Parenting

I definitely agree with this parenting tip. Some people might consider this minor or pedantic or silly to bother thinking about, but I think subtle differences in the words you use–even just the tone–have a tangibly different effect. You have to be self-aware and monitor what you say and do continually to find these things.

So a while back I stopped tacking on the “okay” at the end. It’s hard to get others to stop though, because it’s a nicety we use with each other. It feels more polite. It feels like we’re being friendlier. But it’s just for equals, not for your own children.

Instead, I started saying “It’s time,” which came from some other basic parenting advice: A consistent pattern or schedule keeps the child grounded. They know what to expect. The resulting benefit for me is that you get less debate or defiance.

“What do we do after playing outside?”

“Wash hands…”

“Right…”

It doesn’t stop Nathaniel from saying “I don’t want to!” But it keeps it down. And he often does whatever the task is by himself anyway. Hey, sometimes he says–”Daddy, we forgot to …” (buckle me into my carseat–oops)…

Parenting Tip: Don’t Say to Your Child: “Okay?”

Just listen to yourself. “Mary Jane, please sit here so mommy can put your shoes on you. Okay?” Now what did you just do in your polite way of role-modeling? You just gave your 2-year-old of the option of NOT SITTING THERE SO YOU CAN PUT HER SHOES ON HER!!! You asked her IF IT WAS OKAY!! …

• Dr. Suzann O’Koon’s Blog » Parenting Tips Series: Don’t Say to Your Child: “Okay?”

The day every dad dreams of: Nathaniel just got his first credit card offer: Jet Blue American Express. They grow up so fast…

Sophia had an extra visit to the doctor this week, about a week after
her one-month appointment. In just that one week, she gained a pound!

Birth:
8 lbs. 8 oz.
21 in.

One month:
10 lbs. 8 oz. (100th percentile)
23 1/2 in. (90th percentile)
Head size: 50th percentile

Five weeks:
11 lbs. 4 oz.

Trixie Tracker Baby Tracking Software

Pretty cool use of “Web 2.0″–we might try this out then everybody can track Sophia day by day…

What they need is how to track the parents’ sleep quantity and hours worked also…

For any small-child parental types out there, just found this helpful resource (also commercially biased but whatever) for how to do a party based on Nick Jr. characters like Blue’s Clues or Miss Spider: Nick Jr. Party Ideas: Miss Spider

Giving birth to a better brain: Do babies sharpen parents’ minds? - The Boston Globe

On Cape, evacuee gives birth to a son and a new dream - The Boston Globe
“His name is Cape Cod Bannister, or ”C.C.” for short.”

Although we could go back to calling Nathaniel “Prince of Cod”.

Nathaniel saw the pediatrician yesterday. He’s 13lbs 12 oz, 23 3/4 inches, 75th percentile for height and weight. Over the last week, he would suddenly arch his back and turn red and grunt, which looked alarming. Seems he’s having some acid reflux a little while after eating. Keeping him upright after eating will help. It should end at around six months old, when the stomach/esophagus get better developed. Something is also making him unsettled and he sure doesn’t sleep as much as the books say… We don’t know how he can go so long with so little sleep, just a nap a day if that, plus night-time.

Update: Doctor thinks he is probably going through a growth spurt, so needs to eat all the time and growing also gets in the way of sleeping. Then he will probably go into sleep cycle for a little while. All he wants to do today is stay eating. Makes it difficult for Maggie to get anything done. There’s a slight chance he’s starting to teethe, although it’s not common this early. Anyone know if a baby has all their teeth already, or if they have to be “grown”? Just curious.

I’ve been adding some more photos over the last few days– check them out…

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for… Photos of Nathaniel!