| Author | |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 2:19pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I'm sure everyone will be glad to know that my ds has switched his focus from the UPS man to (trying) to trap squirrels in the backyard. 
So if anyone needs a good DIY squirrel trap building link, let me know...
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SuzanneG
Forum Moderator
Joined: June 17 2006
Location: Idaho
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5465
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 2:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Becky Parker wrote:
| One teacher I worked with told me the Christmas Program that required so much practice was really just an excuse to drop the rest of the academics because the kids weren't going to learn anything anyway! |
|
|
This made me think of the TONS of time that goes into the Nativity Play around here, that last week before Christmas. Hours and hours....we set up a spot in the house where the keep the costumes and props and an area where they make all these things....and it's a great way for them to spend their time. A nativity DVD is watched a TON and they get ideas from it and from books...every year it's different...they perform during one of the 12 days of Christmas. About 5 years ago, dh and I and a neighbor encouraged this highly and really got involved because they were much younger.....but ever since that first year, it's completely hands-off for me, so that first year of TONS of time and effort have paid off mille-fois! Now, the olders organize and the youngers are completely occupied.
SallyT wrote:
| Yesterday we listened to The Christmas Doll. |
|
|
You mean, THE Christmas Doll, story, SAlly? This reminds me......I hardly ever read aloud during these last couple of weeks before Christmas.....it's one of the ways to free up time for me to do extras....my olders are in charge of read alouds and lots of picture books too. It's been a total life saver! So, mamas of just littles.....there is HOPE! In a mere couple of years you will have additional readers in your family!
SallyT wrote:
| My modest goal for this week is to have busy hands and engaged ears. |
|
|
Love this! Marking it down to remember.
SeaStar wrote:
| One year we went ice skating for three hours on the afternoon of Christmas Eve to help wear him out. |
|
|
This reminds me of a family tradition in my family that started when I was about 16 and my youngest brother was 6....there were 5 of us. Our excitement was too much for my dad this year, so at about 9:00 pm on Christmas eve, we all bundled up and went on a 1-hour-hike on our property...through the trails, up and down driveways, etc. We were in Minnesota and it was COLD, but he didn't care! We were SO TIRED when we got home, we fell right asleep. It worked so well, they are STILL doing it every year! My dad is 74 years old, and everyone STILL goes on a Christmas Eve hike no matter what the weather.
JodieLyn wrote:
Though last year for the first time I let my oldest two help with putting the gifts under the tree ......while I stuffed stockings.. that really helps speed things along  |
|
|
Yes....again...those older kiddos are SO HELPFUL! The past 2 years for us have been much faster b/c of the older kids wanting to help and be my little elves.
10 Bright Stars wrote:
| Maybe try putting on some kid's exercise videos and helping them release some of that energy, OR, maybe just some kid friendly music on SIRIUS radio? They will get into it if you grab a baby or little one and dance too. We used to do this more often, and maybe I should do it again as my littles have been hyper too!! |
|
|
We have a lot of threads in the archives for specific ideas about this....exercise, winter, indoor, etc.....if anyone wants more ideas!
10 Bright Stars wrote:
| Also, I broke down a job so to speak into little parts for my 3 year old yesterday. Had him help me sort laundry, and help with the laundry..but I took it SLOWLY. And, he did it all by himself! .......So, try to think of new activities in the mundane that will be new for them, and try to make it one on one. I would really recommend that. |
|
|
Yes, definitely more work for mom and a test of our patience....but the payoff is huge.
