Blog Candy!!!!
***** This post will remain "sticky" so new posts will appear underneath!*****
So…in all in all this blog candy contains…..
(see this post for pics of the additional items you can’t see in this pic)
2 Michaels dollar stamps
A roll of cute pink and brown "love" ribbon
3 dresses from this card
A really cute coaster frame
This adorable little "gift bag" (the make n take)
The really cute felt gift bag – great for putting cards in
3 Stampin’Up incentive stamps
5 ea. of the 6 InColor round tabs
A handful of heart shaped eyelets (various colors)
A handful of words from SU Word by Word background stamp on Certainly Celery and Regal Rose CS
A handful of shaped metallic brads – hearts stars and squares
A double punch that punches hearts and stars
25 lightweight 3.5" coasters (yes they are from Red Robin – the nicest manager in the world gave my hubby like 300 or so!)
A SU sponge
4 kraft cardstock prefolded cards
Whew! I think that’s everything! Now – – – How to get all these goodies.
1. I’d really like you to tell others about this give away. (p.s. I like to give away RAKs to those blogs that help refer people to my giveaways) Also, then y’all wouldn’t have to work so hard next time when I want to do another give away 🙂
2. Share with me : I’d love to hear from other Mom’s on how to find balance in my life with two toddlers, (or how I can teach them to SHARE hee hee), great activities (preferably cheap or free) to do as a family or even special traditions that I might take as inspiration to implement in our family. Non Mom’s don’t fret, share with me some traditions you had growing up.
That’s it. So please – start spreading the news and leave your comments. I will have my 2 1/2 y.o. choose a name on Saturday (at my Super Saturday stamp event). I would love to see like 100 comments or something – although I might faint then.
Wow, great candy! I have a four year ols and 2 year old twins. Life is crazy at times. LOL I find it is hard to find an even balance in my life. Between the kids and my Hubby, there is not much me time left. I try to make sure I get some stamping time in during nap time. I sit at my dest, turn on some great music, and create! When the kids get up, I feel refreshed and better equipped to handle the afternoon.
I am not a mom yet, still a little young to have kids but I know I will have them in the future. Something I loved to do both when I was growing up and when I watch other children is to get some music going and have the kids dance with you. It is always a blast plus it exhausts the kids after a while which can give you a bit of a break.
Awesome blog candy. Although I only have one child (he turns 21 today), I always had my 2 nieces around when they were growing up too. At times it felt as though I had 3 kids and had to referee my share of fights between them. For car rides I always had a game of car bingo and other car games that I took with us. I made my own play dough and the kids played in the kitchen with it using cookie cutters. I would put some toys away and bring them out at a later date so it seemed that there was something new. He also had a bunch of toys at grandma’s to play with that I supplied. I didn’t stamp or scrapbook when he was little so I didn’t really have to struggle for “me” time. Maybe if you set up a little table and give your child scraps to play with while you work on your crafts? It might give you some “me” time. lol
I love your goodies. I was made aware of your blog by Allison. I’ll be checking in regularly.
When my kids were toddlers it was playdates that made my life easier. I would meet one or tow other moms at the park for an hour or two once or twice a week. During bad weather we would meet at someone’s house and even stamp or scrap if the kids were getting along well. Good luck with your little ones.
Hi I so know how you feel. I have two daughters. A very busy five year old and a exploring 9 month old. Plus we have a four month old puppy!! I feel as though I have three kids! lol… Since my five year old goes to school every other day it gives me bonding time with my 9 month old. Also lets me catch up on my housework and other stuff. Then when my daughter is not in school, I just play games with her and she loves to have tea parties. So I try and give her as much attention as I can and put both my girls to bed early so I can have time for myself which is much needed! My daughter loves scrapping too, so my auntdoverdi has given her lots of stickers and old stamps to play with plus the dollar store is great for crafts. So whenever I scrap I get her stuff out too so that she feels like she’s involved too. Thanks for the chance to win 🙂
Oooh, I’m a pro. My first 2 kids were 11 months apart. I don’t know if I just had perfect kids, or if at an early age, they just realized sometimes we’d play together and sometimes, they had to play with out me. One thing we have always done was have lots and lot of parties. Not birthday parties. Just general parties where we’d invite tons of friends. When they were little, we always had a Christmas party. There were ornaments to make, games to play, lunch and of course, treats to take home. We had a Dr. Suess party one March. We read the foot book and then finger painted, with our feet! My kids always cookied with me, dusted with me, played games with me…and we had a lot of fun.
