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Stuttering in toddlers: should I be concerned?
A couple of weeks ago Kari started stuttering. It came out of the blue, no warnings, and over a day or two the stutter was so severe that she gave up completing her sentences. “I can’t say it!” she would sigh, dramatically. (Always the diva) Freaked out? Why, yes, yes I most definitely was! I had read up about stuttering in toddlers a few years prior because Hubstopher also has a stutter and I wondered if it was genetic. I mean, I was prepared for it, but I wasn’t, if that makes sense. To see my 3-year old show symptoms of the speech impediment shook me!
We immediately brushed away the idea that this was learned behavior. I mean, Hubstopher’s stutter has simmered down to a slight stammer and he sometimes has whole conversations with out you even noticing his speech impediment. So it wasn’t likely that she was mimicking her daddy. And anways, his stammer was more syllable focused. Hers was pretty intense… she was stuttering whole words (not just syllables). What on earth could this be?!
Anyways, I did what any rational, modern mom would do. I asked Google. Look, I was prepared to take the kid to a speech therapist like, yesterday! Judging from the stories Hubstopher has shared about his struggle growing up with a stutter, it wasn’t something I was looking forward to seeing my daughter try to work through.
Guys, what I found on Google surprised me! For starters, Google literally told me to take a darn chill pill woman. Okay, maybe not literally, but that’s what I read between the lines.
Apparently stuttering is not uncommon in kids between the ages of two and five. Language dysfluency is basically a coping mechanism that occurs when little ones are learning to form words into sentences. The dysfluency usually manifests in word or phrase repetitions and, surprisingly, 5% of all children are likely to be disfluent at some time in their development.When kids feel rushed to speak, or they have a lot to say (but their brain is still catching up with what their mouths want to do), the stutter can occur. It’s also more evident when the child is excited, tired or stressed. The disfluency can come and go but it usually only sticks around for a short period of time. Experts say that if the stutter lasts for more than six months, you should then consider taking your kideo to a therapist. But wait it out. Educate yourself. Know what to look for and how to respond to the stutter.
There is some debate with regards to whether genetics play a role in stuttering. But we are confident that this is not our girl’s portion. In fact, the stuttering has since subsided and has been reduced to a stammer. Kyle has been a super sweet big brother, telling her to take a breath when she’s struggling to get a word out. It seems to be helping. We also try not to finish her sentences for her and of corse, we don’t show impatience towards her. We will be monitoring her for a few months to see if it worsens. But until then, it’s business as usual. Which means I get to listen to her endless Barbie bedtime stories. Yes, she tells ME a bedtime story.
Has your child ever showed signs of disfluency? Share your tips and advice in the comments section.
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Want to meet some of my fave South African mommy bloggers?
In case you’ve missed the news, I am in fact a mommy blogger. “Argh, what does this even mean for your social life?!” I hear the masses cry in shock and horror. Calm down people, it’s not as bad as it looks. Being a mommy blogger is actually a really great way to meet… well… other south african mommy bloggers. And pretty soon these “on screen friendships” develop into pretty deep real life relationships and before you know it, you’re able to have an emotional conversation, via Whatsapp, at midnight with someone sitting on the other side of the country, who totally gets you.Why am I telling you this? Well, because I do believe that our local mommy bloggers are gosh darn amazing! They have a lot to say (and that’s where the blog comes in) and they are all so eager to give their readers the BEST content.
Besides for the interesting product reviews and awesome giveaways, one of my favorite thing about mommy bloggers is that they share real life stories. I appreciate that they are brave enough to overshare with their readers. Parenting is tough, yo! I mean, sure it’s all unicorns and rainbows and fluffy clouds… until the glittery poop hits the fan. Which is why, if you’re feeling particularly loony toons, it’s so great to be able to read someone else’s personal testimony and be like “yeah! me too!”It’s with this in mind that I thought to feature a couple of my favorite South African mommy bloggers on my blog every week. I think that these ladies are pretty rad, Brad! And I want you to meet ’em! My Meet The Mommy Blogger series commences tomorrow and will run every Friday, over the next couple of weeks. If you happen to check them out, do me a solid and visit my mommy blogger friends websites and show them some love! They’d love to hear from you.
Clip note: Pic above was borrowed from Venean Bosch of In The Meantime (bottom left), to her right is Eleanor Douglas-Meyers of Just Ella Bella, Mandy Miller of Pregnant in Cape Town (bottom) and Tracey Grammar of The Milk Memoirs. On top is Cindy Alfino of 3 Kids 2 Dogs and 1 Old House and then lil old me.