10 Bright Stars wrote:
| Trying to entertain them all at once can be difficult! I think the one on one can be a real boost to them, and can go a long way. |
|
|
Yes, this is a good point. And, even when they are all playing together....I will grab one child and ask them to help wrap this or do that alongside me. It's just a little carved out quiet time, even if only a couple minutes, for just one child and let the rest of the clan go on about their business. [/QUOTE]
JennGM wrote:
After the Advent wreath was pulled out, my oldest pulled out all the hymnals to sing all the Advent hymns he knew, and then start practicing the Christmas carols. It's been a joy to hear him playing on the piano and singing. I have kept the outside music to the minimum, but they keep the music in their hearts. Sometimes it can be loud.  |
|
|
Love this story, Jenn!....that's so sweet! Sometimes..........when I leave the house and DH is here....I make a list of things / ideas that they could/should be doing and I ALWAYS put the LOUD STUFF on the list at this time. Because the high-decibel-level doesn't bother my husband at all....so I "try" to have them get a lot of it out of their system when I am gone. Even if it helps a teeny bit....it helps! Now, not all hubbies are like this, but in case yours in....there are benefits!
SeaStar wrote:
| Everywhere we go- from the dentist to church even- people are asking my children: what do you want for Christmas? What is Santa bringing you? What is on your list this year? I am not encouraging this in my home. Strangers are doing it for me. |
|
|
Yes, sigh. I know. So crazy. But, there are ways to turn it into a life-lesson too. We've taught the kids from the very beginning to answer "Oh, I will love ANYTHING Santa brings me!" or "I can't WAIT to taste some chocolate! I love the red and green hershey's kisses!" We practice this every year, explaining WHY people ask, and why it's not quite right, but why it's important to be polite, yet minimize the focus on toys and "getting," etc.
I'd love to hear other responses that people help their kids to formulate in answer to "What is Santa bringing you?" etc......
Mackfam wrote:
| I'm so encouraged that my older, strong-willed, spirited children have really learned to self-moderate in some ways! Wahoo!!!! But it was hard work getting them there. |
|
|
Sigh. I wish it weren't so hard and so much work...it's so easy to get discouraged. It's so challenging in the every-day sometimes....especially when there are many children, and I don't have much extra support around. There are days that have really tested my patience. But, I just appreciate so much the phrase...."have really learned to self-moderate..." It just gives me SO MUCH HOPE that what we are doing really is worth it!
SallyT wrote:
| and that stuff has happened along the way, but that God is gracious anyway, and the Incarnation is a marvel no matter what. |
|
|
Yes, this is so true and it's been such a great lesson in humility and charity for me. Especially during those early years in parenting when they were all so little and it seemed like I just couldn't keep up. But, we persevere and God's grace carries us through.
SeaStar wrote:
| I'm sure everyone will be glad to know that my ds has switched his focus from the UPS man to (trying) to trap squirrels in the backyard. |
|
|
HILARIOUS, Melinda!!!!!!!!!
__________________
Suzanne in ID
Wife to Pete
Mom of 7 (Girls - 14, 12, 11, 9, 7 and Boys - 4, 1)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 2:38pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeaStar wrote:
I'm sure everyone will be glad to know that my ds has switched his focus from the UPS man to (trying) to trap squirrels in the backyard.
So if anyone needs a good DIY squirrel trap building link, let me know...
|
|
|
Gotta love that boy ingenuity! I'm sure MaryM would be thrilled with his squirrel trapping goals!!
Today is yet another have-hope-moms-of-littles-because-I'm-so-grateful-for-the big-kids-and-their-help day.
I feel  ...A-GAIN. sigh. I had just enough umph to direct the placement of festive Christmas lights on the mantle and over windows in the living room, which is the only remotely festive room here right now. So...I've parked myself in the living room, where I'm laying down and resting...and listening to my busy little bees working to Christmas music. 
My oldest daughter is leading the littlest in laundry (thank HEAVENS!!!)...and my oldest son is helping his little brother in a deep clean of their room in anticipation of bunking their beds. And then they're wrapping all the family gifts for me. 
Not one of my banner days...but at least I have pretty Christmas lights to cheer me while I listen to them busily work on the house!! Deo Gratias!
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 2:40pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
SeaStar wrote:
I'm sure everyone will be glad to know that my ds has switched his focus from the UPS man to (trying) to trap squirrels in the backyard.