Oh, here are some games that got us through doctor visits…
I Spy and Mother May I. The rooms were long and narrow, perfect for Mother May I!
Some more ideas for toddlers…playdough, sidewalk chalk and bubbles! 3 essentials!
I have 2 boys who are 19 months apart They are now 11 and 10 and they are best friends . But there was a time when they would fight for everything ….activities we would do together were …Just going outside to play in the yard or for walks to find how many grasshoppers or forgs we could see ..NOT KEEP. lol When i wanted to just RElax …..I couldnt .LOL THey love to play games …GO Fish they cheated but loved it !!!! I always tried to give my boys at least 2 hours a day to just them ..Playing,reading or just cuddling ….AS they get older they start to go out more to play with their friends or dont want to b home as much .Just enjoy them while they are still young . You miss it when they are older. TFS!!!!! ANd sorry not much advice ….LOL
Hi there! I just put a link to your blog candy give away on mine so hopefully that will help spread the word! 😀 I don’t have any children yet, so I don’t really know what to tell you other than good luck! 😀
Wonderful contest!! I’ll post a link to it on my blog this afternoon.
I have 3 children under 5 (and one due in 7 weeks!) but still think there is nothing I have to share . . . my children are what they are, I’m convinced despite me and what I try to teach them! 🙂 I do live for naptime (quiet time for the older 2) and usually use that time to stamp or do my blog reading! Thanks for sharing!
Great blog candy and a great blog, too! I’m sorry I can’t help with the toddler and balance thing – my youngest is 22 and when she and her brother (24 now) were small there was no such thing as balance in my life. My ex was gone all week driving a truck so I felt like a single mom most of the time but had them all to myself, too, not family to help much. I can’t say he was lot of help on the weekends either (hence the “ex” part). But I’m sure others with small ones will have some good advice!
I have 3 boys, 6, 3, and 1, never a dull moment in this house, I make a regular habit of rotating my toys in and out of the toy room, that way when they are bored of something you can bring out something “new” for them to play with again and compared to the majority I don’t have that many toys but my boys are more than happy and occupied!! TFS the awesome blog candy
I have a boy who will be four in April and a girl who is 15 months. Thankfully, my daughter is a brute who can keep up with being run over by her big bro. She likes to play dinky cars and watch Elmo with her brother…after that, they don’t seem to have much in common. However, I have got them both into singing (even during supper) and dancing…they both have hand-me down boom-boxes in their room so I have burned a couple of CDs for them to sing or dance to. We can all do it together (plus it even helps put my daughter to sleep at bedtime!)…
WOW Great Candy!!!! I will post a link on my blog for you!
Hmmmm, toddlers… best thing I can tell you is that they will grow up… but it won’t get any easier LOL!
Wow, great blog candy! I have a 3.5 y/o DS who keeps me pretty busy/entertained. He does regularly wear me out! He does love to do crafts and will make cards for friends, although he doesn’t want to do them by himself, rather wants me to sit next to him and help. One of these days, sigh one of these days. . . 🙂
My kids are grown with families of their own. However, I’ve done child care in my home going on 19 yrs. with infants and toddlers. Teaching them how to share is NOT an easy task. It takes a lot of patience on your part. Getting them interested in crafting will enable you to craft more often. I found that a lot of times they just want to watch you do your thing…
Great blog candy. I don’t have children yet either. I could imagine getting them to share is difficult. I would have to think up of some way to make it fun for them to want to share with each other. Can’t wait to read what others say.
I can suggest a way to teach your kids to share. While they are playing pick up one of their toys and start playing with it, they will come over and want to take it and then you say, no, Mommy is playing with it right now, you need to share so when I’m done playing with it, it’s your turn. Do this over and over and they will understand what sharing is all about and how to handle it.
Claudia F. Childcare provider for 31 years
My kids are now 8 and 9. They are 14 mo. apart. Boy and Girl. Fortunately they liked the same things (Barney, Telletubbies) I found that my kids love to stamp. I gave them HUGE paper or just some recycled paper from computer and some crayola washable markers and some kid friendly ($$ stamps from Michaels and Target $ spot.)
