My Little Port

Our ancestors may have lived in one home all their lives and may have even seen multiple generations of family all under one roof. But in the modern world, it has become rare for any person to spend their entire adult life in one home. And with each move, there is a new house to 'warm', to turn into a home. After the physical move is complete with furniture and other possessions moved in, we often indulge ourselves in a little housewarming party. What's nice about a housewarming party is it not only gets us a few nice gifts (typically) but symbolically it is our way of asking our dearest friends and family to help us 'mark' our house. Their gifts become artwork or decor that we show off as part of our evolving heritage. So the next time you move, throw a party! Invite family and friends over and welcome their housewarming gift choices as the very things that transition your new house into your new home.

Have you ever met two kids that are exactly alike? Sure, some look a lot alike, or even act very similar. But even identical twins have very distinct personalities. We all like to joke with our friends that our kids have been raised under the same roof, by the same parents, with the same rules – yet they turn out completely different. But do we really raise them the same? How we raise our kids depends a great deal on that child’s personality. I boil this down to determining what brings that child joy. I have the great good fortune to be raising one child that’s an introvert and another that’s an extrovert. The introvert requires a certain amount of down-time where she can be alone to gather her thoughts. (I find a personal journal and a nice writing pen make an excellent gift for this sort of child.) But her younger sister hates spending time alone and is happiest when she is with a room full of people. You can bet this creates conflict in my household. So, we work to find group activities for the little one, and work to help the older child find time to have her quiet moments. Birth order can also play a role in how we raise our kids. Children can tend to take on certain traits based on their place in the family. My husband and I are both the oldest, and we are both pretty typical “oldest” – responsible, but not very creative. Our youngest, on the other hand, is a serious risk taker. She has the misfortune of living in a household full of “oldest” people, and we are all constantly amazed by the things she will try. Usually these risk taking activities are in the name of getting attention, but she has been known to fly off monkey bars even when no one is looking just to see what will happen. She ended up with a broken arm to prove that flying doesn’t work for 5 year olds. Do you have a child that is similar to you in personality, maybe more so than your other children? This can create interesting parenting challenges. My oldest is very similar to me in that we love to read and watch old movies. She also has very high standards for herself and for everyone around her. It is very easy for me to relate to her. But there can be a down-side to this. I relate to her weaknesses as well as her strengths, and I often push too hard against the weaknesses. On the other hand, my youngest child is extremely high energy, loves sports and people, and hates the idea of sitting still (especially in a dress). I have a difficult time relating to her need for constant motion and stimulation. I confess it exhausts me at times. But on the other hand, she motivates me to try new things, get moving, and I find her extroverted nature inspiring and charming. I don’t know about you, but disciplining is not my favorite part of parenting. However, it is necessary, and I want others to enjoy being around my children as much as I do. I try to remember that to discipline means to teach. And we have discovered that “teaching” works better when we learn what motivates that particular child. For one of my children, the “threat of punishment” does not work nearly as well as the “hope of reward”. Taking away a toy or privilege seemed to make no difference to her. Do you have a child that seems to find trouble more often than the others? I have a friend that does, and she often hears, “You love her (the sister) more than you love me.” I lover her response: “It has nothing to do with loving anyone more. It has everything to do with following my instructions.” Don’t worry about raising your kids exactly the same. After all, they are very different people, and those differences should be celebrated. And when thinking of unique gift ideas, remember that what is going to be a sure hit with one child may be a total strike out with the next. Whether it's a pretty charm bracelet or a baseball bat, the right gift for each child will be as different as they are. Enjoy the challenge!

We have been blessed with two healthy, wonderful children – both girls. The oldest is a very “girly” girl, and loves dance and dolls (much like her mother). But my husband did not loose hope, so he signed her up for t-ball when she was five. She was more interested in the “outfit” than the game. But, a couple of years later, she agreed to try again, and joined a coach-pitch softball team. This was an all-girls team, which was more her style. And she had a great coach. Thus began her true interest in the game.

Then, along came our second daughter. At first, it seemed she was going to follow in her sister’s footsteps. She liked everything her older sister liked – including dance and dolls. Then she turned five, and the tom-boy emerged! Now she loves any game that requires running and the use of a ball. She is not yet old enough for softball, but t-ball is her favorite activity.

Besides playing the game, our family enjoys watching games. We are fortunate to have a AAA team in our city, and a couple of colleges with teams close by. For the first couple of years, the kids were much more interested in the concessions and the mascots than the game itself. And they rarely were able to sit still for an entire game. I tried my best to explain the basics of the game and point out items of interest on the score board to keep their attention. That helped, but it didn’t last for the length of the game.

Then this year, something magic happened. We made our first trip of the season to watch the AAA team play, and the girls actually found themselves watching - and enjoying - the game. Yes, the concessions and mascots were still a big hit, but the game itself was just as entertaining. They began to choose favorite players to root for, and they were able to recall which players had good hits in previous innings. We actually watched the entire game! The bonus at the end of the game – all kids in the stadium were allowed to run the bases.

So, after years of hoping, praying, and forcing the subject – my husband has made fans of the entire family. Now we are all getting in the game which makes a great gift for my husband!

First of all, I hope no one ever actually reads my rants and raves… (?!?) lol! Second of all, just in case anyone does, I will be moving my site to a private one soon ;P …not really… Someone is looking out for me! *FAINTS* Ray has taken back over the original plans for this weekend and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Now to get back to the tasks at hand on this dreary Saturday here in Georgia…

1:35 pm My Little Port 1 Comment

10 Nov 2006

Puzzled…

weekend, family

Well my dad will be in tomorrow. He went up North to visit his brother this week while we all had our daily obligations to fill. At some point, what I thought were set weekend plans got changed as I found out today. How is it that we are all going to Benny’s to visit with my dad and I am the last to know? I think it is very nice of him to volunteer, but… THE EX!?! *it’s a good thing I wasn’t planning on taking a date* lol…

…what a tangled web we weave…

Oh yeah and I had a nice day. *yawns* (-_-)zzz

09 Nov 2006

It’s the weekend for me

weekend, fall semester, family

┌(^_^)┘♪└(^_^)┐No classes until next Tuesday although I have an online test on Sunday. I am happily hanging in there in my classes this semester. I am enjoying Microbiology more and more each class. I was afraid I hadn’t done well in Sociology on my first test. I don’t know why but I never do that well on my first tests?!? I am busily preparing for my next test(s). My dad is coming back through this weekend. I am going to get to spend a couple of hours with him on Saturday night. My brother-in-law is going to fire up the grill for all of us. I am looking forward to some R & R time even though it will be short lived. Read the rest of this entry »

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08 Nov 2006

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6:55 pm My Little Port Comments Off

06 Nov 2006

Happy Birthday

fall semester, family

Tyler is 4 today! I can’t believe how fast my little grands are growing up… I guess their getting older also means that I am getting older :/

I got sick somehow over the weekend so I can’t go in to pre-register today. Hopefully they will let Amanda do it for me. I am going to take 3 subjects next semester, the courses I am taking are going to keep me busy. One can’t have a life and succeed in college… Is there life after college?