Adventures in Positive Parenting – The 411

As we get closer to the magical age of TWO… the dreaded TWO aka Terrible Twos, I find myself becoming anxious.

I have been working on “positive parenting” and have fallen off the wagon twice. It was then that I realized all I learned about positive parenting was indeed true. I do not want to spank or pop my child and she is a stubborn one who intentionally locks in and gives you back what you give her. Imagine that ! A stubborn child… I wonder where she gets that?

She does not like loud noise and fussing frightens her so I get down on her level, in her face, and talk to her and explain what she is doing, that it is not acceptable and I help her correct it.

It is A LOT of work to do this and you end up repeating yourself a million times ! In some things, she now tells you the rule before she is about to do something… like “just eyes, no fingers.”

As an only parent, it makes it so much harder because I am the only one with her every day all day. I have to balance being a disciplinarian with being her loving, supportive Mommy. I remind myself that I am merely here to guide this child through life and help her become her best self and not here to mold her into who I want her to be. I am here to encourage her strengths and find ways to help her cope with and move beyond any weaknesses.

My baby is headstrong and very determined to do things her way. She has a temper and a half when she can not have her way.

I am now watching for triggers to help avoid meltdowns. She normally falls out with me about my cellphone or my mom’s iPads. She would watch YouTube until all devices are dead if she could.

Now that summer is over, after our trip to the UK, we will be homeschooling using A Beka and Your Child Can Read programs. I am taking away use of technology and encouraging consistent use of books, crayons and pencils. I purchased a car seat contraption that slides over her and is a desk. I think once we get into a more structured routine, she will be more engaged in creating versus watching educational videos on YouTube.

I would love to hear from other Moms who use positive parenting in lieu of spanking.

I grew up getting spankings. It was effective and my mom is all for spankings but I do believe that I can achieve the same level of discipline without hurting, shaming, and beating a child into submission.

Prayers Please !

Eighteen Weeks & Counting ! – The 411

 

BABY STATS:

How my baby’s growing

Head to rump, the baby is about 5 1/2 inches long, and she weighs almost 7 ounces (about the size of a bell pepper). She’s busy flexing her arms and legs — movements that you’ll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. Her blood vessels are visible through her thin skin, and her ears are now in their final position, although they’re still standing out from her head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around her nerves, a process that will continue for a year after she’s born. If you’re having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you’re having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

How mom’s life’s changing

Hungry? An increase in appetite is pretty common about now. Make it count by choosing meals and snacks that are rich in nutrients instead of empty calories (chips, French fries, candy, and other sweets). Bigger, more comfortable clothes are a must now as your appetite and waistline grow.

Your cardiovascular system is undergoing dramatic changes, and during this trimester your blood pressure will probably be lower than usual. Don’t spring up too fast from a lying or sitting position or you might feel a little dizzy.

From now on, when you do lie down, it’s best to lie on your side — or at least partly tilted to one side. (When you lie flat on your back, your uterus can compress a major vein, leading to decreased blood return to your heart.) Try placing a pillow behind you or under your hip or upper leg for comfort.

If you haven’t already had a second-trimester ultrasound, you’ll probably have one soon. This painless procedure helps your practitioner check how your baby’s growing, screen for certain birth defects, check the placenta and umbilical cord, determine whether the due date you’re working with is accurate, and see how many babies you’re carrying. During the exam, you might see your baby moving around or sucking his thumb.

How Far Along?

18 weeks !   Only 21 more to go 🙂

How Big Is The Little One?

She is the size of a bell pepper !

Total Weight Gain / Loss?

My weight stayed the same this week.  I have lost a total of 20 pounds since February 1st.

Maternity Clothes?

I still have no noticeable bump so I wear my running leggings, my regular skinny jeans (which are still sliding off me) and a pair of maternity leggings I bought.  My maternity pants are too big right now.

Sleep?

I am having terrible insomnia.  I wake up and then stay up for hours.  I can not get comfortable so I move to the couch and then later go back to bed about 4 am.

Best Moment of the Week?

I ended up catching a stomach bug from my niece, who gave it to the entire house one person at a time.  I only felt bloated and was very nauseous.  My mom, sister, and my other niece got the whole virus.  I tend to stay to myself in the basement so I only walked through the upstairs family room over the weekend.  My mom sat up there with my nieces and the rest of the family so she was very , very sick for three days. I did not eat for two days because I could not hold anything down.  I was just grateful NOT to have it coming out of the other end LOL.  I will take vomiting over that any day of the week !

The best part of my week was receiving a surprise package from my sister girl in Canada for my baby girl !!!  She sent the most beautiful white blanket and these adorable booties with African animals on them.

Symptoms?

Insomnia

Food Cravings?

Watermelon

Food Aversions?

Salty and sweet foods are my aversions still.   Oh how I miss brownies and cake ! Even Chick Fil A is way too salty for me to eat now.  I cringe with one bite !

Gender?

Girl !

Labor Signs?

None !

What I Miss?

An occasional glass of Moscato

What I Am Looking Forward To?

Holding my daughter in my arms in 21 weeks.

Bump?

Nope… still a little pooch.  #waiting

Navel In/Out?

Out

Baby or Mommy Purchases?

This week, I ordered Burts Bees organic cotton burp clothes and a designer birthing gown with matching bright colored pillow case.