A Lesson For My 7 Year Old

As my oldest daughter matures I see a lot of myself in her. Every night we sit down and I help her with her homework. Or sometimes I just sit there as company in case she needs a little extra help.  It is apart of our nightly routine. The other night while I was helping her I noticed she inherited one of my personal traits. One of the traits from deep inside. A trait most of us have. She strives to be the best. And with that comes disappointment at failure and easily getting frustrated. At that moment I knew it was the perfect opportunity to have a talk with her about how we are our worst critique

After she struggled with sounding out a bigger word during homework session she started to get frustrated and then opened up to me and says, "I don't like it when I get something wrong. I don't like it when I get a word wrong when I'm reading or a math problem wrong in math." As she opened up to me I felt terrible that she also feels that way. I then explained to her that I sometimes feel that way too. I proceeded with some examples so she would understand. I think it's important for kids to know their not the only ones feeling a certain way.  I continued to explain to her that it's okay to get frustrated but sometimes we are our own worst critiques and that's when practicing comes in.

I continued to explain to my oldest that we can be our own worst critiques. I think it helped at least a little bit? As a week passed by, I was cleaning out her school back pack. I noticed a paper that I pulled out. It was like a questionnaire about what that want to excel at, what they want to be great at and so on. I noticed reading and math were on there more than once. As a parent I felt proud that she is working so hard. But at the same time I hope I can continue to help her understand it's okay to be wrong here and there. It's okay to goof up.

After all practice does not make perfect, it makes us better and smarter.

• Let them know it's okay to fail
• Have a talk with your child about a time when you have failed or weren't great at something.
• Make sure your child knows your always there.
• Practice and studying is key.
• We don't give up.

Do you have a child who is also strives to be the best and competitive? 

Photo Friday: V's 1ST Field Trip!

Monday Viv had her first ever school field trip. Their trip was to Well's Apple Orchard. Perfect for the season here in Michigan. The class were taught how apples grow on a farm and of course all the other little facts that go along with growing apples. 

 The class listening so nicely. 

 Off we go to see how you pick an apple. Even though it was not a U-pick farm.

 I don't think we have ever seen so many apples at once.

 The big crate where the apples are stores.

 My little Viv in the pink coat and blonde hair. :)

 Viv's preschool class.

At the end of the field trip they snacked on cider and donuts. Fits the theme right? After they let go of their butterfly they raised in their class. It was such a beautiful morning for a beautiful field trip.

Have you been to an apple orchard yet this fall?

End Of The School Year...Is It Normal...?

As the last day of the school year approaches, myself as a parent is actually a little sad. Is this normal? Shouldn't I be excited that I have a few months off of being a taxi to school and back? That I no longer have to pack two snacks and lunch for the summer? Or those "oops mommy moments" when I forget to put money into my daughters hot lunch account? Don't worry she was able to still receive hot lunch!

Maybe I'm sad because She is sad. Eva has expressed to me that the school year went way too fast. She feels like yesterday was her first day. I must admit, I feel somewhat how she does. Even though Eva is sad about the school year ending, I know she is too ready for a break. She is excited to play with the neighbor friends without the 6:00 o' clock curfew.

As I am relieved that bedtime can be pushed back now for summer. Or the fact that not every outfit has to match now.Even though I am ready for a laid back summer, we were blessed with an amazing kindergarten teacher. She has helped Eva grow through out the school year. It was great meeting new parents and getting to know them on a more personal base as Eva has built great friendships. Of course we can;t leave out the rest of the staff at school. They are amazing as well.

Now we are all ready for a enjoyable, entertaining and laid back summer. This school year is going in the books as one of the best years for Eva!

                                     

Thankful Tuesday

In our home we have been doing the 30 days of what we are thankful for.  I ask our daughters every day what they are thankful for and we write it on our chalkboard. I love the thought they put into their answer of what they are thankful for each day. A few things they are thankful for that we wrote down are ...

• Our home
• Cousins
• Jesus
• Mom and Dad
• Grandmas and Grandpas
• Our food
• Their toy room
• Sisters

I am personally thankful for Evalyn's kindergarten teacher. I was blessed to be able to help her class yesterday morning for "pilgrim day". As I observed her teachers techniques with the children, I was simply amazed. Along with the amount of energy that she has; I have no idea how she can do it. Later that evening we had Evalyn's conferences for school. She is doing great academically and socially. It feels wonderful knowing you daughter comes home excited about school because of her teacher. Us parents need to be thankful when we are blessed with an amazing teacher for our children. I truly believe it takes a a special person to be a teacher.

A few other things I am thankful for are..

• My family; I would be lost without them.
• My daughters; they are the light of my life.
• My husband; I wouldn't be where I'm at today without him.
• Food; even though I hate grocery shopping.
• Coffee; it's my jump start to the day.
• Cloth diapers; they have saved us money and the earth.
• Knitting; it is my way of non-stressing.

My grocery trip Sunday. This is what our grocery cart looks like. I am mostly a health freak.

Watching our local Santa parade in bed Saturday morning.

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What are you thankful for today?