We always have Friday as Family night with a family movie, Pizza and popcorn. Sometimes it is just the disney movie on tv or one we already own. Also if you go here: http://www.kidconcoctions.com/ there are tons of activities and recipes. There are 3 or 4 books. Hobby Lobby carries their products. Good luck!
I never really had to teach my kids to share. I have a boy and a girl that are 21 months apart and they really share very well (most of the time). And activities? We all like to read together and also just read at the same time. We also enjoy playing games, they LOVE Jenga.
Thanks for offering such fun candy!
Very nice blog candy thanks. I only 1 child and she is 8 now. Activities…we liked to watch movies when she was little. Reading was also a big hit.
I have two boys 2 1/2 years apart and they are all grown up now…ages 29 and 27. When they were little, I provided lots of art/craft activities for them to do(watercolors, playdough,etc)….one was very interested and the other could have cared less! I really tried to do my crafts during nap time. They didn’t like to share, so Grandaddy took care of that…he always bought them the same toy so they each had their own! I do work with Kindergarten children every day and it is something that we work on every day. Good luck!
Ooh, candy!
Being an “old maid” I never had kids but know lots of young mother’s who are seeking balance. I’ll refer them to your blog and these great comments!!
I have 4 children ages 6, 4, 2, 1. Some days are fantastic, other days like today are not. My 4 year old hit the 2 year old over the head with a Barbie and then the 2 year old did the same to the 4 year old. Hannah (the 4 year old) freaked right out … I said to her “Well, you did teach her…”. It became a decent object lesson of sorts after explaining “do what you would have others do to you”. We have a game night now on Mondays for the two oldest, which they absolutely love! I try to take each day to spend some one on one time with each of them, not easy when there’s four, but it does happen!
Congrats on the visits! I am not a parent yet….but the one thing that I appreciate so much now, is the time and effort that my parents put into raising me. Just remember that every little thing that you do might not be recognized now….but wow…in a few years your kids will look back and be appreciative of your love and support!
Tracy H
I have three children and my son is 2.5 now and he loves to color with markers, watercolor, finger paint, play kitchen, animals, dinosaurs, and pirates. He likes to play with others he hates to play by himself(sigh). He shares so-so he does better when I remind him to have good manners he really wants to have those:) From all of the parenting books I have read you can’t really expect them to share until around age three so maybe in a few more months they’ll be able to tackle that a little better. Good Luck!! Congrats on such a successful blog. Shari
ohhh what yummy candy!!!
As for mom tips…keep them busy, play doh, dancing, park est… once during the day you should be able to claim much wanted down time and they should go to sleep early, tired and quick!
Congrats on how well your blog is doing! I will link your candy on my blog;)
I love blog candy! I found your blog via Renee’s (stampin for sanity).
I have 3 young busy boys! Playdough is great – they can help make it and it’ll keep them busy for hours (of course they all need their own!)
I had three little girls all under the age of 2 1/2 years old, with the youngest a newborn. (We adopted our first daughter.) When we went to the grocery store, the newborn was in the cart and the other two had to hang on to my dress or coat as we did our grocery shopping. I also read to them every night; this is a must do!!! When they went down for naps, so did I. My girls are now 38, 39, and 40 years old. Oh, I don’t have a blog.
Well, It’s been a long time since I had small children. Didn’t have any problems sharing either! That’s because my children were 12 years apart! They’re now 28 & 40. They were lots of fun together except when the older (daughter) wanted her quiet time & the younger (son) wanted to be with her!!! Hope you find lots of new traditions to implement.
This is blog candy heaven!! Thank you. I know being a mother of toddlers is hard, but it is important to make time for yourself. Stamping and scrapbooking are great stress relievers. As for traditions–the red plate. Go out and buy a red plate or a special plate and whenever anyone in the family has a reason to celebrate (potty training, birthday, or even saying something sweet) use the plate that nite for dinner for that person to make them feel special.
Thanks again for the blog candy. I will send my friend Kathy over to comment.
Cheryl
New to your blog, I am going to have fun looking around. Something we started very early on with our children was a family game/movie night. we would pick either a family movie or a family game and we all sit together and do it. For the games in the beginning they were easy ones, like Candyland or Memory, but as the years have gone on we have moved to more advanced games. We alot 2.5 hours total for doing this. Now as the kids have gotten older we get or make something easy for dinner and everyone eats in front of the TV (not something done in our house, for dinner we all sit together at the table) so this is a real treat for the kids.
