WTH?!

What is it with parents that are so nutso about their kids. I don't mean nutso in love. I mean nutso like "oh my gosh, I would never let little Johnny eat anything that is not organic" yet their kid is the one pushing my kid off the tree house at the mall and running around screaming and hitting all the other kids. Hey, how about you discipline that little monster instead of fretting about the organic fruit juice you buy. Or how about this one; Mom at the park "oh I am so tired" Me; "why is that", MAP; "Susie didn't go to sleep until midnight and then she was up at 5 am" Me: "why is that?" MAP; "Well she didn't want to go to bed and then she didn't want to sleep in her room so she slept with us, which she has been doing just about every night since she was born." WTH!!!???!!! Who is the adult here? Who is the parent? Parent you kid for God's sake.


Have you even been someplace and witnessed that kid (you know the one) who just screams, throws a fit, talks back while the whole time the parent is just looking sheepishly around and caving in to every demand, and the kid is like 3? Yeah, that kid. I can't figure who I want to slap more, the kid or the parent. Probably the parent. Let me tell you something people, that child is not going to be scarred for life if you set boundaries and let the kid know who is in charge! They are not going to feel any less loved if you give them a time out or raise your voice once in a while to get your point across. If you tell little Sally that screaming like a banshee when she doesn't get her is not acceptable she won't grow up to become one of the most prolific female serial killers of all time. More than likely she will have a stronger sense of security because she understands the expectations of mom and dad and knows how things are supposed to go.


Here's another thing that really bugs me. If you are still breastfeeding your 2 1/2 year old, just admit it's not for their benefit but for yours. I am all for breastfeeding, I did it myself and feel it is a worthwhile endeavor if you are able to do it. That being said, if your kid can pull up your shirt and say "I'm thirsty" then it really is time to call it quits. One other thing I have to say on that subject, GIVING YOUR CHILD A BOTTLE ONCE IN A WHILE WILL NOT KILL THEM OR CAUSE THEM TO HAVE "NIPPLE CONFUSION"!!!!! I gave my daughter bottles sometimes and after she always went right back to the breast without a problem. So let's just all stop spreading that stupid wives tale around. Even pediatricians and other doctors who have studied this agree that it won't cause a problem.


There are so many parents out there who think that they have to make their child the center of the universe. They believe that they need to cater to their child's every whim and scream. Discipline and rules have no part in a loving family because it will cause the child to feel unloved. When my daughter( who has many rules and boundaries but is still a loving, kind, well behaved child) is defending your child in a court of law 25 years from now because your kid  broke the law due to the fact that they were raised to feel that rules don't apply to them we will see who had then better philosophy on parenting.

New Adventure

So today starts a new adventure for the Babcock family. This is my husband's last day with Walmart after 16 years and many different positions, culminating in 10 years as a store manager. It is bittersweet for him. He is glad to be given a new opportunity with great possibilities at a new company but sad to leave a place he has loved for many years up until recently. Walmart has changed and not really for the better so we knew for his sake it was time to move on. Also this new company offers us the ability to return to Michigan where we have many friends and family that we have sorely missed these last 2 years in Florida.


We really loved living in Florida and taking advantage of all it has to offer but didn't realize how much we would miss our friends and family. It's hard to be 1300 miles away and not know anyone in your new location. We have made new friends but not with the connections and history we have back in  Michigan. it has been a blessing to have my parents in Florida for a few months a year these past 2 years but it seems that time too passes very quickly and then they are gone.


On thing that has been a real treat for us is having Walt Disney World so close. We have had a blast spending many many hours and days there for 2 years. Watching Sofie discover all it has to offer has been awesome. I have always loved Disney in general. I have many fond memories of The Wonderful World of Disney TV show from my childhood and old episodes of The Mickey Mouse Club in black and white.
Being able to go to Disney often with our daughter and create her own memories has been so fun. But it is time to go home.


We are looking forward to all the new adventures we will have back in Michigan. Being away has given us a new appreciation of our home state. I will say that I still am not looking forward to snow. I doubt that will ever change for me. I am a warm weather girl but I am excited about the milder summer temps and the fall colors that you don't get down here.


I am very grateful for the opportunity God gave us to live down here for a while and I know that in the years to come we may find ourselves down here once again. After the sand gets in your shoes it never seems to go away. The breezy gulf air and splash of the tide from the Atlantic side pull you back.
Michigan here we come!

Fathers and Daughters: A little wisdom

Some tidbits of wisdom from a book my husband has about Fathers and daughters. It's called Father to Daughter, Life Lessons on Raising a Girl. By Harry H. Harrison Jr.







■Realize from the beginning that even at one week old, she's a girl. So she is going to be just as charming, just as mystifying as every other girl you know.


■Take part in her life now. Don't wait until she is 15 and develop a relationship.


■When you get home form work, hold her as much as possible. This is for your benefit as well as hers.


■Tell her from day one that she can accomplish anything.


■Make her part of your world - let her see you shave, work, read, relax. She'll love spending time with you, no matter what your doing. Enjoy it while it lasts.


■Emotionally , physically, and spiritually healthy girls are raised in a loving atmosphere. do al lyou can to create a tranquil and harmonious home.


■Be prepared to watch Disney movies with her some 200 times. Each.


■By her a jungle gym. however, if she falls off that jungle gym, resist the urge to kill yourself.


■The day she is born, ask God to guide you in all aspects of her life.


■Explain to her that God doesn't speak in code. She can figure out what He wants if she just stays in contact with him.


■Ask her every now and then about her spirtual life. If she asks what you mean, be prepared to have a discussion with her.


■Teach her that sometimes God has other plans.


■Praise her often. Let her know you love her the way she is. If you tell her often enough she might remember it throughout adolescence.


■Encourage her to be kind. Even to the girl nobody likes.


■Remember when you are dealing with a 13 year old girl, for all intents and purposes you are dealing with a fruitcake.


■Never undervalue her intelligence.


■Be prepared to hear her say she hates her mother. Be firm and insistent about the need for respect.


■Monitor her TV and movies. Or else she just might believe she should be sexually active, dangerously thin, experimenting with drugs, and hanging out with rock stars.


■Teach her if she acts stupid to attract boys, she will attract stupid boys.


■Remind yourself that the martians showing up at your door looking for your daughter actually have parents too.


■Never forget, your influence is huge. The way you lead your life has a direct impactupon how succesfullshe becomes in hers.

A few of lifes many blessings

My biggest Blessing so far!

I was just sitting here this morning thinking about all the stuff that is worrying me. I was comtemplating all that needs to be done around my house and all the areas I slack off in. That in turn lead me to feel condemnation in the form of "oh your not good enough. God won't bless you because of all your faults." Fortunately I was also able to stop this line of thinking and start looking at all the blessings I already have of have been giving in the past.

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  I have a wonderful, loving, hard working husband who puts up with my crap and works very hard for our family.
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  I have a beautiful daughter who makes me laugh everyday.
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  I have awesome parents who would do anything for me and my family.
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  I have great in-laws who would also do anything for us.
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  I have great friends who are always there for me.
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  I get to live in a tropical location without snow(even if only for a little while longer).
• 
  
  I have more than I need of everything.
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  I am in good health
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  I get to go to Disney World all the time :)

And the best thing of all; I have an awesome God who loves me despite my faults.  He blesses me every morning by allowing me to wake up to enjoy all he has giving me in this world. It is something I try not to ever forget.