Conscious Discipline

Diane and I took Ryan, Olivia, and Makenna to the library last week and I checked this book out by Dr. Becky Bailey along with some audio tapes from Love and Logic. Not only is the information helping me to communicate and be a better parent, but it also helps me with issues I have in regards to my own childhood. I had a couple of WOW moments.
There is another session at the school tonight on conscious discipline. The session last week was interesting. My Mom went with me and it was a pretty great experience for the both of us, yet awkward when they explained that most of the disciple behaviors we learned that are wrong, hurtful, or damaging are behaviors we learned from our parents. It is difficult to be a parent, I am fully aware of that. I now have a better grasp on why my parents were the way they were and I don't think I would have fully understood if I didn't have children of my own. Now it is my responsibility to change for the better and not repeat certain behavior patterns. I am a good Mom, but this is my opportunity to be great. Bring it on!

It's Potty Time!

Makenna is wearing big girl panties today! Erika and Olivia were already completely potty trained by this time. I've really slacked with Makenna. She has gone on the potty here and there and also pottied EVERYWHERE. She understands the whole concept but it has been my laziness. Hopefully this is the last case of huggies from Costco.

I yike yotion

When you can't hear Makenna's loud mouth, she's usually getting into something. Thank God this wasn't on my time!

Partners in crime

Gimmie a love!

You can never have too many beads. Wonder where my my Mom got all of them? Hmmmmmm

Ursula

"You da sea witch Momma"

On Tuesdays, Miller offers free parenting classes with daycare provided. In the afternoon session is Jim Fay's "Love and Logic" session. The evening session is based on Dr. Becky Bailey's "Conscious Discipline".
From what I have read and watching some session on DVD, I like Becky Bailey's approach better. Brighton Area Schools try to follow "conscious discipline" in the classrooms.
I could use a little help in the discipline department. The girls listen to me so much better when Eli is around and that is so frustrating for me. I feel myself loosing my temper more that usual. Mostly because I am so sick of listening to the girls arguing with each other and arguing with me. Sibling rivalry is getting the best of me. Makenna has a mouth on her and repeats everything that Erika and Olivia say to each other. So Makenna will walk around saying "shut your mouth", "you not nice", "you mean", "you stop it", "go to your room" oh the list could go on.
The biggest issue I am having with the girls is when I say NO. I mean it and do not try and talk me out of it. Why can't NO just mean NO, and why the heck do I have to give a reason or argue the reason. Lately I just feel like everything is an argument and everything is forced. Taking away privileges isn't working and grounding isn't working. So hopefully this will help me take a calmer approach.

A Change

So I gave my blog a little makeover. I needed a change, go figure. This week is my last week for a while that I will be working over 40 hours. After this week, I should be averaging about 30 - 35 hours, and I should only be working 2 weekdays a week, the rest is evening and weekends, but that should give Marlene a little break and I can be home during the day with the girls more. My house is somewhat clean, thanks to my mother coming over Sunday, while Eli was at the wings game, to motivate me. Sometimes I just need a good kick in the a##, and my mom is usually pretty good at doing that.
Makenna had a complete meltdown this morning because I wasn't dropping her off at "Nana's". OUCH! She is ok now because I bribed her with some suckers so it would seem that she would rather be with me.
This Friday I am officially applying for the nursing program and I am in gear and getting my paperwork together. I have yet another personal statement to write and I am going to use a lot from the personal statement from my scholarship application, so it shouldn't be that time consuming.
Tonight I am taking Erika and Olivia out to pick out their Valentines cards and we will be doing all that, which I actually enjoy. It is so fun to listen to the girls tell stories about their friends and why they are giving them a certain Valentine.
Eli and I have a lot on our minds the past couple of days and we are dealing with a few things that I will keep you updated on as soon as I can and we when we hear something. We have had a few nights that we have been up readdressing things and talking about life in general. We are emotionally exhausted, but working as a team and encouraging each other, which has been nice. I can't wait to have a little break together. I think I need some Eli time.

I would love this, just for a day!

Tummy Ache

Yes the entire family including the Meadors and Marshalls (excluding Lauren and Nana) had the stomach flu in the past 10 days. The wonderful thing about Makenna is that she doesn't just know how to get a little sick. She had the flu on Tuesday and Wednesday and then today started having horrible stomach pains followed by vomiting. After she finished vomiting was completely normal, and go on with being her happy self, no fever. Long story short. She is having periods of stomach pains where she clutches her stomach screaming ouch, ouch, ouch, tummy ache. Now the doctor, because of today and previous history of "tummy ache" and her pooping issues, we are now on watch of intussusception. At least I know about this disorder because dogs and cats actually get it too. So I feel well prepared.

Toothless Wonder

Olivia lost her first tooth today, well she pulled her first tooth today! It probably could have stayed in a little longer, but we all know Olivia......she messed with it until it came out even if it started to bleed. She has only dropped it lost it on the way to her bedroom, found it and now has it underneath her pillow with probably 8 chapsticks and a couple packs of gum.