JC's Parenting Adventures

Here are some tips dealing with back to school anxiety. I liked this section dealing with Kindergarten: The Words: “Have any other older kids told you about what kindergarten is like?” The Reason: Older kids sometimes delight in telling frightening kindergarten stories to younger children. These kindergarten veterans speak with the voice of authority and may say things like: “They don’t ever let you go to the bathroom!” and “You’ve got Mrs. Peterson? She expects everybody to know how to read on the first day of school.” You can use these “war stories” as a springboard to offer a kinder, more realistic picture of kindergarten. Also, here’s another link offering lunch tips and other back to school tips. I’m looking for something to offer to you for your kid’s first day of Kindergarten… That can be tough on you sending them off for their first day of school. I can’t imagine the feeling. Any tips or stories?

Wow… What a beautiful weekend we had for a parade! Did you go to Mendota for the Sweet Corn Festival? It’s one of those “get-together” festivals for family and friends, pull out the BBQ, grab some beers… you know?! There had to be twice as many people at Sweet Corn Fest this year than last, which you could definitely attribute to the weather. So — at the parade on Sunday, plenty of candy was being tossed to the kids… My little guy, Jake (he’s almost 3), caught a packet of SMARTIES… at least I thought it was. He looks up at me with these huge puppy-dog eyes and says, “Daddy, Pleeeaaasse?” How was I to say no? “Sure Jake, go ahead.” In seconds, he tore through that whole thing of SMARTIES. Being a good example, I picked up the wrapper from the ground. Upon closer inspection, I discovered he had downed a packet of SMARTIES GUM! “#$%&! It’s gonna take him 7 year to digest all of that!” My wife looked at me like I’m a total idiot. Apparently, that’s an Old Wives Tale. Another lie told to kids by their parents so they won’t choke down a wad of gum. Why? Wouldn’t you think mom’s would be happier if their kids swallowed their gum instead of sticking it under the table, or their little sister’s hair? Another one that caught me off guard, don’t go swimming after a meal or you’ll cramp up and drown. BS! Really?! All those birthday parties at the city pool as a kid… Wasting time after the Manwich, Potato chips and Orange soda… running around outside to kill an hour before you could get into the pool. Man! You could have had more swimming time! Have you ever purposely told a little white lie to your kid to get them to do something they didn’t want to do? Did it backfire?

Just got back from a mini family vacation to an indoor waterpark.  When we got there… we discovered… there is an arcade in between the hotel and the waterpark.  Jake loves video games… his eyes got real big… inspecting each machine with a wide stare walking with a frankenstein like daze as we first walked to the waterpark.  You know why they do that?  To torture parents.  Like all the crap by the checkout at the supermarket.  The people who set up those displays… should try shopping with a two 3 year olds and a four year old.