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Archive through January 27, 2006

The TVClubHouse: General Discussions ARCHIVES: 2005 Dec. ~ 2006 Feb.: Parenting Place: Tips and Advice for Not So New Parents (ARCHIVES): Archive through January 27, 2006 users admin

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Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Thursday, January 05, 2006 - 12:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Skootz a private message Print Post    
We have an answering machine so if we are not in the house and not near the phone, the kids will listen to the machine first before picking it up. They also know how to reach us on our cells.

When I was in college and broke, I would call home, let it ring 2 times then hang up. My parents would know it was me and called me back so I didn't have to pay the long distance charges. that could be a code by you to have them answer the phone. Have it ring 2 times, hang up and then you call back and then they can pick up the phone.

I have had to run to the barn for 5 minutes or so (we are in the country) I have locked the doors, and tell them not to answer the phone. They are really good about this as they would rather sit in the house for 5 minutes then have to get bundled up, go out in the cold into the van and sit in the van for 5 minutes and then have to come home can clean up jackets etc. again. This makes them feel responsible being by themselves for a few minutes.

What if you worked outside for a bit and have them be inside the house and "in charge" of themselves. This will give them confidence and then they will learn how to be by themselves.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Sunday, January 08, 2006 - 11:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
I need to get an emergency (and a general) phone # list printed out. We have everyones phone #'s programmed into the phones, but I'm not sure the kids would know what number to push to get who they want to call.

We use the answering machine a lot. Kids know to listen to the message and who they can pick up for.

LOL, neighbor lady and I will sometimes meet outside (like if one of us is sweeping the porch and the others checking mail) and we'll end up standing in the middle of the street where both of us can keep an eye on our houses. I've never really thought about it as leaving the kids home alone though cuz I can see in the house and they can holler out if they need something.

So far we've been pretty lucky. There hasn't really been much need to leave them alone, or even any scrambling other than the two days with Caleb. Usually one of the neighbors older kids is home before our school lets out so they can come sit with the sick kid or even both of them if I need to run somewhere real quick. If they're contagious I don't want to expose the neighbor kids (they have a baby at home) so they'll come over and pull up a chair on the porch and watch them through the open door.

I've got about a year and a half before it becomes a real problem. Caleb will move over to the jr high and they get out half an hour before the elementary school. Even scarier is that I will either have to let him walk the mile and a half home alone and let him get home alone, even if for only a few minutes, or I'll be racing over to get him and then back to get Kota. That's about the soonest I can see having to leave him alone.

Serenity
Member

06-28-2005

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 10:58 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serenity a private message Print Post    
I thought some of you parents might get a kick out of this...

It was very hectic in my house this morning. I was trying to prepare things for my university class, get DS6 to go over his spelling words one last time before school, make beds, feed breakfast, get the kids dressed, etc....Anyways, I had forgot to make DS6's lunch and he reminded me at the same time that I remembered to check what was on the daycare calendar for DS3 (sometimes he needs show and tell, etc.). In my haste to get two things done at once, I looked at the wrong date on the calendar for DS3. To make a long story short, I sent my kid to daycare in his pajamas because I mistakenly saw that it was PJ Day. PJ Day is actually tomorrow. Ooops! At least he is little yet and won't care, but I felt really silly when the provider laughed about it. I guess he'll just have to show off a different pair of PJs tomorrow! I vow to be more organized from here on out! LOL.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Oh Serenity that is too funny, LOL! Don't ya hate mornings like that? Hehe.

