children
Children: Our most valuable natural resource.
5 Lessons We Can Learn from a Toddler
When someone says the word “toddler,” a few things might come to mind. Hysterical tantrums, constant messes no matter how many times you play “The Clean Up Song,” and small humans literally running around in circles. However, if you are a parent to a toddler, used to have a toddler, or have spent some time with a toddler, you know that they are very special people and that there is more to being a toddler than complete and utter chaos. While having two toddlers, a three-year-old boy and two-year-old girl, as well as a baby in the house does pose its challenges, the more time I spend with them, the more I realize one thing. Toddlers know how to live! In today’s society of constant activity and the never-ending list of things to do, I think we could all learn a few lessons from the toddler’s playbook.
By Haley Peterson7 years ago in Families
Lorelei's Letters - Letter Six
Lorelei's Letters is a series of posts addressed for my daughter, but that have general statements that I believe everyone should hear from someone, at some point in their lives. Basically, they are letters from mother to daughter, trying to explain this crazy world, and give some advice. A lot of them are on dark topics that I hope my daughter will get through with no scars. I hope you enjoy, or at least take something from the letters. Know that no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done, you are loved. - A mother
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Breaking the Silence
Nothing could have possibly prepared me for the obstacle that was ahead of us, it would be one that would change our lives forever. One Afternoon after picking up my ten month old daughter from daycare, I noticed she wasn't feeling well. By the time we arrived home, she began to develop a fever. The next morning I took her into her pediatrician but he was away on holidays. The fill-in had a quick look and explained that it is quite normal for a baby to develop fevers from teething and sent us on our way. Within the next three days, I found myself taking her back and forth from the hospital, as the once fever now progressed into a virus. This virus caused a runny nose and a phlegm cough that was making her choke on a regular basis. I was told "it was just a virus" the first trip to the hospital and the second trip I was told there were not enough beds to keep her, but if the symptoms continue to worsen to come back. It was maybe an hour after our return from the hospital that her symptoms began to worsen. As she was sitting in her baby chair, her eyes began to roll towards the back of her head. I immediately rushed her back to the hospital and just as I was about to walk into the emergency, my daughter began to violently seize in my arms. I remember screaming out "Help! I think my baby is dying!” Scooping her up from my arms, the nurse rushed her into the trauma unit where they would attend to her for the next couple of days. Fortunately she made a full recovery—or so we had thought.
By Nella Virga7 years ago in Families
Lorelei's Letters - Letter Five
Lorelei's Letters is a series of posts addressed for my daughter, but that have general statements that I believe everyone should hear from someone, at some point in their lives. Basically, they are letters from mother to daughter, trying to explain this crazy world, and give some advice. A lot of them are on dark topics that I hope my daughter will get through with no scars. I hope you enjoy, or at least take something from the letters. Know that no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done, you are loved. - A mother
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
How I Cracked Tantrums In My House
I've made a discipline breakthrough in my household. My usually well-behaved and calm 2 1/2-year-old has suddenly discovered the terrible twos**. We recently took our first family vacation, and for the first few weeks back, I was convinced I had brought back the wrong toddler. There was no way my kid was screaming and rolling around on the floor because I told him that we didn't have any more bananas. Who is this maniac that yelled at me for asking if he had to go potty? He suddenly decided that sleep is no longer important, and if it wasn't his idea, it wasn't happening. There were a lot of tears for a bit there, many of them mine. I felt extremely unprepared, insecure, and helpless.
By Catherine Luna7 years ago in Families
Lorelei's Letters—Letter Four
Lorelei's Letters is a series of posts addressed for my daughter, but that have general statements that I believe everyone should hear from someone, at some point in their lives. Basically, they are letters from mother to daughter, trying to explain this crazy world, and give some advice. A lot of them are on dark topics that I hope my daughter will get through with no scars. I hope you enjoy, or at least take something from the letters. Know that no matter who you are, where you are, or what you've done, you are loved. - A mother
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
"Daddy"
As many of you know, I'm a single mom. I'm in a serious relationship and I don't hide my daughter from that fact. Granted, she's only about three so it's not like I can sit down and have a full blown conversation with her about it. However, he's involved in our lives. He helps me with pick-up and drop-off at daycare, on Saturday mornings he watches her for a couple of hours while I work, and so that he can build a relationship with her. When I say serious, I don't just mean that we've been together for a while, I mean that we're building together, planning together, and encouraging each other to go further. I am completely for him building a relationship with my daughter. He's a positive male role model, which she has in her grandpa, and a few of my close friends, but nothing that is constant. My boyfriend is very respectful, and supports my parenting decisions. Even if he doesn't completely agree, he never disagrees with me in front of Lorelei. I back him too.
By Michelle Schultz7 years ago in Families
Guilty Before Proven Innocent
My sweet little boy smiles up at me in the dim early morning light. For 6AM, he is wide awake, and I'm already struggling to catch up. He's only one right now, and very few people would argue that he is anything but innocent. My heart breaks to realize that won't always be the case.
By Rebecca Hale7 years ago in Families
