Questions part 3
My sister in-law Sarah asked: Q5: What is the best advice you have ever received about parenting? A: I think the best advice is when I’m frustrated and losing my patience, stop and take a deep breath and ask the Lord how he would handle it if I were behaving the same way as my child, then with the Lord’s help, proceed to take care of the situation in love.
My Question to Sarah: If you were asked for advice from a new(er) parent, what advice would you give (about anything)?
To stay on the subject of advice, I’m going out of order for the next one. Anne asked Q6: What’s the WORST piece of parenting advice you’ve received? A: I either didn’t receive a lot of bad advice or just don’t remember it because I know everyone was probably well intentioned with their advice. To pick one thing, it would probably be the “let them cry it out” response to sleeping issues. I only say that because it made our situation much worse instead of better. I know this works for some people but, for us it did not.
My question for Anne, I read in one of your posts that you were scheduled to have Ryan via c-section. Just out of plain curiosity (if you don’t mind sharing), why did you choose that route?
I’ll fit one more question in here before I hit my mom’s list at a later date. Derek asked Q7: Do you/Brian like to read? If so what type of reading do you enjoy? Read anything good lately? A: Brian’s answer is that he used to read all the time but right now most of his reading consists of Cisco books or the handful of books Matthew wants read over and over. For me, I HATED reading and still do not do it often (other than to Matthew). The only time I’d pull out a book for enjoyment was to pass the time on a long road trip. Now, though, I’ve tried to fit in some reading before bed to unwind and have a little time for me. The two books I currently have at my bedside are Love & Respect (a marriage book) and Confessions of an Irritable Mother. I would recommend them both for different reasons. They are both Christian authored and Bible based.
My question for Derek: When camping with a toddler for the first time, what suggestions do you have for what to bring, activities to do, etc.? We’re taking Matthew out for the first time Memorial Day weekend.
I look forward to reading your answers and if anyone comes up with anymore questions, feel free to ask!
First I want to answer the question to asked of Sarah. Since your Matthew is getting older I think it is reall good and has helped us a lot. The advice I like to give people “Say what you and mean what you say, then follow through.” So often we do things like confuse and then frustrate our children making the situation worse. My favorite example is, “Matthew, do you want to go to bed?” when we really mean to say, “Matthew, it is time for bed.”
I will answer my question on another comment. I have to think about it some
Ok, camping. My first advice is to be careful about bringing too much stuff. Kids don’t really much stuff and what happens with too much is You start tripping over it or try to keep track of it or have to clean it up.
However, when packing clothes for Matthew I am an opposite approach. Normally I am not one to overpack, but these are our kids. And the fact of the matter is that you could pack them enought clothes for a week and it still takes up less space than your overnight bag. May is tough too because it could be warm, it could be cool. I like the main wardrobe being Jeans and long sleeve t-shirts. Then you supliement with a few short sleeve shirts and shorts. This way you are covered.
When it comes to activities we try to find small things in small number. I would bring three or four cars so he can play in the dirt and grass with them. A coloring book an crayons are great for quiet time activity. Now especially with the last video you posted, one ball, maybe two (Football and soccer/base/tennis ball). Then we also like to go for walks/hikes. Sometimes we bring the ubrella stroller but they don’t work on hiking trails. When we know there are trails we will sometimes bring the backpack. Matthew is getting close to big for that, but it might still work. Then even though this is a little big we sometimes bring a bike becuase they ussallylike that. But one of the most important thing to remember is bubbles. And if you have a bubble gun even better. Those kids love bubbles and with the gun, you just sit there relaxing while they chase the bubbles.
Let’s see, a few other things to think about. Kids don’t need an air matress, they can sleep on the hard ground. Finger food snacks are always good but you were probably already planning that. We also try to make our food choices kid friendly so we don’t have to fight or make something different since we are on vacation.
Well, I hope you have fun. We will be in Pilot Knob State Park in Iowa just across the border. We will have our three boys in the tent with us, it should be good.
If I had to choose any piece of advice to give to a new parent: I would tell them if it is in any way possible for one of them to be a stay at home parent to try and make it happen. Or even if they had to “juggle” the responsibilities. In my opinion, that time with your child is irreplaceable and in many ways sets them on their path in life. ( So well worth all sacrifices.) But I would also mention that it is the hardest “job” I’ve ever had! But to cherish it while you have it. My second choice: If you ever have diaper rash issues from teething etc……. LARD can work even better than ointments. A peice of advice from my Grandmother.
The c-section…no, I did not choose to go that route. Ryan was breech and made no sign of turning, so the MD scheduled a c-section for me the day before my due date. Unfortunately Ryan decided he wanted out 5 days earlier than that, so I got to experience the ‘joy’ of my water breaking and a few hours of labor, in addition to the c-section. It wasn’t bad though, and if I had to have another one, I’d be fine with it.