tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post4445684176722249219..comments2023-10-23T20:14:05.916-05:00Comments on Ruth's Rambles...: Desperate HousewifeHi from Ruth!http://www.blogger.com/profile/04696686601621200587noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-29607036165931269722010-01-15T11:37:19.108-06:002010-01-15T11:37:19.108-06:00Hi Ruth,
Just catching up on your blog. We would ...Hi Ruth,<br />Just catching up on your blog. We would love to have you guys over sometime in the next couple of weeks for a playdate.Eileenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08357416692885918826noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-53157883806643068062010-01-14T11:02:16.976-06:002010-01-14T11:02:16.976-06:00Hey there -
I just wanted to say thank you for al...Hey there - <br />I just wanted to say thank you for all of the thoughtful, thought-provoking comments. I am taking each of them to heart and I will, at some date in the near future, post again about this...after putting more thought into your comments.<br /><br />THanks again my friends!!<br /><br />RUthHi from Ruth!https://www.blogger.com/profile/04696686601621200587noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-15512952169888888302010-01-14T09:12:43.878-06:002010-01-14T09:12:43.878-06:00I agree with what's been said so far. It'...I agree with what's been said so far. It's a really good skill for kids to learn to entertain themselves. I find that for boys, things like Lego and KNex are great for them to entertain themselves with. Then again, a cardboard box, some scissors, and markers works as well.<br /><br />But for activities for the two of you, an indoor circus (masking tape on the floor as a tight rope, being a lion tamer with stuffed animals, juggling whatever is handy, and of course, no circus would be complete without clowns with silly clothes (daddy's wardrobe on Matthew perhaps) and face paint. I also love board games with the kids on snowy days.<br /><br />And then there is the complication of him being an only child at the moment...just borrow a couple of kids one afternoon a week. You'll be doing their parents a favor and you can have a break of sorts while he has a playmate or two. Of course, soon enough, he will have siblings!!!Sharlahttp://www.theblessing.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-59922305048552249082010-01-13T00:28:43.788-06:002010-01-13T00:28:43.788-06:00I'm on board with Gwen's thoughts too. I ...I'm on board with Gwen's thoughts too. I have to tell you that your conundrum is a big reason why many parents (including me) do the preschool option. It's a matter of taking the morning or afternoon shift, but hard as heck to do both. So kudos to you - you're offering one power packed day already!dearhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05882095651280387809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-15907659775556198622010-01-12T14:05:42.345-06:002010-01-12T14:05:42.345-06:00I was going to post exactly that! It's good fo...I was going to post exactly that! It's good for a child to be bored and have to figure out what to do on his own.<br />And as for the guilt trips - they're a killer... Last week I went out in the evening, on my own, for the first time in the 6 mos. we've been home and Bereket said, "Why you all the time going, Mummy?" sigh. <br />Hang in their Ruth - you are an awesome mum!!sallytomatohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00260612433484483242noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-5785575559460977532010-01-12T13:47:28.944-06:002010-01-12T13:47:28.944-06:00Gwen said it better than I could have - it's t...Gwen said it better than I could have - it's time for Matthew to learn the important skill of entertaining himself. <br />It's an incredibly valuable skill to learn to enjoy your own company. <br />I also believe that a little bit of boredom now and then can spur creativity. <br /><br />You guys have a lot of together time and obviously enjoy each other's company so I'm not worried that you are in danger of neglecting your child or taking this too far. <br />Also - it will be healthy for him to learn this skill before your Ethiopian kids come home because you will not have the one on one time then that you have now. It would be incredibly difficult to go from all mom all the time to splitting mom 3 ways even if it means two new playmate siblings.Leannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18262886759774304908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2528470033811673980.post-27832957701852231722010-01-12T12:22:17.404-06:002010-01-12T12:22:17.404-06:00I'm still reeling from the Peter Mansbridge si...I'm still reeling from the Peter Mansbridge sighting! Wow!!!! I would WAY rather run into P.M. than, say, Brad Pitt. I just can't wait to tell my husband. You lucky thing! :)<br /><br />My thoughts are: it's not your job to entertain your child all day long. Matthew needs to understand that you have work to do, and that sometimes he needs to entertain himself. You sound like a Mom who spends lots of time with her child, and that's great! Cut yourself some slack... he's a big boy who will not be harmed by being left to his own devices every now and then. In fact, I'd go so far as to say it would be <i>healthy</i> for him to have some time to think his very own thoughts, play by himself with Lego, look at books by himself, look out the window and see the world, talk to himself, play playdough himself, etc.<br /><br />I'm not advocating the parenting style that is "leave your kid alone all day long." You're not going to err on that side, ever! :) But kids need to learn that their parents don't exist solely for their children's pleasure. I think Matthew may suddenly discover that he <i>likes</i> having some time alone, now and then, to do his own thing.<br /><br />And finally.... don't feel guilty. Kids are really, really gifted at figuring out where the areas of guilt are in their parents, and then capitalizing on it. lol! He KNOWS you feel that you need to entertain him. He's got a good thing going! You're an awesome Mom. You DO spend time with him... lots of it. :) Hang in there!Gwenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07891216932932620489noreply@blogger.com