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Day Zero: The day the taps will run dry {And 10 ways you can save water}
It sounds very “end of the world movie starring Will Smith” but authorities have recently reported that our water resources are running low… yep, we are on the brink of facing Day Zero. And by on the brink I mean, they say it’s going to happen in the next few months. What is Day Zero, you ask? Well, it’s the day when most taps will be turned off and residents will have to queue for water due to drought and water shortage. There has been no relief for our looming water crisis and authorities have urged residents to continue to be water smart. I mean, can you imagine not having flushing toilets? If you haven’t begun to conserve water, I urge you to do so now. To help you do this, I’ve put together a bunch of really cool tips on how you can get your household to conserve water.
In the kitchen
1. Keep the plug in the sink to collect any extra water (which can be used for rinsing). If you have a double sink, consider leaving a plastic bowl in one of them, to catch any water that can be reused again.
2. When washing dishes, save the water to mop the floor afterwards. Rinse washed dishes in a tub of water which you can reuse to water the garden.
3. Save a small container of water in the fridge to wash fruit in. Water the garden once you’re done.
4. Using paper towels (and not cloth towels, that may need to be washed afterwards) is a good way to conserve water.
5. If you’re using a dishwasher, wait until it is fully loaded before switching it on.
In the bathroom
1. Save your bathwater and use it to flush the loo.
2. Only flush the toilet when absolutely necessary. Some moms have allowed their boys to urinate outside. Yep, the struggle is that real!
3. Use a facecloth to clean your face, and a small cup of water to rinse your mouth, instead of a running tap.
4. Take a shorter shower or hey, have a competition to see who can do it in the shortest amount of time. When showering, turn the tap off while you’re lathering yourself, and turn tap back on to rinse. Want to be extra? Take a bucket with you into the shower, to catch any excess water.
5. Share bath water (usually the kids will hop in first, and the adults later).Moms, are you teaching your children how to be water smart? Are they aware of the water crises? Are they treating water like the precious commodity that it is? I certainly do hope so! If not, that’s okay. You can always start today. Consider turning it into a little game to see who can save the most water, or come up with the best ways to save water.
If you have any great water saving tips, please do share them below or on the Facebook thread on my Facebook page. We’re in this together guys.
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Gifting with intention: Keeping the Christ in Christmas
Christmas is a few hours away and I’m pretty sure some of you, like me, have yet to wrap those Christmas gifts. Okay, okay, let’s keep it real, I have yet to BUY those Christmas gifts too. I love gifting with intention though… and that takes time! I usually find myself online sifting through the latest fads and trends, to find the perfect gift for my family members. You know, gifts that actually mean something! This year, I decided to keep the Christ in Christmas. Jesus is the reason for the season, after all. Fortunately, my friends over at Christian Art Media has a range of inspirational gifting ideas to help make the tedious yet very, very rewarding job of Christmas gifting, that much easier. Here are some of my faves:
Books and more books
If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you’ll know that I am a huge fan of Christian Art Medias range of amazing inspirational books. My favorite picks, this festive season is Nick Vujicic’s autobiogrophy, Be The Hands and Feet. This guy is amazing. He tells the story of how God used him, despite being born with out limbs. Nick Vujicic is known worldwide as the man without arms and legs who personifies a “can do” spirit.
Using compelling stories from his own experience, Nick shares the heart of his message, the motivation behind all he does, and something that he believes the world needs now more than ever before: A faith in Jesus Christ that moves people to act and make the world a better place.
If you’re looking for a stocking filler, the hand bag sized Minute Motivators for Women by bestselling author Stan Toler and his wife, Linda, is a great gift idea! In this mini manual, they share thought-provoking quotes and beautiful words of hope that is sure to keep you inspired in the new year. Each chapter will draw your attention to a single attribute every godly woman wants to cultivate in her life, such as patience, wisdom, persistence, courage, and gratitude. Bite-size portions of inspiration make this the perfect devotional for, well, anytime—especially those days when you feel like you can never get ahead. Recharge in the middle of a hectic schedule or end your day with a much-needed reminder that God has every aspect of your life under control.
Bibles
Christian Art Media has the biggest selection of Bibles. There literally is something for everyone! My favorite is the My Promise Bible, which is beautifully designed, inside and out. Besides for the stunning illustrations (which you can color in), there is also a whole collection of scrap book goodies, in the sleeve behind the Bible, for you to document your spiritual journey through color and expression. I love this so much!
