Thursday, May 15, 2008
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Mandarin School
Today, I went to visit the school that provides 2.5 year-olds with a full Mandarin immersion class. I went in hoping for the best, but I have to say I found it all a little make-shift and a bit chaotic.
The school seemed a little less established than I had hoped it would be - and Chase would be the very youngest in the class - the oldest being about 5 years-old, which kind of concerns me, only because it seems that the older kids would probably be more verbal and proactive, and I'm afraid Chase might get lost in it all. But I could be wrong. There is always the chance that she could learn a lot from the older kids.
I had a good chat with the school admissions woman, who also doubles as the English teacher. She indicated that by 4th grade, children are proficient - they can write and speak Chinese with ease. At 4th grade level they also offer kids an opportunity to add a third language. SO COOL.
Jury is out. Not sure what the verdict will be.
The school seemed a little less established than I had hoped it would be - and Chase would be the very youngest in the class - the oldest being about 5 years-old, which kind of concerns me, only because it seems that the older kids would probably be more verbal and proactive, and I'm afraid Chase might get lost in it all. But I could be wrong. There is always the chance that she could learn a lot from the older kids.
I had a good chat with the school admissions woman, who also doubles as the English teacher. She indicated that by 4th grade, children are proficient - they can write and speak Chinese with ease. At 4th grade level they also offer kids an opportunity to add a third language. SO COOL.
Jury is out. Not sure what the verdict will be.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Down South
So Animoto has changed their format; they won't allow me to download shorts anymore. So here is the latest video link - hope y'all can reach it.
http://animoto.com/play/6wyAOLAGvX0hRgPNDlR0KA
http://animoto.com/play
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Still Trying To Get Back On Track
Not much from me this week; it has been really tough getting Chase back on schedule. She has at least decided to sleep in until 5:45/6 a.m., but has decided against naps - falling into a hard slumber at about 7:30 p.m. While I like the early to bed, I'm not so fond of the early to rise part.
This morning we went and saw two new babies, born to two friends I met the first month we arrived here (have we really been here long enough to know someone through an entire pregnancy?) Both were sweet, darling and so chilled out. I couldn't believe it.
I don't remember getting any time "off" when Chase was little. I just remember the feeling like I was going, going, going the whole time. Of course, I feel like we've always been going, going. It would be nice to slow down, just for a year or so, to catch our breath - and then go explore the world again (when she's old enough to entertain her jet lagged self in the middle of the night).
This morning we went and saw two new babies, born to two friends I met the first month we arrived here (have we really been here long enough to know someone through an entire pregnancy?) Both were sweet, darling and so chilled out. I couldn't believe it.
I don't remember getting any time "off" when Chase was little. I just remember the feeling like I was going, going, going the whole time. Of course, I feel like we've always been going, going. It would be nice to slow down, just for a year or so, to catch our breath - and then go explore the world again (when she's old enough to entertain her jet lagged self in the middle of the night).
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
5:30 a.m.
The thing I dislike about traveling with a tot isn't the part where I have to come up with 150 things to do with a barf bag (in one hour-oh, and there are still 4 hours left), it's what it takes to get her back on schedule. This morning she was up at 5:30 a.m. Ready to start the "new" day. Looking at me like I was crazy - and why was I was having such a hard time keeping my eyes open? Like it wasn't the third day in a row (it was).
And so as we get ready for our next trip (to Virgin Gorda), which happens in a week and a half (convenient that she will just have found her schedule again), I have my fingers crossed that the break will allow us to actually-get-some-rest.
And so as we get ready for our next trip (to Virgin Gorda), which happens in a week and a half (convenient that she will just have found her schedule again), I have my fingers crossed that the break will allow us to actually-get-some-rest.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
CPSC
I signed-up for free recall news, courtesy of the CPSC. Did you know they issue a new recall EVERY DAY?
