Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Blog Hop Giveaway!
I'm participating in a blog hop giveaway! Visit the links below for instructions on how to get in on the fun!
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Eastern parenting vs. Western parenting styles
I recently had the opportunity to read the essay by Amy Chua entitled "Why Chinese Moms are Superior", found here. This was a very challenging read for me as a parent. It tested every westernized instinct I have. Preserve their self esteem at all cost, don't yell, don't demoralize, don't hurt their feelings..... This list goes on. There are so many parenting donts out there are there anything we should do?
As Western parents I like to think that we try our best to create well rounded mini-me's but is that what we're really doing? I think we may be raising a generation of children who aren't in touch with the reality that life isn't always fair and sometimes very bad things happen no matter how hard you try. Now when there are team sports everyone plays, no matter how horrible they are. Where on earth did this idea come from? When did it become okay to send the kid out to center field who can't catch, is chasing butterflies, and hasn't had a hit all year? I believe it does more harm than good. That kid knows they suck and they know they are deep in center field because no one is going to hit the ball to them. But we insist on teaching them that the world is fair and everyone gets a chance. In a way its true everyone does get a chance, but your attempts should be focused on something you actually can succeed in. Not just another activity to fill the calendar!
As Western parents I like to think that we try our best to create well rounded mini-me's but is that what we're really doing? I think we may be raising a generation of children who aren't in touch with the reality that life isn't always fair and sometimes very bad things happen no matter how hard you try. Now when there are team sports everyone plays, no matter how horrible they are. Where on earth did this idea come from? When did it become okay to send the kid out to center field who can't catch, is chasing butterflies, and hasn't had a hit all year? I believe it does more harm than good. That kid knows they suck and they know they are deep in center field because no one is going to hit the ball to them. But we insist on teaching them that the world is fair and everyone gets a chance. In a way its true everyone does get a chance, but your attempts should be focused on something you actually can succeed in. Not just another activity to fill the calendar!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Take a bow
Monday, January 10, 2011
Parenting
Parenting has go to be one of the most rewarding, yet stressful duty on Earth. I am proud and my head is held high when they do something well, or perhaps achieve a goal or accomplishment. But boy oh boy, let them do something wrong. My head is bowed, my mood is somber, and I find myself questioning my actions, blaming myself. What did I do to make them do what they did? Talking about a roller coaster ride! But in the end I know that I'm an excellent mother who loves Team Hart unconditionally without any reason at all. So how do I love thee? Let me count the way;
Kendric - My first born, the one that is most like me in thoughts and actions. He's definitely bread to be a "jock", but he also acquired my goofiness! Although a fun boy he has his dad's short fuse, but we're working on that one, LOL!
Tayla - aka Sailor Moon! Not sure why Donald gave her that nickname but it works! Tayla is definitely my helper. She is a little woman in training. Tayla is so focused when it comes to school I know that she will one day achieve her goal of becoming a Doctor (she didn't get that from me!).
Kaelyn - As I've said before she is a walking ray of sunshine. She loves music and God! Kaelyn is going through a difficult time right now with learning to manage her emotions. I haven't quite figured this one out but any advice is appreciated.
Travis - He's the baby and that's all I have to say about that!
Kendric - My first born, the one that is most like me in thoughts and actions. He's definitely bread to be a "jock", but he also acquired my goofiness! Although a fun boy he has his dad's short fuse, but we're working on that one, LOL!
Tayla - aka Sailor Moon! Not sure why Donald gave her that nickname but it works! Tayla is definitely my helper. She is a little woman in training. Tayla is so focused when it comes to school I know that she will one day achieve her goal of becoming a Doctor (she didn't get that from me!).
Kaelyn - As I've said before she is a walking ray of sunshine. She loves music and God! Kaelyn is going through a difficult time right now with learning to manage her emotions. I haven't quite figured this one out but any advice is appreciated.
Travis - He's the baby and that's all I have to say about that!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Why blog?
Why blog? That is a question I had to ask myself. I already Facebook to share my life there but blogging is different. I saw blogging as an intimate way to share my life and the things I have going and are dear to my heart. Being that this is my first post I have not a clue what to say other than HELLO!
I just wrapped up the first week of a new year and it was wonderful. I have a whole new chance to do and be something different & that is what I plan to do. I started my preparations for 2011 in the summer of 2010 actually. I started to grow my hair out (no more chemicals/perms). I wore micro braids for about 3 months, didn't realize I probably shouldn't keep them in that long. To my surprise when I removed my braids my hair had begun to lock. Well, that was my goal wasn't it? Once I saw the state of my hair I being to twist and twirl the wonderful new hair I had. I also visited YouTube and found some great videos on starting dreads. In the end this is what I ended up with:
I totally love my hair! I know I need to re-twist the front but I'll wait for 2 weeks, I don't want to over tighten my fresh new baby locks!
I just wrapped up the first week of a new year and it was wonderful. I have a whole new chance to do and be something different & that is what I plan to do. I started my preparations for 2011 in the summer of 2010 actually. I started to grow my hair out (no more chemicals/perms). I wore micro braids for about 3 months, didn't realize I probably shouldn't keep them in that long. To my surprise when I removed my braids my hair had begun to lock. Well, that was my goal wasn't it? Once I saw the state of my hair I being to twist and twirl the wonderful new hair I had. I also visited YouTube and found some great videos on starting dreads. In the end this is what I ended up with:
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)