If you’re looking for something a bit more masculine, this stunning classic King James Version tan lux leather Bible is perfect. It offers a one-year Bible reading plan, full-color map, a concordance and the words of Christ in red. Gilt-edged pages and a presentation page make this Bible perfect for gift-giving.
Journals
I’m a journal kinda girl. I love planning out my online and offline stuff, in one of the beautiful Christian Art Media luxe leather journals. Whether you’re looking for something for a guy or a gal, young or old, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect fit!For more inspirational gifting ideas, visit a CUM Books store or check out their website.
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2017 trends that are blowing my mind
I don’t know if you’re aware, but it’s the 1st of December today. Yep girl, take it in. December is upon us. And as summer goes, there are a bunch of new trends that all the cool kids are running with. Well, in general, 2017 has given us a whole bunch of trends that have totally blown my mind. Some of them are legit. Others have left me more confused than I usually am. And the rest, well, I’m just over here trying to figure out how I feel about them without ugly crying. You guys know what they are:
Off the shoulder tops
As much as I love the off-the-shoulder top, I also don’t. Mainly because the thought of exposing my shoulders to the free world makes me want to shudder. These are totally in this summer though… which you probably already knew, judging by the amount of collar bones and shoulder blades I’ve seen in Spar just this past weekFidget spinners
Are these still a thing? And if so, why? But then again, what do I know. I’m the “give them books and love!” aunty of the family. I do believe that fidget spinners have been a big help to mama’s with kids who are battling with ADHD, so despite the weird contraptions strange name, it actually serves to accomplish a greater purpose. More power to it.
Fluffy sliders
No, these are not slippers, yo! So the faux fur sliders (aka flat slip on sandals) is all the rage right now and my spreadsheet brain wants to understand why, but it just can’t. Look, they are cute, I’ll give it that. But I don’t get why they have to be furry (isn’t it summer… as in, hot… as in fur maybe isn’t such a good idea in the heat…) I say this with an unresolved heart, because who knows, I might just get a pair!Broken jeans
Thank you 2017. You’ve shown me enough knees and thigh flesh to last me a good few years. And while we’re on this topic, apparently it’s okay to walk into a clothing store to purchase a pair of jeans that has rips and tears in them. Try explaining that one to my granny. Exactly. Guys, the trend is way cool, if you’re doing it right. But come on, you have to admit, it makes as much sense as an episode of Jersey Shore.Bitcoin
I don’t know how this got here, but I just want to say that if another person tries to “bitcoin shame” me on Facebook, I am going to use my imaginary fists and beat them in the imaginary face! Yes, yes, yes, Paul. I get it. Bitcoin is not imaginary… it’s real and it’s a thing and surely I don’t want to be rich because I’m not investing in it and all of that. Let’s move along now, shall we?
Contouring
It’s no secret, my contour game is so not on fleek. In fact, it’s pretty much “off fleek”, if you want to be honest about it. I love make up but I’ve never owned enough or had enough know-how to make my cheek bones look as if they are sharp enough to slice through a loaf of bread. I guess the whole contouring trend is totally lost on me.Ombre/Reverse ombre
My hair has been one color for most of my adult life and it causes me to thrive. I’m such a bad-ass. Hahaha. *cough* We both know that’s not the truth. Anyways, the reason why I don’t get “ombre” or “reverse ombre” is because it means that the top half of your hair is a different color to the bottom part of your hair, and where I’m from, it usually means your roots are showing, Wilna, and you need to reapply your hair dye.So what do you guys think? Are there any summer or 2017 trends that you’re totally loving? Which of them are lost on you? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Prepping for 2018 with Priscilla Shirer
With the end of the year quickly approaching, I find myself looking back on the past year… mistakes made, lessons learnt, that sort of thing. I love this aspect of life… that we are always growing and learning. No one year looks like the next. Well, it doesn’t have to, that’s for sure. We were gifted with choice and the ability to change and (most importantly) adapt to that change. So to help me get my house in order, I picked up two insightful reads (sent to me by Christian Art Media) and I really want to give one of them to one of you!
Firstly, do you guys know who Priscilla Shirer is? Well, she is the lead actor in the amazing Christian blockbuster War Room and is an author, motivational speaker, actress and evangelist. Priscilla has inspired me, since watching that movie, and I was super keen to hear what she has to say in her new devotional book called Awaken.The 90-day devotional will have you reading with intention. In fact, the back of the book says that “this kind of reading is not merely for the purpose of leisure and enjoyment. With this kind of book you’re praying for something more – to hear from God, receive His direction, and be refreshed in the depths of your soul.” Uhm, yes please!