Chinese
I found a school, cross fingers, that could be a great fit for Chase. It's only three days a week, a couple hours a day - and offers full Chinese immersion. Plus, they'll take Chase when she is 2.5 years old, which coincides with when Lili, our fabulous tutor, is slated to have her baby. I'm VERY happy.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Dance, Baby, Dance
Today I took Chase to a trial ballet/tap class.
They let us borrow a pair of tap and ballet shoes (but she wouldn't put them on). There were little girls in tutus everywhere. One girl had glitter in her hair. Some were doing twirls in the waiting room. Others were tapping their toes. It was all super duper girlie cute.
I didn't know I was going to have to leave her there - alone. Okay, not really alone. She was with the rest of the kids and the instructor.
She cried when I left and it just made me want to grab her up from the teacher and run away with her. But instead I stayed strong, thinking - if she can get through this class, I might just have one hour to myself. WHOA.
There was a place where I could peak in to see her. The instructor carried her for the first 10 minutes. Ten minutes later, she was standing at the bar with the other girls. Tapping her toes. And so I went to get a coffee.
The hour passed pretty quickly, and when I returned (10 minutes before class was out) she still seemed to be hanging in there. When the doors opened and she (and the rest of the class) was allowed out of the studio, her bottom lip was quivering (poor darling). But she held it together. She showed me two stamps she received - one was for tap, the other was for ballet.
She pointed to the door and said, "go dogs go." But later, when we were in the car and I asked her, did you like dance class? She said, "yes." And I said, "do you want to go back?" And she said, "Yes."
They let us borrow a pair of tap and ballet shoes (but she wouldn't put them on). There were little girls in tutus everywhere. One girl had glitter in her hair. Some were doing twirls in the waiting room. Others were tapping their toes. It was all super duper girlie cute.
I didn't know I was going to have to leave her there - alone. Okay, not really alone. She was with the rest of the kids and the instructor.
She cried when I left and it just made me want to grab her up from the teacher and run away with her. But instead I stayed strong, thinking - if she can get through this class, I might just have one hour to myself. WHOA.
There was a place where I could peak in to see her. The instructor carried her for the first 10 minutes. Ten minutes later, she was standing at the bar with the other girls. Tapping her toes. And so I went to get a coffee.
The hour passed pretty quickly, and when I returned (10 minutes before class was out) she still seemed to be hanging in there. When the doors opened and she (and the rest of the class) was allowed out of the studio, her bottom lip was quivering (poor darling). But she held it together. She showed me two stamps she received - one was for tap, the other was for ballet.
She pointed to the door and said, "go dogs go." But later, when we were in the car and I asked her, did you like dance class? She said, "yes." And I said, "do you want to go back?" And she said, "Yes."
Monday, April 21, 2008
Too Funny!
Thanks, Elaina!
FOLLOW THESE 14 SIMPLE TESTS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HAVE CHILDREN.
Test 1 Preparation
Women: To prepare for pregnancy:-
1. Put on a dressing gown and stick a beanbag down the front.
2. Leave it there.
3. After 9 months remove 5% of the beans.
Men: To prepare for children:-
1. Go to a local chemist, tip the contents of your wallet onto the counter and tell the pharmacist to help himself
2. Go to the supermarket. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home. Pick up the newspaper and read it for the last time.
Test 2 Knowledge
Find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run wild. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners and overall behaviour.
Enjoy it. It will be the last time in your life that you will have all the answers.
Test 3 Nights
To discover how the nights will feel:
1. Walk around the living room from 5pm to 10pm carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 4 - 6kg, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing really loudly.
2. At 10pm, put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 11pm and walk the bag around the living room until 1am.
4. Set the alarm for 3am.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2am and make a cup of tea.
6. Go to bed at 2.45am.
7. Get up again at 3am when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs in the dark until 4am.
9. Put the alarm on for 5am. Get up when it goes off.
10. Make breakfast.
Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
Test 4 Dressing Small Children
1. Buy a live octopus and a string bag.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the string bag so that no arms hang out.
Time Allowed: 5 minutes.
