Are Girls or Boys Easier? (Contest!)

Congrats to Jenna who won this beautiful tutu bouquet! Jenna, please send me your info!

I have three kids. Two boys and one princess. I really have to wonder who's easier to raise? I've yet to hit the teenage years which to be honest, I'm not completely looking forward to! As sweet as my daughter can be, she is certainly very different from my boys. There's plenty of drama and tears are shed over the little things. She's a girly girl and already into picking out her clothes, putting on lip gloss and carrying her purse everywhere she goes. My boys would wear the same outfit all week-long and it wouldn't bother them!

I have days where I think raising boys is a lot easier. They don't seem to mind what outfit I pick out for the day and they don't have much hair to brush which is always a plus! Then again, I have days when I think girls are easier. My little helper of a daughter actually enjoys picking up her toys, going grocery shopping and helping me cook. The boys, well they could care less! They are more into leaving their toys everywhere and eating me out of house and home! I guess the big question is who is actually easier to raise? Are girls easier to raise or are boys easier? Do you think it depends on the child?

This nursery rhyme seems fitting for this post!

What are little boys made of?
Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails,
That's what little boys are made of.

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

What's your opinion? Who's easier to raise girls or boys?

Just make a comment to this post and be entered to win one of my tutu bouquets! These adorable bouquets are made up of two tutu's, two pair of tights, a princess wand and coordinating hair-bow. Perfect gift for a little princess! If you win, you have your choice of which bouquet you would like. Good luck!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TutuPetalsBoutique

Contest ends May 26th, 2012.

Jessica

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by Jessica GPosted in Mothers

Terrible Two's

I've had my share of terrible two's! In fact, my son is two as we speak and boy oh boy can this age be trying! He is a very determined little guy who is into everything and has his fair share of meltdowns especially when I tell him "No." When my other two children turned three, I was convinced three's were worse. What I'm really hoping is that this time around, it only gets better! Sometimes I wonder if these tantrums are due to his lack of communication. I've decided to come up with a few strategies to help him cope with this phase and I hope they help you too!

Here they are:

1.Limit the Word "No"

Try using the words "Please" or "Try this."  In other words, redirect them. Bring out a new toy or activity for them to play with. I'm a big believer that the word "No" only makes them more frustrated.

2. Speak Clearly and Directly

If your child is doing something that is dangerous and you fear they may hurt themselves, explain it in a way they can understand you. Keep your explanation short and to the point. Two-year old's have a very short vocabulary and also a very short attention span.

3. Reinforce Positive Behavior

This really works well with all ages. Children love to know they are doing a good job and behaving well. Instead of only telling them what not to do, try the opposite!

4. Keep Them Safe

Set their playing space in an area that they can't get hurt. This will help keep accidents to a minimum and will help tantrums as well.

5. Get Down to Their Level

Again, this works with children of all ages. When you speak to your child, bend down so you can have direct eye contact. This helps your child understand you better.

I know that these young years can be frustrating for parents as well as for children. Just remember your child doesn't have the language skills yet to express his needs. The best thing we can do for them is to be patient. You know the old saying "This too shall pass." Or should we say "This TWO shall pass?"

How do you cope with terrible two's?

Jessica

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by Jessica GPosted in Babies, Mothers

Being a Mother Equals Being Superwoman!

I don't like blood. I'm not a fan of hospitals but I have to wonder who really is? Last week my lovely daughter was twirling around in the living room when she lost her footing and hit her head and chin on the corner of the fireplace. She let out a wail of a scream so I knew something was wrong. I immediately picked her up and checked her head which seemed fine. I looked down to notice she had cut her chin open and didn't realize it. I knew immediately she needed stitches or something. I called the doctor and they told me to bring her in. Of course my wonderful husband only wanted the best for his little girl and told me to tell them he wanted a plastic surgeon to sew her up. "Oh lord." I thought. "This should be interesting!" When I brought her into the doctor's office, the doctor knew that she needed either glue or two or three stitches. My amazing little girl didn't even bat an eyelash and was all smiles about thirty minutes after it happened. (Boy are kids resilient, but anyways!) I had to tell the doctor about my overprotective husband wanting a plastic surgeon. He told me that they usually don't do little things like this and my best bet was to bring her to the hospital since they take care of facial injuries all of the time. So, we headed to the hospital and after 3 hours, she left with some glue and steri-strips. She also got a red popsicle and stickers and she was very happy about that! I was so proud of her. She did fantastic. Had we had to have stitches, I know if would have been another story! I was thankful she didn't need them. Unfortunately though, my poor baby will have a scar on her chin forever. I'm pretty sad about that. I'm just really hoping it's not that noticeable.

With that said, I use to cringe at the thought of having kids and knowing that they would need stitches, break bones and vomit all over the place! I never had a stomach for these types of things and my husband never had the stomach for needles or blood. I was afraid for us as parents! It's amazing what mode you morph into when your kids are hurt or sick. It's like you're a mama bear trying to protect her cubs.

As much as we try to prevent accidents, things like this are going to happen. The only thing we can do is comfort our little ones and give lots of hugs and kisses. I guess your never truly a mom until you've been thrown up on, peed on or been to the ER.

Oh the joys of parenthood!

Jessica

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by Jessica GPosted in Welcome