I just try to be better than I was yesterday, or last week.
Maybe I am just a nurturer at heart (started babysitting at age 11) and I enjoy giving hugs and compliments. Now that I am an active part in this small family, I am finding so many ways to help.
(beating cabin fever with new costumes)
Last week I bought some granola. The next day it was gone! It turns out that Jesse LOVES granola yet rarely buys it because it is expensive. So I looked up a recipe and went to Costco. I've made two batches in five days! I like mine on top of plain Greek yogurt. Jesse even likes it for dessert! I made one recipe with honey and one with maple syrup. Both are excellent.
Braeden usually brings his lunch to school. Dad usually would pack PBJ, carrots and a bottle of water. Mom would pack 8,315 little containers of tidbits but they only get about 25 minutes for lunch. I asked him what he would like for lunch ... and he ate it all. So each night I tell him what we have. He is mostly vegetarian so I make sure he picks a protein ... hard boiled egg, protein bar, string cheese, yogurt ... then as many fruits and veggies as he thinks he will eat. Of course, he's only had 5 days of school since Dec 14 ....
(this is what he does on his days off .... )
I may as well confess. I even give Bosko (the 65 lb dog) a bite of my toast or sandwich as a treat. Not from the table (although he still begs)(fun to sit under Mr. 2.5) Each night I get the coffee pot ready to turn itself on. Once a week I've been making cookies. We watch a family movie once a week.
I'm competing with myself to be a better woman and grandmother. Mr. 2.5 is a strong willed child and Kate turned me onto 20 minute podcasts by an author who has learned from Magda Gerber. I have learned SO much about how to better deal with him. Respectful parenting and how best to cope with a high needs toddler. Today Mr. 6 went to school and Dadda went on a cleaning spree. I had Mr. 2.5 to myself six hours and all Janet Lansbury's advice worked!
(Chillin out in the laundry basket)
For now, the competition is not too stiff. Just me, myself and I!
You are fitting it perfectly. That isn't always the way when grandma moves in. You're in it for the long haul so don't forget to carve out a little 'me' time for yourself on a regular basis.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm so impressed that a boy that young likes vegetables and granola. I like granola, too, but it can be rather high in calories so I don't buy it too often.
We have a unique family and I think we are ALL getting a little something out of this arrangement. Just taking it one day at a time!
DeleteI'm happy that it's working out so well for you. I bet they are happy to have all the perks of having Mom/Grandma in the house. I know it's great for you as well. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy too. Yet I do want to have more for my social life. Now that the snow and ice is gone (and I had studded tires put on last night), I can go out and about! Haven't even walked around the condo complex yet!
DeleteJust as Mr. 2.5 needs to chill out for awhile, so do you.
ReplyDeleteJust reading this post made me tired!
Yes, I need to schedule a nap in the afternoon! Before Mr. 6 gets home. I just learned that he gets his snack and 30 minutes of screen time (TV or computer), then he and Dadda play school for 30 minutes to reinforce what he has learned! So I can keep Mr. 2.5 busy if he is not napping!
DeleteNot having had children, you provide a window into an alternate world! I'd love to learn if you grandmother differently than you mothered. When I babysat - infrequently - I was always relieved to NOT be 'mother', just mother's helper. But then again, I was 13 years old, just a kid myself!
ReplyDeleteProbably a little more lenient as a Grandma. But I played hands on with Kate a lot. Especially when I stopped working (age 8) Volunteered for her class. I really enjoy kids!
DeleteSounds like you're doing a good job. My energy dwindles long before that of the little ones these days -- just can't keep up -- never thought I'd see the day, but there really is some truth to slowing down when we age.
ReplyDeleteI often take a "time out" in my room. Just to put my legs up and rest my ears. Every other day or so ... I take a nap! I'm enjoying the slowing down stage .....
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