Test 5 Cars
1. Forget the BMW. Buy a practical 5-door wagon.
2. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
3. Get a coin. Insert it into the CD player.
4. Take a box of chocolate biscuits; mash them into the back seat.
5. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Test 6 Going For a Walk
Wait
Go out the front door
Come back in again
Go out
Come back in again
Go out again
Walk down the front path
Walk back up it
Walk down it again
Walk very slowly down the road for five minutes.
Stop, inspect minutely and ask at least 6 questions about every piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue and dead insect along the way.
Retrace your steps
Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbours come out and stare at you.
Give up and go back into the house.
You are now ready to try taking a small child for a walk.
Test 7
Repeat everything you say at least 5 times.
Test 8 Grocery Shopping
1. Go to the local supermarket. Take with you the nearest thing you can find to a pre-school child - a fully grown goat is excellent. If you intend to have more than one child, take more than one goat.
2. Buy your weekly groceries without letting the goat(s) out of your sight.
3. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.
Until you can easily accomplish this, do not contemplate having children.
Test 9 Feeding a 1 year-old
1. Hollow out a melon
2. Make a small hole in the side
3. Suspend the melon from the ceiling and swing it side to side
4. Now get a bowl of soggy cornflakes and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon while pretending to be an aeroplane.
5. Continue until half the cornflakes are gone.
6. Tip the rest into your lap, making sure that a lot falls on the floor.
Test 10 TV
1. Learn the names of every character from the Wiggles, Barney, Teletubbies and Disney.
2. Watch nothing else on television for at least 5 years.
Test 11 Mess
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out:
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains
2. Hide a fish behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flowerbeds and then rub them on clean walls. Cover the stains with crayon.
4. Empty every drawer/cupboard/storage box in your house onto the floor & leave it there.
Test 12 Long Trips with Toddlers
1. Make a recording of someone shouting 'Mummy' repeatedly. Important Notes: No more than a 4 second delay between each Mummy. Include occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet.
2. Play this tape in your car, everywhere you go for the next 4 years.
You are now ready to try taking a long trip with a toddler.
Test 13 Conversations
1. Start talking to an adult of your choice.
2. Have someone else continually tug on your shirt hem or shirt sleeve while playing the Mummy tape listed above.
You are now ready to try having a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
Test 14 Getting ready for work
1. Pick a day on which you have an important meeting.
2. Put on your finest work attire.
3. Take a cup of cream and put 1 cup of lemon juice in it
4. Stir
5. Dump half of it on your nice silk shirt
6. Saturate a towel with the other half of the mixture
7. Attempt to clean your shirt with the same saturated towel
8. Do not change (you have no time).
9. Go directly to work
FOLLOW THESE 14 SIMPLE TESTS BEFORE YOU DECIDE TO HAVE CHILDREN.
Test 1 Preparation
Women: To prepare for pregnancy:-
1. Put on a dressing gown and stick a beanbag down the front.
2. Leave it there.
3. After 9 months remove 5% of the beans.
Men: To prepare for children:-
1. Go to a local chemist, tip the contents of your wallet onto the counter and tell the pharmacist to help himself
2. Go to the supermarket. Arrange to have your salary paid directly to their head office.
3. Go home. Pick up the newspaper and read it for the last time.
Test 2 Knowledge
Find a couple who are already parents and berate them about their methods of discipline, lack of patience, appallingly low tolerance levels and how they have allowed their children to run wild. Suggest ways in which they might improve their child's sleeping habits, toilet training, table manners and overall behaviour.
Enjoy it. It will be the last time in your life that you will have all the answers.
Test 3 Nights
To discover how the nights will feel:
1. Walk around the living room from 5pm to 10pm carrying a wet bag weighing approximately 4 - 6kg, with a radio turned to static (or some other obnoxious sound) playing really loudly.
