We just had a really fun morning with friends at our local park's wading pool. Today was the first time any of us had visited this pool, even though it's already late summer. Back to school sales are everywhere, Pinterest is full of fall recipes, and I caught myself planning Ladybug's Halloween costume. For a planner like me, it's easy to get ahead of myself and forget where we are now.
I'm writing this post to remind myself that we just moved to a great new neighborhood, and I have found at least three new playgrounds. We have a little less than one month before the wading pool closes for the season, so I'd like to squeeze every drop of fun out of the rest of the summer. The library can wait for the (many, many) cold days ahead.
Today is August 14. I bet I could make it to the wading pool or sprinkler park at least ten more times before August is over. I will break out the sunscreen.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Monday, August 13, 2012
Me, Content to Follow
Ugh, potty training. I put all of life on hold last week because I thought it was time to pursue intensive potty training. It seems wrong to spill all the gory details publicly, so let's just say I was wrong, that it was not time to go diaper-free, and Miss Bug let me know that. I stayed vigilant (bullheaded) for exactly five days. Today I was in a funk over my failure, and tonight I'm ready to take all of life back off hold so I can return to enjoying motherhood. That's how bad failed potty training was. I do normally enjoy motherhood.
When I started this blog I wrote a description for it that refers to my best-laid plans and my toddler's idea of a good time. Weeks like last week are why. We have this cycle, maybe all parents and children do, where I plot a course and she either rolls with it or runs in the other direction. If she's not rolling I get intensely frustrated for a period of time. When I'm wise, it's a couple hours. Sometimes it's a week. With The Great Nap War, it was almost a year.
Then I lighten up and change course. I have to look to her strengths and her cues. I have to give her the attention she needs and also cut myself a little slack. Inject fun.
Although the potty thing isn't happening right now, Ladybug is all about dressing and undressing lately. I think I will focus on that all-important life skill. We can do lots of practicing with shoes and getting in and out of clothes. She'll have a blast, and I'll be paying attention to what she wants to practice, and doing less imposing of my agenda. Also, there's a book for that: Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?.
Now my frustration is beginning to evaporate. That always happens when I roll with her plan.
When I started this blog I wrote a description for it that refers to my best-laid plans and my toddler's idea of a good time. Weeks like last week are why. We have this cycle, maybe all parents and children do, where I plot a course and she either rolls with it or runs in the other direction. If she's not rolling I get intensely frustrated for a period of time. When I'm wise, it's a couple hours. Sometimes it's a week. With The Great Nap War, it was almost a year.
Then I lighten up and change course. I have to look to her strengths and her cues. I have to give her the attention she needs and also cut myself a little slack. Inject fun.
Although the potty thing isn't happening right now, Ladybug is all about dressing and undressing lately. I think I will focus on that all-important life skill. We can do lots of practicing with shoes and getting in and out of clothes. She'll have a blast, and I'll be paying attention to what she wants to practice, and doing less imposing of my agenda. Also, there's a book for that: Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear?.
Now my frustration is beginning to evaporate. That always happens when I roll with her plan.
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