Each day has a dedicated message with the sole intention to equip you to better hear God’s voice, empowering you to make sound decisions about the rest of your life. I needed this for 2018!
I was also so excited to get my hands on Chrystal Evans Hurst’s latest book, She’s Still There. Chrystal is actually Priscilla’s sister. Priscilla has highly recommended this read and, in the foreward, says: “each page will take the numbness away from your emotional limbs and spark a flame in your soul to mine the treasure you’ve been given by God. It will shine a spotlight on the clutter in your life that you’ve been too busy or too tired or too disinterested to unpack so that you can get to the good stuff.” In She’s Still There, Chrystal shares the secret to loving and honoring your life… even if your story is messy. She speaks about her teenage pregnancy and struggles with her weight. Man oh man, I can relate with so much of what she has to share!
When I opened the book and saw the title of the first part called “Fight for your life”, I could immediately feel the hairs on my arm stand on edge. Isn’t that what we feel we constantly need to do, ladies? We’re always fighting for our lives… for our happiness… for justice, acceptance, sometimes even for love. This book will equip you to reject the lie and move forward. Expect to be equipped and refreshed!
Giveaway! Can I please give this book to one of you? Consider it a Christmas present! To enter the giveaway, simply make sure you’re following my Facebook page over here and drop a comment on the specially marked post (like the one above) letting me know what you find the most interesting about it.I’ll draw a winner on Monday, November 20th at midday and will do an announcement on my Facebook page.
Update: Congratulations Carren Brandt!
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I get why it’s illegal for parents to spank their kids
It is the year 2017. A time where we keep our front doors locked, in the peak of summer. A time where it makes perfect sense to jump a red robot at 2am, because you never know who might rock up at your window. A time where we’re afraid to eat the chicken in case it has flu. And a time where it has become illegal for parents to spank their children.
Oh the shock! The horror! The outrage! We should be allowed to spank our kids! I hear you say. You’re right. I mean, why ban corporal punishment in the home? What does this even mean?!
Well, no, it does NOT mean that the Johannesburg High Court has decided to “keep up with the Kardashians” and is now feeling as if corporal punishment is like, soooo, not on trend at the moment. In case you didn’t know, the term “corporal punishment” basically refers to any punishment which uses physical force to bring about pain or discomfort. And alas, the percentage of parents who have severely injured their kids, under the guise of ‘giving a good spanking’ are just too high. Their lack of anger management means that the high court has to step in, in order to protect our kiddos.
So, as much as I agree that it sucks. (I mean, have you read my “angry mom” post? I like, SO, want to be able to give my kids a spanking without being charged for assault.) But let me remind you about the gross injustice so many of our young South Africans face, on a daily basis, at the hands of family members and parents who are suppose to care for them, and not hurt them.
This affects all of us and the way we raise our children. I mean, let’s be honest, a large percentage of us South African parents know when to draw the line between punishment and assault, when it comes to giving our kids a spanking. But unfortunately, the High Court has to stick up for the kids of the parents who kinda don’t.
So that’s where we are at, South Africa. Our children deserve better.
What are your thoughts on the new law?
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Car seats suck
Yeah yeah yeah, I hear you. If you don’t strap your kid in, you’re basically the worst kind of parent in the world. But the truth is that car seats suck. They are an inconveniencing pain in the neck. I am not best friends with the idea behind having to lug this thing around from car to car, just to make sure that my child is safe during the two minutes that it takes to drive from our house to the shop. If you’re a pro-car seats “I love my car seat soo friggen much” mom, good for you. This post is not for you. This post is for the rest of us, who think that car seats suck.
Look, I may be a tad bit dramatic (give or take a soap box or two) but I’ve been feeling especially overwhelmed since the addition of our newest baby. I mean, in my mommy bubble, car seats seem to be sucking even more lately, now that we have to have TWO installed. Kari will be turning three soon, and since baby Jo‘s arrival, there is little to no back seat space if both kiddies are strapped in. Oh, shall I remind you that when Seth is over, we have to make sure that all four of our kids are secure, when we’re travelling? It’s extremely fun.
I feel like getting from point A to point B is hard enough – with a crying baby, bored two year old and teenage son who wants to know “are we there yet”. Why must you make my life even more difficult, car seat?