2. At 10pm, put the bag down, set the alarm for midnight and go to sleep.
3. Get up at 11pm and walk the bag around the living room until 1am.
4. Set the alarm for 3am.
5. As you can't get back to sleep, get up at 2am and make a cup of tea.
6. Go to bed at 2.45am.
7. Get up again at 3am when the alarm goes off.
8. Sing songs in the dark until 4am.
9. Put the alarm on for 5am. Get up when it goes off.
10. Make breakfast.
Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.
Test 4 Dressing Small Children
1. Buy a live octopus and a string bag.
2. Attempt to put the octopus into the string bag so that no arms hang out.
Time Allowed: 5 minutes.
Test 5 Cars
1. Forget the BMW. Buy a practical 5-door wagon.
2. Buy a chocolate ice cream cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there.
3. Get a coin. Insert it into the CD player.
4. Take a box of chocolate biscuits; mash them into the back seat.
5. Run a garden rake along both sides of the car.
Test 6 Going For a Walk
Wait
Go out the front door
Come back in again
Go out
Come back in again
Go out again
Walk down the front path
Walk back up it
Walk down it again
Walk very slowly down the road for five minutes.
Stop, inspect minutely and ask at least 6 questions about every piece of used chewing gum, dirty tissue and dead insect along the way.
Retrace your steps
Scream that you have had as much as you can stand until the neighbours come out and stare at you.
Give up and go back into the house.
You are now ready to try taking a small child for a walk.
Test 7
Repeat everything you say at least 5 times.
Test 8 Grocery Shopping
1. Go to the local supermarket. Take with you the nearest thing you can find to a pre-school child - a fully grown goat is excellent. If you intend to have more than one child, take more than one goat.
2. Buy your weekly groceries without letting the goat(s) out of your sight.
3. Pay for everything the goat eats or destroys.
Until you can easily accomplish this, do not contemplate having children.
Test 9 Feeding a 1 year-old
1. Hollow out a melon
2. Make a small hole in the side
3. Suspend the melon from the ceiling and swing it side to side
4. Now get a bowl of soggy cornflakes and attempt to spoon them into the swaying melon while pretending to be an aeroplane.
5. Continue until half the cornflakes are gone.
6. Tip the rest into your lap, making sure that a lot falls on the floor.
Test 10 TV
1. Learn the names of every character from the Wiggles, Barney, Teletubbies and Disney.
2. Watch nothing else on television for at least 5 years.
Test 11 Mess
Can you stand the mess children make? To find out:
1. Smear peanut butter onto the sofa and jam onto the curtains
2. Hide a fish behind the stereo and leave it there all summer.
3. Stick your fingers in the flowerbeds and then rub them on clean walls. Cover the stains with crayon.
4. Empty every drawer/cupboard/storage box in your house onto the floor & leave it there.
Test 12 Long Trips with Toddlers
1. Make a recording of someone shouting 'Mummy' repeatedly. Important Notes: No more than a 4 second delay between each Mummy. Include occasional crescendo to the level of a supersonic jet.
2. Play this tape in your car, everywhere you go for the next 4 years.
You are now ready to try taking a long trip with a toddler.
Test 13 Conversations
1. Start talking to an adult of your choice.
2. Have someone else continually tug on your shirt hem or shirt sleeve while playing the Mummy tape listed above.
You are now ready to try having a conversation with an adult while there is a child in the room.
Test 14 Getting ready for work
1. Pick a day on which you have an important meeting.
2. Put on your finest work attire.
3. Take a cup of cream and put 1 cup of lemon juice in it
4. Stir
5. Dump half of it on your nice silk shirt
6. Saturate a towel with the other half of the mixture
7. Attempt to clean your shirt with the same saturated towel
8. Do not change (you have no time).
9. Go directly to work
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Take That, You Bully
So the bully didn't show today.
The soccer coach was there to help out.
And I have to say, Chase really loved it.
She was out there kicking freely, without fear of being knocked over from behind.
After soccer, we went to a new coffee shop.
Perk & Play in Stapleton. http://www.pandpcoffee.com/
It was amazing. There were SO many toys there.
Chase self-entertained for 1.5 hours. AMAZING.
We're going back tomorrow. This time, I'm taking Hubs.
