When my wife and I first purchased our bed we didn't have any children so our thought was to buy just a queen size frame and mattress so we could be close to one another at night. I didn't realize that six years later it would need to accommodate not only us, but our three little ones.
At first it was OK as the kids only joined us in the morning and quite honestly once they were in bed with us, the joy of sleeping was over. Where the real enjoyment came was as one, than two of them popped in at some point during the night. Initially, we could hear them coming and just re-direct them back into their room, but at some point they either got smarter, or we were so sleep deprived that we never heard them enter our bed.
Fortunately for me they always climb in on my wife's side, so I didn't realize they were in bed with us until she started inching closer. I originally thought she was just getting frisky, but soon found myself with a hand, and then a foot on the floor to keep myself from falling out of bed. For the past month my four year old, Noah made his way into our bed and when we brought him back into his room, it was literally minutes before he would reappear.
Now don't get me wrong, I love when the kids sleep quietly with us, and as long as it is only one of them it wasn't that big of a deal. The problem arises when they start to toss and turn or worse talk in their sleep. I never realized kids slept so restlessly at night. What could they be dreaming about that would cause them concern. I'm still not sure, but as of yesterday we got Noah out of our bed and had a quiet peaceful nights sleep.
That makes one night in a row. Here's hoping for two.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Morning Routine
I'm not sure why or if it is just an inane sense, but my children seem to know exactly when the other children are up in the morning. It's not because of noise or sounds as we keep whoever wakes up first very quiet. You would think with three of them, one, or even two would wake up while one, or even two of the others stayed sleeping in bed. I just think they have this sixth sense that their siblings are awake and they just get up like some pre-programmed robots.
If it was as simple as them just waking up and either staying in their bed, or laying quietly in ours there would be nothing to write about. Unfortunately, this is the beginning of the morning routine.
During the week it's pretty straight forward. My daughter, who catches a 7:00am bus, has her routine. Wake, get dressed, pee (very slowly), wash hands (also excruciatingly slow), then into the kitchen for breakfast, which by the way is always the same. Two pancakes, syrup, and a glass of orange juice. Then it's time to comb her hair, brush her teeth and get her coat on for the bus. There is definitely something to be said about consistency, though it can get a bit monotonous at times.
My older son, 4, is a similar story, though a bit more precise and anal. His morning routine consists of two pancakes, in a half and half style (one pancake has to be with syrup and cut into bite size pieces while the other is cut in half - the one cut in half is then dipped into a small container of syrup), orange juice in a precise mug and a half and half paper towel (half wet and half dry). I still have no idea where any of this behavior came from, but it has been this way for almost a year. The really funny part is that he asks for his breakfast this way every morning. I guess he assumes we can't remember from one day to the next.
The little guy is a totally different story. he has no food routine. He'll pretty much eat whatever, though he stays within the bread family, french toast sticks, pancakes, waffles. No, his routine in the morning is his desire, no need, to play with playdough. It's definitely an obsession at this point as he just points to the box and grunts.
Well I'm now in the midst of the morning routine. There will be crying, yelling, fussing and all the other things that go with getting kids dressed, teeth brushed and the overall day started.
All of this by 8:00am. Isn't life with children wonderful?
David Goldenberg
If it was as simple as them just waking up and either staying in their bed, or laying quietly in ours there would be nothing to write about. Unfortunately, this is the beginning of the morning routine.
During the week it's pretty straight forward. My daughter, who catches a 7:00am bus, has her routine. Wake, get dressed, pee (very slowly), wash hands (also excruciatingly slow), then into the kitchen for breakfast, which by the way is always the same. Two pancakes, syrup, and a glass of orange juice. Then it's time to comb her hair, brush her teeth and get her coat on for the bus. There is definitely something to be said about consistency, though it can get a bit monotonous at times.
My older son, 4, is a similar story, though a bit more precise and anal. His morning routine consists of two pancakes, in a half and half style (one pancake has to be with syrup and cut into bite size pieces while the other is cut in half - the one cut in half is then dipped into a small container of syrup), orange juice in a precise mug and a half and half paper towel (half wet and half dry). I still have no idea where any of this behavior came from, but it has been this way for almost a year. The really funny part is that he asks for his breakfast this way every morning. I guess he assumes we can't remember from one day to the next.
The little guy is a totally different story. he has no food routine. He'll pretty much eat whatever, though he stays within the bread family, french toast sticks, pancakes, waffles. No, his routine in the morning is his desire, no need, to play with playdough. It's definitely an obsession at this point as he just points to the box and grunts.
Well I'm now in the midst of the morning routine. There will be crying, yelling, fussing and all the other things that go with getting kids dressed, teeth brushed and the overall day started.
All of this by 8:00am. Isn't life with children wonderful?
David Goldenberg
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Storytelling
It used to be with my kids that bedtime meant reading them a few stories and then "cuddle" time, which is just another word for fooling around before going to sleep. As I mentioned in my "Bedtime" post the kids now ask for a made up story every night, in addition to the other sleep traditions described earlier. To help anyone trapped in this situation, or if you just want to add another element to your bedtime routine I thought I would share what types of stories the kids seem to like and the ones they don't like.
