Mamas of babes born in 2001 - Page 2

[USAmma]

Moving this thread to The Childhood Years. See this thread for more info:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=303060

[Vito's Mommy]

Hi all. My ds, Jaymes, was born 10.10.01 He's very talkative and playful. He also has a quiet/shy side which he gets from dh. He's into magical stories/movies that has a hero w/a sword. We watched a documentary on fencing and I don't think he blinked once! He's very passive and although he is a tall and stong boy he backs away when there are aggresive children around. He will and has stuck up for himself when needed. His new fav foods are halibut, ahi, cheese tortellini w/sun dried tomato pesto, and orange-raw bell peppers. I'm so stinkin happy about this, but you know how kids are, it could all end tomarrow, LOL.
As for tantrums. He has his share of whining and lately, yelling at me. It does come from his surroundings as others have mentioned, IMO. We've had a talk about mommy raising her voice and about ds raising his voice. It's all good. He's just finding his little person and testing boundries. And I'm learning not to relive my childhood which consisted of 5 siblings who saw nothing the same and parents, esp mom, who yelled.
OP...sounds like you are aware of dd issues and why. Good for you. It's hard to admit that we are a reflection of undesirable behavior. Can you imagine what the world would be like if we all thought logically? You're doing a great job! I'd send a smiley, but they've disappeared from my screen!?

[Houdini]

We are homeschooling. Nicholas will be doing pre-writing stuff and basic math. He already has a great grasp on numbers. He also knows his letters by site, colors, shapes, and such. I am actually my kids out of public school and we are homeschooling everyone.

[storeimy]

Hi ladies, My DD Avery Leigh was born Feb 2001. Four has been a big challenge for us so far. I guess my biggest concerns are that she seems to be very aggresive with her big sister who is 7. She doesn't communicate her feelings well and will instead lash out. She is VERY strong willed and knows just what she wants and will freak if she is denied. We try to teach her compassion and not to hurt Hannah, but she still does it. We've had some not so proud moments of a spank on the bum but that is not something we want to do or believe in doing. We try time-outs and taking favorite toys away and we try to be consistent. It's been hard. She's 4 going on 14 and wants so badly to be with a big girl like her sister. She is such a smart and loving little girl. SHe LOVES her baby sister and is a real little mama to her. She really is a wonderful big sister. I love her so dearly but man by the end of the night when she's still going nuts because she can't do her hair the right way and I can't do her hair the right way...it wears me out. This little girl hasn't napped since she was a year and a half and has been on the go ever since. She's very artistic like her older sister and she loves to make playdoh and paint. I try to really stress the positives with her as much as possible.

I'm so glad I have a place to come chat about my crazy beautiful girl!

[Potty Diva]

Oh heck! my email isn't working for MDC so I guess I haven't seen the replies.

Welcome all the new posters, right thee on!

Ok, things look good. I hate being to optimistice to early in the game in case I might jinx it

We have been doing a green light/red light thing at home and school. Last week was the first week. She had 3 green lights out of four days. Her teacher said she had to give a red light because she attacked another child. I agreed.

She gets a daily reward and then a long term weekly reward. We went to the beach on Saturday and she loved it. First time since she was 11 months old.

We are also being faithful to the 9:30 bedtime, 7:45 wake up. It has made a huge difference. She aps at school now and is happier in the afternoons and evenings. It was getting really hairy there for awhile.

Mark and I are taking steps back and thinking before we communicate. It feels good and I think it also keeps us motivated to continue. I have to keep in mind that he is not a mind reader and I need to tell him my concerns, needs, fears, etc before he can respond to them. DUH! What a novel idea. The weird thing is that I am doing it! I have such a fear of rejection, yeesh!

Storeimy~ I dig you sista. Kailey lashes out a lot too. If she gets frustrated (she's a perfectionist like her daddy) she will scream like someone is trying to kill her. Oh my ears!

Sounds like our dd's are a lot alike

[Embee]

A playgroup... for parents. Very nice... thanks for starting the thread Potty Diva.