So if anyone needs a good DIY squirrel trap building link, let me know...
|
|
|
Nice that it's not a "monk-a-pult" that my dh's brother made with his fire crew (yes all over 18). They'd make a catapult that could be triggered from a distance away and then bait it and wait for a chipmonk (ground squirrel) to take the bait and then release it. 
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
At 22 weeks! No fair!!!
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 3:49pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Yes. I may have uttered that a few times myself. Apparently, it's my path to sanctity...and I must be in need of a lot of help! 
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19, ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Betsy
Forum All-Star
Joined: July 02 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1962
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 4:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Mackfam wrote:
Yes. I may have uttered that a few times myself. Apparently, it's my path to sanctity...and I must be in need of a lot of help! |
|
|
I have been there too many times myself. My prayers are with you today and until you feel better. I remember one pregnancy...about 15 minutes after I gave birth I looked at my Midwife and said, "Oh, this is what it feels like to not be sick!!" It will get better...... 
__________________
ImmaculataDesigns.com
When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SeaStar
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 16 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9068
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 5:10pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
JodieLyn wrote:
SeaStar wrote:
I'm sure everyone will be glad to know that my ds has switched his focus from the UPS man to (trying) to trap squirrels in the backyard.
So if anyone needs a good DIY squirrel trap building link, let me know...
|
|
|
Nice that it's not a "monk-a-pult" that my dh's brother made with his fire crew (yes all over 18). They'd make a catapult that could be triggered from a distance away and then bait it and wait for a chipmonk (ground squirrel) to take the bait and then release it. |
|
|
Yes- that is the crazy thing. My ds is on fire to build some of the traps we have seen on line... all homemade by GROWN MEN who are so pleased with themselves and seem to be having the best time ever trapping squirrels in their yards. But right now it's the old card board box, stick and peanut butter bait with a string trigger.
Oh, my gosh.. do they never grow up ?
__________________
Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
|
| Posted: Dec 20 2012 at 5:23pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
OK, I have to share, because I mentioned walking up to the thrift shop the other day . . .
So, this thrift shop is run by very sweet people who have Bob Jones University Radio on all the time . . . and what did I find there but a) a teeny-tiny heart-shaped medal (it has the Blessed Mother on it, that's all I can tell . . . it looks like a Miraculous Medal, but heart-shaped), and b) a little china nun who looks like Saint Catherine Laboure, with her rosary at her waist . . . The lady who checked me out looked at the teeny medal and said, "What's that on that, anyway?" And I smiled and said, "Mary . . . "
Amazing how restorative a little thing like that can be.
Jen, I am so, so sorry that you feel so lousy! If it were me, I'd be going, "Yeah, Lord, but *this* path to sanctity?" Apparently mine right now has to do with old-house woes, and is of the "*Here* is what you have chosen, with all its consequences" variety. Not like I'd have chosen anything different . . . But I do need to tell my mother, who's coming on Christmas Eve for five days, to bring her woollies.
Sally
__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
kristacecilia
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 05 2010
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 677
|
| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 6:50am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I have to say... I'm scratching my head a bit at this thread. I honestly didn't expect to come back after being lost in crochet thread and dirty dishes for a few days to find it four pages long!
My kids are not going crazy for Christmas. My kids are misbehaving. Fist fighting, arguing, picking at each other, being disobedient, refusing to do school work, mouthing back, etc.
Actually Christmas is barely mentioned. I have not decorated. I don't have any presents around.
My husband has been working and doing stuff so much that he's only home maybe an hour to an hour and a half on a good day. There have been days he hasn't come home at all until after the kids were in bed. I have no big kid helpers and most days I feel like my kids are plotting against me. I have not been getting enough sleep because I decided to crochet a good portion of our gifts this year and not start until the 1st of December. Don't ask why.
I have no routine, no energy, and bored kids.
Jen, I hope you get to feeling better soon. Congratulations again.
Thank you, ladies. I am pretty sure I just need to wait it out.
__________________
God bless,
Krista
Wife to a great guy, mom to two boys ('04, '06) and three girls ('08, '10, '12!)
