Bedtime Cleaning Party

It's 10:40 PM here in Georgia right now. Most children are sleeping soundly, snug in their beds. Most children have BEEN sleeping soundly for quite some time now. My children are NOT like most children. They do not seem to feel the need to sleep. THEY are NOT tired.

These nights come around every so often where the children really do not desire sleep. They would rather stay awake and play, or more likely - annoy me. Now, I could fret over this and fight with them over the virtues and requirements of bedtime and sleep. It would be a valid endeavor on my part to force the issue of staying in bed and going to sleep. After all, I have to be awake until after they are sound asleep. (Just trust me on this one. Leaving those two unattended before they are actually passed out is never a good idea.)

Instead of arguing, I have the ultimate solution to sleepless nights. When these nights come around, I declare a Bedtime Cleaning Party. Here are the rules:

1) You have to stay IN your room.

2) You have to be actively CLEANING your room and putting toys away. (One would argue that the toys really should be put away before bedtime, but here in the real world... )

3) There is NO WHINING ALLOWED.

4) As soon as the cleaning is finished, they have to go back to bed. 

The cleaning party usually lasts for about an hour. The girls spend a great deal of time and effort putting all the toys and books where they belong and making sure everything is just perfect. In fact, the nighttime cleaning parties are far more effective at accomplishing a clean room than any other efforts we've tried. They both know that the longer they engage in cleaning, the longer it will be before they are returned to their beds. This works well for us because we do not have any strict schedules that we adhere to and because they both tend to sleep longer when they spend less time fussing before bedtime. They get the distraction of being out of bed. When they go back to bed, they both feel as though they've gotten away with something so they know that it really is bedtime and there will be no more concessions.

I get the pleasure of a clean bedroom with all the toys put away. (Well, at least until they wake up in the morning...)

Girls' Clothing

I was walking through the mall a couple of weeks ago in an effort to log in some walking time in the midst of the winter cold. It's been a while, really, since I spent any time at the mall. It isn't a place I tend to hang out at now that I'm older. (Go figure... The mall used to be the greatest place on the planet.)

While I was walking around, I enjoyed a bit of browsing. Kira loves pretty dresses so I spent a bit of time looking at all the dresses and making choices based on what I know she likes. It was fun to "buy" her all those dresses even though new dresses are not needed at this time.

Well, I also became aware of the other clothing that was available. I have to say, I was stunned to see some of the outfits that are currently on the market for young girls. The clothes that are being offered right now are - ahem - trashy. (I'm not even sure that word covers what I saw, but it's the best I've got.)

If the outfits in question were targeted to the tween/teen set, I would at least be able to comprehend the reasoning behind the styles. Teens often have their own money to spend and get the privilege of shopping without their parents nearby to offer approval. That was not the case, though. These outfits that so amazed me were for the younger set. These were clothes that are targeted at girls that are 4 yrs to 9 yrs of age. It was horrifying what these stylist want me to buy for my young girls to wear.

I was reminded of a trip to Pottery Barn Kids as I scanned the racks of age inappropriate outfits. When Kira was a mere baby, Randall and I wandered into a Pottery Barn Kids store to see the furniture and look at the baby items. There was a clothing rack near the back of the store. Prominently displayed was an outfit that looked like it was designed off the streets of Atlanta. There was a black "leather" bustier with metal buttons and a pair of black "leather" leggings. Nearby on a shelf was a pair of thigh high "leather" boots to match this ensemble. The outfit itself might be okay for a night out at the club (if you plan to be going to a swingers club...). That wasn't the intent, though.

This outfit was in size 2T (and 3T and 4T). 

Yep - you read that right. There on the rack was a complete street wear ensemble for TODDLERS. It was horrifying. (Not to mention that the entire outfit was nearly $100.00, which is just a bit much for any outfit purchased for a young child.) I couldn't believe that there were parents who would actually put their young girls in an outfit of this nature. Obviously, somebody out there would buy this sort of thing for their children or it wouldn't be such a popular line in the fashion industry. I just don't get it...

Five years later and few things have changed. The market is still saturated with clothing that looks like it would be better suited to the night streets of Atlanta than to the body of my five year old child. What message does this type of clothing send to our children?

Better yet, what message does this type of clothing send to those who might be looking at our children?

Why would any parent want their 5 year old daughter to be dressed "sexy" for the world to see? Do they not understand the inherent dangers of portraying their young children as sex objects? Would you want your young daughter to learn that she should dress in this way?

I can guarantee that these are not the types of outfits that I will buy for my girls. Not now. Not ten years from now.

Calendar Keeper

Kira is in the process of learning about the days of the week and the months of the year. She's learning the concept of time and planning things for future dates. To help her with this, I will be buying her a calendar that will be hers alone. Her calendar will most likely have horses on it...

If you want to help your own child learn these concepts, purchase a calendar for them. Put the calendar low on the wall so your child can see it easily. Use stickers to mark special dates on the calendar. You can also use simple words that are easy to read. Mark dates like birthdays, project due dates, or special occasions.

Each day, be sure to discuss the calendar with your child. Include a discussion of what is planned for that day, as well as what plans have been made for the near future.

This open discussion will help your child visualize the days of the week and how those days flow from one to the other. It will also make your child feel very grown up to have her own calendar to keep up with her own activities.

One last thought: Your child's calendar should reflect her personality and interests. Pick a calendar that has pictures of something special that your child likes. (like horses...)

Helpful Tips: Preschoolers

I have been doing some research this morning, and came across this website that offers helpful information about children. I felt that this bit of information was very - (What's the word?) - appropriate, so of course I decided to share with you.