Wow! Great blog candy!!! I will link this giveaway in my blog for others to see!! =)
Some traditions I had when growing up was going to zoos and aquariums around the area. Most are fairly cheap if not free to get in (atleast here it is lol) and I think that may be the reason why I am such a big animal lover! The other thing is going fishing, I grew up doing that and still do it to this day its a lot of fun!!
Thanks for this great giveaway!! =)
-Lauren
I think sharing CAN be taught. Might be as simple as you having something they might ask for. Then you ask, “Do you want Mommy to share with you? OK. Let’s share this _______ together” Then sit down and share or play. When the squabbling begins, repeat the same wordage. Might work … but it will take time.
I had 5 kids and they were all very good at sharing.
Wow, so I can totally relate to you! I have a 3.5 and a 14 mon. I too look for things to do that are inexpensive. I find that having beach balls in the house (4 or more) makes for a lot of fun and no one gets hurt and most stuff doesn’t break when hit by a ball! Love your blog. Thanks for sharing!
My children are both grown up so I don’t have to worry about that anymore, but we would take alot of bike rides when they were young that was free (no cost there if they have the bikes). Love your blog and the blog candy is delicious!
Being a mom to toddlers is so tiring. I use to entertain them with puppet shows; took part in their plays of OZ in which I always had to play the evil witch, played musical instruments w/ pots and pans while also working a full-time job. Exhausting then, but I MISS it so much. I have no tips except, don’t let time escape any faster than it does. Cooking and cleaning DOES wait until tomorrow. Play all they want because now that my babies are 15 and 19, I have no regrets, only good memories and a great relationship with my kids.
I work full-time but don’t want to spend my evenings cleaning when my children have been at a daycare all day, so my husband and I have devised a plan. He takes the kids out on Friday nights to eat (fast food) then they go get groceries. This gives me time to get the house picked up wiped up, bathrooms and kitchen cleaned and ready to be vacuumed. My husband and kids are usually gone 2 hours. After they get home, all the chairs are up and everything is ready to be vacuumed Once my husband and the kids get home, I quickly put the groceries away as he begins the vacuuming. By the end of the evening, the house is cleaned and the kids have had Daddy time, I’ve had alone time (although its cleaning, but its still alone time to turn on music) and we’re all happy!
Hi. I have a 10 month old daughter and we started a tradition with her this past Christmas. Every Chirstmas Eve as kids we were allowed to open one present so we wanted to do that with our daughter and make it a present that would be something she would look forward to because it was a Christmas tradition. So we decided that every Christmas we would all get new pyjamas and that would be our Christmas eve gift. So after we open our pyjamas we read “The Night Before Christmas” before heading off to bed!
Hi! Thanks for such a great give away! I check your blog from google reader and enjoy it! I am a mom of a one year old and what a chore it is to balance her, a full time job, the husband and try to get some time to stamp!! Going to the park is such a fun thing for the kids and a good way for DH and I to get some time to chat. And of course it is FREE!! We live in Houston so it is warm enough during most of the year to go. We also buy an “entertainment book” that has tons of coupons for things around town. The children’s museum is a great thing! Ours has an infant play room that is out of this world. We are still new at this but I am figuring out the importance of time for just the husband and I without Zoe. That is crucial for us. Hard though because we have no family here. Okay, maybe that is too much info but I just wanted to really give you my thoughts! Hope you have lots of comments!
Wow! I think you went a little overboard!!!! Not complaining though! No kids so can’t give you advice on that…with the hours I’ve been spening at work I don’t think kids are even in the horizon!
As for traditions…For our birthdays we always got to request a gift…not for ourselves but one to give away.
Although we don’t celebrate christmas it became a tradition to pick an angel off the mall x-mas trees. Now that we are older and making our own money we are trying (trying being the operative word!) to give 5-10% of our pay to some sort of charity.
YM
I just found your blog and so glad I did! Awesome blog candy!! I’m a mom of twin girls who are turning 2 on Sunday. I also work full-time so it’s really hard to find a balance. After dinner is when we all play together or just snuggle on the couch and I’ll read them a book. They love books! They are just now starting to have issues with sharing since my one daughter’s newest word is MINE. I’m in need of advice on that issue too!
