I have been reading this Free Range Kids blog lately http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/ I really want Spencer to be a 'free range kid'. I don't think it will always be easy to balance safety (whether real or perceived) with freedom, but I really believe in the free range kids philosophy.
The author/creator of this blog is Lenore Skenazy, the woman who let her 9-year old son ride the NY subway home from Macy's by himself. She received much attention, mostly negative it seems.
I hope we can give Spencer the opportunity to be 'free range'.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
What was that I said?
Did I really say in my last blog post something about Spencer being in the 'terrible twos' but mostly being a 'lot of fun'? Those words were MEANT to be eaten. What was I thinking by writing that? We have certainly seen some terrible two's surfacing during the past few months. The worst of it so far was basically a week long temper trantrum...seriously. Everything was a battle. We are fortunate that Spencer talks fairly well and can tell us what he wants. We are unfortunate that he is the most contrary person in existence. 'I want pancakes!' 'Ok, we'll have pancakes.' 'No, I don't WANT pancakes!' 'Ok then, no pancakes.' 'I WANT PANCAKES!' Eventually either Fred or I have to just make a decision (pancakes or not? Little Engine that Could or Winnie the Pooh? Bob the Builder or Curious George?), and no matter what it is the wrong decision and ends with Spencer in freak out mode.
Once the week long tantrum was over things were ok again. When he's cute we can hardly stand it...when he's throwing a tantrum we can hardly stand it. Seems there is no in between with a toddler.
Sleep has been another issue. At bedtime we used to read a few stories, sing a song, then put him in bed. 'Goodnight Spencer, I love you', 'Goodnight mommy'. Now, it's read a few stories, then 'one more! One last time! I want trains!!! LAST STORY!!!' 'Songs!' 'No, no songs!' 'SONGS!' He also decided to stop napping about a week ago. I think he still needs to nap, but since he's apparently learned to keep himself awake there is no more napping to be had. We at least make sure he gets some rest time in his crib (more for caregiver rest than Spencer rest). We have learned that you can lead a toddler to crib, but you can't make him nap! And yes, he still is in his crib. I don't plan on putting him in a 'big boy' bed anytime soon if I can help it. We did wean him from the pacifier about 6 weeks ago, which may be attributing to the change in nap and bedtime pattern.
He has started calling daddy 'Fred'...which was really funny at first (at least to me) but isn't funny to Fred. He's been calling me 'mom' at times, rather than mommy. He's a little parrot, and uses his learned words and phrases appropriately. Several mornings ago I asked him to stay still so I could change his diaper. His response was 'You can't always get what you want, Mommy'.
We've had a good summer. Nothing too exciting. We went to an airplane show at the local municipal airport, and they had some fire trucks there. Spencer got to 'drive' a fire truck.
For Father's Day we went to the aquarium. We took MARTA (public train) to get there, which Spencer loved. He loved MARTA so much, that it was all he could talk about at the aquarium. 'Spencer look at that Whale Shark!' 'Uh-huh...can we go ride MARTA?' Oh well.
And another day at the train museum, this time for the trains, trucks and tractors exhibit. Spencer loves that museum.
This is one of Spencer and Fred's favorite games. Fred loves it because it takes minimal effort on his part.
Having fun during story time.
Once the week long tantrum was over things were ok again. When he's cute we can hardly stand it...when he's throwing a tantrum we can hardly stand it. Seems there is no in between with a toddler.
Sleep has been another issue. At bedtime we used to read a few stories, sing a song, then put him in bed. 'Goodnight Spencer, I love you', 'Goodnight mommy'. Now, it's read a few stories, then 'one more! One last time! I want trains!!! LAST STORY!!!' 'Songs!' 'No, no songs!' 'SONGS!' He also decided to stop napping about a week ago. I think he still needs to nap, but since he's apparently learned to keep himself awake there is no more napping to be had. We at least make sure he gets some rest time in his crib (more for caregiver rest than Spencer rest). We have learned that you can lead a toddler to crib, but you can't make him nap! And yes, he still is in his crib. I don't plan on putting him in a 'big boy' bed anytime soon if I can help it. We did wean him from the pacifier about 6 weeks ago, which may be attributing to the change in nap and bedtime pattern.
He has started calling daddy 'Fred'...which was really funny at first (at least to me) but isn't funny to Fred. He's been calling me 'mom' at times, rather than mommy. He's a little parrot, and uses his learned words and phrases appropriately. Several mornings ago I asked him to stay still so I could change his diaper. His response was 'You can't always get what you want, Mommy'.
We've had a good summer. Nothing too exciting. We went to an airplane show at the local municipal airport, and they had some fire trucks there. Spencer got to 'drive' a fire truck.
For Father's Day we went to the aquarium. We took MARTA (public train) to get there, which Spencer loved. He loved MARTA so much, that it was all he could talk about at the aquarium. 'Spencer look at that Whale Shark!' 'Uh-huh...can we go ride MARTA?' Oh well.
And another day at the train museum, this time for the trains, trucks and tractors exhibit. Spencer loves that museum.
This is one of Spencer and Fred's favorite games. Fred loves it because it takes minimal effort on his part.
Having fun during story time.
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