Archive for the ‘Being Mommy’ Category
You are currently browsing the archives for the Being Mommy category.
30
Sep
2009
The Best Part is She’s Homeless!
Thanks to a friend on Facebook (thanks, MB), I found information on a new American Girl doll. She is fantastically crafted. She has her own story, like all American Girl dolls, telling where she has been, what social atrocity she has faced and how she has overcome great odds to come home with your little girl. The best part is: she’s homeless!
Gwen found herself living in her car with her children after her husband left them. And, for only $95, your children could be educated regarding social injustice!
How does this now teach children about homelessness and social responsibility? I’m seriously asking, because I am clueless. I would much rather discuss homelessness with my child and take her with me to volunteer at a soup kitchen or a women’s facility where real women have faced these issues. I would also like to take the $102.60 ($95 plus tax) I would spend on the doll (not including accessories) and donate it to said soup kitchen or shelter. This is education.
Being Kari is only 3 and would not understand some of the concepts, Chris and I have not gone into social issues with her; however, the recommended age for these dolls is 8 and up. Here is a suggested list for parents to do with their 8 and over children to teach them about actual social issues.
Volunteer
It doesn’t really matter where or for what in the beginning, but have them volunteer for things. Have them recognize that help does not always have to be paid, but rather is appreciated. Volunteer at church, help set up for library story time, or have them read, play piano, etc. at a senior facility. This gets them into the mindset of doing for others for the sake of others, and to appreciate the happiness they give to others.
Discuss
My parents taught me things at the level which I could understand. And they told me the truth, Santa and Easter Bunny excluded, but they always told me what and why it happened/was wrong, and why the person did it (they were mad, mental, etc.). This helped me grow up with an acute awareness of what happens in the world around me and a mentality to rationally do what I can to help negate some of these social issues.
Be Open
Freely talk about differences. Not talking about something creates and unknown. Unknown in children’s minds translates into something scary or bad. My favorite phrase, “A confused mind says no,” applies here. Talk about differences in culture, race, sexual orientation and class. It’s hard for many people to remove opinions, but by providing children with the facts, this allows them to form their own opinions. Then, answer any follow up questions they may have.
In a practical sense, I feel these solutions teach children much more about life than a mass produced toy. Besides, children have priceless imaginations that work just fine without $95 dolls.
1
Sep
2009
Buried Alive
Chris captures Persi buried alive!
About four weeks ago, one day when the girls (Kari, my 3 year-old, and Persi, my 6 year-old niece) were being particularly wild, I told them if they were good and took a nap, I’d build them a sandbox. They were good the rest of the day. I promptly went online to get ideas and sketched up a plan. I cut the wood and gathered supplies. The following several weekends got a little hectic, so the main event was postponed until this weekend. Considering most plans I found were just not detailed enough or cost $4.95, I figured I would type out my detailed plan here for free!
Supplies needed
1 box of 3″ galvanized nails
Staples (size does not matter)
(2) 8′ cedar 2″x12″
(2) 10′ cedar 1″x12″
(1) 12′ cedar 2″x4″
(1) 4′x4′ piece of 1/2″ plywood
(1) 6′ pine 1″x3″
(26) 1′ landscape blocks
(1) 6′x8′ tarp
(15) 50 pound bags of pea gravel
(10) 50 pound bags of play sand
1 roll of landscape fabric
1/2 gallon exterior paint
Garden staples (optional)
Tools Needed
Pencil
Stapler
Scissors
4′ Level
Hammer
Circular Saw
Speed square
Sander/Sandpaper
Sandbox painted and in place
Of course, the landscape blocks, garden staples and pea gravel are all optional, but we chose to create a base for the girls to step out, dust off and get their shoes back on. This bed of pea gravel also aids in drainage, so the sand won’t be setting against wet ground after a rain fall. Where we located the sandbox was on a hill just below the level of the driveway, so without the pea gravel raising the sandbox off the ground, the sandbox would become a wet mess after a rain!
We started with an area approximately 6′ x 8′. This pad has housed everything from a picnic table to a chicken brooder, and already had 2 landscape timbers in the ground on the lower sides forming an L. We added 1 more landscape timber on top of the existing L to make it 2 timbers high. We then laid down the landscape fabric over the dirt and overlapping the timbers so rocks wouldn’t leak out of the area. If you need, insert staples into the fabric so it doesn’t move around. We then enclosed the remaining L with landscape blocks stacked 1 high. The supply list above has only landscape blocks and assumes the ground you’re working with is level (more needed to create a retaining wall). The soil somewhat eroded over time, so we needed to level the inside of the play area with pea gravel first. We poured 10 bags of gravel in the area, leaving 5 for filling in later. We took our level and checked the level of the gravel and used the level to also spread it out. Trust the level, even if the gravel looks otherwise to your eye!
