & need to be challenged, both physically & academically. Many moms, myself included, tend to coddle and that seems to be ineffective most times. Even if they balk initially at being challenged they usually enjoy it after a time. It might not be your style but the dad who is responsible for the Robinson Curriculum has written some articles that have helped me with my boys.
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Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
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Tina P.
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 10:26pm | IP Logged
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I revert back to Our 24 Family Ways. Several years ago, when my oldest was around 9, we studied the way one week and then practiced that way the next. We're starting this again after Christmas break.
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Tina, wife to one and mom to 9 + 3 in heaven
Mary's Muse
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Cheryl
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| Posted: Nov 11 2008 at 11:18pm | IP Logged
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I ordered The Hidden Power of Kindness. (My sister just gave me an amazon gift card for my birthday.) I was looking at it last night, not to read to the kids, but for myself. I could use some virtue training. I talked with my dh tonight. We agree that my ds 9 is a lot like me. I also decided that I'm going to try to limit my phone and computer use and hanging out with my dh in the morning so I can be more available for the dc. I'll look at Our 24 Family Ways and pm Nissa soon. Right now I need to go to bed. Thanks.
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Cheryl
Wife to Bob ('97)
Mom to Matthew 13, Joseph 11, Sarah 10, Rachel 6, Hannah almost 4 and Mary 1
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Struggling after baby #5