Originally Posted by storeimy

Hi ladies

Well hi right back. Fancy meeting you here.

Hey all, indeed, I've got a 2001 babe as well. Babe, yeah right! Today I called him my baby and he looked at me and says (in his best valley girl voice that is), "Uh Mom-may, I am a ba-ig bo-y!" Well, pardone moi!

Indeed, four has by far been our biggest challenge, and also the biggest fun. DS is grumpy, and then hilarious! The emotions are raw, they run in the total extremes most of the time. He's becoming super sensitive about all sorts of things and while before there was a certain amount of predictability, anymore I don't always know what's coming next. Say, like that time in the library where he started running all about (just out of my grasp) and lunging and roaring at people. Ahem, he was particularly inspired by a book about dinosaurs we'd just read. Anyway, it was so far from who he WAS that somedays I admit, I have a hard time accepting who he currently is... and then I grab Alfie Kohn's new book off the shelf, start re-reading, breathe in, breathe out... repeat.

OTOH, DS spends upwards of two hours day sitting at the table, drawing. He's incredibly focused (knowledgable!) about his passions (drums, trains, dinosaurs), and while upon first meeting he can be a bit cantankerous, once he's had a moment to relax, he's a great kid to play with--he's shy around kids he doesn't know, but it manifests itself as GRUMPY. He loves to play rough, but is still learning boundaries... today while wrestling, he quickly stuck his finger WAY UP DH's nose to the point of major pain. Um, Happy Father's Day?

The best to you all! We're rounding the 4 1/2 corner soonly. And ok, I admit it, I'm already reading up on "My Five Year Old" because the book cover said, "Sunny and Serene." Baby steps to age five, baby steps to age five.

The best,
Em

[USAmma]

I put the wrong link in my post above!!!

No wonder you were confused! :LOL

Here's the new link:
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=303060

[Lemon Juice]

My oldest ds was born in november 2001. I am also starting to get worried about his speech. I can understand him all of the time but others find it hard. Dh has more trouble than me understanding him. I am wondering if I should take him to see a speech therapist. I was told by a college instructor of his co-op preschool that children should be understood by all by preschool age (she didn't mention that he needed to see one, but i didn't ask). so does this mean he needs help? there is a number in my area that I can call and they will come to our house and evaluate him for free just to see if there is a problem. I would like to do this but dh doesn't think so. i am worried that it might freak him out or something and affect his self esteem if he doesn't have a problem. i'm very confused about this. my nephew, who is 6 now needed to see a speech therapist but my sis never would open her eyes to it..even though we gently told her for many years. (she also has a degree in child developement and still won't accept his need for help!) I still can't understand him and don't want my son to end up that way. any suggestions? should we wait it out? and for how long? thanks for listening

[~*max*~]

Hi everyone. My middle child, dd1, was born in August 2001. She is an amazing child! We have so much fun w/her, and all the others of course. A little about dd - she is super smart, and that smartness can be used for good or evil! (as in taunting her older brother, or fibbing, or if I ask her if she did something she is not supposed to, like throw her lunch in the trash, she'll say, "Did you see me throw my lunch in the trash?") She also takes dance class, and is a born perfomer. She just finished her first year of preschool and it was a great experience for her.

Being my middle child, between a baby, a high maintenance older brother, along w/a 17 year old cousin who is like a big brother, I think sometimes dd gets lost in the mix. It is nice to have this thread to focus on her a little bit.

Also, my ds was in speech tx. for a couple years. I'm glad to share info. if I can be helpful.

Hugs mamas,

[*LoveBugMama*]

Hi, all!

My one and only, Noah Matheo, was born May 19 2001.

He is an amazing little guy. He is extremely interessted in all kinds of sport and all physical activities. He rollerblades, has a skateboard, plays football, loves hockey (Minus the skates.. Will get iceskates next winter) and every other sportsactivity you can imagine..

He jumps, runs, jumps on one foot etc. like a proo and has for a long time.