But ‘mom-who-hates-car-seats’, just like you, I feel the mom guilt too. You know? That nagging feeling in the back of your mind that rebukes you for hating car seats because it could mean the life or death of your little child. We know that car seats are needed. Doesn’t mean we think it sucks less. And that’s why I am posting this today. Because I want you – ‘mom-who-has-a-lot-on-her-plate-already’ – to know that I hear you. I feel your pain. Nope, you are not a failure for hating the fact that you need to strap your kid in. You are not a loser mom, for detesting every single minute of having to lug your toddler’s car seat from one car to the other. Nope. You are human. And you are a super star for doing the right thing. We need to keep encouraging each other (hey, me too, yo!) to push on because yes, car seats suck. But seeing your kid fly through the windscreen of your car will suck considerably more.
#CarseatFullstop has been doing an excellent job at educating parents (like me) who find the inconvenience of car seats well… inconvenient. I’ve learnt so much and found myself a little bit more enlightened and inspired with regards to making sure my kids are strapped in. Because the truth is that whether you and I like it or not, there are more cars on the road. So that means there are more drivers on the road… and guess what, they are out of your control. So, whether you’re the best driver in the world, you cannot control the speed of your fellow road user, or his state of mind etc. The road is just not as safe as it was yesteryear.
So let’s decide that today will be day one. No judgies. You didn’t strap your kid in yesterday. That’s okay. Today is a new today. Look, no matter how we look at it, your kid needs to be strapped in. How about we hold each other accountable, and make sure that our kids are secure, in their car seats, each time that we travel? I can do that. Can you?
Some car seat facts that I’ve learnt through #CarseatFullstop:1. Car passenger deaths are the fourth leading cause of death in children in South
Africa.
2. Every child from birth until roughly 12 years old needs a car seat or booster seat to
be safe in a crash.
3. The latest research says that 93% of children in South Africa that need to be in a
car seat to be safe in a crash, are not in car seats.
4. A car seat belt is designed to be used by an adult male over 1.5m tall.
5. A car seat belt’s job is to distribute the force of a crash to the body’s strongest points – mid-shoulder, chest and pelvis.
6. The majority of car accidents happen close to home – one study shows 52%
within 8km and 77% within 25km. So “just up the road” means nothing.
7. On a child, a seat belt sits over their 2 most vulnerable points – the neck/throat
and the belly area containing all the vital organs. The seat belt becomes a
definitive threat to a child who isn’t using a booster seat to protect them from it.
8. A baby needs to be in a rear-facing infant seat until they are 13kgs or their head is
more than 1 inch from the top of the seat back. This is usually around 1 year’s old.
9. At 40km per hour the blow to your unrestrained child’s head making contact with
any part of the car is the same as dropping him/her from 6 meters (a second
story balcony) onto concrete.
10. The carry handle of an infant seat has a secondary purpose. When installing the
seat, you should pull the handle towards the backrest of the seat to create a “roll
cage” effect.
11. You should never buckle two children up in one seatbelt. The children could kill or
seriously injure one another in a crash or sudden stop. A car seat belt has also
only been crash-tested with one person, so there is no way to tell if or how it might
function with two.
12. In South Africa, it is illegal to travel in a car with a child under 3 years old not
strapped into an approved child safety seat.
13. Rear-facing car seats are far safer for developing bodies than forward facing car. They spread the force of a crash over the larger area of the back, as
opposed to the force being taken by the underdeveloped neck when the
proportionally big head of a smaller child is thrown forward.
14. . A bulky jacket, jersey or blanket underneath the car seat harness can create a
lot of slack between the harness and your child when the force from the crash
compresses the material. This can lead to your child being ejected. You should
rather place the blanket or jacket over the child once they are secured in the
harness.
15. You can currently purchase one approved car seat in South Africa that allows for
rear-facing up to 25kgs, which is between 4 and 6 years old.For more information, please follow #CarseatFullstop on social media and please feel free to share their posts to encourage others to follow along too.
#CarseatFullstop website
Email the #CarseatFullstop team
Connect with #CarseatFullstop on Facebook
Connect with #CarseatFullstop on Twitter
Connect with #CarseatFullstop on Instagram
Connect with #CarseatFullstop on Google Plus -
For those days when you don’t want to be married anymore
Sometimes I get why they call marriage an “institution”… because my Hubstopher literally makes me go mental. And the funny thing is, a couple of hours prior to that, I thought that unicorns and rainbows appeared when he pooped. How is it possible that someone, who is able to make your heart feel as if it’s beatboxing to a Justin Bieber song, can also, simultaneously, bring out the absolute worst in you? Look, ladies, let’s be honest, sometimes you just don’t want to be married anymore. Oh wait, is it just me then?
