1. We just finished babysitting a family with 6 kids from our old ward. 10 days total. The kids were very good. But 6 in addition to my 2 equals EIGHT. Plus I'm pregnant. When their mom left I said I promised, promised, promised that all of her kids would be alive when she got home. And they were! We've babysat these kids several times and I think I learn something new each time. This time I learned that I have no idea how to discipline children over the age of 7. I am glad I still have a few years to figure this out!
2. Atticus just started nursery. Sunday I attended my other meetings for the first time in who knows how long. First time in this ward at least (8 months). He and Jo love each other. They like to tackle one another and then Atticus usual sits on Jo's head or neck. This is fine, everyone's laughing, except that it's in nursery. The leaders and other children look afraid:)
3. Last night we broke Jo's binkie. Snipped it right down the middle (thank you The Nurse) and told her it was broken (thank you Jen). She wanted to throw it in the garbage immediately. But all night she woke up whimpering and wanted it. She never really cried and I let her sleep with us to help her get through it. She's also asked for it several times today and I've had to remind her that it broke. How I love my Jo. I was almost in tears when we threw it away. Not so much from being afraid of what was ahead (although I was/am!) but because I know how much that bink means to her. In her life the things she loves seem to go in this order: Mom and Dad/binkie/Atticus/animals/treats/playing outside/etc. So I figure it was harder than having a sibling die. I hope tonight is okay.
4. We are moving in less than 3 weeks! I am both very excited about this and wondering how in the world, with everything else going on, it will actually happen:)
5. Ryan's graduation application was accepted! This is really happening. I am a happy woman:)
France part 2 - Paris
1 week ago
ah, i'm glad you're home and back on the blog. you made me frightened when i read you don't know how to discipline over the age of seven. because i have NO IDEA. i would love to see atticus and jo in nursery. and no bink! that is huge! poor jo. how is she doing? and finally, HOORAY FOR RYAN!
ReplyDeleteJo is doing really well. She just woke up once last night from a bad dream and asked for her bink. When I reminded her it was broken she looked confused but went back to sleep.
ReplyDeletewow! these are some big happenings! glad you survived the babysitting - that was quite the feat! and i laughed really hard about jo and atticus in nursery and the other kids and leaders looking scared :) hehe! hooray for graduation!! ahh! so exciting - can't you just see the light? :)
ReplyDeleteoh yeah, i forgot: freaking awesome that you are moving so soon!! we are excited! :)
ReplyDeleteWhoa whoa whoa, what?!?! You've been watching like 20 kids for 10 days? You're moving? You're pregnant? You're child is too old for a binkie? I don't even think I'M too old for a binkie. Amy, I feel like I don't even know you any more! :) Umm, congrats on it all. I love your stories, esp. when they end with Atticus on Jo's head.
ReplyDeleteYou'll do just fine disciplining children over 7 (and every other age). I have faith. I once heard an "expert" say that for the first five years you are a "benevolent dictator." Then from 5-12, it's all about rules and consequences. In the teenage years, you discuss and negotiate. Makes sense to me.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the binkie--so hard to do, but I'll bet you'll be surprised how quickly she'll forget about it. And super congrats to Ryan!
And I am also happy you survived babysitting. But not as happy about you moving farther away! I'm still hoping the hiring freeze will end and Ryan will remain at Spanish Fork High :)
Congrats! I didn't know you are preggers, very exciting!!! And wow, watching 8 kids.... yikes! I am still learning how discipline my kids. The drama and issues change daily. You just have to go with it!
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