Training Children

Let me preface this blog post with that these are my opinions and conclusions drawn throughout my limited experience as a parent, specifically a mother. I don't claim to know everything there is to know about effective parenting. I do know what works and does NOT work with my kids. I also know there are many things I haven't tried, simply because I disagree with the practices. I don't think there is a one size fits all technique to parenting. All kids are different. So let me say, once again, this is MY opinion. My BLOG, MY opinion! :)

I have a six-year-old daughter. She is beautiful, smart, funny, emotional, creative, artistic, and loveable. She loves to pretend, play dress-up, play barbies, dolls, house, kitchen, tea parties, wear pink, high heels, dresses, skirts, draw, color, paint, craft making, read, write notes, talk on the phone, play and sleep over at friends' houses, and run around outside for hours on end. She is a kid. She is designed by God and given to me to raise and teach the ways of our Lord.

I have not been the best mom at times. I was once a screamer, and still to this day, sometimes finding myself lapsing back into that practice. I do not believe that kids are born with the automatic knowledge of right and wrong. If that were the case our children would either be good or bad. We have to encourage and instruct in the ways of right and wrong.

If we didn't teach our children the things that were dangerous or if they didn't learn the cause and effect of behaviors and choices, they wouldn't ever learn what is right and wrong. They learn because we, as parents, are compelled to teach them what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. Now what is acceptable will vary from family to family, but the children still learn.

Because I am a God-loving Christian, I am to the point in life where I really want to raise my children according to the Word. So, I'm taking a look at some Bible verses that have some idea of where children stand with Jesus, as well as, how do I effectively parent my children calling on the Spirit.

God says in Genesis 8:21 "The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done.” 

So from the beginning, God identifies that children are not born with the sense of how to behave. They need to be taught. I need to remember my children are not TRYING to drive me crazy (all the time) but that they are simply acting on inclination and natural born behaviors. However, in Proverbs, we are instructed to discipline in order to drive the reprehensible behaviors far from the instincts of children. Teaching them right and wrong.

Proverbs 22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him."

I cannot just sit by and allow my daughter to react and disobey me. But I really struggle with HOW to discipline her effectively. My kids do not respond to the same discipline. Which is SO super frustrating at times! Because her new favorite argument is that I'm not being "fair" with them! I totally dislike that word "FAIR." Fair is what you get when you do what YOU do .. you don't get the same as someone else. It doesn't work that way! BLAH! That's a whole different blog!

So because I felt compelled to write this blog, it's a long one! I hope you're still reading .. there will be a pop quiz! :) Just kidding.

I keep thinking about the story in the Bible when Jesus stayed back at the temple and Mary and Joseph didn't know he was missing for something like 3 days and they had to trek back to town and find him. Jesus was like 11 years old at this point. Can you imagine Mary's thoughts? I mean she just lost JESUS!!!! Seriously, that is one conversation I would not want to have with God. It'd go something like this...

Me: "Uh, God... I lost Jesus." *run away .. hide ..*

In all seriousness though, Jesus was so young and even though he had stayed behind without telling his parents, she approached him in a much more calm way than I ever would've. I would've lost my mind on those steps.

I realize that as a mother, I'm going to make mistakes. I know that God is changing me and the way I parent. I seek him more when I'm at a loss of what to do. I seek him to help me when I do.

When you feel like you've lost your compass in parenting, what do you?
Do you have people that can provide you some sort of insight or new ideas?

"Ice" Day = No School

In Alaska, we don't get the normal "snow" days. And reasonably so. We have SO much snow here, why would we need a snow day. No, we actually get so-called "snow" days or, rather, "ice" or "wind" days. Let's be frank here .. do you mind if I call you Frank? Well Frank, it's crappy weather when the wind blows here OR when we have a slight melt with eight inches of snow pack on the roads. Don't know what snow pack is .. it's where .. well .. never mind ... Google it!

So today, because we had a slight warm-up with a drizzling rain yesterday, our snow-packed roads turned into ice rinks. But not the kind you'd want to ice skate on. Do you know how hard it is to hold onto an ice cube that is wet? That's what the roads were like to drive on. It was fun taking our Mo-dog to the groomer today as I turned left and slid down the road perpendicular.

As a result of the ice rink conditions, Kara's school was canceled. If you've been reading my blog at all this week, you'll know that this was the last thing I wanted. Since I've been struggling with Mason's behavior lately. However, I decided early on in the day that I was going to make today a great day. I, also, decided that I was NOT going to stay home today, despite the road conditions.

