Lost and Found?

Do you ever feel like people are always asking you where things are? The annoying part is that you know they haven't even tried to look on their own?

Here is a simple and sure fire way to get a person to realize they haven't even tried to look on their own. Then it dawns on them that they could try.

The key to this being effective is to try NOT to sound frustrated, annoyed or sarcastic.

YOU MUST answer in a calm and pleasant voice.

"Mom, where's my backpack?"

Mom: "Where'd you look?" you may need to follow up with an "I'm not sure where that is"

The key to this is sounding like you really aren't sure where the backpack is. It takes a couple times but the person will realize, hmmm they never checked anywhere and will have to try looking around for it themselves.

The next step is to let them look for a bit. It's good for them to keep track of their things and to attempt to be organized. It takes time but they'll catch on.

Don't forget NEVER to sound annoyed or your entire cover is blown.

Now obviously you don't want to be cruel so if they've given it a good effort... you can suddenly "have an idea of where they could look"

Good luck ;)

Where's the what?

So you know when a young kid will ask you really dumb questions? The really dumb ones that are super obvious or you know they already know the answer? Here is the end all solve all that will help you keep your cool and gets your kiddo to stop asking lame questions.

You are baking a cake.

John asks, "Are you baking a cake?"

In the EXACT SAME tone he asked the question, you ask it back.

The key is to use the SAME TONE in your voice so you don't sound condescending or sarcastic.

You reply, "Am I baking a cake?"

Your 2 year old is asking you where his train is and you know he knows where it is. He's just being a stinker.

John asks, "Where's my train?"

You answer "Where's your train?"

Get the picture? It works every time but the key is not to sound irritated or rude ;)

Giant Underpants!

It's great to have gotten so many calls and emails about my previous PJ post. Glad to hear everyone is happy and back on track. So now.... the final frontier....GIANT UNDERPANTS!

This is most likely not as common of a problem as the jammies but just in case...

I remember after my first baby, my sister Diana was helping me fold my laundry. She came across a rare sighting. Oversized, overwashed giant underpants. She gave me a talking to but I was so sloppy and unmotivated after the baby that I just ignored her.

It's just a heads up and the photo and video should speak for themselves.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAunpaO6XE0

Who dat?

I just realized this week that I hang out with my husband a lot. We talk all the time. The weird thing is that I noticed I rarely look at him. In the eyes. We talk and joke while doing regular daily activities. I'll look in his direction of course but I don't actually look at him in the eyes. I don't know about you but that is stinkin' nutso! Does anyone else do that to their spouse? You'll have to pay attention and see if you find yourself talking to them while you look at the sink, or at the laundry pile or the tv. I'm shocked I do this but am thrilled to have noticed it.

So today I overcompensated and while we were chatting, all I could think about was looking in his eyes. Then I actually said out loud, "I'm looking at yoooou" in this cute/funny/creepy way. I don't recommend verbalizing that you are looking at him. This is gonna take some practice.

That's better!

Ever notice your purse is always cluttered with junk? Receipts, wrappers, toothpics, pen lids, etc. Here is a sure fire way to keep your purse clutter free. It's so simple! Every time you are at a restaurant and waiting for the bill, clean out your purse! The waitress is clearing trash off the table anyways ;)

In the spirit of love

I don't really get what the big whoop is about the Royal Wedding tonight. Then a friend mentioned she saw a documentary on what a special romance Will and Kate have had. That's different. I am a big fan of romance! It got me wondering how many of the couples I know met. Royalty is fine and dandy and all but I think WE are much more interesting.

So I'm asking YOU. How did you and your sweetie meet. What's YOUR romance?

XOXOXO

"We're not doing that!"

First up, this topic is very situational and absolutely varies person to person. The only valid comments I can make are in regards to what I do. Scrap it, copy it, modify it, whatever.

Is it me or does all hell break loose when kids come over to play? I'm not sure if disciplining other people's kids is my favorite thing to do but let's be clear about one thing, I'll do it.

I think you keep your cool and be direct with kids. You don't have to lay down big speeches but you do need your "knock it off" one liners.

Here are a few one liners. They are usually accompanied by a serious look and direct eye contact by you. The more you talk, the more a kid won't listen. So make it quick. As you go through the one liners, keep in mind you can add " Do it again and you're leaving" to the end of each one

Anything naughty:

This is often all you need to do.

Eye contact and a firm "Uh Uh" now pause and keep eye contact. The kid usually finds something else to do.

A kid is winding up to throw something at another kid (This is the one I use the most)

"Don't you dare"

A kid is doing something at your house you don't like.

"We don't do that at MY house"

( you need kids to get the drift that they are playing by your rules)

A kid is talking sassy at your house.

"You're not allowed to talk like that over here."

A kid is screaming or yell talking.

"You're hurting my ears, stop yelling"

A kid was rude.

"You're not doing that over here"

A kid has done something over the top and totally inappropriate.

"No Way, you're going home for that one NOW"

I am the first to rat out a kid. One... because parents NEED to know if their kid is being a tool. Two...because the kid needs to know they will not get away with being a tool around YOU.

Ok so the neighborhood kids are always over.

Rule One: They go home to eat.

I don't provide snacks. Water is fine but that's it.

Rule Two: I don't let kids play all through the house. I don't need to clean up their crap. Designate where neighborhood kids can play and LET THE KIDS KNOW where these places are. The garage was set up like a play room and handball ct for my young kids and they knew that was where they could play. I can't stand reminding kids over and over where they can play so I made a sign and taped it on the garage door going to the house that read, "kid's in garage only"

Rule Three:

Keep in contact with these kids parents and ask whole heartedly that they always let you know if there is a problem with your own kid. If they are being naughty at your house and you're not getting anywhere with them....Take them by the hand, walk them home and tell the parent what happened. Then tell the kid they can come back when they are ready to be polite.

Rule Four:

Make sure you remind kids to say thank you and don't pitch hissy fits when it's time to leave.

It's tough when you have kids out front that you can't keep your eye on. In that case you MUST say, "I can't watch you all right now so you'll have to go home"

I have kids in the neighborhood who my kids know they can't play with unless they are outside where I can see and hear them.

Be prepared that sometimes kids will decide they can't get away with much when you're around and they'll stop coming over. They might start asking your kid to go over there and my advice would be not to let them.

YOU MUST be up front that safety and good behavior is a big deal to you. You have to admit and be open with the fact that YOUR kid can be the stinker too so you're never coming off as "the mom who knows everything and who's kids are perfect"