Valentine's Day 2015

Let's face it St. Valentine's day is really just for the young and newly in love.  Really if you've been in a committed relationship, you don't really go out and celebrate, especially if you have young kids.  My husband and I went out the Thursday before because we don't want to be bothered with all the hussel and bussel.

He did go out of his way yesterday, to make me feel special.  He made bacon and eggs, bought me some roses and made an awesome supper.  The kids were being kids of course and fighting over everything they could fight over.  So much for being kind to one another.

I think Valentine's day is for people in love.  The kids don't need cards, or presents or chocolate.  They actually had a nice celebration at school.  My school does something really neat.  All the kids make 2 cards during class time.  One card goes to someone in the school, they draw names and one card goes to someone in their class.  This way everyone gets two cards.  I think it's a really neat idea and wish more parents would get it.  They still send a bunch of stuff and cards to hand out to the kids.  While it's a nice gesture, it can make the other kids feel bad for not bringing stuff.  For a few years my kids were asking "Mommy why don't we bring stuff"  The school does ask the parents not to bring extra stuff.

For the past 2 weeks I have been doing Payton's hair in hearts.  It's fun and really only takes a few minutes to do.  I think the longest was 10 minutes and that's because her hair is so fine and thin the braid wasn't staying put.  So it took me a few times to get it just right.

I used a lot of different hair tutorials on youtube.  My favourite one is Cute Girls Hairstyles
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2LgZ_4GzSFQS-3a87_Jc6w

Another great one is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG8JH5HlRSKEyNgliXqY-Qg

and this one is in Spanish but they have English subtitles https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYqZHGX8pCmIlSupBiyEXeQ 

And this one is great too.  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs6uJVO1UA6GqdWxe7gxQvA

All have great tutorials and super easy to follow.  There are harder ones and easier ones.

Here are the ones I did in Payton's hair this week.

 The hairstyles were fun to do.  Enjoy and Happy St. Valentine's Day!!

My Advice For New Moms

I'm always reading on Facebook about people ie mothers asking questions about their kids.  Most with a photo, does this look right? what do you think this is?  I've never asked that question, but have tried googling systems to see what it "could" be.  We all have those worries as new moms, even veteran moms.  It's hard when it's your children and you are unsure what to do.  I know I for one do not want to spend hours in an ER just for them to tell you it's nothing and they send you home.

Now you may be wondering why I started this blog post with that.  Here how it all ties together.  It takes a village to raise children.  Some where along the lines we have forgotten that.  I for one never had that opportunity as I did not/don't live near family.  I didn't have someone to lean on when new mom worry would take over and I would freak out and run to the ER/doctor or walk-in.  None of my friends had kids at the same time I did. So I couldn't ask them. 

Some advice I have for new moms.  When your kid is sick treat the kid not the symptoms.  If they have a fever and they are doing o.k, if they are still running around being silly and doing normal kids stuff.  They are more then likely fine.  If a rash appears on their body after they had a fever chances are it's the fever leaving the body.  Now don't get my wrong if your mother instincts will tell you something is wrong, than something is wrong. Don't hesitate to take them to see a doctor or nurse.

Now on to some fun advice for new moms.

Don't be afraid to get your kids face wet.  Babies spent 9ish months inside a water bubble they are not afraid of water.    If you don't want to be that mom standing on the side of the pool because your kid is freaking out, get their face wet as infants.

Let the dad parent his children.  Don't be afraid that you are asking to much of him after he gets home from work.  He needs to learn how to as well as you do.

Sometimes you just need to be more stubborn then your children.  Let's face it kids hold the trophy for the top most stubborn people in the world.  If you really want to change something examples taking away soother, getting them to eat or changing any habits you don't like.  Just be more stubborn than they are.  Don't give in but also be reasonable.

Don't be afraid to set your kids down.  You don't need to hold them all the time.  Sometimes they need to explore on their own.

You don't have to get involved in every fight your kids have.  Sometimes they just need to work it out themselves.  Mind you if someone is getting really hurt step-in.

The hardest thing I had to learn as a first time mom.  Learn to know your kids sleep signals.  It took me a long time and alot of reading to learn this one.  Kids need lots of sleep, they sleep alot.  Sleeping is what makes them grow, helps them learn and form memories.

Do what works for you.  This was another hard one to learn.  I spent so much time, thinking I "had" to be the perfect mother.  Perfect mothers do this, that and the other thing.  I mean I saw all these moms on tv, they could have crafts ready in a moments notice, they could bake 12 dozen cupcakes and make them look so yummy.  I say do what works for you and don't worry about being the "perfect" mom.  You kids are going to think your perfect no matter what.

Let kids do things for themselves.  Kids need to learn to be independent.  Your goal as parents is to have a child/children that can function in the world without you.  Hard as it might be, but other people are not going to coddle your children.  They do need to be able to think and do things on their own.  Yes it's going to take awhile, but trust me it's going to be worth it.

Now I'm not a parenting expert far from it.  But I am a mother to 4 kids and these are some of the things I've learned over the years.  Like I said I'm far from perfect, but it takes a village.  If some of these can help you when you are sleep deprived that's great.  Good luck!