Blast from the past: Toddler Development

I wrote this post back in February of this year and forgot to post it..so here it goes..

Ever since I had my first daughter and my mil started living with us (the first time around), both her and my parents would advise me "not to hit the kids". In other words, no spanking BUT they never gave any alternative forms of discipline. I'm not one to spank but I do need other choices. My friend S says she gives her kids time outs and it works better than spanking. I was doubtful but tried it. I have been doing time outs in my house and they work fine with my daughter, though she still has an attitude about it. When I do the time out at my mom's, my daughter is screaming until bloody murder with her grandma sitting next to her and talking. Do you see my dilemma?

I have seem discipline with other parents and their kids. For example, when my cousins use to hit other kids and their mom would say NOTHING, I vowed I would not be "that parent". She would tell the other kids to leave her son alone but would do nothing when he would hit, smack and bite them. He even had a spitting problem. He would spit on OTHER people when he didn't get his way.

My two year old toddler is going through a phase these days. He requests something, say a glass of water. I say, "wait." because I am busy doing something. He refuses and starts screaming. So he goes to the corner (my version of time out). He tells me "I don't like you." I tell him "don't sleep next to me." To which his reply is "I will."

The baby, almost 8 months is starting to scream nowadays when he doesn't get his ways. I put him down for the most part now but he still wants to be held. When he will not give in, I usually do because the men in this house sleep during the day and work at night. Being with the kids 24/7 is no picnic. I would like to be that mom who enjoys being with her kids, they have little to no tantrums or attitudes. The baby also is at the crawling phase so that means no more breaks for me. I cannot put him on the floor and say sit, don't move. He's a very active little guy.

Purpose Driven Life

I've been brainwashed by Oprah.

She is the woman who keeps saying over and over that you need to find a purpose to your life. I thought the purpose of my life was to get married, have kids and raise them.

Turns out, I was wrong. You need something besides being a stay at home mom and wife to do that for you. I'm at times lost. Repeating my days on end. Even on the weekend. I suggested to my hubby that I should quit school to become an elementary school teacher and become a massage therapist.

Why you may ask or be thinking would I want to do that?

Well. I'm very good giving massages. 3 people told me. I know its not a lot but I'm not giving away free massages to random people on the streets.

Sometimes I feel like joining the circus. I could be in the show and watch it at the same time (watch while I'm not performing, obviously).

So what is the purpose behind your life or are you still figuring that out yourself?