Taking a Break

It has happened again. I have fallen into the trap of trying to get more followers/views/comments. I have linked up, written boring posts, and hopped along to try an boost this little blog.

That is not why I wanted to write. This is a place to capture memories for Kate. So I am taking a break, again, and will write again when/ if I feel like it.

I am also taking a break from reading blogs. There are SO MANY. And  I like A LOT. But I feel inferior after reading them- my house isn't decorated right, Kate's playroom has too many plastic toys, I should be making cute/delicious/inspiring things all the time, etc...

When we cut out cable, and I could no longer watch HGTV, I no longer dreamed of the big fancy house that was decorated just-so. I am hoping cutting out the blogs will have the same effect.

I could have just stopped completely, but then If there is anyone actually interested in what was going on here, then I wanted to give some sort of closure (if you can call it that).

So maybe I will write again, but as for now..
So long Blog-o-sphere.

Kate's "Couch"

You may or may not have seen it in this post about my failed attempt at working out... yet again... but we made a little couch for Kate. Very simply, I exchanged the chaise cushion for a regular one, stored the chaise support, and plopped the cushion on the floor.

It fits perfectly against the wall, and provides a place for Kate to sit, rest, or even play while we hang out downstairs. She will sit and watch some TV for a few minutes, but most of the time she is up and running. Literally.

She seems to like having her own little space to sit. We'll probably keep it set this way for a while.

Judgement

I try not to judge (even though its is soo easy and I do it all the time), but I especially try not to judge other moms.

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No one knows the whole story. I don't know if one of your kids was up every hour of the night, or if there are other family/money/job/etc issues that are impacting you.

Whenever I see some parenting styles that are different from my own, I try to take a step back and remember that we (most of us) are doing our best. We can only work with what we know, whether it is from our own childhood experience, family and friends's support and encouragement, or learning more through classes/research/tips/strategies.

Adam always reminds me that if I wasn't here, and he had to parent on his own, he would have no clue what he was doing. I was complaining to him that there is a new chocolate flavored Toddler Formula, full of sugar and other chemicals, and people should just give their kids milk. Well Adam is the type of dad who would probably buy it for his child: "it says formula... ooh chocolate, I bet she'd like that..." 

So instead of silently judging those moms who are buying that 'formula', letting their big kids suck pacifiers just to keep them quiet, who yell at their children to stop acting like brats, or are carrying their too-big child in an infant car seat, I will try to remember that we are all just trying to do our best.

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I wish I was able to offer support to those parents who look at their wits end, or inform them of the dangers of putting the infant seat in the top of the cart, but that's not who I am. The best I can do is to not judge, and pray that they will find the support/encouragement/knowledge for raising their children from the family or friends they trust, not the crazy know-it-all lady who walks up to them in the store.

I don't know why I felt the need to write this, but it is something I am working on. Maybe it will help someone else realize their 'helpful advice' isn't really so helpful- or wanted.