Kari and Persi enjoying their new sandbox
Once your base it set, you’re ready to start cutting wood! Notice I have chosen cedar here instead of pressure treated wood. I prefer cedar considering I do no want the kids touching chemicals all the time. You could use pine, but cedar holds up extremely well to the elements, and should at least be used where wood will be making contact with the ground.
Cut the cedar 2″x12″ into (2) 4′ pieces and (2) 3’10″ pieces – these are your sides.
Cut the cedar 1″x12″ into (4) 5′ pieces – these are your seats.
Cut the cedar 2″x4″ into (12) 1′ pieces – these are your supports.
Assemble the sides by placing the 4′ pieces on opposite ends and the 3’10″ pieces between the 4′ pieces, forming a box. Nail 3 galvanized nails into each corner on the outside. Nail 1 support into each corner on the inside with 2 nails – these just provide support for the box and keep pressure off of the nails when the box is moved around during construction.
Now, for the fun part – 45 degree angle cuts! We decided to have the seats sit on the sides of the box exactly in the middle of the seat board for best support. Cut a 45 degree angle off one end. Measure the width of your sandbox at the edge where the seat will be. Find the midpoint of the seat board (long) and put a mark on the side opposite the angle cut. Use your speed square to draw the other cut. Opposite seats should match, so you could use one as a template for the other. You do need to measure! Do not assume your wood is precise! (i.e. 2x4s are really a hair under 2 and a hair under 4)
We chose to put 3 nails in each seat. We then attached a support at each corner and the midpoint of each seat on the outside edge of the seat.
Get your paint clothes on and start painting. We had the girls help us with this part and they had a blast. We did two coats on everything to ensure durability.
After the paint dries, flip the sandbox over in the grass or on some sawhorses, and attach the landscape fabric to the bottom with staples. Place the sandbox on the gravel base and fill with sand!
Sandbox with top
While the kids are enjoying their new play area, the final piece can be constructed: the top! The top needs to be bigger than the hole so it doesn’t fall in. Chris put 3′ 1″x3″ boards parallel to each other on the underside of the top to keep the top ‘snug’ in the sandbox. Measure the inner dimension of the sandbox, but be sure not to put them too close to the exact measurement. Give an inch of wiggle room. Add top and cover whole box with tarp when not in use.
I would not recommend placing anchors in the play area for the tarp, but rather use a brick or two on top. Also, do not let children lift the top by themselves! Be sure to remove top for them and replace after play to keep sand clean.
3
Dec
2008
Kids will be Kids – and That’s Great!
Amazing Dog Photo by Chris Koerner
Out of growing concern for Kari, and her increasing complaints regarding both ears, I took her to see the doctor on Monday. Kari stays with Grandma and Grandpa during the day, so she only sees other kids at the playground and the grocery store. I vividly remember the “What’s this little guy’s name?” of this past summer at the playground, which lead to chuckles from all parties involved. At 2 years-old, Kari is just that, a 2 year-old being herself – and that’s great! She loves other kids, playing and just being a kid.
So, we’re at the doctor’s office in the waiting room. There is another young lady there.
“She will be 2 in February,” her mother promptly said.
“Kari will be 3 in January,” I said.
Then, something amazing happened – something I have only read about in books: The mother instructs her twenty month-old child to go shake Kari’s hand and introduce herself like a lady.
“Lilian knows how to properly say hello, introduce herself and shake hands,” the mother says.
At that moment that Lilian babbles something incomprehesible to Kari and extends her right hand, Kari gets down out of the waiting room chair, on all fours, and howls like a dog.
“My daughter has not broken character in 8 months,” I say.
Let kids be kids. Childhood and imagination only last, for most people, until about 10 years of age. The remaining sixty years are work, stress and, well, being grown up. We all need to think like a kid every now and again, and for some of us who are so blessed, we think like a kid more often than not. Instilling that since of wonder, creativity and astonishment about the world is hard to do, so leave it alone, let it multiply, and don’t zap it before it’s time.
5
Jan
2008
Robo-Kari
I ran all over town buying Christmas presents for this child on Black Friday. I got up at 2 a.m. after cleaning up from Thanksgiving until 11 p.m. I froze my tushy off without a Starbucks in sight. I got punched in the kidney at Target. I got motion sick in the line at Toys R Us – it just was too much weaving back and forth. I dealt with ripped bags and tripped up the deck steps. I wrapped and wrapped and wrapped. And, after all that effort, she puts the cardboard bucket on her head and walks around the house.