I blog at http://kristacecilia.wordpress.com/
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Pilgrim
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1286
|
| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 10:05am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Krista, I noticed it as a huge factor in our normally well-behaved children behaving almost exactly as you just described, when dh was around less during a major project during the last month. The change in routine and less time with Dad seems to make a huge difference for our children.
__________________
Wife 2 my bf, g14,b8,g&b6,g4,g3,g1 1/2,4 ^i^
St. Clare Heirloom Seeds coupon 4Real 20% off
St. Clare Audio
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CrunchyMom
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 03 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 6385
|
| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 11:41am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Pilgrim wrote:
| The change in routine and less time with Dad seems to make a huge difference for our children. |
|
|
Ditto this. When dad can't be arround as much as usual, behavior suffers. Even my friend who is a Navy wife has said that the time her husband worked long and erratic hours in port were much harder on the kids than his being deployed altogether. At least a deployment meas clear expectations and more routine for them.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JodieLyn
Forum Moderator
Joined: Sept 06 2006
Location: Oregon
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 12234
|
| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 12:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh those type of transitions.. UGH. Is it sad that my kids actually have learned to deal with weird schedules? 
But it really helps to have some guidelines in place. For instance dh has a meeting that can run late but not always.. so I give the kids an extra 30 minutes before bedtime to wait up for dad. But they have to go to bed after that 30 minutes whether he makes it home or not.
You could maybe try getting to keep the light on extra if they're in bed on time.
I also would let them know (and dh would do it) that dad would come in and check on them when he gets home whether they're awake or asleep. So they would know that he will be there and they don't have to stay awake so that he'll come in.
When he is home make sure the kids get their time with dad. But also make sure you do too. We always give the kids time to "welcome" daddy when he gets home.. but then dad gets some time to relax for a few minutes. And I prefer to wait for my hello until he makes it through the crowds it's so much less rushed when he's not being tackled
If he's leaving before the kids get up and getting home after they're in bed. Consider rearranging your schedule. Could you get the kids up to eat breakfast with dad before he leaves? and just have an earlier bedtime and not expect to see dad at night. Could you get the kids to sleep in and shift your whole schedule a bit later so they can be up to see him when he gets home more reliably?
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
SallyT
Forum All-Star
Joined: Aug 08 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2489
|
| Posted: Dec 21 2012 at 4:42pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Oh, Krista, you had no idea of starting a kaffeeklatsch . . . I guess your original post really hit a lot of chords with a lot of people, including me! I'm sorry your original concern got lost in the energy of the coffee morning.
Yes, we too have harder times when Dad isn't around. It is exhausting to feel outnumbered, on top of everything else. I've got no real advice to add, but will send up a prayer for your peace of mind.
Sally
__________________
Castle in the Sea
Abandon Hopefully
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mom21
Forum Rookie
Joined: June 10 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 83
|
| Posted: Dec 22 2012 at 11:37am | IP Logged
|
|
|
kristacecilia wrote:
You have no idea how much peace of mind this brings me, ladies. I was seriously distraught about if we needed to change our educational approach because of the behavior going on here. It seems ridiculous to even say that, now.
|
|
|
This was my favorite! I was feeling the same way, too!
We have a home remodel going on right now in the basement, which is where our classroom is. So throw in Advent/Christmas, coughs/colds, a blizzard and constant hammering, sawing, constant dust, etc., well, you get the picture!
But after the first of the year our basement will have new floors and hopefully I'll have a new attitude to go with it
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CSBasile
Forum Rookie
Joined: May 27 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 51
|
| Posted: Dec 22 2012 at 6:04pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Yes, yes, yes! I made the mistake of letting them skip swim practice on Monday and Tuesday and regretted it as they were bouncing off the walls, arguing, getting into mischief, etc. I should have known better. I've taught catechism classes for 8 years and the hardest times are right before Christmas and in the spring. The kids have the hardest time focusing at those times!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
Forum Locked) 
4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Crazy kids?