GREAT blog candy. I myself do not have children just yet but my sister and I were 3 years apart and I just remember we would have special days where we would all play games, make foods, go to the parks or library. We rotated who got to go first on the games or which games pieces we took (we ALWAYS wanted the same ones!!)
Hi Jeanna,
Congrats on all the blog hits. I’ve just discovered your blog through another blog that I visit a lot.
I have 2 girls, 3 and 5, so I know all about the sharing issues and trying to keep them busy. A few things that we do for inexpensive playtime is crazy dancing to music (like no one is watching!), playdough, foam cutouts crafts (they love to make things with these!), reading (they could listen to me read til I lost my voice!), playing catch (with big soft balls, to try to avoid things getting broken), stamping and card making (they love to follow in Mum’s footsteps). That’s about all my advise for now. Just enjoy the time you have with them, play along with them, because they grow up way to quickly! I’m not sure where the past 5 years has gone! As for sharing issues, recently I’ve tried something I heard on Supernanny, I think. When the kids are fighting over a certain toy, if they can’t decide who is going to share the toy first for a bit, I put the actual toy on a time out. They don’t like it, and are happy to share the toy with it comes out of time out. 🙂
I’ve enjoyed reading some of the other comments you’ve received on this, I’m sure I’ll try some of them. That’s for the inspiration. 🙂
Julie
Great candy and the word of your blog is getting around as I found it from one my Stamping Diva friends. I admire all moms and hope I can be one soon. For now I have SEVEN furry children and they can make me a little bit crazy. My DH and I are huge softies and can’t say no to a pitiful story about an abandoned kitten. I told him we have to stop or we won’t have room in our house for human babies! GREAT BLOG!
Hello,
My sisters and I always went to the park together. It was just across the lawn and one driveway. We also were given a wagon one Christmas and that wagon was a source of great adventures. We also did not have any TV during this time which helped us use our imaginations to our fullest.
~Nancy Grant
Hi, just found your blog and I love it. My children are 18 months apart and it has been a challenge. They are teenagers now, but there were some tough times, especially when they were little. All I can say is although it seems hard now, it will be over so soon, and they will be grown up. Even on those really tough days ( I look back at them now with a smile) find joy in the little things. Go to the drive in, to the park, take a walk, or just get together with friends or join a group who trade for babysitting time. And most of all enjoy them. They are a precious gift.
Wow that some kind of nice candy!! I found out about your site from “Nancy’s Creative Mess”. As far as 2 year olds. Just give them all the love you can! They’ll grow up fast.
Motherhood is the best job in the world!
It really has been a long time since my children were small, but one thing I highly recommend is family meals. It means so much to have that time of sharing. I tried my best not to give that precious time up any more than necessary.
Great blog candy! Love those dresses. One thing about kids: they grow up a lot faster than you think they will. Enjoy them! Have fun with them! You can’t go wrong if you keep those two ideas always at the forefront.
Great Candy! I have a 3 year old and a two year old. Let me know if you find that balance– I’d like to find it myself.
Fun blog candies – so many goodies!
I don’t have children yet but we can all learn from our mothers (or from the mistakes of our mothers 😉 ) I think that a lot of how I’ve become the person I am is to see my Mom’s strength and sacrifice and how much she gives to us and her church and friends. Those are things that you don’t teach outright, but if your kids are surrounded by that, then the possibilities are endless. You have to show how sharing your time and money, etc makes everyone happy and that giving is just as good as getting.
I think it’s important to take your kids to parks, museums – small local ones where it’s hand-on, concerts (free ones at church or parks)! Expose them to lots of things, esp the arts, since many schools are cutting arts and music programs now.
You can make whatever you guys enjoy doing together a tradition! We always go to this one restaurant for each of our birthdays. Very boring, but it’s a big joke now. We’ll go through the “oh where should we go for Dad’s birthday??” and talk about the possibilities and inevitably end up at that one restaurant.
Growing up I used to play tennis with my Dad on Sunday afternoons and then he would take me to Friendly’s. It’s great to have that one on one time with each of your kids.
