I enjoyed participating in AskAwayFriday last week and figured that it was a great way for my readers to get to know me. This week I connected with Jhanis at Fascinations of a Vanilla Housewife. Jhanis lives in the Philippines. She is married and has two children.
I met Jhanis for the first time earlier this week, I am new to AskAwayFriday and I was looking for someone to connect with. She happily agreed to be my partner. I am happy she accepted, I love her blog (she draws these cute stick figures). I love that she is partnered with a Truckload of Love and that she can find humor in raising her two children.
- I read “Godly Home: Teaching Children How To Handle Anger in a Constructive Manner” and I have to admit, there are times when I just don’t know what to do when a kid of mine throws a fit in anger. I would usually get angry too. Any tips for me?
It always bothers me when my kids throw a fit as well, mostly my toddler. However, I have to be the adult and realize that he is throwing a fit because he doesn’t know how to properly communicate all of his wants and needs. Sometimes, I try to ignore his fits and make sure that he isn’t going to hurt himself in the process. I will let him cry it out and then I will talk to him about it. Sometimes, I take a different approach when he is fussing I will try to get him to calm down. Then I will encourage him to use his voice and tell me what he wants. It is tough being a parent and not every solution is going to work every time. I always think that you should do what you feel is appropriate for your child and the situation.
My oldest daughter also throws a fit sometimes which is very annoying since she is 17. Often times she gets upset because she didn’t understand what someone said or she only heard certain parts of the conversation (usually what she wants to hear). She does have a few communications barriers especially when there is a bunch of background noise. Her cochlear implant that she received over the summer should slowly help improve her hearing as she gets used to hearing out of her second implant.
- I read that you are a signing family. We started with ASL when our second child was 6 months old. We know we looked ridiculous because not many families (or those that we know) use sign language to communicate with their babies. However, all those awkward moments just melted away when my our baby girl first signed “mommy” and “daddy”. Those were as precious to us as when she first spoke the words. How about you? What is the most memorable signing moment in your family?
I started learning a small amount of sign language when my daughter was very young. I wish that I would have pursued learning more but I do know the basics. I know a small amount of sign language but I couldn’t have a full conversation with my daughter. I feel guilty but I was never able to take class at the local community college. I loved when my daughter signed her first word, it was the most amazing feeling in the world. I still remember her first sign: she signed the word “shoe” because she wanted her shoes on.
I also started signing with my youngest son when he was younger. We taught him a few of the basics and he caught on fairly quickly as well. It was a great way for him to tell us what he wanted before he could talk. I didn’t keep up with it and I wish that my daughter would teach him more signs. Hopefully, he will take ASL in high school.
- Your blog looks pretty organized and your posts are truly worth reading and sharing. Do you have a specific blog outline, plan or calendar that you follow?
I don’t follow a specific blog outline or a plan. I do try to add new content to my blog 3 to 4 times a week unless I am having health issues. I consider myself “a fly by the seat of my pants blogger”.
- Where do you usually get your blog posts inspiration?
I usually come up with topics on the day or week that I write my posts. I have been known to write a theme of posts while other times I come up with a topic based on something I have been through or have found online. Some of my post ideas come from my children. I would love for my readers to give me ideas or ask me questions, so that me or my fan can answer them for you (they can even submit questions to me anonymously so that they don’t have to give up their identity or feel judged). *hint hint*
- Christmas is fast approaching, what one family tradition is very special to you?
We always go to church on Christmas eve as a family. I think it is important that I teach my children what the true meaning of Christmas is and that Jesus is the reason for the season. I also started the “Elf on the Shelf” last year and I hope to continue the tradition. It is a fun and silly game that I can do to entertain the kids, last year even the baby loved finding where Rascal was hiding each morning.
- I just read you “How to Turn Laundry Into a Learning Opportunity” and boy I shall never look at my laundry the same way again. I have never thought something so tedious can actually be a learning experience for a child.What prompted this idea? Excellent post btw!
I suffer from chronic low back pain and it is very difficult for me to do certain chores especially those that involve bending, twisting, and repetitive motions. So I decided to figure out how to get my toddler to help me get a load of laundry done. He loves sports so I knew that I could get his attention if I asked him if he wanted to play basketball. It worked and it gave me the idea to write this post. As a mom, I also believe in teaching my children how to do household chores and help contribute around the house, including my toddler.
- Do you go “all out” during the Christmas holidays when it comes to decorations?
I don’t go overboard with Christmas decorations. We put up a Christmas tree, I decorate the mantle in the living room, and I hang a wreath on my front door.
- What makes you angry?
I get upset when my children don’t listen to me and do what they are told. I am usually pretty lenient and will give them several chances before I get too upset with them. It also makes me angry when my children lie to me. I have tried to always teach my children to be honest and would rather that they be honest with me no matter what is going on with them.
- If there is one topic that you would rather not talk about on your blog, what would it be?
I have stayed away from politics and would rather leave that subject alone. Most people would leave religion alone but as a mom I feel that raising my children in a Christian home is very important. I know that other parents feel that way too. I will not push my views on someone but I want to share topics around Christian Parenting. I offer a wide variety of topics on my blog so that people can find topics that they are interested in.
- This is my favorite question for AskAwayFriday. What’s in your bag? A photo please.
I have a fairly small purse but it is crammed full of things that I have to have when I am on the go. You can find the following items in my purse: medication, checkbook, coin purse, lip gloss, hand lotion, pens, key fob, and my children’s immunization record.
Don’t forget to visit Jhanis at Fascinations of a Vanilla Housewife to see the questions that I asked her. I hope that you have enjoyed my answers and learned some new things about me.
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Once you’ve check out my answers be sure to go by Penny at The Real Housewife of Caroline County to check out the LinkUp and all the awesome Bloggers who are also telling a bit about themselves today 10 questions at a time.
If you are interested in joining for the the next #AskAwayFriday, feel free to contact Penny or any of the other Bloggers already involved. I promise, you will get to meet and know some awesome Bloggers each week!
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