As I'm out and about with my now three boys I can hear the remarks of "She has her hands full" as we walk by. I see the looks of sympathy as I'm chasing one boy or the other with a newborn in the baby carrier. And I am grateful for those who offer to pick up the dropped sippy cup or return my shopping cart to the rack. I'm also constantly apologizing for something one of them has done, but should I be? They are just kids being kids, doing what kids do, so why do I feel the need ask strangers for forgiveness for their actions.
There is definitely a learning curve to managing three kids (at home and outside of home), especially when it's often just me and them. But we're getting there. I feel very outnumbered, but I'm finding some kind of balance and the boys are learning to have a little more patience. When I get extremely frustrated one of the kids does something absolutely adorable and changes my mood. It's a fun ride. As a parent I desire for strangers to think my kids are cute and well behaved, they are cute but they are wild boys under the age of 5.
This week we have some excellent parenting insights and advice. We all want to be great parents, but sometimes we are trying too hard and we have to let our kids accept the realities of society. Our kids are not always going to be the star of the show and not everything they create is museum worthy; sometimes mom and dad both need to go to work; and they will cry (and probably also throw a tantrum) in public.
We have to let our kids be kids, and stop apolozing for it or trying to make up for their faults. We have a great article on praise, and how we should encourage (but not over indulge) our kids. We also have some thoughtful insights into how one local working mom manages a career and her family and if you've ever been on a plane with a child our guest blogger offers some fun rationale as to why you should stop worrying about your crying child. We also have tons of activities listed in our calendar so get out there and let your kids have fun.
Also, don't forget to enter our contest for FOUR family passes to the LA COUNTY FAIR. Enjoy!
Sincerely,
Faith Mellinger, Editor/Co-Publisher
If you have something you think should be on our calendar contact my co-publisher Joyce:
