Is it going to be fun or is it going to be a chore? You decide.
Especially for parents of small children:
- Click to Enlarge
I came across this in today’s paper. I always like to read Baby Blues, but I had to share this one.
Sometimes, aren’t our experiences only limited by our powers of perception?
If you haven’t ever read the poem “Wynken, Blynken, and Nod” by Eugene Field to your kids, you should definitely check it out. Haylee had it in one of her poetry treasure books and I was so pleased to find it because I hadn’t heard it is such a long time. I hadn’t heard it in years. It’s not long, but not too short either. Perfect for a little wind down story. – just thought I’d share. 
by Eugene Field
Wynken, Blynken, and Nod one night
Sailed off in a wooden shoe,—
Sailed on a river of crystal light
Into a sea of dew.
“Where are you going, and what do you wish?”
The old moon asked the three.
“We have come to fish for the herring-fish
That live in this beautiful sea;
Nets of silver and gold have we!”
Said Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.
The old moon laughed and sang a song,
As they rocked in the wooden shoe;
And the wind that sped them all night long
Ruffled the waves of dew;
The little stars were the herring-fish
That lived in the beautiful sea.
“Now cast your nets wherever you wish,—
Never afraid are we;”
So cried the stars to the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.
All night long their nets they threw
To the stars in the twinkling foam—
Then down from the skies came the wooden shoe,
Bringing the fishermen home;
‘Twas all so pretty a sail it seemed
As if it could not be;
And some folks thought ’twas a dream they’d dreamed
Of sailing that beautiful sea-
But I shall name you the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.
Wynken and Blynken are two little eyes,
And Nod is a little head,
And the wooden shoe that sailed the skies
Is a wee one’s trundle-bed;
So shut your eyes while Mother sings
Of wonderful sights that be,
And you shall see the beautiful things
As you rock in the misty sea
Where the old shoe rocked the fishermen three:
Wynken,
Blynken,
And Nod.
My mind is constantly going and my predisposition to continually seek a challenge is also the bane of my existence when it’s time for spring cleaning.
Ugh… cleaning.
Last week I really started to do some deep cleaning, go through clothes that don’t fit the kids any more, throw out socks that lost their match months ago, and started deciding which things we sell or donate to someone who will be able to use them. The trouble for me is that as I’m cleaning my mind wanders and the next thing I know:
I don’t know about you but after a few of hours of this and I’m tired, bored, or at least fighting off a headache from so much input that I’m getting from myself and my environment.
But this time is different, because I’ve already gotten a lot of it done!
Last week a friend of mine was talking about one of the books she is reading, but she said she is reading it via audiobook.
Brilliant! I thought to myself. I’d wanted to read one of those books too so I got the fourth twilight book “Breaking Dawn” on audiobook and I tell you what, it’s been entertaining me while I’m doing my early spring cleaning.
What a perfect way to keep my mind from trying to solve all of the problems in the world when cleaning for longer periods of time or even just having my hands free to take out the trash and my hands and eyes free to match the ungodly number of socks in the dreaded “sock basket”
I don’t know why, but before that moment I’d always thought of audiobooks as an aid to learn a foreign language or listen to a lecture – something probably boring. Never had I considered it’s entertainment value.
And best of all…are you ready for it? My ears are plugged so the kids actually have to get my attention before they ask or tell anything. 
It’s a win win for me.
I went ahead and posted the amazon link here to the book I “read”, but they can get expensive. If you won’t read it over and over, you can borrow some of these types of audiobooks at the library.
I got mine with 2 free credits @ audible.com which is kind of expensive if you ask me because you don’t actually get disks or anything just the audio files. They have a huge collection of them available though.
Look at these faces. Aren’t they beautiful? You can’t help but wonder, “What could a young, attractive teen like you have to be sad about?” The following photos are those of real teens who committed suicide after struggling with a vicious epidemic called cyber-bullying.
This is sadly becoming a common issue. It could easily become even more common if children are left wading through the masses of social networking sites without a firm grasp on reality and heavy dose of self-assurance. Adolescent socializing is hard enough without adding the global factor of public confrontations. Education and the freedom to be open with a parent or other grown up support system when they are unsure of how to handle certain situations alone will save kids like Ryan, Megan, Phoebe, and Alexis.