Yes, you heard me. Can we be real, ladies? I sometimes feel as if I don’t want to have to deal with another person and their needs and emotions and opinions. Being single seems pretty amazing at that point.
But then, eventually, when I’ve built the bridge, gotten over it, and stand there on the other side waiting for a cup of tea, I am reminded that this is what marriage is all about. The fluffy clouds and bare-butt cupids are one part of it, yes. But the “arrrgh can’t you just go away, but like also, stay here, because I don’t want you to leave me ever!” feelings are part of the package.
It has made me re-evaluate how I see marriage and weddings and all of that. Mushy messages and weekends away and roses are all great things. Love and being inlove is important. BUT are you willing to CHOOSE each other, over and over again for the rest of your life? Choosing each other means choosing to forgive no matter the cost… choosing to love through imperfection… choosing to be present and weather the storms, instead of bailing… and choosing to move on, after an upset. Like, if I had to remember each time Hubstopher and I had a disagreement, I would probably lose my ish.
The truth is that once everything has settled down, I’m just so amazed that this guy – in all his calmness – has decided that he wants to spend the rest of his life with me and my (sometimes erratic) spreadsheet brain. The beauty of marriage is right there… in the mess. It’s there, deep in the ugly, when you’re having the worst argument ever and a couple of hours later, still find yourself wanting to love the other person.
And so even when I feel like I don’t want to be married anymore, I take a breath and remember that this feeling of complete overwhelm is just that… a feeling. This moment is but a ‘comma’ in our chapter. And I am thankful that even when I’m not being the best version of me, he still chooses me, every day. And I choose him too. And that’s what makes it worth it.
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Do you hold regular family meetings?
Does your family hold regular family meetings? You know, a gathering of sorts, where you are able to share your thoughts and feelings with each other? Yep, I get it, if you grew up in the *cough* 90’s like I did, a family meeting would be a foreign concept. In fact, it would be laughable! I mean, if we had family meetings back when I was a kid, my mum would respond to my “chores is child labor” claims with a shoe against my face. Well, that is a mild exaggeration, but you get the gist. Parents of the 90’s (and earlier) were not prone to needing the advice or opinion of their children. But things have changed, it seems.
So according to quite a few websites (I’m linking them below), it’s important to hold regular family meetings. These sites claim that families should sit down and deliberate decisions together… as a group. As in, your kid gets to have a say. One expert says that decisions should not be made without the kids consult. Apparently that’s dictatorship and no one wants to be that guy.
I read that holding meetings is a great way to include everyone in the decision making process and it creates a space where you can address issues, openly and calmly. Have you guys tried this at home? Well, I did, the other day. I mean, I figured that we arent living in 19-voetsak anymore and that it would be cool to hear the kids thoughts on certain things. Here’s how ours went down:
Winning
It was cool to address topics that were areas of concern. We brought up sensitive issues and made sure that everyone knew that we would respect each other’s opinion. Kyle (who loves debate) could argue his case and explain how he feels. And we could respond with our reasoning and thoughts on the topic. We then reached an amicable conclusion and were able to move on from the issue.Flopping
Did you read the part where I said that Kyle loves to debate? ‘Cause that. The kid can argue his point until next week, if given the chance. We had to remind him that this was a brainstorming session, and not an opportunity to attack each other. AND most importantly (well, for me probably), we get to have the final say because we are the big people.Conclusion
I think that family meetings are a great idea. But, before you hop right in there Harriet, lay down the law. Have some “family meeting rules” to comply with. In fact, a talking stick is also a really good idea too.Here are other bits of advice I found, that really helped us:
– Create a safe place (no judgies) for everyone to respectfully share their thoughts.
– What happens in Family Meeting, stays in Family meeting.
– For every negative comment, three positive comments must follow.
– Brainstorm ways to do things better, instead of focusing on the problem.
– Write down family goals and determine ways to reach them.
– Set the date for your next family meeting.So, that’s my take on the family meeting. What do you think, moms? Is this something that you’ve implemented in your own home? Please share your advice in the comment section below – you’ll be surprised at how many mama’s draw on the info that they receive in the comments.
Resources:
Centre for Parenting Education
Planning Alt
Lifestyle Plus Centre