He is a shy and easily frightened little soul, though.
He doesn`t trust anyone. Exept me and his dad. He hates being touched by people, unless HE is in total control.

4 is a crazy year, so far..
Every emotion he has is so much MORE than it was before, it seems. So raw.
But, I am enjoying the ride..

http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/4...6108CcNmLhuybY

[storeimy]

Hey Embee!! Great to see you and somehow I'm not the least bit surprised to "see" you! Hey-can you tell me more about this Alfie Kohn? Is this something I need to be reading? I especially hear ya about the shyness manifesting itself as grumpiness. Avery, for all her bravado, can be very shy as well in certain situations and I know SHE doesn't like that feeling at all. She wants to be out there playing and socializing but it takes her a minute and I know this bothers her.

It's very reassuring to read through these and recognize so many similarities to this age group. I want to slow down and enjoy these moments with her.

[Nik's Mommy]

Hi all!!!
I thought I'd pop in here and add myself to the group. My oldest ds was born in August 2001.
I am enjoying hearing about your 4/ almost 4 year-olds! Nik can't wait to turn 4. He talks about it almost every day. Maybe it's just the birthday cake he's looking forward to. :LOL

[Embee]

Originally Posted by storeimy

Hey Embee!! Great to see you and somehow I'm not the least bit surprised to "see" you!

Indeed, I thought the same of you and also, how did I not *see* her here before?!?!?! Sometimes, I'm just very verrryyyyy slow.

Originally Posted by storeimy

Hey-can you tell me more about this Alfie Kohn? Is this something I need to be reading?

In DH's words, "this is a book that EVERYONE should read, parent or not. The book is called, "Unconditional Parenting" and I'm currently re-reading it for the third time. Its just so good I can't stop thinking/talking about it. And its especially helpful when I'm forgetting who I am and need a reality check.

Here is a link to a discussion thread:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=269724

Originally Posted by storeimy

I especially hear ya about the shyness manifesting itself as grumpiness. Avery, for all her bravado, can be very shy as well in certain situations and I know SHE doesn't like that feeling at all. She wants to be out there playing and socializing but it takes her a minute and I know this bothers her.It's very reassuring to read through these and recognize so many similarities to this age group. I want to slow down and enjoy these moments with her.

OH yeah. Ya know, usually, when I know something is a "normal" age appropriate behavior, I can handle it well, but this one has been tough for both DS and I. I want to empower him and help him get along with others, but he has a NEED to assert this more aggressive side first, usually. He had some tough interactions with other boys about a year ago, and its really colored his attitude. (His two closest pals are girls). Sometimes its enough just to help him acknowledge to himself that he's feeling shy and perhaps a little threatened, but other times... My gut tells me I need to let him just work things out the way he needs to, but then again, I need to look out for (and help him look out for) the rights of others. *witness me trying to balance those two things ALL DAY LONG!*

The other thing that's really REALLY tough, is when he does make a stellar effort only to be rebuffed by another kid. Ugh. It's almost like he just can't quite read the "signals" yet. Today is an excellent example of the two extremes: This morning we visited the shore and there was another family there with a boy perhaps a year older than DS, and immediately DS started *doing the dinosaur*. Grrr! The thing is, this boy seemed very gentle and friendly, but was definitely a little put off by DS. I'm rather certain had DS approached him a more ahem, *traditional* manor, they could have buddied up and played a bit. OTOH, later at the library, DS made a friendly effort with perhaps a younger boy only to be rebuffed. He was patient, kind and invited him to play dinosaurs and the other kid just sort of put his fist in DS's face and knocked his dinosaur with a block. (Mom was out too lunch so to speak) DS was clearly hurt and then... retaliated by knocking the other kids block tower over. And here again, because DS is still working out how to "read the signals" he didn't realize that this kid was younger, didn't speak very well yet and definitely had an intense INTENSE body posture/attitude about everything. He was very loud, brash and intense the whole time we were in the library. I tried to get in there in my playful way and with this, the interaction eased a bit, but this was clearly not a match, kwim? *sigh*

I guess I just feel so bad about it most of the time. I totally understand where DS is coming from and I try to help him find ways of being friendly even when he's feeling shy or threatened, and then when he does, things fall apart. He's gathered a pretty long list of negative associations and I feel like I have helped in this... ACK ACK ACK!

