Category: Kids

Elizabeth

Toddlers and Time Zones

Kids

A week or so ago, we took a family trip to San Diego, CA. My dad always said that when you take the kids with you, you really can’t call it a “vacation.” I’ve only had kids for about four years, but so far, I tend to agree with him.

We still have lots of fun on our family “trips,” don’t get me wrong. At the end, I still think it’s worth it. But I’m usually exhausted, rather than refreshed; and relieved, rather than reluctant, to get back to my own house and routine. Specifically, the kids’ routine.

I forgot about timezones until the day we were leaving…

Elizabeth

Bowmp Bowmp

Kids

Kids have entertaining misunderstandings of song titles and lyrics. Recently, mine have both been asking for “Bowmp Bowmp” on repeat. What they mean is “Second Hand News” by Fleetwood Mac. Go listen to the song if you don’t know it—they have a legitimate basis for their nickname on this one.

The song is one of my own favorites—so catchy, so fun to harmonize!—so I don’t mind pressing the back button as the music starts fading and Luke shouts out from his car seat, “Again! Bowmp bowmp! Loud!”

Elizabeth

Actually, they’re not all that picky.

Kids

Things I do to encourage my kids to try new foods, without power struggles.

My kids don’t love leftovers. That’s fine, for now. I encourage leftovers with things I know they remember they like, and I figure we’ll work on it. So they eat a lot of grilled turkey-and-cheese sandwiches while I eat leftovers for lunch.

In spite of the monotony of their lunches, I would not categorize my kids as “picky” in the typical toddler/preschooler sense of “all she will eat is yellow foods!” (Chicken nuggets, applesauce, macaroni and cheese, toast, etc.)

It’s just that I prefer to choose my battles, and leftover brussels sprouts is a battle I’m unlikely ever to win.

However…

Elizabeth

Potty Training, Day One

Kids

While we were on our family visiting road trip, Luke took an earnest interest in the little potty at my in-laws’ house. As in, he would thrash during diaper changes and say “potty,” and he actually peed in it twice! I’ve had multiple resources emphasize not to ignore the “window of readiness” for potty training—defined as either generally “between 20-30 months” or “when he shows interest in it and awareness of potty actions.” We’re definitely within both of those windows right now.

So, I decided early last week: We’re taking the diaper off first thing next Monday morning…

Elizabeth

Stuck in My Head

Kids

Shout out to all the parents who have your kids’ music stuck in your heads today!

There was a large chunk of time in my life when I had country music playing in my head all day every day. I had an exceptionally rich chapter of my spiritual life in college when I often had psalms—instead of songs—stuck in my head, from so frequently praying Liturgy of the Hours. But these days, I have a less sophisticated background soundtrack. Humpty Dumpty, The Broccoli Song, and unnamed tunes from one of the electronic toys around here…

Elizabeth

Beep Beep Crash

Kids

It’s not terribly often that I “get on the floor and play” with my kids and genuinely have fun doing it for more than a few minutes. I always have a hard time setting aside my mental lists (or…my phone) and fully engaging with them. I’m guilty of half “playing” (being in the same room and commenting on their play) while cleaning up other toys or random items nearby. And sometimes I honestly just get bored with whatever entertains 1 and 3 year olds.

Seriously. How many times can we make and eat Bunchems “cake”?

Anyone relate?

Yesterday evening, though…

Elizabeth

Friends of All Colors

Kids

I found myself smiling in contentment—almost in victory—last week at the park. The weather was a lovely 70-something degrees, the evening sunlight was barely filtering through the canopy of shade trees, and my children were playing with new friends they’d just met on the playground. Mine were the only two white kids in the group.