Never have more children than you have car windows. Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Thursday, August 6, 2009,
In :
Shopping
For any parent with school age children, August is the huge back to school shopping spree. I've learned over the years just to combine it with the family vacation. This year we're getting a hotel right by a large discount shopping mall and making it the highlight of our vacation. The first thing you need to do is take stock on what actually fits from last year and recycle what doesn't. That makes room for all the new clothes you'll be buying! (Plus a check list on what needs to be bought.) Do... Continue reading ...
A baby is born with a need to be loved - and never outgrows it. Continue reading ...
You can give yourself and your child leeway to go through the ups and downs of the learning process. Your child is just beginning to grow and learn, and, believe it or not, you are not finished with your learning, either.
You can learn on both the outer and inner levels throughout your life. Since you are the most experienced one, you are in charge for a short time -- in charge of directing, stimulating, encouraging, urging, disciplining, and, at all times, loving your child. Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Friday, July 24, 2009,
In :
Shopping
To help our oldest son, my husband and I have been babysitting the grandkids this summer. First thing we did was arm ourselves with our special summer toys, a bag of sand, a wading pool, sidewalk chalk and water guns.
We're having a blast!
For all your summer time toys, shop at Toys R Us Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Thursday, July 16, 2009,
In :
Shopping
When shopping with your child, jot down the items he is begging for. Tell him you're making his wish list. It shows that you care enough to put it in writing and will distract him, because he's thinking about the item and the possibility he may get it in the future. You can refer to the list for his birthday, holidays, or a special treat. Or my favorite, give the list to grandparents when they want to know what to buy him! Continue reading ...
You know you're a real mom when...
You see the world through a little person's eyes. Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Saturday, June 13, 2009,
In :
Shopping
Anyone with a large family knows that June is a crazy month. You have graduations, bridal showers, baby showers then throw in Father's Day and the normal assortment of birthdays makes it crazy trying to find a gift for everyone.
I have a sister that is awesome at gift giving. She can have a gift ready at the drop of the hat. I have seen her "gift" closet - it is filled with items she's purchased on sale or gifts given to her that she can't use (if you do this, I recommend keeping a note so t... Continue reading ...
I remember when my youngest was four, she had asked me, "Mommy, what are you doing with my clothes and toys?" I replied, "I'm boxing up the clothes that are too small for you and the toys you no longer play with. Later we'll take them to Goodwill." She frowned and asked, "What did Will do that's so good that he gets my stuff?" (This one always makes me smile.) Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Friday, May 29, 2009,
In :
Parenting
I attended my grandson's little league game this week and I was listening to the parents interact with their boys.
I believe you can cheer on your child without creating a monster. Emphasize that competition is about self-measurement and strive for excellence and not showing off. Be realistic about your child's abilities. A simple 'good job' rather than over-the-top adulation conveys that it's the effort that counts. Kids need to hear that a parent's affection doesn't hinge on their success. Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Saturday, May 23, 2009,
In :
Shopping
Posted by Patty Osborn on Friday, May 22, 2009,
In :
Parenting
It's important to react calmly and consistently to your child's bad behavior, even if you are beyond irritated. Set rules and stand firm; otherwise, kids will continue to act up.
Our #1 family rule is RESPECT. This means no fighting, hitting, name calling, swearing or back talking allowed. Adults included! Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Monday, May 18, 2009,
In :
Parenting
To alleviate your child's anxiety over sharing, have him put away his favorite toys before his friends arrive to play. This shows your children that you respect their special things, but that sharing is part of playing. I also like to let them know that their toys won't be going home with their friends. If your child and his pal start battling over a toy, calmly tell them. "We take turns in this house." Then set the kitchen timer to ensure each child gets equal playtime with the treasured toy... Continue reading ...
Those who sleep like a baby
Don't have one
Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Thursday, May 14, 2009,
In :
Parenting
May is when I start planning our summer vacation. I start by sending away for maps and tourist guides to places that I think we might like to go. One summer our vacation was on the history of our state. We started by checking out books at the library on our state and reading up on its history. For our vacation, we toured a lumber museum, spent a day at a Fort, visited a Bear Farm, saw a laser-light show, found the state stone on a beach, went to a maritime museum, and other state points of in... Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Tuesday, May 12, 2009,
In :
Parenting
Parents disagreeing over how to discipline their kids can be one of the biggest family challanges. When talking with your spouse about discipline, show some flexibility. If one idea doesn't work, then try another one. Be open to listening and trying other options. Approach discussions with your spouse as a win-win deal. Proceed as a united front. Continue reading ...
Your alarm clock is the sound of your little baby laughing and playing in her crib. Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Saturday, May 9, 2009,
In :
Hobby
I grew up on a farm in Michigan. We had a horse, cows, goats and chickens. My dad had a full-time job in a factory, but he considered himself a farmer. April/May were busy months getting the fields ready for the crops. My grandma and mom kept a garden. Actually several. There was the vegetable garden, the strawberry patch and of course the flower gardens scattered across the lawn. My sister and I helped them in the garden. My grandma and mom used this time to share stories of the family and ... Continue reading ...
Motherhood is not for the fainthearted. Frogs, skinned knees, and the insults of teenage girls are not meant for the wimpy.
Danielle Steel, from The Gift of Motherhood Continue reading ...
Loving a child doesn't mean giving in to all his whims; to love him is to bring out the best in him, to teach him to love what is difficult.
Nadia Boulanger, music teacher Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Monday, May 4, 2009,
In :
Shopping
With Mother's Day in less than a week, have you found the perfect gift for mom yet? You can go traditional with flowers or a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant.
I’m giving my daughter-in-law and son a night away from the grandkids. I love having the two little ones spend the night; and they love being at Nana’s and Poppy’s.
I did get my mom a Detroit Tiger’s Coffee Cup. (She is such a huge fan!) I have to finish buying the other items in the basket. I thought Starbucks coffee... Continue reading ...
Posted by Patty Osborn on Sunday, May 3, 2009,
In :
Volunteer
Volunteering has been an important part of my life. My mom and dad did volunteer work at church and at school, plus they were 4-H Leaders. By working bake sales and banquets along side my parents, I learned valuable people skills and how to count money. Through 4-H, I learned how to cook, sew, fix a lamp, grow plants, and (when I got older) how to take minutes, track finances and run a meeting.
With my own family, my husband and I chose Scouts and the March of Dimes as our charities to suppor... Continue reading ...
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Patty Osborn
I dedicate this blog to the women in my life for sharing their words of wisdom and supporting me on my life's journey.
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