It is reassuring to read this thread though, indeed!

The best,
Em

[Potty Diva]

Oh yeah!
I love to hear about everyone's 2001 babe. They are all so different, yet very similiar. Kailey is very outgoing, excpet around new people. It takes her a minute to warm up and if you try to engage her before that time she seems "grumpy". But it is really just her shyness. Most times people are cool with this, other times it's perceived as rudeness.

Another must read, especially for parents of boys is "Raising Cain". It's about the emotional life of boys. AWESOME!

Christine~ We'll have to have a online party for Nik in August.

Max~ your dd saounds great! Kailey seems to be a born performer as well. Loves ballet and oh is such an actress!

[Nik's Mommy]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

Christine~ We'll have to have a online party for Nik in August.

:LOL

Just give him a thread full of smilies and he'll think it's the best present/party ever!!!

:LOL

[Nik's Mommy]

Oh, and thanks for reminding me about Raising Cain. I've been meaning to read it, but I always forget the title, when I'm thinking of it. I just went to my local library's web site and put a copy on hold.

[Embee]

Originally Posted by Potty Diva

Kailey is very outgoing, excpet around new people. It takes her a minute to warm up and if you try to engage her before that time she seems "grumpy". But it is really just her shyness. Most times people are cool with this, other times it's perceived as rudeness.

Ok, this thread has done much already to relieve my anxieties about this. At times I'm tuned in, focused and more concerned with meeting DS's needs and help him through these kinds of situations, but if I sense that someone is perceiving him as rude, I do get sort of hyped up and less likely to handle the situation with my usual mindset. I hate that I can get so caught up in what others might be thinking that I would put their wrong assumptions before DS's stress. ACK!

Originally Posted by POtty Diva

Another must read, especially for parents of boys is "Raising Cain". It's about the emotional life of boys. AWESOME!

Here, here. Excellent book and incredibly eye opening. I kept having to ask DH, "Does this stuff really happen!?!??" I thought girls were hard on each other. *sigh*

Best to all!

Em

[TiredX2]

Just checking in.

My DS was born Aug 01. He is on my lap nursing

Big things with him right now:
Swimming with his face in the water
Light Saber deuls
Harry Potter Uno
Green Eggs & Ham

and on...

[Potty Diva]

Ok, this thread has done much already to relieve my anxieties about this. At times I'm tuned in, focused and more concerned with meeting DS's needs and help him through these kinds of situations, but if I sense that someone is perceiving him as rude, I do get sort of hyped up and less likely to handle the situation with my usual mindset. I hate that I can get so caught up in what others might be thinking that I would put their wrong assumptions before DS's stress. ACK!

I hear ya Em!!!!

Exactly why I started this puppy. I have no one to talk to about Kailey's personality, likes, dislikes, behavior, etc. This thread has really started to reinforce that Kailey is displaying typical behaviors for her age. YEAY!

Our big thing: using your words to communicate instead of your hands
She gets frustrated when someone takes something that she perceives as hers. How do I make the connection?

[jempd]

Hello all, my little guy was born 4/26/01.

As it happens I'm reading the bookYour Four-Year-Old, Wild and Wonderful by Louise Bates Ames. It's pretty dated (written in 1980) and I don't put a whole lot of stock in these kinds of books generally so am reading it with what i'd call mild interest. It's sort of of psychology class 101 explanation of child development at this age. It does talk a lot about how language is really opening up to children at this age and this is when they get into the pleasure of it and play with it, which judging by my kid, is true. He loves to make up wild stories that go on and on-typically he'll ask for a story at bedtime and then take over adding on all kinds of fantastical episodes. I am also impressed by how different 3 1/2 to 4 is--it seems a bigger leap in cognitive and social skills than at any other time in his life. Well I guess excepting when he was a newborn to one.