Been a while since an update, because sickness. First hubby then LO then me, all within the course of a week and a half. It pretty much sucked.
But now we're all better. At least for now. And I can once again appreciate the amusing things in life. For example, hubby bought new diapers, and here is the conversation that ensued.
Me: Oh, these have Pooh on them.
Him: WHAT??
Me: *realizing what I just said* Sorry! WINNIE the Pooh!
Him: Ok, good. I thought these were used diapers for a second.
Haha, oops.
Monday, December 26, 2016
Monday, December 12, 2016
Raising smart kids
Late again, of course, but it's because I was sick yesterday. I probably caught whatever ick my husband had last week. Anyway...
I was talking to a coworker who has two elementary-school-aged boys earlier this week. Evidently his eldest is smart but lazy (gee that sounds familiar -- this doesn't describe me as a kid, but it does describe my husband, brother, and most smart boys I knew). He had homework over Thanksgiving break, and every time his parents asked him about it, he said he'd do it the Sunday night before it was due. Lo and behold, when his father checked his grades, he had received a 69. Confronted about it, the kid said he didn't understand some of the questions. His dad asked him why he didn't ask for help, and the son's response was that he didn't think about it (probably because he didn't have the time).
So the son was punished. But the father made it clear that he was not being punished for receiving a D, but because he had not prepared. This is where things get tricky -- if you try your best and still get a D, well, ok. Maybe theoretical physics (or in my case, geometry) isn't your thing. You shouldn't be punished for trying your best, especially since in the long run, grades don't matter all that much. But I really like the fact that this father is trying to instill in his son the value of hard work and planning ahead, especially when he's young enough that schoolwork is really just for practice at this point. (The father, by the way, has a PhD in civil engineering. So he knows what hard work means.) This is a father to learn from.
I was talking to a coworker who has two elementary-school-aged boys earlier this week. Evidently his eldest is smart but lazy (gee that sounds familiar -- this doesn't describe me as a kid, but it does describe my husband, brother, and most smart boys I knew). He had homework over Thanksgiving break, and every time his parents asked him about it, he said he'd do it the Sunday night before it was due. Lo and behold, when his father checked his grades, he had received a 69. Confronted about it, the kid said he didn't understand some of the questions. His dad asked him why he didn't ask for help, and the son's response was that he didn't think about it (probably because he didn't have the time).
So the son was punished. But the father made it clear that he was not being punished for receiving a D, but because he had not prepared. This is where things get tricky -- if you try your best and still get a D, well, ok. Maybe theoretical physics (or in my case, geometry) isn't your thing. You shouldn't be punished for trying your best, especially since in the long run, grades don't matter all that much. But I really like the fact that this father is trying to instill in his son the value of hard work and planning ahead, especially when he's young enough that schoolwork is really just for practice at this point. (The father, by the way, has a PhD in civil engineering. So he knows what hard work means.) This is a father to learn from.
Monday, December 5, 2016
Hail single parents!
Yesterday hubby was sick so I played single parent. It was EXHAUSTING. I've said it before, but I really admire single parents. It's not twice as hard, it's ten times as hard when you are in it all by yourself.
A month ago, I don't think it would have been so bad, as LO could be left in one place and I could do other things with him in my periphery, but now that he's moving a lot, I basically can get nothing done when he's awake. During nap time, I did dishes and laundry. But preparing food for the week? Vacuuming? Having half an hour to myself to update this blog? Nope, nope, and big fat nope.
I was in bed by 8pm. I definitely could not do this every day. So hail single parents.
A month ago, I don't think it would have been so bad, as LO could be left in one place and I could do other things with him in my periphery, but now that he's moving a lot, I basically can get nothing done when he's awake. During nap time, I did dishes and laundry. But preparing food for the week? Vacuuming? Having half an hour to myself to update this blog? Nope, nope, and big fat nope.
I was in bed by 8pm. I definitely could not do this every day. So hail single parents.
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