A friend posted on Facebook about story time at the Palmer Library. I was on that like white on rice. It was at 10:30 in the morning. This gave me time to shower, eat some breakfast and get over to the library. It was well worth the trip. My kids loved listening to the stories about messiness. And loved the finger painting art afterward. I forgot to get pictures of them painting.

Following the painting, we went to the children's section of the library and I let the kids pick out some books to borrow. Kara loves that I give them their age limit in the amount of books they can pick out, because now she gets to pick out SIX whole books! She was EXCITED!!

Mason was taking a break from all the books in the area! He was so amazed there were so many books.

A quick pose for picture to appease mom! I love this girl!

The kids figuring out the next course to take through the children's section.

Following the library the kids were famished hungry, so we took the short drive over to the DQ Grill and Chill for some lunch and some much needed playtime. Even with the warmer temps (at 40 degrees by noon) the kids couldn't go outside to play because it's all coated in a thick layer of slippery ice. So the playland at the DQ is entertaining enough for Kara and skill appropriate for Mason. Our friends joined us and Kara had so much fun playing with her friend in the tunnel.

Again .. I'm ashamed to admit that I don't have pictures of this activity. But the kids enjoyed their lunch and their "Special Day" treat of ice cream. :)

Today, I was going to have to pull Kara out of school anyway, because she had a dentist appointment today along with Mason. Kara is growing so fast. She's lost five teeth and has one loose. When those teeth come out .. they come out in groups. I can't believe that my little girl is 6 and losing teeth. Occasionally, when I hug her I flashback to her as a wee wittle one. It warms my heart to see how smart she is.

I digress. She has beautiful teeth. No cavities. And because her 6-year molars popped through, they were able to seal them today to help prevent cavities. She was a rockstar!

While Kara was busy with her appointment, Mason ran around hugging the bear statues in the waiting area of the dental office. His turn was coming, and he was so excited.

Mason had his VERY first dentist appointment today. He did so good. I'm so proud of my little man acting all grown up. He even let the hygienist take digital images of his teeth. They did confirm today that he does have an extra two teeth on the top. I knew that .. but getting the confirmation was even better. The hygienist was a tad surprised and said "I've never seen this before." Not very comforting if you ask me.

But his "happy appointment" was great! I am so happy my kids do not have a fear of the dentist.

A smile is what we strive for when visiting the dentist!

We ended the day with "Red, White, and Blue Crepes" for dinner! I think today was pretty darn good. It could've and would've been a not so good day if I hadn't determined that it was going to be awesome!

So your next "snow" day with your kids, try to plan some things that are fun and exciting. It makes the day go by smoother. Get out of the house! And do things out of the norm. Your "snow" day with your kids might just turn out to be a "special" day for one of them!

Peace!

I love my son ..... but

I love my son. But yesterday and today .. he has driven me up the wall, around the house upside down on the ceiling, through a glass door (not literally), and put me on display. It has been a rough two days. Though today is much better than yesterday, I do have to write this out. Because, even if he is driving me crazy, I need to process all the cute things he does in order to out weigh the reasoning I have to commit myself indefinitely .. or at least for a day or two .. to a padded room with a straight jacket on.

Let's just say that yesterday ended with a man-made (Mason made) lake in the kids' bathroom that leaked into our laundry room downstairs. We have this vent thing that helps with things like that .. sooooo .. no ceiling damage. But still .. my son .. my handsome, adorable, cuddly, temperamental, irrational, rebellious, heathen son locked himself in the bathroom whilst Kara was taking a bath and proceeded to empty the bathtub one 32-ounce cup at a time. It was probably five or so minutes before we realized where he was.

Did I forget to tell you he was underwearless when we finally got into the bathroom? Oh, yeah. He was. And Kara then told us that Mason not only poured the water on the floor .. but also had increased the acidity of the lake ...... BY PEEING IN IT!

I love my son.

Today is a much better day. He decided that Kara's Barbie furniture was the perfect size for him. :) And that voided all feelings I had toward the new lake in the kids' bathroom. Because he was just too dang cute! :)

I love him!

Peace!

Tin Foil Art Project

Let me first say that I did not create this project .. I found it on a blog that I am IN LOVE with ... a little bit obsessed with and maybe a tad bit stalkerish about. Only a little, but mostly a lot.