Back when the kids were little (like 4 and 2) Darren did the morning routine. He worked swing shift so he'd get up and feed them, give them their baths, dress them and then drop them off at school. Worked out great cuz mom would pick them up at lunch time and have them for a couple hours til I got home. For months she'd been complaining about how Darren dressed them for school. To be totally honest, I gave it very little thought because at the time they were always at odds about something and figured she was just looking for yet another thing to complain about, after all when I got home, they were dressed decently. That is until the one day that I had to pick them up from school. I walked in and found my two year old daughter sitting in a circle with classmates. She had on these horribly outragous black overalls. They looked like a clown costume and when someone had given them to us I'd put them in the play clothes drawer. They were huge and round, and had polka dots (in several hideous colors) all over them. She was wearing a long sleeved, fushia striped shirt with them. She was wearing a pair of sandals...with socks. Sound cute? That wasn't the worst of it, lol. My poor baby had these two pony tails, one of which was sitting right at the top of her head near her bang part and the other hanging down below her ear on the other side of her head. I just stood there and stared thinking this can't possibly be MY kid...she's dressed funny and her hair is a total mess, lol. I had to ask the teacher if she arrived every day like that and she said yep. Come to find out mom had been taking her home, changing her clothes, and fixing her hair, lol. Needless to say that was the last time darren was allowed to pick out clothes for the kids, lol. Can't complain too much as he was willing to raise his own kids. I knew I could depend on him to get them ready and there wasn't no babysitting his own kids involved. Still can't help it though, everytime I think of her that day sitting in the group circle I get to giggling.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:13 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Coulda been worse Serenity. You coulda sent the 6 year old to school in his pajamas!

Serenity
Member

06-28-2005

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:29 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serenity a private message Print Post    
War - That is a cute story about your DD. I think it is sweet that your Mom had been making her presentable for you to pick up. You have to love the husbands who try though. My DH is very good at raising his sons, even though they have been known to go to school in mis-matched clothes. (Not as bad as Pajamas! LOL)

Julieboo- You're absolutely right!!!! Thank you for reminding me that it could have been worse.

Landi
Member

07-29-2002

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 11:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Landi a private message Print Post    
and that's why they made garanimals! i always put outfits together on the same hanger so chuck wouldn't do that to holly! he doesn't buy his own clothes, and i get him things that would go together no matter what. i'm lucky in that he only wears blue jeans.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Tuesday, January 10, 2006 - 12:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
LOL, send the younger one to school with the lunch and the older in pjs!

Landi that was the thing, lol. Darren's wardrobe consists of blue jeans, shorts and those damn white tshirts so he had no clue how to match little girl clothes. Once I took care of that and bath time (so that I could braid her hair at night and all he'd have to do was spray it and brush it) he started cooking dinner in the morning so all I'd have to do is heat it up at night. Worked out great for me, lol, since at the time I refused to cook any meat...I didn't eat it and the kids didn't eat enough to bother!

Beckyann675
Member

01-06-2006

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 4:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckyann675 a private message Print Post    
I need advice on what to do with my 21-month-old DD. She is getting to the age where she wants everything to revolve around her. If I am on the couch, she wants to take my hand and tells me to "walk" wherever she wants to go. Sometimes she wants to go in the kitchen and have a "snack" and she will eat like 2 Vanilla Wafers or 2 bites of yogurt and then 15 minutes later she is wanting to do the same thing. She will take my hand and want to go in the kitchen and get yet another cup of milk or water even though there are already cups in the refrigerator. She will stand in front of the refrigerator and cry for the door to be opened so she can pick out a cup of pudding or something and take one spoonful. A lot of it is about food and I don't want to deny my child any food but it is getting ridiculous. It also has become a problem with the television. When she is in the family room, she wants her TV shows on and she will bring me the remote and whine and whine because she wants to watch her favorite shows that are TIVOd. I don't like her watching more than an hour of TV a day, but it's all she wants to do. I try to involve her in books or blocks or something, but it never lasts.
Anyway, I am just not sure how to go about denying her things because it's not like you can really reason with a 2-year-old.
Any advice?

Jimmer
Member

08-30-2000

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 8:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
She is starting to learn about life and trying to exert control of her world. About all I can suggest is being gentle but firm.

She sounds pretty normal to me. That's not very helpful advice though is it?

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 8:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Ditto what Jim said. Sounds normal. (It's her job to frustrate you and it is also your job to frustrate her. :-))

Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 3:31 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Skootz a private message Print Post    
I would agree too.

Perhaps setting a time aside for snack etc. I have always done that with my kids and then when they are getting hungry in the morning or later in the afternoon they always ask "Is it snack time yet?" then I let them know when it will be etc. This may help them eating a better meal at the table as well as they know they are only getting one snack in the afternoon.

When they are not feeling good, I do allow them to eat when ever and what ever they want as they tend to eat less so I figure what ever food they will eat the better.

Beckyann675
Member

01-06-2006

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 7:52 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckyann675 a private message Print Post    
I think a lot of it lately is that she has not been feeling good and it frustrates her and me at the same time. I need to work on the "gentle but firm" with her. Kids sure are an exercise in patience!! thanks!

