Many Thanks

Thank you for all your input and help with my parenting class. I loved what you all had to say- and it helped me out. We have such a great resource in the internet and blogs. Aren't we blessed?

And the class went well. I learned that I am doing a better job at being a mom than I thought, because as I studied and pondered and poured over various parenting messages, I received a sweet assurance that my offerings are being accepted by a loving Father. And that I am not ruining my children after all.

In my estimation, the children are what help me stay on the straight and narrow- holding fast to the rod. If not for them (and the husband), I wonder if my prayers would be as fervent, my efforts as diligent, or my focus as pure. The challenge of raising productive pint-sized people is the greatest motivator.

I'm still interested in what works for you as a parent. If you're willing to share.

I Could Really Use Your Help

I am teaching a class on parenting tomorrow night for my ward enrichment meeting and just thought of what a valuable resource I have in my blog- right at my fingertips. I wish I had thought of this sooner!

Would you please give me input?

What are some of your thoughts on the importance of parenting?

What are some of your best strategies? Tips? Scriptures?

What are some of the best words you have heard from church leaders or anyone for that matter, on parenting?

What are some things you would like to know about parenting?

What do you find difficult about parenting?

If you are a single parent, please give me some input. Where could you use support from others? How does your parenting as a single parent differ from that of a traditional household?

If your children are grown, how do you continue to parent your grown children? How do you Grandparent?

What do you love about being a parent?

What scares you about being a parent?

What ways have you found to deal with and discipline children and their differing personalities?

Any other thoughts? Suggestions?

Please, help me out. I know you all have something to offer that could enhance the information I have gathered! And just think, the more of us who share, the better! We can all benefit from each others comments.

Speaking Volumes

Saturday was a true marathon day. We got up early and didn't stop until late. Nonetheless, it was a rewarding and satisfying day.

We awoke early to travel across town to help my brother and sister-in-law finish up the landscaping in their backyard. I loved it.

At one point little son and I were laying out rolls of sod and he disappeared. I looked over my shoulder to find where my little helper had scampered off to and spotted him alongside the husband. His sod was more inviting than the one I was working on, and the husband had acquired a helper.

The yard turned out beautifully and I am always amazed, but not surprised, by the abilities of my siblings and their spouses. These are some of the most talented people I know. Every. Single. One. No joke.

We travelled back across town to attend a birthday party of a friend. It was very enjoyable. The children were in heaven because there was a bounce house, pizza, cupcakes, lots of kids to play with, a pinata and candy. And it was a wonderful party.

As we buckled seat belts, the husband informed me that he had received a text from my youngest sister. She was wondering where I was. I checked my phone and sure enough, I had a message waiting. I immediately called her back, and her first question was, "Have you checked the comments on your blog from today's post?"

I had not, as we had been occupied all the day long. She then read to me the comment of a reader who was offended by my post for the day. It seems I had included with my post a picture that she felt was offensive in nature and went against the Constitution. And, she declared that she would no longer follow my blog.

I was stunned.

In no way had I meant to offend anyone. And in no way was I stating contempt for this country and its Constitution. In fact, the picture I had posted is one that I did a Google Image search for 'mexican american flags' at 1:00 a.m.- Saturday morning. It was the first image I came across with both the Mexican and American flags, loaded the photo onto my post, linked the photo to where I found it (the first time I have done this, by the way) hit the 'publish post' button and went to bed.

I didn't stop to scrutinize the picture, nor the article from where I got the image. I should have. It turns out the pic had the American flag flying upside down on a flagpole beneath the Mexican flag. I guess that sends a bad message. And I guess I am a little naive. Cause I didn't catch that.

Anyway, after discussing it with my little sis, we concluded that if this person who was so offended was a regular reader, she would know that I am not the kind of person who would do what she insists I did. I feel bad, but I also know that not everyone will always agree with what I write. This is a personal blog- it will contain personal opinion. I welcome comments with opinions which differ from mine. It helps me to see another side of an issue. I respect differing opinions. Afterall, it is our right- under the Constitution.

I am still scratching my head over this one, however. There was really not a controversial opinion expressed in the post.

I gave my sister my login information and she removed the picture for me since we were still a long way from home. I hope she forgot my login info. Because she could really play a great April Fool's joke if she still has it.

Once we arrived home the husband did a little research, posted a little {brilliant} comment of his own, and we loaded a new pic. Which I like better anyway and wish I had found early Saturday morning when I did my original search.

Moving on. We returned home, cleaned out the car, ate a hearty dinner of cold cereal (it was too late to cook- and since it was a marathon day, we opted for the breakfast of champions), took baths, and tucked children into their beds. And floors. It was the weekend after all, and middle daughter's favorite privilege is to camp out on the floor on Friday and Saturday nights.

