The Mom's Book of Worries

I vividly remember the chants we recited without fully understanding as children. "Liar, Liar... Cinderella dressed in yellow... Cross my Heart..."

Honestly that last one was a bit hard for me to say. I did not want to visualize a needle in my eye or worse, hope to die! Although the original is much longer and speaks of breaking a promise to save a friend even if it means loosing the friendship, it is not on my list of favs.

But I find myself thinking about it as my son transitions from his first school to his new Kindergarten. It was a long few weeks and I was worried that I had made a terrible blunder in moving him a few months after the school year, but there was nothing else to do. So I had to make it up to him. I had to motivate him to do his best in school. I had to encourage new friendships.

So I promised him a guinea pig.

That is surely what you were expecting!? We made a vow as a family that if he could go a whole week following directions, completing his work on time, and keeping his 'light on green' at school, he could have a guinea pig.

Well the first week didn't go so hot and I was starting to seriously doubt my instincts, but by the third week he was sailing. He ended the early week on yellow, and had to start over. He kept trying. He chose a name and a color pattern, and would light up whenever he told anyone who would listen about his guinea pig.

And so Jeffrey is fat, fluffy and already attached to his new friend. They were inseparable today and they are even cozyed up under the same blanket! Do I stash him away or see how the first night goes?

Kindergarten parents I salute you! You wake from your beds an hour earlier than usual for days prior to school just to prepare your little one for the change. You find energy to prepare breakfast and pack lunches even though you were up late laying out clothes and double checking those backpacks.

And after all that exhaustion you stay as dry eyed as possible while watching your baby grow up before your eyes as he/she runs off to class without so much as a backward glance. You are amazing! I have always admired exceptional parents that are able to stay present in their children's lives. I just never knew what this experience felt like until now.

It hurts! It rips out your heart and then slams it back in larger than it was before and inflates it even more with an extra measure of pride and joy. And just when you think it will surely burst your bright eyed little one gives you that dashing smile and waves. Everything constricts back to normal and you go home to lick your wounds and wait for 4:00 o'clock.

 Our little man informed us the night before school that Daddy could go on to work, he was going to ride the bus. So we caved in and let him have that moment. We tagged along to school anyway and walked him from the bus to the school. O what we do for our precious charges! The rest of his school life has begun and his free run childhood has come to an end. I didn't cry in public or embarrass him too much. (I hope)

They really DO grow up too fast!

I've often heard that girls are easier to train than boys, so I wasn't very anxious when we started thinking of training our daughter to use the potty.

The only pause was finding panties or pull ups in her size! She is a tiny little thing. She met every checklist, but one. She couldn't pull up her own pants. So we waited and went looking for sizes that would work, and collected under pants. I'm so glad we were better prepared. She's doing great!


Is your little one ready? Here is the readiness checklist:





 Physical signs

1. Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
2. Urinates a fair amount at one time.
3. Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
4. Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

1. Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.
2. Can pull his pants up and down.
3. Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
4. Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
5. Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
6. Demonstrates a desire for independence.
7. Takes pride in his accomplishments.
8. Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
9. Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

1. Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."
2. Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
3. Has words for urine and stool.

1. Training pants or toddler underpants. (6 pairs at a minimum, 12 would be great and 18 pair would be excellent.)
2. Potty Chair or Toilet Seat Adpater
3. A Step Stool
4. Flushable Wipes
5. Foaming Hand Soap (for little hands) We use Melaleuca Kid's Hand pump
6. Extra Towels and paper towels
7. Cleaning Supplies (for the accidents)
8. Whatever you decide on for rewards

Be assuring, excited and patient. Expect accidents, that way you'll be less likely to be upset when it happens. Think of it as one down and one closer to being trained!