What is Your Magic Number?

I knew that after I had my first child I wanted another child. Not only for myself but to give him a sibling. I really didn't want him to be an only child. I was under the impression that two children was the magic number. One child per parent. Two hands. One for each child. It just made sense. In fact, looking back it made perfect sense. Even though it was an adjustment going from one child to two, our family seemed complete. When I found out I was pregnant with my third child, I was extremely nervous. I wasn't sure how it would work. I was concerned about the divided attention each of my children would get. I was concerned with many things, in fact I was petrified to add a third to the mix! It really did take some time to adjust to having a third. So, even though I'm still adjusting in a lot of ways, I know that three children is the magic number for our family.

Here's a thought:

Did you know the average family size is 2.6? The average family has 2 children, but in the family there is an average of 4 people.

Small family vs big family?

While one child may be ideal for some couples, larger families are ideal for others. Look at the Duggar's for example. They have 19 children and continue adding to their brood. I have to wonder what their secret is! How can they possibly give attention to all those children and still stay sane at the end of the day? I guess that is why everyone is so fascinated by their super sized family! It also makes me wonder how they can afford to raise 19 plus children these days especially when the cost of raising just one child is so high.

How much does it cost to raise a child?

As of last year the cost of raising a child averaged $226,920. This figure is from birth to age 18 and does not include college!( In other words, the cost of raising a child is outrageous.) Not only is this number disturbing, it's gone up by 40% in almost a decade. It really made me wonder how much the Duggar's will eventually spend to raise all 19 children. I did the math. Ready? $4,311,480.00 not including college! That figure certainly makes me feel better about sending my three children to college.

What's your magic number?

Since everyone has a different situation, I'm curious what size family works for you. What is your magic number?

Jessica

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

by Jessica GPosted in Babies, Mothers, Welcome

What is Love? (Contest Winner Announced!)

Winner is C. Cherault. Please contact us with your email address so we can send you the Juppy!

In honor of Valentine's Day, I thought I would ask some kids what love means to them. Their responses are very sweet and very funny! Nothing like that old saying, "Out of the mouths of babes!"

What does love mean? (A child's perspective)

"Love means holding hands and giving someone a valentine." Jack, age 6

"Love means you share your toys." Josie, age 4 (almost 5)

"Love means hugging and having fun together." Sara, age 6

"Love means I love you." Jason, age 6

"Love means I love Mommy." Breanna, age 4

"Love means to me having the best family!" Elizabeth, age 6

"Love means to me being best friends." Maija, age 6

"Love means I want to kiss." Zoe, age 5

"Love means a heart." Emerson, age 5

"Love means a Christmas tree." Aiden, age 4

"Love makes me happy. It makes me want to hug. And, I love candy." Grace, age 4

"Love means hugging and kissing and saying goodnight to your mother." Cadence, age 5

Love is in the air! We are giving away The Juppy Baby Walker to one lucky reader. Please subscribe to this blog and make a comment on why you deserve to win. Contest ends February 14th.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Jessica

by Jessica GPosted in Holidays, Mothers

Preschool to Kindergarten

I have a very strong-headed four-year old. She is in her second year of preschool and is supposed to be attending Kindergarten in the fall. The problem? She insists she's not going. She throws a fit every time she hears the "K" word. Her teacher told me she can't mention when she's around. I swear I've tried every angle. I told her she gets to go to school with her brother and ride the bus with him. She doesn't want to hear a word about it. Nope! She's even gone as far as to not wanting to attend her dance or gymnastics class anymore. My theory is that she has become too attached to me. A little too attached! I obviously have a lot to figure out in the next few days since Kindergarten registration is next week. I have to wonder if I should hold her back and have her attend preschool for one more year. Should I just send her and if she hates it to the point of her not wanting to go back, pull her out? Should I send her kicking and screaming with the hopes that she catches up academically? You see my very stubborn daughter is not really into learning her ABC's and 1.2.3's. In fact, she has no desire. When I mentioned this to her doctor, he said not to worry. They will apparently teach her all of this in Kindergarten. Fine right? Well, they also start teaching them to read in Kindergarten now. It's not first grade anymore! That's a heck of a lot for a child to learn in a year in my opinion. My oldest knew his alphabet at two and a half. He was more than ready to attend preschool at 2.5 and right on track for Kindergarten. She is right on track socially so that's not the problem. I know that a huge part of learning stems from the social aspect so I'm not too concerned with that. In fact, she loves going to preschool and loves her teacher and her friends. Thankfully she likes going or we would really have a problem!

So, I really have to wonder if one more year of preschool will really hurt her. Maybe she really is trying to tell me something. I mean, she is an August baby and the cutoff for school is September 1st. My fear is that she will be forced to catch up and she won't enjoy attending and therefore fall behind. As much as I hate to let my baby girl "go" part of me wants her to hold her head up high and say, "I did it, Mom!" Part of me also wants her to cut the cord a little. Is that wrong?

What are you thoughts on the Preschool to Kindergarten transition? Do you think it's better to hold them back or send them and see how they do?

Jessica

Don't forget to subscribe to this blog and follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

by Jessica GPosted in Mothers