Author: kswemba

Small fish, Big deal

kswemba

Sometimes I feel really foolish when I think about how worked up I can get with my day’s schedule of school drops offs/pickups, errands, and activities. I sadly laugh at myself because when I tell my day to a working parent they must look at me like it’s not a big deal. They’re juggling a profession and a family, and I can only imagine the stress they must feel.

But it’s still my day, and I’m in charge of it, trying my best for me and my family. Even though they may be little things, they are a big deal to me. I feel with every inch of myself. I am a mother who wears her heart and emotions on her sleeve, which, is not always the best place for them by the way. When bumps occur in my day, which they always do, they jolt me a little harder than they should, nicking away at my strength, patience, and level of calmness. So by bath time, I’m pretty spent.

I need to learn the art of being a marathoner….not in the actual sense, goodness no, in the figurative manner. Spread the day out evenly with patience, and then have a reserve stashed for the last few miles. Wouldn’t that be something!?! Anyone else running this race of parenthood and finding you’re running out of steam?

Apprehension and the Unknown

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As parents, we try to make the best decisions for our family. We research, ask around, and follow our instincts that tell us what will work best. But, we don’t always know how it will work out. I’m in one of those positions today. My son is attending his second year of preschool, but because of our family’s schedule, he’ll be in the afternoon class. As I sit here I’m wondering if this was the best choice. Will he have the energy he needs? Will he meet new friends, since everyone else stayed in the morning classes? I know I’m worrying unnecessarily, but it’s what I do!

Life is like that. Nothing is certain or comes with directions when raising kids. Yes, there are valuable books out there, but nothing that pertains to your exact situation, or the personality of your child. We just need to trust ourselves that we’re doing our best, and the best for our children. So to all of those parents who are wondering and worrying, I’m right there with you. What are you worried about?

How to Catch the Pond Shark

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Our adventure today takes place at our neighborhood pond. See, a few days ago, my son and I were riding our bikes back from school, and happened to glance at our pond. (Which we do from time to time.) There, sticking out of the water, was a dorsal fin! “What!?” I exclaimed. I called my son over to look at this “fish” for I have never seen anything like it before. Sure enough, he saw the fin sticking out and then the fish took his tail and splashed it around, creating huge ripples. Dear friends, that is the day we laid eyes on the Pond Shark.

It was with great anticipation that we waited for the weekend to come. Could we catch it? How big would it be? These and many other questions filled our heads, waiting to be answered. Finally, the day had come and our troop trecked over to our pond.

I scanned the pond, trying to see if the Pond Shark was wading on the top anywhere. He’s a sneaky one, staying under the water for now. My husband, kids and I baited our hooks (ok, let’s be honest, I did no such thing. It’s awful! My lovely husband does all of that. I just get to cast and then watch our kids reel in their catches.) The fish were biting today! Our kids caught SO many fish! My mother-in-law even joined us and she caught her first fish ever! It was a very eventful day.

I know you’re all wondering, did we catch the Pond Shark? Sadly my friends, we did not. BUT, that just means I’ve got my eye out for him. I’ll be watching the pond on our bike rides, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Til next fishing trip.

Watching Football With Kids

kswemba
Free craft to keep them busy!

Happy Saturday everyone and welcome to FOOTBALL SEASON!!!! We are just a little excited about it over here! The weather is absolutely perfect, overcast with a cool breeze, really makes it feel like Fall. If you’re parents with young kids you may be thinking, how are we going to watch the game? I hear ya. Getting to watch anything with kids is sometimes impossible! They need attention, or food, or a new diaper, or want to play, or are getting in a fight with an older sibling. It can be rough!

I wanted to share a website with you that has these really great FREE printable playdoh mats. My kids love playdoh! I found these mats last year and the kids really got into it. You can let them add beads, leaves, flower petals and any nature the gather from outside. Let them be creative! Will this keep them occupied through the whole game…..um no. But it could allow you a little viewing time. Because let’s be real, kids cannot be occupied for 4 hours straight without parent intervention.

What you need to do is google : picklebums playdoh mats. It will bring up the page with lots of free options to print. I tried to do a direct link, but because the post is a few years old, it wouldn’t work. But you can still find it really easy, just like I did today. One tip is to laminate them, which I didn’t, but instead used a clear photo album page and slid the play doh mat inside. I hope this helps and……GO BUCKS!

Friday Faves

kswemba
Wordy Birdy Meets Mr. Cougarpants

Hi everyone and happy Friday!!!!! On this beautiful Friday I’m here to rave about Tammi Sauer’s second book revolving around the ever adorable and extremely chatty Wordy Birdy. My kids LOVE this book, as do I! In this book, Wordy Birdy and her friends are going on a camping trip. She’s got lots to say during their adventure, especially when they meet up with Mr. Cougarpants. It’s delightful and everytime I say “Mr. Cougarpants” my kids can’t help but crack up. I just love it. Ok, now go read some books and enjoy your three day weekend!