Magic - Any story with magic seems to be a hit. I've told stories about magic trees, cars, dogs, potato's, beds, pillows, chipmunks and even magic magician's. All the stories are really the same. Two children walking to school, in a forest or playground when they come across the magic object, or in some cases a magician or wizard gives them the magic item. The item can do all kinds of silly magic like turning furniture or toys into play dough or making the family car fly. You can pretty much go anywhere with magic.
Crazy - Anyone or anything that's crazy the kids love. Crazy parents, crazy friends, crazy animals. Whatever, as long as they are crazy. I guess they relate to this pretty well since we as parents are the craziest role models around. If you're really ambitious add magic to crazy and the kids will be bouncing off the walls. Perfect for bedtime as I found out last week....
Prince/Princess - Boring, but always popular.
Animals - Especially if they can talk and do some kind of magic. Though wouldn't you think some kind of magic was already involved if a squirrel could talk.
Food/School/Cleaning up - These are not good stories to tell even if you're trying to get a point across or teach a lesson. You'll waste your time telling it and end up having to tell another story or spend extra time trying to convince them to go to bed.
One other thing that we've recently started to do at bedtime which I think is a pretty good idea is playing a little game with letters. We start with "A" and ask the children to come up with words that start with "A" based on clues. For example: What's red or green, grows in a tree and also is a juice? Apple. I know you don't need the answer, but I felt compelled to answer anyway. We do this for as many "A" words as we and the kids can think of. The next day is "B" and so on. It is a nice way to challenge the children and settle them down before sleep.
Hope these help.
Magic - Any story with magic seems to be a hit. I've told stories about magic trees, cars, dogs, potato's, beds, pillows, chipmunks and even magic magician's. All the stories are really the same. Two children walking to school, in a forest or playground when they come across the magic object, or in some cases a magician or wizard gives them the magic item. The item can do all kinds of silly magic like turning furniture or toys into play dough or making the family car fly. You can pretty much go anywhere with magic.
Crazy - Anyone or anything that's crazy the kids love. Crazy parents, crazy friends, crazy animals. Whatever, as long as they are crazy. I guess they relate to this pretty well since we as parents are the craziest role models around. If you're really ambitious add magic to crazy and the kids will be bouncing off the walls. Perfect for bedtime as I found out last week....
Prince/Princess - Boring, but always popular.
Animals - Especially if they can talk and do some kind of magic. Though wouldn't you think some kind of magic was already involved if a squirrel could talk.
Food/School/Cleaning up - These are not good stories to tell even if you're trying to get a point across or teach a lesson. You'll waste your time telling it and end up having to tell another story or spend extra time trying to convince them to go to bed.
One other thing that we've recently started to do at bedtime which I think is a pretty good idea is playing a little game with letters. We start with "A" and ask the children to come up with words that start with "A" based on clues. For example: What's red or green, grows in a tree and also is a juice? Apple. I know you don't need the answer, but I felt compelled to answer anyway. We do this for as many "A" words as we and the kids can think of. The next day is "B" and so on. It is a nice way to challenge the children and settle them down before sleep.
Hope these help.
Monday, February 9, 2009
The Grandparents Guide to Getting Even
Introduction:
This book is to be used by Grandparents as a reminder to get even with your children once they've grown and had children of their own.
Haven't you ever thought to yourself that once your children are grown up, you'll remind them of all those times they made your life difficult, embarrassed you at a store or friend's house, made dinner a living nightmare or just didn't listen at all. Well here's your chance. This book doesn't focus on your children, but explains how to pop in for a visit with your grandchildren and get them so worked up that they are bouncing off the walls as Grandma and Grandpa leave to the peace of their home. This behavior may ultimately get you a one way ticket to the nursing home, but as your memory is drifting away you'll have the knowledge of finally getting even with those kids that right now make your life miserable.
The following chapters will focus on topics such as:
I. Bring Just One Gift
- When visiting your three grandchildren, bring just one gift and offer it to the youngest child and see what happens.
II. Sweets vs. Chocolates
- Which do you think will have the kids bouncing off the walls quicker, a lolipop or a hershey bar. Here's your chance to experiment.
III. Just say No.
- This chapter deals with the repercussions of saying no to everything your grandchildren ask you.
IV. Curses and other inappropriate language
- How funny is it when a two or three year old curse or say something inappropriate. Well here's an opportunity to fill your grandchild's mind with words he/she can use everyday. Mom's & Dad's just love to hear these words out in public....Vagina, Penis, Fu*k, Sh*t, or how about these phrases....Mom, that lady is really fat, or Dad, please don't beat us with the wood spoon anymore.
to be continued.....
This book is to be used by Grandparents as a reminder to get even with your children once they've grown and had children of their own.
