He is Growing Up So Fast

I only have one child. He is six and a half. He is really growing up. I knew this would happen, but it's happening so fast. Time is flying by like the wind. I am cherishing every day and every moment. It all started when he told me to stop calling him baby. No matter how many times I say that I am not calling him a baby that wears a diaper. I am calling him baby like honey or sweetie.  It doesn't matter, he doesn't like it.  I have been working on it but its hard.

Noah has started giving himself his own baths. I am in the room of course but he doesn't want any help. I let him do it, but help to get the extra shampoo out.  We had a conversation about how I can't give him baths anymore. I wanted to cry. It was definitely a bittersweet moment. I am happy that he is independent and confident. I am a little sad because he's no longer that little boy. I am crying while writing this.

He has started telling me to stop babying him. I am his mom, I want to help him but I guess I need to wait to be asked.  He always thinks its amazing when I read his mind. When I know what he wants. I just smile and say because I am your mom.  I know what you are thinking. 

He no longer watches Sprout. This past Christmas, there wasn't a Caillou Holiday Movie marathon. I no longer hear Chica's squeak. I look forward to all the awesome things to come. I'm just gonna miss things that he used to do.

Let's Talk about Peer Pressure

I have been thinking a lot about peer pressure lately. It something we deal with from when we are little all through school.  We feel peer pressure when we are younger, to try drinking, smoke cigarettes, do drugs and even have sex. We also even felt pressure about the friends we had, and who we wanted to be in a relationship with.  People have missed out on great friends because of peer pressure. I am sure we all have been under that type of peer pressure and cracked and gave in. I know I have. It is normal to experience peer pressure and have the urge to fit in. I think that it is important to remember that the peer pressure you feel cannot be a good thing. You don’t gain anything valuable from it. It can ruin your life or hurt someone very deeply. You should make your own choices and go with what you believe is right.

I believe that there are still peer pressures as an adult. I used to think that when I was no longer in school that it would go away. I haven’t personally really felt too much peer pressure from my friends. Maybe on occasion when it comes to who I am friends with, I strongly believe that everyone has a choice who to be friends with, unless they are just a horrible person.  Even then you make the choice to not be around your friend’s friend. You should still be friends with your friend because of your own reasons. I wouldn’t suggest if the person is a criminal or does other questionable things that you should engage in that behavior. I will be writing a post about a girl I once considered a friend and possible warning signs of what is not OK in my opinion. I am no longer friends with the so-called friends that pressured me about who I was friends with.  I no longer feel peer pressure to do drugs or drink, I am not a drug addict so it is not a desire of mine at all. When I go out with friends, I don’t feel like I have to keep up with them buy drinking an insane amount of alcohol, because it is not my style.

I think that it is important to talk to your children about peer pressure and the dangers of those things. I was watching Boy Meets World and they were talking about peer pressure in an episode. I am sure your kids will say that they will never drink or do drugs, but when you are faced with it, and wanting to fit in, saying no might not be that easy.  Honesty is important when you are talking to your children about those serious topics. I am not saying they need to know about everything but if you open up to them, they will open up to you.  Spend some time explaining why you think that it is a bad idea. Open communication is extremely important.  I know I have said this before and I am sure I will say it again at least five more times, but I highly recommend you watch the movie Requiem for a Dream with your teenage child. It shows the real life consequences of drugs, sex, and addiction. It is not a movie that makes drugs look like fun or look cool. I know that everyone parents differently, but that is just what I think would work best in my family.

Do you still feel peer pressure as an adult?

Noah is Growing Up Fast!

When I found out I was pregnant with Noah, I started making my list of what I would need for him. I remember that I had a check list that was like four pages long. He needed all kinds of things, or so I thought. There were some things on the list that I never ended up using. I knew that he was going to be a boy so I made sure I bought gauze for his circumcision. I never ended up using it though. I was an over prepared mom who had everything that the books recommended short of a bottle warmer, and wipe warmer, which both seemed like something I would not use. The most important thing to have for a baby or a child for that matter is a car seat. We are on car seat number 4. I would suggest cosco car seats for anyone who is looking for a car seat. The one we had lasted a long time. It had gone on my many trips and never had any problems with it. It was a great price too.

Noah has always been a big boy so when he meets the weight requirement he has to move on to another one. I really don’t mind though because that’s just part of being a mom, new car seats, new clothes, and new shoes as he keeps growing. Noah has had a lot of cute clothes and shoes. I wish I would have bought him some toddler rain boots. So, his pants wouldn’t get wet as he jumped in the puddles. Little kid boots are adorable and I was just thinking about buying Noah a pair, so we can jump in puddles together. I would need boots too because my snow boots would look ridiculous in the Spring and Summer. I could probably get away with wearing my beach sandals though.