The rest of the day was a little on the "ho-hum" side.
But we did have date night! Superb.
Oh, and Chase ended up with a big raised hive on her left bum.
I called the pediatrician and he approved giving her a Benadryl.
I checked it again before she went to bed and it was gone - fabu!
The soccer coach was there to help out.
And I have to say, Chase really loved it.
She was out there kicking freely, without fear of being knocked over from behind.
After soccer, we went to a new coffee shop.
Perk & Play in Stapleton. http://www.pandpcoffee.com/
It was amazing. There were SO many toys there.
Chase self-entertained for 1.5 hours. AMAZING.
We're going back tomorrow. This time, I'm taking Hubs.
The rest of the day was a little on the "ho-hum" side.
But we did have date night! Superb.
Oh, and Chase ended up with a big raised hive on her left bum.
I called the pediatrician and he approved giving her a Benadryl.
I checked it again before she went to bed and it was gone - fabu!
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The Rest Of The Day
So we went to the dog park, where the wind was so wild that we could only stay a little while, which was still long enough to be able to have the sand from the park find its way into our eyes, nose, and teeth. From there, we headed home and Chase played in the back yard.
The highlight of the day? When Chase emptied three puzzles into one pile and then set to work putting them back together. Very cool, my girl!
The highlight of the day? When Chase emptied three puzzles into one pile and then set to work putting them back together. Very cool, my girl!
My Day
So for all those people that think that being a stay-at-home mom is so glam, I'd like to share my day (thus far) with you.
First of all I'm sick at the moment (or is it allergies?)
6:30 a.m. - Awake
7:00 a.m. - Morning rituals (brushing hair & teeth, changing clothes - which has become a bit of a traumatic thing, Chase doesn't like to take her PJs off anymore). Sitting on the potty, which hasn't led to anything in two days.
8:00 a.m. - Making Chase breakfast, quick chat with Hubs before he goes to work
8:30 a.m. - Dog pukes everywhere. Three times.
9:00 a.m. - Make some media calls for my client.
9:15 a.m. - Make some lemon bars for our housekeeper.
9:30 a.m. - Huge diaper. Prepare snacks/diaper bag.
9:45 a.m. - We're in the car and she can't decide what she wants to listen to. Every time I put something in the stereo that she likes, she says, "Mama, no!" So I turn it off. And she gets really upset. And I ask her if she wants to go to the zoo. And she says, "no" and then I look at her and she whispers, "yes."
10:00 a.m. - Arrive at the zoo, only to find all parking places are taken and I have to park in the intestines of the garage. Carry Chase to the zoo. We spend the first half hour quite close to the entrance, as Chase loves to things over and over again. Like walk on curbs. Or run down ramps. Or climb stairs. Or slide her hand all-the-way-along-a-rail-until-she-runs-out-of-room.
And now she's gotten to the point where she'll say, "Mama, No!" and push me to where she wants me to stand. And then continue her routine.
12:00 p.m. - We finally leave the zoo. And Chase is SO sad. And the sun is burning - it's 82 degrees today. And yes, it is supposed to snow tomorrow.
12:20 p.m. - We're home and Chase won't eat any part of lunch that I prepared for her. Nor will she sit down and read books (which usually results in a nap). Instead, she is fixated on bubbles - so out we go, into the back yard, with Taggart, to blow bubbles. And Taggart is barking, so I let him into the main part of the yard, and then he works at digging up my vegetable garden.
12:30 p.m. - I have basically given up on Chase taking a nap. Or eating lunch. She plays outside, while I watch her through the screen door.
1:00 p.m. - ENORMOUS explosion in her diaper. So big I decide to just throw her pants away, rather than salvage them. But in taking them off, it just gets everywhere.
1:30 p.m. - Finally clean and now asking over and over for new pants. new pants. new pants. new pants. new pants. new pants. "Yes, yes," I say, "new pants." By re-stating her words, I hope she will understand I hear her.
