Parenting Class...

After 6 weeks of class, we are new parents. Several weeks ago, Sam's teacher was having problems with him... not having respect for her and others in the class. So, we were told about this parenting class... that the district was having. At first, I was a bit offended... naturally, I would love to have angel children.... (but then life would be dull.) After I got over the realization that I could be a better mom... we signed up for the class.

We can say that we actually enjoyed the class. We learned some great skills and tools to help us with different behavior issues that we face, and will face. Here are a few tips we learned that we really like using.....

1. Praise! Praise! Praise!
Focus on the positive behavior.... everyone loves a compliment... children are not any different. If you want the behavior to go away, you first need to ignore that one, and teach them the behavior you want them to do instead.

2. Follow through with what you say. We had a family meeting, to let the boys know that they deserve good parents.... and explained to them (and even role-played with them) what we expected and what we planned to do.... rewards, and consequences. Then we have been consistant.

3. This is business, not personal. When your children tell you they don't like you, or what you are doing, take the emotion out of it. Remember, they are just trying to get you upset. This lady in our class has a 15 year old daughter who is very disrespectful to her. Our class teacher told her... to not take it personal.... and gave her some great ideas on how to teach her daughter proper 'attitude'.

4. NO Excuse. We often will try and give an excuse for our child's behavior... moody, not feeling well, was born early.... what ever, he gave some funny excuses parents give for their child's behavior.... let the excuse go, and teach your child to be responsible for their actions.

Anyhow, I could go on.... we no longer yell, and I am amazed at what my kids will do, to tell us.... "sure I will!" Sam loves how things have changed, that he will often be heard telling others that their parents should go to parenting class!


Happy Parenting... I always say... being a mom is not easy, but oh, so worth it!

Piano Pros!!

Josh, Spencer, & Sam... pose with Jane (piano teacher) after a great piano recital!

Way to go boys!! Everyone loved Spencer's wig... he reminded me of a mini Derek.

First snow!

We had some very excited kids this morning,

when they woke up to our first snow of the season!!

The Semi-Walker

One of my friends gave this walker to us when Soph was far too young to use it, and man, now am I thankful she did! It's Sophie's favorite! She is going to walk any day now, I have a feeling, as she has been doing better with walking between Derek and I. So... today I thought it might be "challenging" to see if she could walk from me to the walker, which was like 3 feet away.... well.... she took a plunging header into the thing and I have to say it was the worst spill of Soph's history. Nice one, Mom. Anywho- Thought you might enjoy some pics!