Haven't you ever thought to yourself that once your children are grown up, you'll remind them of all those times they made your life difficult, embarrassed you at a store or friend's house, made dinner a living nightmare or just didn't listen at all. Well here's your chance. This book doesn't focus on your children, but explains how to pop in for a visit with your grandchildren and get them so worked up that they are bouncing off the walls as Grandma and Grandpa leave to the peace of their home. This behavior may ultimately get you a one way ticket to the nursing home, but as your memory is drifting away you'll have the knowledge of finally getting even with those kids that right now make your life miserable.
The following chapters will focus on topics such as:
I. Bring Just One Gift
- When visiting your three grandchildren, bring just one gift and offer it to the youngest child and see what happens.
II. Sweets vs. Chocolates
- Which do you think will have the kids bouncing off the walls quicker, a lolipop or a hershey bar. Here's your chance to experiment.
III. Just say No.
- This chapter deals with the repercussions of saying no to everything your grandchildren ask you.
IV. Curses and other inappropriate language
- How funny is it when a two or three year old curse or say something inappropriate. Well here's an opportunity to fill your grandchild's mind with words he/she can use everyday. Mom's & Dad's just love to hear these words out in public....Vagina, Penis, Fu*k, Sh*t, or how about these phrases....Mom, that lady is really fat, or Dad, please don't beat us with the wood spoon anymore.
to be continued.....
Dinner Time
There is definitely a circus like atmosphere around dinner time at my house. I'm sure some, or even most of you have issues getting your children to eat certain foods, but at my house we are literally down to four types of foods....chicken shapes of some kind (dinosaurs and teddy bear shapes are popular right now), pasta (most often just plain), yogurts and pizza (this could be a slice or pizza bagel, though only my daughter is eating the bagel version right now. That's it!!! You would think with those few choices it would be a breeze to feed my 3 kids, but every single dinner time is a train wreck. First, as you can imagine the three of them don't ever feel like eating the same thing. Either two of them want something, while the third wants something different. I don't mention the kids names as the culprits are different each night. It could be two of them eating yogurts, while the other is eating pasta or it could be all 3 eating something different. Even after the meals are figured out, there are issues with who is sitting next to each other, what bottle of water belongs to whom and my personal favorite, which fork or spoon is who's as we have boy and girl cutlery.
Another issue is that the kids must talk to each other during dinner. I don't even listen anymore as I just want them to eat and go to bed. Who knows what a 6, 4 and 20 month old could possibly be talking about, but this united nations of children, all speaking some form or English, just yaps incessantly throughout dinner. I'm sure as a spectator it's incredibly cute, but as the dad it just sucks away a part of your life that you're never getting back.
Another issue is that the kids must talk to each other during dinner. I don't even listen anymore as I just want them to eat and go to bed. Who knows what a 6, 4 and 20 month old could possibly be talking about, but this united nations of children, all speaking some form or English, just yaps incessantly throughout dinner. I'm sure as a spectator it's incredibly cute, but as the dad it just sucks away a part of your life that you're never getting back.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Bedtime Stories
Let me start out by saying that I love my children very much. I have 4 very unique children with 8 unique personalities. There are the times when they are loving, warm and cuddly and say the funniest things...and then there are the times when their personalities no longer belong to them. They are either possessed by demons or this is who they really are. I'm not sure yet which is which, but each day convinces me more that dads have the toughest jobs, not moms. I'm currently unemployed and during the day I look for work with the late afternoons and evenings dedicated to kid time. I won't even go into feeding time in this blog.
After dinner it's time for brushing teeth and reading stories. This went relatively well until I made the mistake of offering one last story while cuddling with my two oldest (6 & 4) children. The other mistake I made was telling a made up story. This has now become an every day occurrence. At first it was kind of fun and making up stories wasn't too hard. There were magic trees and talking chipmunks which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. After a short while though, these were not good enough. They wanted me to incorporate bugs, lollipops, feathers and the color fuchsia. Even after making up one story after another, the rugrats started to complain that the stories weren't funny enough, weren't long enough or just weren't any good. Can you believe that I was agonizing each night, and now sometime during the day about stories that the kids would like and now they're telling me I stink as a storyteller.
I have this book in mind called the grandfather gets even with the kids book where I get even with my children by making their children crazy and then going home. I think the first chapter will be on making up stories and topics your parents will never be able to make up a story about.
Dad
After dinner it's time for brushing teeth and reading stories. This went relatively well until I made the mistake of offering one last story while cuddling with my two oldest (6 & 4) children. The other mistake I made was telling a made up story. This has now become an every day occurrence. At first it was kind of fun and making up stories wasn't too hard. There were magic trees and talking chipmunks which the kids thoroughly enjoyed. After a short while though, these were not good enough. They wanted me to incorporate bugs, lollipops, feathers and the color fuchsia. Even after making up one story after another, the rugrats started to complain that the stories weren't funny enough, weren't long enough or just weren't any good. Can you believe that I was agonizing each night, and now sometime during the day about stories that the kids would like and now they're telling me I stink as a storyteller.
I have this book in mind called the grandfather gets even with the kids book where I get even with my children by making their children crazy and then going home. I think the first chapter will be on making up stories and topics your parents will never be able to make up a story about.
Dad
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