The Power Struggle

Image from Google Images

My oldest son is 4 1/2 and for the past few months we have entered a power struggle in our home.  If I say do it now he says he will do it in ten minutes. If I say put all of your toys away, he leaves one out just to spite me. If I say the sky is blue, he swears it is green. I knew this stage was coming but with a strong willed little boy is can be a source of constant frustration.

I often think to myself... why can't he just do what I ask when I ask?? Why must everything be a struggle?? But I know this is a stage and I must be vigilant in order to get through it without allowing him to think things will go the ways he wants. We have always taught him compromise is a good thing, but now it's a a way for him to try and hold the power in the home.

Slowly I am seeing an improvement, there are less discussions and it doesn't take as long to get accomplished. It's seems though every time I think I have the problem licked we have another one of those days!! LOL A am happy though that now I see the light at the end of the tunnel and my little man now understands that in the end he will do what he is asked!

I wonder what the next stage will be????

Trials and Tribulations of Junior Kindergarden!

My oldest boy is in JK this year and I don't know who finds it harder... me or him!!! The first day he walked away from me and said goodbye like it was no big deal! He had never been to daycare or anything but seemed to just cope amazingly! He came home from school for lunch and within a week he was asking if he could stay! Then it all began to change overnight!

He asked me if he could start coming home again for lunch. Not surprised really because my picky son doesn't do well with sandwiches etc so I said ok. Then it started... not sure if it was the arrival of his brother or what but all of a sudden my boy did not want to go to school! He was ok until I went to walk away... then the tears would start and not a little meltdown either. They were so bad I would leave crying for my little boy who I just wanted to take home with me and say he didn't have to go again!

After a couple of months of discussion he began going to school again without incident. I am glad there is no stress now and in recent weeks he even smiles and tells me to leave quickly so he can go and play with his friends!

Then it was homework! I am finding this a nightly struggle with a boy who can't focus long enough to write his line of letters when all he wants to do is play. I know homework is a struggle at any age but sometimes I look at his work and think how crazy that they are doing this stuff at 4 years old now! My little boy has achieved so much this year and I am proud and amazed at what he has achieved! I still often wonder though it they are prepared for all that is expected of them at such a young age.

Do you have a child who has had a hard time with JK and all that was expected of them??

The Decision Not to Work Outside the Home

When my 1st born was almost one I had to start thinking about going back to work! It was a topic I had avoided and dreaded through out my maternity leave and now I could avoid it no longer.

My husband and I were lucky that it was even a discussion as I know many women just don't have the option. For us it was decided that it was better that I stay at home with my boy which made me excited and scared all at the same time. Expenses were always on my mind but as well I was loosing my identity as a working woman.

After a few months I decided to start working on a freelance basis outside of the home, mostly on weekends so my husband could be at home with my son. It allowed me to not only contribute financially to the household again but also to reconnect a little with my former life as a person working outside of the home.

I started my beauty blog so I could continue to share my passion for beauty while at home with my son. This allowed me to have both things I love without feeling torn which has been amazing. It also forced me to stay in touch with what was happening in the industry which was good for me.

Now with two boys working outside the home has again become more difficult, but I am so thankful that I am at home with my children. Blogging as always has allowed me to remain connected with the outside world. I am home doing what I love while still being able to talk to others about my other passions as well!

How did you feel when faced with the decision of returning to work??

Abercrombie & Fitch Shame on You!

Last week it was reported on Fox News.com that Abercrombie Kids had launched padded bikini tops fitting girls from the age of 8 to 14.... that's right I said padded bikini tops for 8 year olds.

Photo credit Fox News.com

Once the article was released I immediately went to the Abercrombie site and saw that the page had been removed. I thought it was great that they had responded so quickly. Then I was told that they did not remove the product but simply placed them on a different page and no longer included padded in the name. So great now unsuspecting parents will order this for their 8 year old and get a padded top for their child??

Photo credit Styleite.com

I have a niece who falls into the target market for this product and I can't imagine her wearing something like this. I think it is terrible that in a society where children are growing up faster and faster that companies such as Abercrombie are sexualizing our children at such a young age! What happened to telling children that they were too young to dress a certain way??

What are your thoughts on this topic??

From Makeup Bags to Diaper Bags

It doesn't seem long ago that a train case was what I carried most days... these days it's a diaper bag that is my everyday accessory!

If you know me from my other blog you know that I am a makeup artist by trade which is a job I love very much. However 4 1/2 years ago it quickly became second place to the most important job I have ever had and love even more... being a Mommy!

I now have two little boys, one 4 1/2 and the other is 5 months old. They are the hardest job I have ever had but the most rewarding as well. I have learned a lot so far on my journey and I have had a lot of fun along the way.

I am hoping to share with all of you my experiences as a mommy as well as share with you products etc I love. Even if your not a Mommy yet I hope you can still find some of what I have to say interesting and sometimes even amusing!

Being a Mommy has changed my life so much... and I wouldn't change it for a thing!