Teach Our Kids With Love and Kindness

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“Childhood is not a race to see how quickly a child can read, write and count. It is a small window of time to learn and develop at a pace that is right for each individual child” Magda Gerber

Last night I went to my son’s curriculum night for preschool. I LOVE his preschool. The teachers believe in teaching at age appropriate levels, through play, and showing the children that learning is fun. After all, we want to foster their love for knowledge and set them on a great path for learning.

If we push too hard or turn learning into a forced task, we could destroy their love for learning. Instead, it would turn into an undesirable chore that they will look at with resentment. At my son’s school, they have created a wonderful learning environment where they combine fun with learning. The lessons are gently integrated into playful activities and the kids don’t see school as something scary or hard, or that they aren’t good at. They are ENCOURAGED, supported, and even loved. What a wonderful way to start their learning journey.

Persevere

kswemba
Find the beauty, however small or hidden

Life can be so hard sometimes. It can emotionally take a toll on us.

Today I was hit with some disappointing news. I got to be honest, I can take things a little too emotionally, so I definitely cried today. BUT……I am going to make the choice to persevere. Yes, I am upset, and hurt. Did things go how I wanted them to? No. Am I going to stop trying because of a set back? No. A set back is a detour, a pause, an opportunity in disguise urging us to put in more work to succeed.

That’s what I’m going to do. In life, we can’t just quit because things didn’t work the first time. I definitely do not want to be a person who just quits when things get tough. I can almost here the theme song to Rocky right now, pumping me up, cheering me on. Yes, it’s not easy to get past a disappointing life event. But what’s the alternative? Quit, not try again? I don’t want to be that person. I will persevere.

Pressure, Pushing Down on Me

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Good morning everyone! Is it just me, or does it feel like today’s society moves faster than ever before? That’s probably because it is. There is so much that we are expected to get done in a day that sometimes, I’ll admit, I’m already tired at the day’s beginning. Thank goodness for coffee! (Or tea if you prefer.)

Whether you’re a stay at home parent, a working parent, or someone who is single, there are obligations that you have to fill. There is work to be done at the office, deadlines to meet, kids activities/sports practices that you need to get to, housework, late night studying in college or to better your existing career. Pressure is always there, but we need to make sure we aren’t putting too much of it on ourselves, or on our kids.

I sometimes forget that my kids are only 4 and 6, and then am completely shocked when they act their age. Kids acting like kids you say? I know, like I said, somehow it shocks me! I have to remind myself that their little bodies can only handle so much activity, even if it’s a really fun one that they’re enjoying, it needs to be managed. Ah, time management, and not in the usual sense. I am really trying to be an energy detective, looking for clues if my children have had enough in hopes to prevent a meltdown. No one every likes to experience the full force of a child’s frustration. And, prepare for a spoiler alert, kids don’t like it either! It doesn’t make them feel good to completely lose control, not have the energy to settle down, and then face repercussions for a situation that they don’t have the ability to navigate. We, therefore, are their navigators.

I am a work in progress regarding this issue. But being aware of this, and to look for areas that need tweaking is the first step. As for the other steps, that I’ll cover another time. I’m tired! May you all have a wonderful day, and may your coffee, or tea, see you through!

Learn to swerve

kswemba

Hi everyone! Here in the mid-west it’s raining and in the mid 60s…it feels like fall! I have to admit, I do love a rainy day. It’s an opportunity to cozy up, slow down just a bit, because let’s be honest, you can’t exactly run in the rain. (Well, I guess you COULD but would you really want to?) You can still be super productive, but there’s an ease to the day. It’s almost as if you have to have realistic expectations since you can only get so much done. Extra errands become less necessary. I’ve already rearranged my day because the thought of taking my youngest in and out of the car to various stores in the rain just seems ridiculous.

Life is like that sometimes. We have a set plan for our day or week and then something unexpected happens and we have to adjust. It is in this adjustment that we can either succeed with grace, or fail. I worked as a nurse for 16 years, and I’d go into the unit with my set plan and mindset for the day. Which is funny because the minute I entered my first patient’s room that all changed. I HAD to adjust to my patients, to their expectations, fears, disappointments, successes, or regressions. You prepare yourself as much as you can for your day, then see it shift once it starts.

This shifting occurs all the time as a parent! I’m actually laughing at myself because there have been mornings when I’ve gotten up extra early, got ready head to toe, and have lunches packed all before my kids wake up. Once their feet make it downstairs, any of my preparedness is out the window, blown away by the storm that is children. It’s not all bad, it’s just that they are people too, with THEIR own agenda and THEIR own internal schedule. They aren’t robots set to obey all commands.

So today, be kind to yourself. Life doesn’t go to our specific plan. If it does, consider yourself lucky! But if you’re like the rest of us, remember that it’s going to be okay. Let the rain come, bring your umbrella, and shift when you need to!