2011

Last week I wrote about a very frustrating experience when I observed a preschool for Sweetness. I got a lot of feedback, both in the form of comments as well as e-mails from local folks who recognized which school I visited. This got me thinking. I learned something fascinating about parental expectations in that experience. […]

The last two weeks I’ve been running a three-part series on encouraging our kids, using techniques aimed at their specific developmental stages. I started by talking about how to encourage children from birth to 6 then went on the last week to discuss specific child development and encouragement techniques for kids from 6 to 12 […]

Preschool Letdown

by Heligirl on January 27, 2011

in Daily Ramblings

Today I took Sweetness to a new preschool. It was a disaster. At least in my mind. I’ve been researching some different preschool options now that I’m unemployed and unable to afford childcare for one while I’m with the other in co-op preschool. It makes more sense to spend the money on the school. I […]

Last week I started a three-part series on encouraging our kids, using techniques aimed at their developmental stages. I started by talking about how to encourage children from birth to 6. This week I’ll continue the conversation with some insights into the psychological development of kids between the ages of 6 and 12 as well […]

Bun in the Oven

by Heligirl on January 20, 2011

in Beyond Mommyhood,Daily Ramblings,Helicopters

I’ve not been highly responsive in the blogging department and I apologize. I’ve been a little preoccupied with my self pity, lust and future planning. Maybe I should explain myself. My visit to Phoenix was a little more productive than a simple rest and relax. It gave me some time to step back and think […]

I’ve talked in the past about the pitfalls of praise. It can be empty and hollow, further degrading children’s self esteem by building in them a need to receive praise (external justification) in order to feel belonging or acceptance. Instead of praise, we can encourage our kids, helping them find their way and develop an […]

Vacation, Gotta Get Away

by Heligirl on January 15, 2011

in Beyond Mommyhood

In an attempt to find myself, or at least have a little time to process, reflect, relax and just be away from the madness that is my life at the moment, I made a run for the border by myself. OK, I didn’t quite make the border. I’m in Phoenix for the weekend with long-time […]

Unemployment, New Feelings Defined

by Heligirl on January 12, 2011

in Beyond Mommyhood

I have to be honest here. I’m not getting into this unemployment thing. Not that much. So far I’ve enjoyed a couple of Mondays when I have only one child for two hours. That seems to go really well because my workload is much less and I can focus on one person’s needs. Then Sweetness […]