Balance with 2 toddlers your ask…hmmmmm hold one with the left hand the other with the right, you should balance quite nicely. HA HA HA. I myself have 2 toddlers one is 2 on the 22nd one turns 4 in JUne. So much gray hair they have given me that I have started to tell people that my hair is gray and I highlight it with brown. LOL. Balance….try to spend a little bit of special time with each child on their own so they know that they are special, sometimes actions speak louder than words. Cheap things to do….tickle monsters always work great with my two monkeys. LOVE the blog candy by the way. LOVE LOVE LOVE it. DId i mention I love it. LOL
We’ve made a tradition of sitting down right before bed and reading books, each child gets to pick one book. we get to laugh and spend some lowkey time togther, it also winds the kids down and they go to bed so much happier and ready for a long nights rest.
thanks for the chance to win!
I also have 2 little boys and the best info I could give would be… try to make sure you are giving more praise then negitive talk. It can be hard when the big brother is always picking on the baby lol. but I try to catch myself if I’m always saying no all day long to stop and try to see what hes doing right and praise him. That way hes getting more praise then other talk 🙂 thanks for your great blog girl!
YUMMY…blog candy. I am a new stamper and enjoy stamping when I get some free time. My daughter and I just made baby shower invitations and favors for my daughter-in-law’s baby shower. I love visiting blogs as there are so many neat ideas to share. My daughter has three little ones and every year her mother-in-law buys them a zoo family membership. This is a great activity for the kids and mom gets her exercise walking and pushing the stroller. A membership is $100.00 which is less than $9.00 dollars a month. So if your little ones have lots of toys maybe grandma could buy the family a zoo membership. Thanks for the chance to win the great blog candy.
Love blog candy. You can keep the two toddlers! There is a reason babies are for the young…
Teaching to share? Take what they’re fighting over away. Worked for our family. I have 1 sister and 4 brothers “homegrown” and 88 foster brothers and sisters. No time for shenanigans, as they used to say. We had to put our own toys away from very early on too, or they’d go in a forfeit box for at least a week of tidy behavior following messy behavior. Harsh? Sure. We survived and are the better for it now.
Love blog candy. You can keep the two toddlers! There is a reason babies are for the young…
Teaching to share? Take what they’re fighting over away. Worked for our family. I have 1 sister and 4 brothers “homegrown” and 88 foster brothers and sisters. No time for shenanigans, as they used to say. We had to put our own toys away from very early on too, or they’d go in a forfeit box for at least a week of tidy behavior following messy behavior. Harsh? Sure. We survived and are the better for it now.
I’m not sure I’ve found a balance yet but I do have 3 little kids all under the age of 5 right now. I’ve found that most days I just have to take it one day at a time and not to get upset with myself if I don’t get the things done I’d like to have done. Some advice I have taken to heart is that rather than making a TO DO list work on a Got Done list instead. Then you realize just how much you do each day and you’ll find that the things that are most important, your kids needs, always get taken care of. Hope this helps a little bit.
Heather Stevens
Balance…now there’s a tricky subject! I’ve got 4 great kids, and have had 2 toddlers on the go a couple times in my life!! I wasn’t very good about finding balance in terms of time with them and time for me…I’m just starting to discover that now. I think every person needs a different dose of balance in their life…I didn’t really feel the need for it when my kids were younger, but I’m needing it now! I think the thing that has helped me the most is connecting with someone close to you (like walking distance away). When I needed a break from life, I could always get out of my house and give my kids some other personalities to play with…I think other kids are really important in their development too, and dealing with them might even help them with the sharing part of life…ooooh, I’m going on and on!
Thanks for the giveaway, looks like fun! And have fun with your kids today!
Hi! I was referred through Heather’s blog.
I have two toddler boys too. My sanity is the YMCA adventure zone. The boys love it there and I always feel a lot better after a workout and some time away.
I can only help you with #1. I will go post your blog and candy on my blogspot.
As for #2, I don’t have any kids yet and right now we are getting married in September and would like to start a family next year. I am trying how to figure out how I can have a career as a professional engineer, be a mom and have me time. I would really like to stay home so hopefully I will be able to accomplish that.
Hi..I am the mother of three…two of my young ladies are 12 months..and a little bit apart. The sharing thing..UM good luck. I have taught my kids the art of negotiation. I think i spelt that wrong…but oh well. They trade..and sometimes it doesn’t pan out..but oh well! I know one great lesson I learned is that I let the two of them work it out. All but violence is my husband’s and my policy. It keeps him and I running to the rescue AND seeming that we are siding with one more then the other. It hasn’t been perfect, but we seem to have a peaceful household most of the time. AND find a support system! Other moms with the same problems makes me feel normal!
xoxo
ronee
Awesome candy!