1:35 p.m. - We sit down to read a book. "Soy, mama, soy, mama." So off I go to get soy. And then we read.
1:40 p.m. - Chase falls asleep.
1:50 p.m. - Housekeeper arrives.
1:55 p.m. - I pick up around the house like a crazy woman. And hope Chase will nap until at least 2:30 p.m.
And that's been my day so far. I don't know how women with children find the time to (1) work, (2) have friends, (3) get nails done, (4) get hair cut - etc. I'm in shorts and I desperately need to shave my legs. Ah well.
First of all I'm sick at the moment (or is it allergies?)
6:30 a.m. - Awake
7:00 a.m. - Morning rituals (brushing hair & teeth, changing clothes - which has become a bit of a traumatic thing, Chase doesn't like to take her PJs off anymore). Sitting on the potty, which hasn't led to anything in two days.
8:00 a.m. - Making Chase breakfast, quick chat with Hubs before he goes to work
8:30 a.m. - Dog pukes everywhere. Three times.
9:00 a.m. - Make some media calls for my client.
9:15 a.m. - Make some lemon bars for our housekeeper.
9:30 a.m. - Huge diaper. Prepare snacks/diaper bag.
9:45 a.m. - We're in the car and she can't decide what she wants to listen to. Every time I put something in the stereo that she likes, she says, "Mama, no!" So I turn it off. And she gets really upset. And I ask her if she wants to go to the zoo. And she says, "no" and then I look at her and she whispers, "yes."
10:00 a.m. - Arrive at the zoo, only to find all parking places are taken and I have to park in the intestines of the garage. Carry Chase to the zoo. We spend the first half hour quite close to the entrance, as Chase loves to things over and over again. Like walk on curbs. Or run down ramps. Or climb stairs. Or slide her hand all-the-way-along-a-rail-until-she-runs-out-of-room.
And now she's gotten to the point where she'll say, "Mama, No!" and push me to where she wants me to stand. And then continue her routine.
12:00 p.m. - We finally leave the zoo. And Chase is SO sad. And the sun is burning - it's 82 degrees today. And yes, it is supposed to snow tomorrow.
12:20 p.m. - We're home and Chase won't eat any part of lunch that I prepared for her. Nor will she sit down and read books (which usually results in a nap). Instead, she is fixated on bubbles - so out we go, into the back yard, with Taggart, to blow bubbles. And Taggart is barking, so I let him into the main part of the yard, and then he works at digging up my vegetable garden.
12:30 p.m. - I have basically given up on Chase taking a nap. Or eating lunch. She plays outside, while I watch her through the screen door.
1:00 p.m. - ENORMOUS explosion in her diaper. So big I decide to just throw her pants away, rather than salvage them. But in taking them off, it just gets everywhere.
1:30 p.m. - Finally clean and now asking over and over for new pants. new pants. new pants. new pants. new pants. new pants. "Yes, yes," I say, "new pants." By re-stating her words, I hope she will understand I hear her.
1:35 p.m. - We sit down to read a book. "Soy, mama, soy, mama." So off I go to get soy. And then we read.
1:40 p.m. - Chase falls asleep.
1:50 p.m. - Housekeeper arrives.
1:55 p.m. - I pick up around the house like a crazy woman. And hope Chase will nap until at least 2:30 p.m.
And that's been my day so far. I don't know how women with children find the time to (1) work, (2) have friends, (3) get nails done, (4) get hair cut - etc. I'm in shorts and I desperately need to shave my legs. Ah well.
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Bullies - Next Steps
So I had a little chitty-chat with our soccer coach. She said, "I know exactly who and what you are talking about," before I could say two words. Apparently, Amber has exhibited the same behavior in another class. The coach told me this was the first time she had ever interacted with other kids. (WHOA!)
So the coach is going to come to the class next Friday and "monitor" the situation. Stay tuned.
So the coach is going to come to the class next Friday and "monitor" the situation. Stay tuned.
