Whole Child Development
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by good parenting advice? Ever feel like your head might explode, not only from the sheer volume of well-meaning recommendations, but also from the mind-numbing contradictions among “experts”? Ever sat on the verge of tears (or completely gushing with them) because of the thoughtless, misguided, or — even worse — totally spot-on critiquing of your parenting?
I’m sharing some ideas at two different spots this week. First, I’m over at Simple Kids, talking about what we learn about child development from the silly things kids say. Here’s a little taste:
As I’ve been putting together my series on The Myth of Perfect Parenting, I realized this piece from a year ago fits right in with the message, so I wanted to repost it here. (I now have four boys instead of three, so you can just imagine the chaos of our next family picture!)
If you haven’t already surmised from my paucity of posts, things have been a little busy around here. First we were adjusting to the new normal with our newest bouncing bundle of boy, then the adjustment of back to school routines, add on my online course and other teaching engagements, as well as a litany of tiny to-dos that continue to carry over week to week. It’s been a little overwhelming.
I find that when I begin to feel overwhelmed, the best thing I can do is to scale back and take a deep breath. I’m planning to get back into the rhythm next week with my regular posting schedule, but in the meantime, I have some good friends who have been sharing some of my work in some wonderful compilations they’ve put together.
I remember the first time I took one of my sons in for stitches. By the time I buckled him into his car seat with that bloodstained cloth still pressed to his cheek, he had already stopped crying. But the tears were just starting to pool in my own eyes. I felt like I had failed. I had been given a perfect, beautiful boy and I let him fall, let him get hurt, and now there would forever be a scar to remind me of my failure. I couldn’t take it away. I couldn’t fix it.
My fourth son was born just a few fast-moving months ago. I’m sure I’ve spent hours looking at his perfect little wrinkly toes, and dimpled hands, and rosy lips. I’m often overcome with the thought of how amazingly perfect he is.
I’ve found myself thinking that with this new little one, I’m a new parent all over again. And, as my wandering line of thinking goes, it’s a new opportunity to get things right. I can start over. I haven’t made any of my parenting mistakes yet. I get caught up in the fervor of perfect parenting all over again. [Read more…]
I spoke with a writer recently, who wanted to talk with me about my views on zero tolerance policies as they apply in early childhood settings. As our discussion progressed, she essentially said, “You’ve mentioned before that preschoolers are being expelled at 3 times the rate of students K-12. Why do you think so many preschoolers are being expelled?”
The first day of school is creeping up on us! I’m not so sure we’re ready around here to tell you the truth. And yet, I am looking forward to a stronger sense of structure and routine.
For those getting ready for a new school year, some of these concepts for room arrangement and scheduling (from a past Q&A) may come in handy. Start sending in your questions now for an all new Q&A for September!
I took my two month-old in for his shots today and I nearly cried. OK, I know that’s not surprising news for anyone. I don’t know anyone who looks forward to taking their babies in for shots. At least I didn’t think I did. That changed last weekend, and that’s the real reason I almost cried today.
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