A favorite tradition is to ask our children at the end of the day, "What was your favorite thing about today?"

As I posed this question to little son, his response spoke volumes to me. He said simply and without hesitation, "Rolling out the grass with Dad." (in his puckered-up voice, of course.)

Out of all the wonderful activities of the day. Playing with the cousins. The grand party. Cold cereal for dinner, for heaven's sake. His favorite moment was one spent near the side of his greatest hero.

And then I colored my hair. A couple shades too dark. Because I was tired of my sexy gray roots. Which I was going to take a picture of in honor of Wonder Woman and this post. But didn't. Because I don't have glasses to go along with the roots.

It was a gold medal marathon day.

Beam Me Up, Scotty

Not long ago I was faced with a parenting dilemma. Since much of what I know about parenting comes from being raised by the master parents- my very own mom and dad, I often draw on their techniques when faced with the challenges of rearing three small children.

I recall my mom sharing with me a particular experience involving my two older sisters that I have often reflected upon- usually with a smile.

This is the experience (to the best of my recollection) of my mother: she had just completed reading a book on proper discipline by the oh-so-famous Dr. Spock (no, not the one of Star Trek fame--- live long and prosper) (btw, when the husband and I lived in married student housing at BYU we had some neighbors who were Trekkies in a MAJOR way! They even studied the Klingon language. Weird. One time they invited us over for dinner and they kept talking back and forth to each other in Klingon. Then they would giggle. Really weird. Just for fun, you should Google "Klingon" and see what pops up. Again, weird. Note to self: dedicate an entire post, or series of posts, to the colorful peeps we met while at Wymount.) Anyway, among other principles of raising children, this Dr. Spock taught the principle of teaching children the value of respecting another's property.

My mom relates that my grandfather (her father) came one day to repair the screen door that had a gaping hole in it. Not an hour after the repair my mom passed by the screen only to find that a brand new gash had been made in the screen. She was upset beyond description and called her two darling girls in to witness the spectacle. Upon interrogation, she determined that oldest sister was the offending party and asked her (in true Dr. Spock disciplinary style) to please bring her favorite toy to my mom.

Oldest sister did as instructed. She ran to her bedroom, gathered up her favorite Raggedy Ann doll and returned to my mom where she presented her with the beloved toy. Obeying the guidelines set forth in the Dr. Spock Bible, my mom fetched a pair of scissors and snipped the arms and legs off poor little defenseless Raggedy Ann, thus illustrating the point of how it might feel when someone damages something we hold dear and therefore we should appreciate and treat with respect another's property.

Immediately, after the toy oldest sister had presented was amputated, the younger sister began to cry. When my mom questioned her as to what the problem was- after all it was oldest sister's toy that was snipped- she promptly explained that oldest sister had retrieved her toy and that it was not a doll belonging to oldest sister, but it was in fact younger sister's doll.

Not long after, my grandfather entered the house and, finding that two of his granddaughters were in distress, questioned my mother what might be the problem. She explained about the screen, the doll, Dr. Spock, the scissors, and the mistake. My grandfather then sheepishly admitted to putting the new hole in the screen as he was folding up his ladder to be stored in the garage.

Now, on to my own parenting dilemma. I happened upon a broken ring lying on the floor of my family room. This was not an expensive ring, but one that held small significance in relation to the husband and myself. I questioned my daughters and found out that oldest daughter was the offender. Calling upon the wisdom of my mother and attempting to teach oldest daughter the importance of respect for another's property, I asked her to hand me the necklace that she was wearing- a string of tiny faux pearls. She obediently removed the pearls from around her neck and handed them to me. I promptly snapped the string they were on, sending a cascade of pearls onto the carpet. She sat in stunned silence as she watched me perform this attempt at teaching a small lesson.

I then explained why I did what I did. Still she looked confused. I told her to please pick up her pearls and to have a little more respect for someone else's belongings in the future. She replied, "Mom, those are not my pearls, they are sister's." What? Was I hearing her correctly? Hadn't I studied and scrutinized and been taught the Dr. Spock model by my loving mother? Hadn't I vowed to not make the same mistake in its execution that she had made? Had I heard something before about history repeating itself? It did this day at my house.

The pearls sit in a Ziploc bag on a shelf, waiting to be restrung. I don't know if I will use this Dr. Spock technique again, but I certainly will pass on the story to my children and let them perpetuate the legacy. I look forward to the day when I receive the phone call that begins, "Mom, you will never believe what happened today..."