I wish I knew the answer to this one, myself! I have 5 and 4 year old girls. They normally get along well, but lately they have been arguing and fighting constantly. I guess you just do your best and hope you don’t mess them up too bad ;0)
You’re not alone. And as my mom always tells me “This too shall pass.” Some days my kids seem to love each other and the next their goal is to push each other’s buttons. All I can do is wait for nap time and hope they wake up in a better mood. We read lots of books and take advantage of everything our public library offers, which is quite a bit: story times, free video rentals, and lots of reading incentives. Although they’re too little to read to themselves, they’re at least civil while I read to them, or listen to books on CD. …This too shall pass…
Hello. Well my children are teens and one preteen now, but I remember the days! It will get better, no easy answer, lots of praying. They helped out a lot when they were little too and liked being able to say they “helped” mom and then we had time for fun things together too. Good luck!!!
Shared with my craftin’ buddies about your great give away. Now to get it on my blog.
Toodlers, hmmmmm, that’s a FUN age!! Enjoy them and the things they are doing now. As for the sharing – as they get a little older and want to play together that will come. Fun Family activities with toodlers, with my daughter and my two nephews we would bake, play games, build with blocks, build a tent/fort in the dining room using blankets and sheets, garden, scavenger hunts, go on bug hunts, make crafts(finger painting is a must, using colored cool whip or pudding), fingerplays, singing in the car to Wee Sing tapes, I could go on. All of these bring back great memories.
Well, I have 3 beautiful children (5 year old boy, almost 3 year old boy, and a 3 mos old girl). I think finding balance is hard thing to do at times, but here is what I find works for me. I stick with a routine, and try not to be stressed because they can pick up on it and run with it. But one thing I think is very very important for all mom’s to do, is to have “Me time”. I think having “Me time” is important because it is like it refreshes us and makes us better moms for having that down time. As for teaching to share, that is a fun one to teach :)! Here’s a hint…buy 2 of everything :p! As for great activities plan outtings like going to the museum, a local playground, play with playdough, finger paint, goto your local library and enroll in programs there. I know finger painting and playdough can get messy, but that is what being a kid is about…exploring their world.
Special traditions, would probably be things like going on hikes, camping, canoeing, swimming, going to the library for puppet shows. The other thing one can do is to see if there is a “Mom’s Group” in your area, that will have a program also for your children.
I started a mom’s group in my area, but then I moved out into the middle of no where and it sort of stopped. But when it was running, it was great..I had a program for the kids in the nursery and the mom’s had a chat time/food included and also a craft or outting.
Anyways, just a few ideas, hope that they were helpful
GREAT BLOG CANDY! let me start off saying! As of right now I only have one toddler, but she loves her bubbles, and when the weather is warmer we go for a walk every night after dinner, something she looks forward to.
WOWZER! You sure are generous w/blog candy! I found your blog through Nancy’s Creative Mess. You have a beautiful family. I’m not a Mom but an Aunt. The best gift I’ve given to keep children happy is Baby Praise. They can watch this CD for hours!
I have two toddlers (3yrs and 1yr)and things can get challenging at times. Sometimes I feel like I’m nagging at my 3yr old son all day. When I notice I’m doing this I try to think about what he’s doing before I react: is he hurting anything? does he need an outlet to release some energy? is he bored? then I try to change my actions accordingly. Sometimes I realize I’m nagging him simply because he’s “bugging me” in which case I might have to change my own attitude. And sometimes I need to stop what I’m doing and read a story or take the kids out to the park or in the yard. It’s hard sometimes with the 1yr old napping schedule to get out, but I notice it really helps my kids to schedule a time to get out of the house each day. When she’s napping, it’s a great time for one-on-one with my 3yr old.
Another thing that provides me with balance is I’ve taken up running. It’s an hour of peace in the fresh air of the great outdoors. It can be hard to plan it at times, but when the weather is good, my husband is very easy going about letting me disappear for that short time. I haven’t been able to go much lately, and I really notice a decline in my mood and physical endurance with the kids.
Have fun with yours. I’m told “they grow up so fast”!!
