Sunday, January 31, 2010

Answers (Part II)!

1) How do you discipline your son? 2) Do you like random bloggers like me stopping by your site and reading/leaving comments or does it freak you out? 3) How many babies do you want? 4) What's some of your favorite music/food/drink/movie type stuff?

1) With consistency. :) Since this is a public blog and people have differing opinions on specific forms of punishment, I won't go there, but I will explain the discipline process. I make sure we make eye contact before I tell him my expectations (like "Don't touch" and things like that). Only direct disobedience results in punishment. And I try to keep the Proverb that says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath" at the front of my mind. A change in tone is more efficient than a change in volume, in my opinion. Some days are better than others, but I try to stay as consistent as possible! If he does behave in such a way that warrants punishment, I remove him from the situation after administering the punishment. That way we're away from the temptation. (For example, if he's touching the DVD player, which is off limits, and he looks me straight in the eye and touches it, he gets his punishment and then I immediately pick him up and move him to his nursery or another room and set him down there. That way he won't be immediately tempted to touch the DVD player again!)

2) I don't mind random bloggers stopping by! I'd keep it private if I minded. I've had some followers that looked a bit sketchy so I removed them, but I realize I can't keep everyone at bay. I never use my husband's name or my last name, like I did in my old blog. I learned. :)

3) One at a time! Is that a fair answer? :) Either two or four. Not three. Don't ask me why. I guess I like even numbers!! And now that I've written that, I'll probably end up with three! I grew up with an older brother, so there were two kids and two parents and it worked out perfectly. And now that I will have the same scenario in my own family (son, then daughter), it is going to be hard for me to imagine anything differently. I loved that on trips my Dad and brother could pair up and my Mom and I could pair up. It kept things easy, I think. But, like I said, that's all I know ... so we'll see!

4) Favorite Music: Anything acoustic. I grew up with my Dad playing the acoustic guitar or piano in the living room after we went to bed, so I find that music comforting. And, I'll confess, I love country music. I started listening to it after my family moved from California to Arkansas, and what can I say ... it helped me get in touch with my new home! And I haven't turned back!

Favorite Food: Seafood. But only if it's fresh (Red Lobster is fine, but fresh lobster is the BEST!). You can't beat fish tacos fresh on the beach, either. Half of my family lives on the West coast and the other half live in New England, so I think I was destined to love seafood! I also like Italian. My husband wanted me to mention that. Thank you, husband. Oh and I forgot my MIL's chicken 'n dumplings! The ultimate comfort food.

And no, I'm not sucking up. ;)

Favorite Drink: Let's see. Favorite pop/soda is Pepsi and I love sweet tea only if it is prepared with real sugar. Otherwise, I prefer unsweet (I'm not a huge fan of artificial sweeteners). Oh, and a friend recently introduced me to the White Hot Chocolate at Starbucks and I'm loving that!

Favorite Movie: Tombstone and The Godfather Trilogy. I'll take a romantic comedy if the moment's right, but I'd rather watch something that's telling of a moment or era in history. I'm kind of a nerd when it comes to history. But, okay, I also love Overboard. See, I AM a girl. :)

1) How much time would you say you spend outside the house with Cub during the week? Do you have to get out every so often to feel sane? 2) What are a few essential things you'd tell someone who is about to have their first baby? What do you wish you had known or remembered at the time?

1) Like I mentioned yesterday, every SAHM's personality is different. Some are content to stay home all the time, and others get a bit restless. As for me, I see my time at home as a gift, so I do what I can to volunteer and stay involved in Bible Studies and play groups. My time with Cub is my first priority and everything I'm involved in takes a back seat to that. But, he benefits from our time away by spending time with his friends in the nursery or at play group. I try to get out of the house every day. Whether it's a walk or running errands, it feels good to get fresh air and hit the road. Of course, this is while I have one baby--two might be a different story! I keep a daily chore list for myself so I feel that my days have order. I think that was the hardest part about staying home--getting in a groove (especially now that Cub is no longer on a feeding routine). I write down my to-do list for the day and it helps keep me focused!

2) This is a tough one, since each new mom's experience is different! I remember writing a post on my old blog about my postpartum anxiety and immediately reading a few blogs who wrote that their first few months with their babies were a breeze. Some even commented on mine. It made me feel badly, like I had done something wrong, but I realized that it really is just different for everyone! I can't control my hormones any more postpartum as I can now in the midst of pregnancy (pass the ice cream and tomato juice, please). But, hopefully these tips will apply for you!

a) Do not be afraid to ask for help. Enlist your friends, your family, or veteran moms out there whom you respect and keep their phone numbers handy (also keep your pediatrician's number on hand, just in case. They love questions, too). If you were in a new position at a new job, you would receive training first. Having a new baby is no different (okay, it's way better, but you get the point). You aren't expected to know everything at first, so don't pressure yourself. Your maternal instinct will surprise you at times, but don't worry if you have questions! There is no such thing as a stupid question when you have a baby.

b) Give yourself a few weeks to adjust. What I mean is, don't feel pressure to get out of the house immediately, unless you want to. You don't have to jump back into your normal life as soon as you've birthed the baby--give yourself time to start getting used to having a newborn. Then, after a few weeks, make it a point to get out of the house, even if it's just for a walk. It is good to be reminded after a while that the world is still going on outside your house! You might be ready to hop in the car and go somewhere when the baby is a few days old, and that's great! But, if you want to stay in the sanctuary of your home, that's perfectly acceptable, too. You need to do what it takes to take care of yourself.

c) I asked my husband for his two cents regarding your question, and he said that he would tell you that there is no book, plan, or formula that is foolproof when it comes to parenting. You don't have to be perfect. And, I agree with him. I'm all about reading and I loved some wisdom that I gleaned from a few books, but ultimately, every baby is different and you will figure out what works best for your little one. Also, remember, IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER. Seriously, it does. From the first time they make eye contact with you, it just keeps getting more enjoyable and incredible. Even now that Cub is in the intimidating toddler years, I'm loving this stage.

No one told me how much I would grow with my child. But, I did. And you will.

3 comments:

  1. nice answers! (good questions, too).

    i have a question if you ever answer more--have you ever thought about putting ads on your blog? what factors influenced your final decision?

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  2. Katie, thank you so much for your answers and thoughts! I will read the previous questions better next time I do something like this, as my first question was kind of repetitive. You and your blog are a fantastic encouragement!

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  3. Wise words, Katie! Keep up the good work!

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