What My Momma Did...

I'm linking up with Lisa-Jo with a 5-Minute Friday prompt...here's the task:

In just five minutes. Tell me all about what your mama did that made her yours….{and don’t forget to spend some time commenting on the post of the person who linked up just before you}

Wow. Well, my Momma showed me what is was to be a lady and to love her husband. I never saw her anything less than graceful no matter the circumstances. (Well, other than the 3 cigarettes she smoked during my teen years when my sister and I pushed her to her limit... :/ lol...we knew we were in for it then since she wasn't a smoker!)  We didn't have a lot growing up but she always tried to look her best and take care of herself and she rarely swore unless it was under her breath and never in front of other people. She carried herself with grace and femininity but was strong and independent. She made my dad feel needed but she knew she could take care of herself. She put my dad first and always showed her undying love for him (which he reciprocated, probably a bi-product of her love:)) She served him meals first instead of last and never disrespected him in front of others, even if she disagreed which I'd never knew. She kissed him publicly (which still grosses me out..lol and holds his hands even to this day) She carried herself with poise and treated others and herself with dignity. I wish I had been a better daughter when I was a teenager...I guess we all go through that sassy, bratty stage. I just pray that I can be as graceful as she is and my daughters don't take after me in that respect....I think I'm like her in many ways, though I take after my dad in a lot of ways too. But if I could inherit her grace and ability to act like a lady...then I think I've learned a lot, especially in today's society. Though I am speaking in the past tense because the question was asked that way, she still does these things today! Love you mom! You're one classy lady!

Princess2 Was Potty Trained in "Less" than a Day!!

Okay, well...sorta...but I am NOT joking! She really is potty trained! Let me just answer, because I know what you're all thinking..."No I'm not "Super Mom"" lol...I wish... Actually, I can take no claim for success other than I know how to follow a recipe. So, how, might you ask, was I able to do this? Sit back and I'll tell ya!

 Here's what happened. A long time ago I was directed to an excellent book called Toilet Training in Less Than a Day by Nathan H. Azrin and Richard M. Foxx. Apparently it's been around since before I was born and a friend's husband's mother (ha ha) used it on him (he's my age). Well, I don't know about you but when I saw it, I  didn't believe it was a bit skeptical. Could this really work? Seriously? In one day? (note the sarcasm) Even with all the questions, I soo wanted to believe the hype so I went out and bought the book. I read it through and figured it's worth a shot. Well, when I read it, I figured out that it was a little outdated so I decided that there were some parts I would choose to ignore or adapt...Well, low and behold, the method really worked! I first used this on Princess8 and Princess5.  Don't get me wrong now...every child is different. So things may not work exactly perfect. There are certain readiness signs and if you rush your little one, then it won't work. I tried to rush Princess8 so when it didn't work, I just went back to normal diapers until I was ready to try again. Then when I did it again when she was ready, she never had an accident after Day 1 until a year or so later when she was sick. When I tried with my Princess5...she was not as easy peasy (but she never is..it's in her personality). She had a quite few accidents afterwards and especially when her baby sister was born. BUT for the most part it worked pretty well.
SO, over this past weekend...actually Sunday afternoon I decide to begin the process. If you want to try it out yourself, then you'll need a few supplies. What you'll need is a potty chair, a doll that pees (got this from Toys R Us), the book, a bunch of treats (sweet and salty), and plenty of juices or drinks. Basically, you are using bribery. Actually, they are rewards. You begin by training the doll and showing the child how the doll pees in the potty. You have several "pants inspections" praising for dry pants and chastising (no punishment) for wet ones. Show the doll how to pull their underwear down, sit on the potty, pee, pull its pants up and wash their hands. Meanwhile, you are actually teaching the child at the same time...sneaky sneaky... Then you move on...checking pants every 5 minutes at first, gradually increasing. You also have them sit on the potty every 15 minutes for 10 minutes at a time decreasing as they progress. There are accident "fire drills" for when accidents occur as well. It is pretty well laid out in the book. I don't want to give all the details because I didn't create this method. But pretty much you have a Potty Training Boot camp weekend when using this method...however I must say...I never had to buy pull-ups this go-round. We went from diapers straight to panties for Princess2. And for the other two, I bought one pack each and never went through the whole package for either if that tells you anything.
So the gist of it is, the child will be potty trained in less than a day. Yes. But that doesn't mean that accidents won't occur, because the full learning process may take longer for some. Typically, they've learned the fundamentals on Day 1 but they just need more practice with bladder control. I still put a diaper on her at sleeping times. The first night she woke up completely dry! I thought I had another little prodigy on my hands!...ha ha...but the next day at nap time the diaper was wet and the 3rd day she woke up wet. BUT nap time Day3 she stayed dry. SO, what does this mean? It is just a case by case thing. Like I mentioned previously...every child is different. Have patience. Princess2 had two wet accidents and two poopy accidents, but she's poopied on the potty 4 times in 3 days which is the most challenging aspect of the process...I should know, I teach 2 year olds for a living :)...