My sis Melanie told me about your blog, I’m glad that I checked it out! I have a daughter almost 2 1/2 and a son 9 months. Every time that I put one of them for a nap I clean up their toys, that way at the end of the day I don’t have a BIG mess to clean up, which gives me time in the evening for ME 😉
I had two boys thhat loved to be outside all the time. I went out to play with them. My husband said let the housework go. It will still be there after the boys are grown. That’s what I did and I have never regretted it. They still talk about their mom who took time to play with them.
It’s so important for young moms to get together with other young moms. When I had toddlers I was a part of a mom’s group and it was really great to be able to talk to other moms whose children were in the same stages as mine. It’s so encouraging to know you are not alone.
Great blog candy! I will post if on my blog for ya.
Cindy
Cindy sent me over from her blog AND oh my! I am drooling at all the GREAT blog candy! whoever wins will hit the motherload!!! and I oh so hope it is me! lol
Tina
Wow love your blog candy!I am a mother of three children ages 8,6,&4.Our life is very busy.One of our favorite activities as a family it to have sleep overs.My kids put up a small tent in there room and they all sleep in it.I have even been invited a few time to sleep over as well.(with my kids)One must have for our kids is playdo they will spend hours playing with it.My best advice is to enjoy your time with your kids now.Some days Im sure you want to pull out all your hair I know I did,but before you know it they are in school and you are no longer the center of there world.
You’re such a talented stamper. I’m a SCS member and enjoy your SCS Gallery very much!
I have a two and a four year old. Two of our favorite things to do around the house is to play hide and seek and color with colored pencils -anything that I stamp for them. So simple, but they laugh and love every minute!
This is the first time I stopped by your blog but it won’t be the last! Your blog candy is creative and fun! Good luck to me!
Oops! I got so excited about the blog candy I forgot to comment on the kiddies…
Favorite things…hmmmm…when the girls were little (I have 3) we would play hide-and-go-seek on teams. Just as it was getting dark, we would give each team (only two – that way hubby and I could manage the kiddies)a flashlight. The whole house was available to hide in. It was a blast! The little ones were supervised by one of us and the older ones got to be creative with their hiding. It was so much fun. They are 20, 18, and 15 now and still remember those games of hide-and-seek.
One thing that helped me stay sane in my stay-at-home years was to pick my battles. Does it really matter if my little one wears pjs all day? Does it matter if I don’t do the dishes after lunch but rather play restaurant with them? Pick your battles. Choose what is important to you and stick with it. In our house being kind was the key…other than that, it was a “we’ll see” kind of place. KWIM? Good luck and enjoy it. It will be over before you know it.
What a wonderful give-away you have!! I love your site and I will add it to my Google Reader!! As for suggestions…just hang in there and know your’e being the best parent you can be. Persistence pays off…I had a child that was 4 1/2 when I had twins and she was such a huge help and still is. We spent a huge amount of time reading books, going to the library and now my oldest is a Junior in high school, the twins are in 6th grade…they LOVE to read and my oldest is now tutoring a Freshman with her English. So, all that time definitely paid off! Good luck wiht your new blog!!
Hugs!
Yummy blog candy!! I just found your blog and it ROCKS!! Well I find that I have become a night time stamper..hehehe. Once my little bugger is asleep for the night I go and ink up some rubbah!! Its quiet and I put some music and stamp away. For sharing tips I need help myself! My two year old is not to keen on sharing so I am going to read the comments people left for tips…hehehe I do like to read to him and take him to the park. He loves it and he burns tons of energy.
Wow, this is awesome!
I raised 4 boys, and it’s not always easy! Try giving choices, let one choose first one time, and the other the next time…or set a timer on how long they have until the other gets to swap toys with them (if they are fighting over a particular toy)…
I’m sure you are doing a great job!!!
For St. Patty’s day a new tradition we started was dying the bath water green…the kids loved it! You can buy the paint and tint at Toys R Us! Fun fun…thanks! Lisa K
Renee sent me here from her blog and I am thrilled to see this post. I have a 4 1/2 yr old and a 13 month old — and thankfully a DH who supports what I do. I usually work late at night, and sometimes when my older child is at preschool I find a playdate for her after and invite a few friends over for a stamping morning… the baby is playing better now, so I get some work done, too. By inviting others over it ensures that it will be a stamping time… and in an “emergency” they can distract the baby while I finish the step I am on!
Also — I do a ton of designing in my head while doing kid and house chores. Multitasking mama gets cards done FAST because I have so much done already in my head!