(Be sure to read both lists. It is not a misprint.)

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What are typical behavioral characteristics and challenges?

Children are in the Preschool Years from 3 years old until they start school. These children are starting to show personality traits and more intellectual development, including:

• Egotism. A preschooler is the center of the world. Your child believes that everything in the world revolves around her.
• Independence. A preschooler will want to dress by himself and want to help you with the household chores. Be patient as your child practices these skills.
• Creativity. Imaginations are constantly "on." Your child's world is full of magical things at this time.
• "Why?" Preschoolers are trying to learn all about their environments; they will ask "why" constantly! Take the time to help your child learn about what causes the events happening around him.
• Sociality. Preschoolers are learning to be a good companion or friend to other children their age. Preschool, day care, play dates or playgroups provide wonderful opportunities for your child to learn important social skills.
• Listening. Preschoolers must also learn to listen to others with interest. Model appropriate listening behavior for your preschooler by actively listening when she tells you about her day, her friends and her discoveries.
• Motor skills. Preschoolers are also learning complex movements such as hopping, climbing, and skipping. Let your child practice and make it fun!
• Adventurous. Children can be very active during this time period. Make sure to provide helmets when riding tricycles and do regular safety checks on play equipment.
• Language. Pronunciation improves during this time. Don't be alarmed if your child leaves out word sounds occasionally.
• Principles. Preschoolers are also learning the difference between right and wrong. You can help by setting firm and consistent limits for your child.
• Reality vs. fantasy. Preschoolers must learn the difference between reality and fantasy. By the end of the preschool years, your child will have a better understanding of past, present and future.
• Phobias. New fears, especially to unfamiliar sights and sounds are common at this age. Be supportive while trying to ease irrational fears.
• Poor sportsmanship. Preschoolers learn to follow simple rules in the games they play, but they will always want to win and be in "first place." Playing "fair" will come later in your child's development.
• Highly impressionable. Preschoolers are heavily influenced by what they see. It's important to actively supervise what your child is exposed to on television and in the real world.
• Sexual curiosity. It is normal for preschoolers to engage in sexual exploration. Help your child learn what is appropriate.

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Now, for Mom's version.

• Egotism. ME! ME! ME! It's all about ME!
  
• Independence. I'll do it. No, YOU do it. No, I want to do it. Mommy - can you do this for me. LEAVE ME ALONE!!! I CAN DO IT ALL BY MYSELF!!!(Followed the next day by "I want you to do it. I can't do it. I don't know how!" )
  
• Creativity. I'm not a little girl. I'm a pony. Oh wait, I'm a dog. No no no, I'm a cat who chases my tail. I'm a princess. I'm going to marry my ponies when I grow up.
• "Why?" Why? Why? What's that? How's that work? What are you doing? Where are we going? Who will be there? Why? Why? Why?
  
• Sociality. "Mommy, I made a new best friend." (What's her name?) "I don't know." (Didn't you ask?) "No. We're playing."
  
• Listening. The act of listening is an unknown concept to anybody under the age of, say, 20... Bwa ha ha!!!!
  
• Motor skills. Did you see me, Mommy? I can skip. (over and over and over and over and over...)
  
• Adventurous. Adventurous? Is that what they call it?
  
• Language. Kira, it's very important to speak properly. You know how to speak in complete sentences. Stop talking like a baby.
  
• Principles. (No, we are not taking any toys with us.) "I'm ready, Mommy." (Kira, is there anything you need to tell me?) "Nope. I'm ready to go." (noting the bulge under kira's shirt.... Kira, you know we're not taking any toys with us, right?) "Yep. I'm ready to go. I don't have anything but my blanket. There's nothing at all hiding under my shirt." (as the toys begin to fall ... Kira, do you know what it means to tell a lie?) "Yes, Mommy" (complete look of innocence...Are you telling me a story?) .... yeah - you can pretty much fill in the rest.
  
• Reality vs. fantasy. Reality? There is no such thing as reality.
  
• Phobias. Irrational fears --- play with worms, slugs, beetles, and any other critter available then scream your head off at the sight of a tiny little ant crawling on the ground 5 miles away.
  
• Poor sportsmanship. I win. I win. I win. I win. I win.
  
• Highly impressionable. I want. I want. I want. I want. I want.
  
• Sexual curiosity. It's your body. Nobody else gets to touch your body.
  

I hope you've enjoyed today's helpful tips for preschoolers.

Bathtub Body Paint

I found this in the Razzle Dazzle Doodle Art book written by Allison Weston.

I haven't tried this, yet, but I know my girls will absolutely love this when I get my act together and turn them loose.

What You Need:

Opaque white liquid soap, such as Ivory

Several squeeze bottles with small openings such as the picnic condiment bottles that can be purchased at the dollar store.

Food coloring

What You Do:

1) Pour about 1/2 cup of liquid soap into a squeeze bottle.

2) Add about six drops of food coloring. Shake to mix. Keep adding coloring until you get the color you want.

3) Make several different colors.

4) Fill the tub with about 2 to 3 inches of water.

5) Let the kids climb in and 'paint' the tub, the shower walls, themselves, each other...you get the idea, right?

You might consider making a set of paints for each child to avoid the inevitable fights over ownership. You might also be prepared to make more paint when the first set runs out.

When the kids are done painting, give them each a washcloth so they can wash their paint off the walls. You get clean and happy kids PLUS a clean shower - THAT makes Mom happy.