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 7:56 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
She sounds bored to me. She seems like a child who needs more stimulation to get her mind off boredom killing activities like eating or watching tv.

Does she have some activities or games that are educational and entertaining? Simple puzzles, there are even some very simple computer games can be played at this age. What about play dates? She's still too young to play with someone, but parallel play is very helpful at this age.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 3:25 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Question: when a kid gets a fever, why do we give motrin/tylenol right away? Isn't the fever there for a reason (like killing a virus?)

I ask this because my 6 yr old has a fever right now. He's had it since Tuesday night. It is weird cuz he has not been sick since he got his ear tubes at age 10 months. Anyways, I gave him motrin Tuesday night and 2 doses yesterday. He is sound asleep now and has been for several hours (about 3). Should I really push the motrin? His temp is about 102.5. I know I can put him in a bathtub and have him stay in there a long time til the water naturally cools down (in turn cooling him down.) How long should he have a fever before I call the doctor?

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 3:52 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
I would call the doctor first thing tomorrow, actually I would call the pediatrician now.

Teachmichigan
Member

07-22-2001

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Teachmichigan a private message Print Post    
Yup -- me, too. Anything over 101 and I call immediately. It may be nothing, but better to be safe than sorry because fevers can go up much too quickly and a doctor visit may prevent an emergency room visit later.

Becky -- good luck. My DS asks for food when he's bored (and he ALWAYS says he's hungry). If I suggest a game together and we each get a glass of milk or water to drink while playing, it usually takes that focus on food away. When he was smaller, a cup of tea always helped because he thought it was a "grown-up" treat. We'd make a cup of herbal tea, fill it half full of ice and sit down w/a good book or board game.

Be firm, consistent and scream in a pillow when the buttons are being pushed so much you want to explode! Punching pillows helps too (although I always did this behind closed doors so DS couldn't see how successful his "button-pushing" had been! LOL)

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Hmmm, now it's 103.5, guess I will call the doc.

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:45 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Yes call the doc and give him an alcohol bath.

Beckyann675
Member

01-06-2006

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 5:43 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckyann675 a private message Print Post    
Julieboo, I hope your son is doing better, DD had a fever of 104 over the weekend and it scared me to death. Fortunately it went down pretty quickly with Tylenol. Usually if nothing works to lower the temp, thats when I get worried and call.

Today was a much better day with her, She is feeling better and that helps with the whininess. I worked on being firm and she had a few fits, but it will be worth it in the long run, when she realizes she can't always get her way.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 6:24 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Thanks Becky! Thanks Mocha, Maris and Teach. Called the doc and he said keep up with the motrin and call tomorrow if he's not better. He's down to 102, so that's some progress. And he is begging me to go to McDonald's for nuggets, so he can't be that sick!

Becky, have you read Magic 1-2-3. It really works for us!

Beckyann675
Member

01-06-2006

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 6:35 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Beckyann675 a private message Print Post    
Glad it's going down Julieboo. It really is a good sign that he wants to eat nuggets, it can really make you worried when they won't eat. Don't forget to keep pushing the fluids so he doesnt dehydrate with the fever.
I haven't read that book yet but just looked it up on Amazon, looks like something that will be needed with my stubborn girl!

Skootz
Member

07-23-2003

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 7:11 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Skootz a private message Print Post    
Julie..you can also alternate between motrin and tyelnol as they are 2 entirely different medications. My kids also love cool clothes to put on their forehead or neck.

Good luck

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 7:39 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
That's our peds suggestion, Skootz. One dose tylenol, next dose motrin. Lots of fluids, resting, and tv time. We also use the Be Cool gel pad things. You stick them on and they last for 4 or 6 hours. I like them better than using a wet, cold washcloth because they stick to the kids forehead, don't drip water, and you don't have to keep running back to rewet them. Plus they're large enough that you can cut them in half instead of using a whole gel thing.

Hope he feels better, Julie!

Maris
Member

03-28-2002

Friday, January 27, 2006 - 7:26 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Maris a private message Print Post    
Glad he feels better. I remember when my son was young the pediatrician told me to give him children's advil if the temp went over 101 and childrens tylenol for under 101.