Topic: January 15

Many of you have had new babies in the last year or so and others have had more than one child when having a new addition so...

How do you teach your little "helpers" to be more gentle with the new one?

A new topic!

I know, I know...it's been months, but I have an excuse. And it's a good one too!
See!














But I have a few topics I've been rolling around in my head and hope to get some response from those who still are following (crosses fingers)...

So one that I need help with-

What do you do when an acquaintance that you see often, keeps wanting to set up a time for a playdate with your kids and her kids, but (wait for it...) you don't want your kids within a block of her kids for one reason or another. How do you tactfully get her to let it go... or do you ever? What would you do? 

(I'm running out of excuses!)

Positive Family Media

So my oldest brother has his own media company (http://www.sunswingmedia.com) that has just put out a great short video about teaching children about pornography call "The Decision". It's based off a Friend article and is the first of what we hope to be several videos based off of them. He's trying to get the word out to encourage the creation of positive media for children. I've added a widget to the side to take you to the link------>

In addition, if you are willing to share this link with other people on your own blogs, we can reach so many more. I know many of us have little kids that may be too young to understand the purpose of the video, but I know people with older children that can benefit from it read my personal blog more than this one. (Though I'm still hoping to get some of those veteran moms to join us! )
Here's a link about sharing on your blog.

And my brother has also created a FHE lesson to go with the video

Thank you for taking the time to check it out. It does cost $1 to help cover the costs of making these videos. Your support is appreciated.

Oh what do you do on the Sabbath Day,

...when all your kids favorite activities are put on hold?

It's a struggle in our home, because I know what we should and shouldn't do, but my 4 and 2 year old children don't understand. If you don't know me too well, I am one who is pretty strict about Sunday. There are no computer games (except the Friend website on lds.org), playing outside with toys, dancing to crazy songs, or watching television/regular movies. But that doesn't mean it has to be boring. We get down and do puzzles or pretend play on the ground, build things with our bristle blocks and duplos, or color (with crayons only...I'll explain), while listening to quiet church music. Our current situation is that we have church at 2:30 in the afternoon. So after church is EASY... whip up dinner, eat, bathe, go to bed. But before church...much harder. We can't do anything that would get us dirty, so no markers/playdough, a clean lunch (cheese and crackers anyone?), and no baking in the kitchen! :-( There goes our favorite Sunday activity--cookies. One thing we LOVE to do on Sunday is call Grandma and Grandpa on the webcam. My oldest loves to talk to my dad and show off anything new and exciting to him. This occupies a good hour, at least!

Now because of the age of my children, I have a hard time sneaking in a shower with the aforementioned activities due to their need to maul each other when I leave the room for an extended period of time. :-) (I guess I should mention that my husband's work schedule doesn't permit him to spend the day with us AND go to church...and since we would much rather him be at church, I go solo on Sunday mornings :-) ) So I either pack up the coloring and have them come with me into the bedroom/bathroom area or else they get to watch VeggieTales. Not LDS, but still good wholesome Christian entertainment for the most part. (A good fallback too when you're laid up on the couch with morning sickness as well!) I really need to get a copy of some animated Scripture Stories... we just have the pictures-with-narration kind, which loses their attention fast... anyone know where I can order some?

I still have to explain to my 4 year old that she can't watch her favorite movies or play on the websites she likes, with many tears on her part, but I think if you make the appropriate activities seem just as much fun, they can learn to appreciate the quiet Sunday spirit you want to have.

keeping the sabbath with young ones

That is a tough one. We rest and we hang out with and have dinner with family. Sometimes we read the scriptures from the books that have the stories with pictures. anyway i find it a struggle since my daughter is so young.

Trying to get back into it...

I don't want this blog to die because I feel like it's such a great place to share ideas with our little circle of moms. (and new moms for anyone else who would like to join in!) I apologize for my absence as I have been somewhat "out of sorts" for the past few months, but that really is no excuse.

New Topic:

What do you like to do with your kid(s) on Sunday before* or after church to maintain the spirit of the day?

*We have 2:30 church....yes, it IS late...

Dates with Momma

First, I have to apologize to those of you who use the reader on Blogger, or those who can see a blog post that I deleted in their blog roll! I thought I was posting on my personal blog, but LDS Moms United is what it posted on. So I'm sorry! I've also been M.I.A. on this blog. But I will get better!

Back to one-on-one time with my little ones. We call this time "dates" with Mom or Dad. My 3 year old LOVES it. We go get dollar scoops at Baskin Robbins, go to the park, go to the mall to play, or even go to movies. Those of you with a Harkins nearby, Summer Movie Fun is amazing. It's $5 for a summer of movies once a week.

I also have to remember (and remind myself constantly) that there are plenty of things to do with my kids at home. We live in an apartment that is less than 600 square feet and there are 4 of us. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that we can have fun at home sometimes because I just feel like I'm suffocating! Some of you have already mentioned baking with your kids, and I think that is awesome. Matthew loves baking with me. He has his own little apron and is learning how to measure and stir.

We also love to paint and do the dishes together. He loves to help me dust and vacuum. Little chores around the house are great. I think it teaches him a lot, too!

And my favorite favorite favorite thing to do is to have a movie day. We get pillows and blankets and pop in a Disney movie. We have popcorn and cuddle and it's just wonderful! I don't get it often, but the time I DO have with one of my kids individually is cherished!