In today’s episode I take a look back at the experience of becoming a first time parent. Because I like to plan for things I thought I was completely ready even though our process went fast. I talk about how we felt as we experienced being parents for the first time and the things that we did to overcome being overwhelmed. Parenting is a journey.
All posts by mrscovert
Arizona Adoption | Episode 7 |
In today’s episode I talk about the process of adoption in the state of Arizona from severance until adoption. I cannot comment about private adoptions, kinship adoptions because I am not an expert in the field, just a parent who experienced the process of the system. From severance adoption can take as little as two months, but in our case it took over six months. I talk about some of the things that prolonged our journey and what we did do during that time. Thank for watching. Please ask questions in the comments section if there is anything you have questions about. Also, if you know of other people of families who might benefit from a video like this please share it with them to help them on their own journey.
Learning Language in Toddler Time
Language development is one of the most intriguing things I can think of. I remember as a young child sitting in history class, maybe in sixth or seventh grade listening to my teacher teach on some ancient civilization. I remember it because of the un-thought out question that I had. The statement was made that the civilization did not have a written language. Before the teacher could explain further my hand sprung up and I was called on to ask “if they did not write things down, how did they communicate?” Yes I very un-thought out question. Being able to communicate is the the same thing as being able to write.
Read more here: http://www.oaksacorns.com/baby-puzzle/learning-language-in-toddler-time
New Vlog Post
Leaving Kiddos with Sitters for the Weekend
Going off to work is one thing, going on a date night is another, but a whole weekend… Friday night, Saturday night, how many of you parents are cringing as you think of the idea. You know all of your family routines. You know the cries and the times of day that they just need to snuggle. You know what a day, weekend looks like with your family. And you know how much effort you put into keeping it all together. Maybe you have a grandparents that want to help and are looking forward to “a lengthy time” with the kiddos. Maybe you have a sibling who loves to help out and has a super awesome idea for a whole weekend trip or maybe you have awesome friends who step in and do you a huge favor. Whatever the case is you know that the responsible adults who are helping are giving a whole lot of energy.
How do you get ready? What do you need to do?
Read more here … http://www.oaksacorns.com/baby-puzzle/getting-ready-to-leave-your-kiddos-for-the-weekend 
Planning a Toddler’s Birthday Party- Watch to the End to Hear an Honest Confession – Episode 5
http://www.oaksacorns.com/baby-puzzle/planning-a-toddlers-birthday-party
Today we take a look at party planning for a toddler. The child party making scene is an interesting one to me. Theme of the Party. Children’s games. Party favors. Invitations. Family. Friends. All of these things are included and will detailed the planning process. Thank for watching.
Surviving Toypocalypse
Here is our newest entry on our website http://www.oaksacorns.com
Clean up time tips for the whole family
http://www.oaksacorns.com/baby-puzzle/clean-up-time-madness-surviving-the-toypocalypse
Episode 4
http://www.oaksacorns.com/baby-puzzle/episode-4
The link above is an attachment to my new vlog entry. Lots of good stuff on stereotypes as they relate to parenting.
6 Steps to Make Mother’s Day Special – Episode 3
In this episode I give tips for parents looking to help your children make Mother’s Day special for their mom. These are simple things that you, as a parent, and your children can do together to make mom feel she is special, feel that she is loved, feel that she is important. You can try all of the tips or just pick and choose the ones you think will help your children in making this family event special. Thanks for watching. Please ask questions in the comments section. Also, if you know of other dads who might benefit from a video like this please share this video with them to help them in making their children’s Mother’s Day special.
Terrible Two’s Times Two
As I said in my last post, I am going to commit to writing at least once a week. I may write a blog entry every day in a week, but I will be posting at least once on Thursdays. I plan to keep in the theme of our baby puzzle, talking about our journey as parents. When we started, the story was about trying to become parents, for much of the last 2 and half years it has been about the system we are a part of, but with our impending conclusion of working in the system and with some of the changes in federal legislation I feel more confident talking and sharing on the day to day happenings.
Today I am going to be talking about the terrible twos…
I have heard some say it is a myth. Others say wait until age three. And still others say it is a real thing. No matter which camp you are in, you have to admit that at around the age of two it seems like there is a switch in personality. Both Grace and Natalie will be two by the end of July. In the last three months or so (and very heavily in the last month) I have seen their focus change.
Their new favorite words are, “no” and “mine”. Since the start of January we have been focused on teaching and practicing manners. Teaching the word “please”, like “please help me” instead of grunting or pointing. Also, teaching the words “thank you”. Most of the time those words are solicited, but each of the children have begun offering them without being asked some of the time.
Hitting, Grace especially, has begun hitting any time she is mad. Most of the time she does not hit anyone, rather she swings at the air to show her frustration. We redirect and after a time ask all of the children for a “sorry”. Grace has a hard time with a sorry, but will give hugs to show forgiveness. Brandon will do both hugging and saying sorry. Natalie hits most of the time for attention. Testing momma to see if she can or cannot behave in that way. Both expressions are trying to learn something and how we reinforce the behavior is what they will learn from us.
Sharing, “mine” rings out lots of time during play. Natalie will try to get both Grace and Brandon’s “goat” by taking an unattended toy and run the front room with it. Many things are “mine” objects for the girls. It is a special moment when we get to see two or three of the kiddos sharing a single toy to play with. Having the chance to learn that not everything is “mine” and that most everything is “ours” to share is invaluable.
The hardest thing for me has not been that the changes have happened, but that they kinda hit all of a sudden. Cheryl and I have actually been with six of the seven children in our care during their “twos” (or almost twos) stage of life. In Ariana’s case, we did not see an escalation of behaviors and we did not contribute our struggles to her age, perhaps we should have. In Emmett and Elias situation, the boys did a pretty good job of getting along, sharing, and did not use the “mines” and “nos” anywhere to what we have today. I think the differences really do speak volumes to the myth v reality argument. Cheryl and I have not changed how we parent, but we see a difference in the children.
The bottom line for us is Grace and Natalie are testing their boundaries. Learning what is ok and what is not. Learning how to get attention and learning manners. They will go through many stages in life together because of how close they are in age. Even though they are not twins they will have many experiences like twins may have.
Well, I will sign off here. Thanks for reading and have a great week. If you have a chance, take a look at our video blogs. I will do my best to keep the content different and still engaging. Thanks for all of your support.
The Baby Puzzle 