Her Web site is awesome. I think I mentioned my obsession in a previous blog, but this time I'll include her link www.housingaforest.com At any rate, this was such a fun activity for my kids. It's expressive, artistic, challenging (for me) and fun. It was such a great way to spend time with them. And I braved allowing my two-year-old son to use Sharpie permanent markers .. under VERY close supervision! :)

First let me tell you what to gather for this project:

Ingredients:
Cereal boxes (note: start saving those things. WHO knew that that cardboard would have so many OTHER uses than to house cereal.)
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Tin foil
Sharpie Permanent Markers (rainbow style ... ooooooh yeah!!!)

Ready??? Okay ... I'll wait! ............

First .. cut the cereal flat sides to the size that you want for the art. I did SLIGHTLY smaller than 8x10 .. more like 7.90x9.90 .. you'll see when when you go to frame it .. if you choose....

Then draw a picture .. or have your kids. Though if you want to do this for your own art .. who am I to judge.

Two things .. be sure to have LARGE sketches on this thing... see all those small things .. they won't work with the glue .. speaking of glue .. once you have your masterpiece sketched .. trace the lines with the hot glue gun with a thick bead of glue. Apparently, children like this part .. I'm not dumb .. my kids did NOT handle the hot glue gun during this part....

Yay .. glue!

Tada!!!! Glue done.. This glue dries at am impressive rate. So pretty much when your done outlining this you can move on to the next step with the tinfoil.....

 Wait .. hold on .. let's have a s'more without our underpants first .. oh you don't do that .. nevermind then .. moving on!

After you have put TWO layers of tinfoil on and rubbed out the shapes of the art .. trace the raised lines with a black permanent marker. This will provide the "lines" to color inside for you the kids.

The  frame them and hang your tinfoil art somewhere in your house that you want to show it off!!

We chose our family room! Happy crafting!!

Peace!

Sharpie Love

My crafting days just got more colorful. I have a new love in life and it is the splendor of Sharpie markers. They are so bold in their color and awesome in the different sizes. And they have a variety of uses. Not just for crossing off private information in documents anymore .. or messing up my walls .. or drawing semi-permanent tattoos on siblings.

No, these beautiful creations will now grace my crafts I do with my kids. They will create works of art. They will provide my walls with bold and colorful statements by my children. They will be useful.

I am so excited to see the first use of the new collection I got today put to use tomorrow. The craft my kids have been working on this week is going to be awesome. I'm so excited! :)

Can you picture it now!?!

Peace

My Daughter the Actress

My daughter never ceases to amaze me with her thoughts, conversation, imagination! She gives me so much hope for her future. She is naturally artistic in many ways from painting to coloring, drawing to writing, and the newest addition ....... pretending to be making a movie!

I imagine her walking down the street in her fancy clothes and pretty purses .. glittery  makeup .. jewelry to the nines. High heels. That classic movie star look.

She starts acting out her movie and I ask her what her character is. She says she's a super hero. Sweet!!! I can go with that. She's fighting crime and keeping bad guys off the street. Keeping people safe. Has a cape and possibly a mask. She flies through the night using her super power..........

Farting.

Yep, her super hero power is farting on criminals to get them to stop committing their crime. I know....

Her name .. you ask. You want to know her superhero name????

Ladies and Gentleman, the one who will save us all.....

Superhero Stinky Stunk!

Peace.

Blogging Pay

When I logged into my blog today, I was thrilled to see that I will be getting paid to blog! This is awesome!

I love to write. I have been writing for as long as I can remember, and until I write a bestselling novel, the blog will do. LOL!

Many blog themes have been coming across my computer lately. Things I love to read about, self-help blogs, blogs that women write to complain or moan about their lives, thankful blogs, grocery blogs, things to do with your kids blogs. And it all seems so overdone to me. I know they are doing things and people are reading it, but how do I compete with all that?!?!

So I came to the conclusion that I can't. I can only just write my blog from my perspective, in my way. So my blog is an everything blog. :) From crafts to complaining to blessings to appreciation to Jesus to life. I love to write about what's happened in my house. It's quite an adventure here in Casa de Kallas and I want to share that with everyone.

I'm also a firm believer of Jesus. I love sharing that with people, too. As well as, the nifty little crafts that I do with my kids.

So for now, my blog is advertiser paid. And hopefully one day I'll have some famous blog with thousands of followers and make a bagillion dollars. And if not, my small following will be just perfect too!

Peace.