Many parents and teachers are concerned about sites like MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter providing too much information to and by our youth. Some believe that denying children (including teens) access to social networking sites will protect them from harm. It’s time to get real. Kids will find ways to set up online profiles at their friends’ houses, at school, or even at the local libraries. Electronic harassment is also happening via text messaging, instant messaging, and email.
Not only is it possible to used to emotionally hurt people, but I believe that it could really save people too. Social networking services that allow continual access to new resources for education and other public services. Students could talk to tutors on MySpace when they are having trouble with a certain homework problem. Alcoholics could get on Facebook and talk to AA leaders and members, even on Friday nights when their buddies are texting them to come out to the bars. Could Twitter become a useful part of the emergency broadcast system by tweeting weather warnings and Amber alerts to everyone’s cell phone within a targeted demographic area?
Social media is swiftly bringing our world into a new age whether we are ready to see the change or not. Before, it was all about information, now it is all about sharing information. Social media could be the answer to some of society’s problems or it could make them much worse. If we decide to look the other way and tell ourselves that it won’t happen to our family, then the problem will get worse. We don’t have to sit by miss this opportunity for growth. We just need to learn how to use it appropriately, then we must teach our children.
Dedicated to: Rachel Burdine, my best friend in middle school committed suicide at age 13. You could have really done so many great things. I still miss you.
On the last day of school, you always get a great sense of relief and accomplishment all at once.
About spoiling your kids:
“Give your children a sense of being not a sense of having.”
- Dr. Oz
I jotted down this message from the Oprah Show, don’t know what episode or date it was aired on. I dunno, I just thought it was quite profound.
Two things to do for your children:
- moved post here from TalkShowWisdom. blogspot. com
There is a song I really like that says “Wake me up when September ends”. Welp, September is just about over. And I have to say it was a really tough month. But it can only get better from here. It’s been hell going back to work. I have not been able to keep up with anything. Phil carries more than his amount of work. I don’t know why I am so tired. I think this may be some kind of mix between postpartum depression/ work stress/ and separation anxiety?
I never experienced any of these things after Haylee was born. However, I worked for my mom and I took Haylee to work with me. (Yes, and I did awesome.) The only sad part in that story is that I didn’t have a maternity leave at all. I had Haylee on a Thursday and went right back to work on Monday. Yeah, supermom is an understatement. I don’t know what’s different this time. Maybe it’s all the changes. New position at work, new house, new baby. . .
Oh yeah, not to mention my parents business burned to the ground a month ago. Anyways, online classes start last Wednesday. Wish me luck. Life has been Crazy. It can only get better though right?
– moved from my original blog darkbluesun blogspot com
At home today. It’s Saturday, and it has been a beautiful morning. I have the blinds open, so the sun is shining in. Ryan and I have been hanging out. I read that you should always try to keep babies awake during the daytime and keep things quiet at night, so maybe by three months they sleep all night. The thought of it is wonderful. Phil is out with the guys today. Which I think is great for him. It’s easier for me to have him at home, but I don’t want him to think that parenthood is the end of your social life as you know it. LOL, even though, it sort of is. You are a parent first, then you sort of resume to your old self when the baby is a little older, or worse. . . On his way to college.
If I have ever done anything right with Haylee, it has been to take care of me so I could take care of her. She has turned out to be quite the social butterfly, and very “understanding” as much as a kid can be. She can be quite independent, but not completely of course. There are times as a parent when you just “do without” or put your own hopes and wants aside to do it later for the kids. However, you will never be a good parent unless you are happily balanced in your life and take time for yourself and your friends.
We will take time to just be together too. That time will come soon enough. I really want to make sure that we can have time together, out to dinner, out dancing, or to clubs and hang out with friends and be young too. I still want to try new things and see new things and go to new places.
That’s just me.
Life is too short not to enjoy it.
– moved from my original blog darkbluesun.blogspot.com
