Things I Plan On Doing

I have been thinking about parenting lately- well- all the time. So, I have decided to make a list of things I plan on doing NOW and down the road as a parent. Also, this is probably good for me to actually write it down and have people read it- because then I will be more likely to stick to my guns down the road. (Ben may come back here and edit this when he's home... haha)

1. I will not wipe my kids noses for them. I have noticed this already with Grant, but we decided to do this early on, and I believe it's making Grant a "tougher" kid. Not a mean kid, but a tough kid. He falls, hits his head, gets his fingers stuck in some random part in the grocery cart, and he never really cries. Why? I think it's because we don't coddle him (I could write an entire BOOK on the ways I think parents coddle their children... but I'll save that for later) when these things happen. Instead, we say, "Hop Up!" or "Get up!" "You're just fine!" Granted, we do know when he's hurt and when he needs our love, but I believe children will go farther in life if you allow them to fall on their faces and learn on their own. But I will always be there to help them up if they need it.

2. I understand that parenting (by observation) is never going to be equal. Some children need more or less discipline than the others. Each child is different, and thus needs to dealt with individually. However, I do think it's important to be fair. Especially when the children are older. I fear that if parents are not fair, your children will be too smart, figure it out, call you on it, and they will be "right."

3. Discipline. Enough said. I completely agree with "Nanny 911" and other such shows that say the reason children are not disciplined are because there is no respect in the home. When do you teach your children this? From day 1. Even with Grant only being 15 months old, he still goes in time out (after 3 strikes)... even though he doesn't know exactly what's going on, it's a habit that he'll know pretty soon, and will help make my job as a mom easier. Not only do I always want to discipline my children (not be mean- there's a difference), but I want to be consistent. If not, your kids will know it, and use it to outwit you. I think kids are SO MUCH SMARTER than parents give them credit for. I mean, Grant was able to bi-pass our gate thing yesterday and made it into the kitchen without me knowing it (and I was in the kitchen!).

4. Be awesome. I want to always be awesome. Even if I am disciplining a child, you can still be awesome. haha This one is more funny...

5. I don't want to be my child's best friend, because there will be a time and place for that when they are adults. I think it's totally inappropriate for parents to be their kids best friends. It creates a lack of respect, rather than the reverse. HOWEVER, I want to be fun. I think I can do both- be the parent AND be fun. I'm not sure how it will all work down the road, but at least I am putting it out there.

6. Love. My children will hear me say "I love you" to them all the time, everyday. Not only that, but my children will know that I am in love with my husband. I think it's SOOO important that parents SHOW acts of love to each other in front of their children. It's a sad world when a child really has to wonder if their parents love each other. Ben and I have talked about how we will totally be that annoying mom and dad who kiss all the time and gross the kids out... awesome. Why wouldn't we?! If our kids are going to learn how to love, it's going to be from us, the parents.

Anyway, that has been on my mind, and now it's on "paper." haha If you have any suggestions, let me know.
-Rochelle

Picture of the Year

I don't even know if I have to say anything. But I will- Grant loves Forts. The end.

"I once was lost, but now am found." -our Camera

Duncan and Carrie jumping from the fireplace onto the love sack. They had way too much fun!











Grant posing for pictures with Carrie and Duncan










Grant sporting his awesome outfit HANDMADE by my friend, Jesie.










Ok, sorry about the change in the way I am posting these... I seem to be having problems with blogger today, so you are getting whatever I am settling on!

This is Grant and I (obviously) next to how many hands high we are tall. This was at the Indianapolis Zoo (so cool and even cooler outside! brrrrr)
Grant tries to touch the Lemar.
Grant trying to touch the sharks, which you were allowed to do- but he's just too small still!
Cute! Grant LOVES THE FISH!
More fish.
Chloe has issues with getting her picture taken, so one of us would make her laugh, and the other would take the picture!
Or you would surprise her, like I did here!
This is the first night that Chloe and Grant met. Notice how happy Chloe is?! Really- it's classic.
Because I am awesome and always forget that blogger uploads pics in reverse order, this should come AFTER the next pic, but alas, I'm too lazy to fix it. Here is how wet Grant and Chloe made me after their bath. I think there was a flood on the floor. More water was there than in the bath at the end of the bath. PS... Love my dad lurking around in the doorway!
SO MUCH FUN IN THE TUB!!! I'll get the video up and running soon... but this was the funniest thing I've ever seen.
More Pictures later. I am done with blogging for the day. haha THE END.

Weight Update

For those of you who care, I had a not so great week. I didn't exercise once! I was in Chicago, and though I tried to eat healthy, I had a pretty sad week. But, the day I left Chicago, I cleaned off the treadmill, and ran/walked a mile. I do NOT run anymore, so this was an accomplishment. And I have been good this week so far about eating well, and also getting some form of exercise in. I figure I can focus on loosing about 1-2 pounds a week, and then that will give me anywhere between a weight loss of 13-26 pounds by Riley and Alison's wedding (my brother and fiance).

Again, if you want to jump on board with me (even if you are doing our own little program), let's get fit together!!

rochelle.worthen@gmail.com

I'll update you all next week! Hopefully I will do better.