Currently we are on Day3 and she remained dry ALL day and asked to go potty numerous times and actually went. She even poopied today on the potty too! (btw I must mention, we did the potty chair just for the first day. The second day we put the seat on the big toilet so she can at least get used to the height because they need to learn to use the bigger potties for the times when you are out of the house.If they don't it's a whole other learning process, and honestly..what's the point of training at home if they won't go and you have to put pull-ups on when you're out. Plus, as far as I know, most daycares don't like potty chairs for sanitary reasons. I've worked at two and neither had them.

Addendum**Now it is Day4 and she has not had an accident for two days and she stops what she's doing to ask to go potty...even in our basement playroom! (Oh and now she is using the regular toilet seat without crying...baby steps...but these are quick baby steps!) Seriously one proud Momma here!

So, my advice to all you moms out there. GET THIS BOOK! You won't regret it (I hope). If anything else it gives you a starting point so you don't feel like you're going at this blind. My Dad always said "You girls didn't come with instruction manuals!" Well, I beg to differ...here's one instruction manual that we DO have! I believe it's less than 10 bucks. A deal if you think of the diapers and pull-ups you'll not have to buy. Good Luck!!

Tips Tuesday: Reading to Your Kids

Okay, so it's time for your tip of the week! Aren't you excited? Well, a friend shared this article with me and I thought I'd pass it along. It's from the New York Times and talks about how reading to your kids can improve their scores in school. DH and I try to do this already . However, sometimes life is so hectic and can be hard to find a minute to just sit down period let alone sit down and read a book. When it was just Princess8 in the house we had all the time in the world (or now it seems), but now with 3 princesses in the house it's a juggling act to get to each of them equally. We don't read every night, but try at least a couple times a week. Actually, I am able to read chapter books with my Princess8 which I LOVE since I myself am a bit of a bookworm. We read Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series and now are reading The Indian in the Cupboard. Princess5 loves anything pink and girly so she is on a Pinkalicious/Purplicious kick. She also loves Princess Sparkle and Fancy Nancy. Princess2 loves Elmo and Blues Clues but really, she loves anything we make interesting. So, maybe this will give you a little motivation to read to your kids. We aren't perfect by any means but I am glad to know that this really helps.

Read How About Better Parents by Thomas L. Friedman

Tips Tuesday: Getting Those Picky Eaters Less Picky

No, I'm not working for tips...although I did years ago...I mean advice...I decided to start giving out some tips that I have learned along the way as a Mom. My methods are not perfect and as my Dad always said "you girls didn't come with an instruction manual". SO, I thought, "Hey, why not share my advice?" If you love it, then use it, if you hate it, leave it on the shelf. You don't go to the market and buy everything in the store right? So if you don't need what I'm giving, just leave it :) No offence taken.

So here's my first tip:

Getting those Picky Eaters Less Picky



Okay, so do any of you have a picky eater on your hands?? Well, I do and not just my kiddos either :) (however this method doesn't exactly work for the full grown humans). Anyway...I read once, years ago, in a parenting magazine (which I'm not a big fan of those, the Bible's my guide but that's another story...sometimes you can actually find good advice in them) that it can sometimes take a child up to 12 times to have a food introduced to them before they will actually start liking it. REALLY?? Did you say 12?? You meant 5 right? Wrong. SO I decided it's worth a shot. My real challenge has been my Princess5. She likes everything to fit in her little box and doesn't deviate for a minute. So what I did was start with one food at a time. Broccoli...mmm. I gave her broccoli and made her eat one bite. Just one. She did, with a look like she was going to gag and not going to make it. BUT she did. The next few times I only made her eat one bite. THEN..uh oh....here it comes!...TWO bites....She did it again, not so disgusted this time but still not at all happy. After awhile I increased it to THREE. (We don't eat broccoli every night folks so this process takes awhile. In the mean time you can start another food too...just maybe not do both foods in one single night.) Finally, I gave her three pieces of broccoli and said she had to finish it whether she liked it or not. I know, I know..I'm a terrible Mom...my kids don't walk all over me...SOO finally...one night at dinner...SHE asked ME for broccoli!! Are you kidding??? Who are you and what the heck did you do with my daughter? She loves broccoli (or trees and DH and the princesses call them to be silly)! So, while this doesn't work like clockwork...it has worked quite a few times with Princess5..broccoli, mashed potatoes, nachos, and more. She is still a work in progress but that's good enough for me! Love that girl...Princess2 is a garbage disposal so I haven't had to worry so far...fingers crossed!