Friday, April 11, 2008
Bullies
There is this little girl named Amber. Yes, I'm using her real name. I'm not about to "protect" her identity. I would poster her face all over Stapleton if I could. She is a real bully. It's hard for me to stay calm, cool and collected when I see her near Chase. And yes, she is two-years-old.
Her mom corrects her (a little), saying things like "oh Amber, that's not nice." But she has already pushed Chase twice (from behind) and and today, she hit her with a metal stacking pin (by mistake?) and took a soccer ball from her, ran in front of her when Chase was about to kick the ball (I know this sounds little, but something like this happens EVERY FRIDAY - and she usually targets Chase, probably because Chase just doesn't even flinch and doesn't give her the time of day). Her mom finally got a clue and removed her from the team early.
But before she did, I almost said to Amber, "If you keep this up, you are never, ever going to have any friends. No one is going to ever like you." A little harsh? Perhaps. But it is true. And then I wanted to say to the mom, "I can't believe you allow her to behave like this. What kind of mom are you?"
But then I remembered that I have a couple friends, who have kids that act out and no matter what they try the kids don't seem to respond. So maybe it isn't the mom's fault. I mean I have to give her credit for removing Amber today.
So I did a little research and came up with the following information (from babycenter.com), that I thought was good advice.
- 0 -
I know at 22 months, that is still too young for your child to verbalize. At this age, however, I would not hesitate to start saying things like "Let's choose to not play with "Johnny" right now because Johnny is biting." Then re-direct, re-direct, and re-direct. I believe as parents, each incident at the playground can provide teachable moments. For preschoolers, if I witness a bullying situation, I would come alongside my child and model for him and say to the bully something like "Because you are not playing nice, I choose not to play with you until you start sharing, (stop biting), (stop scratching), etc." and then immediately turn and walk away from the bully. I believe this teaches your child, that he is not the problem here, but it is the bully's problem. This will also teach the bully that his behavior is not desirable and will result in loss of friendship. I would also explain to my child that if the bully changes and wants to be his friend, then it would be wise to give that bully another chance. I believe it is good to teach our children that they do not need to "take mistreatings" from anyone...that hey can always choose the type of friends that "makes good choices".
Her mom corrects her (a little), saying things like "oh Amber, that's not nice." But she has already pushed Chase twice (from behind) and and today, she hit her with a metal stacking pin (by mistake?) and took a soccer ball from her, ran in front of her when Chase was about to kick the ball (I know this sounds little, but something like this happens EVERY FRIDAY - and she usually targets Chase, probably because Chase just doesn't even flinch and doesn't give her the time of day). Her mom finally got a clue and removed her from the team early.
But before she did, I almost said to Amber, "If you keep this up, you are never, ever going to have any friends. No one is going to ever like you." A little harsh? Perhaps. But it is true. And then I wanted to say to the mom, "I can't believe you allow her to behave like this. What kind of mom are you?"
But then I remembered that I have a couple friends, who have kids that act out and no matter what they try the kids don't seem to respond. So maybe it isn't the mom's fault. I mean I have to give her credit for removing Amber today.
So I did a little research and came up with the following information (from babycenter.com), that I thought was good advice.
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I know at 22 months, that is still too young for your child to verbalize. At this age, however, I would not hesitate to start saying things like "Let's choose to not play with "Johnny" right now because Johnny is biting." Then re-direct, re-direct, and re-direct. I believe as parents, each incident at the playground can provide teachable moments. For preschoolers, if I witness a bullying situation, I would come alongside my child and model for him and say to the bully something like "Because you are not playing nice, I choose not to play with you until you start sharing, (stop biting), (stop scratching), etc." and then immediately turn and walk away from the bully. I believe this teaches your child, that he is not the problem here, but it is the bully's problem. This will also teach the bully that his behavior is not desirable and will result in loss of friendship. I would also explain to my child that if the bully changes and wants to be his friend, then it would be wise to give that bully another chance. I believe it is good to teach our children that they do not need to "take mistreatings" from anyone...that hey can always choose the type of friends that "makes good choices".
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
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