Communication Problems
Amanda Horein
My oldest and I seem to struggle with communication.
Examples:
She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention. When I am reading I am
really focused and it is the only time I can't multi task so I didn't hear a
thing she said. She often times will get upset when I finally do hear her
and I say "What?". I can understand that. I have asked her to try and get my
attention before talking to me and sometimes she does, but sometimes she
doesn't. Since noticing this, I have also tried to "keep one ear open to
her" so to speak, which helps, but not always.
Something else:
Often times when she is playing video games (which she does a lot and that
is fine) I will ask her if she wants to do something with her sister and I.
She is of course free to say no and I only ask because Lil and I are already
doing said thing. However, when she wants to do something with me, she
doesn't get that I need time to finish up what I am doing to be with her.
Just now she said "Let's go downstairs." I told her that she could go
downstairs if she wanted to, but I was sewing.
Apparently she wanted me to go downstairs and play Candy Land with her, but
it took me a minute to figure that out. She was on her way downstairs (by
herself) when she said "you just get to into your sewing". Which made me
think of her video games. If I would have known she wanted to go down and
play Candy Land I would have just said "Just a minute, let me finish this
up", but I tried to explain to her that she doesn't want to do things with
me when she is into her video games. I don't think she completely saw the
connection that I was trying to make and it was probably a bad example
anyway because it may have suggested that I didn't want to go play Candy
Land, which wasn't the case.
Also, another issue we have is when we try to problem solve.
I will be talking to her trying to figure out how I can make something
better (like today with the Candy Land/communication thing, or the other day
when I was trying to see if there was a way to make baths more appealing to
her) and she will come up with reasons (sometimes crazy, imo, but I don't
tell her that) why my said idea won't work. But then, when I ask her what
she thinks, she just says "I don't know"
The only thing I can think of is that I am expecting too much of her. She
will be 8 in July.
--
Amanda
http://whatmykidstaughtme.blogspot.com/
Swap books. It's fun and free.
http://choose2bgr8.paperbackswap.com
"�or whatever other innocent sounding name where the child has been sent to
be stripped of his individuality and turned into an obedient, soul dead
conformist of the American consumer culture"
---George Carlin
Complaints & Grievances
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Examples:
She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention. When I am reading I am
really focused and it is the only time I can't multi task so I didn't hear a
thing she said. She often times will get upset when I finally do hear her
and I say "What?". I can understand that. I have asked her to try and get my
attention before talking to me and sometimes she does, but sometimes she
doesn't. Since noticing this, I have also tried to "keep one ear open to
her" so to speak, which helps, but not always.
Something else:
Often times when she is playing video games (which she does a lot and that
is fine) I will ask her if she wants to do something with her sister and I.
She is of course free to say no and I only ask because Lil and I are already
doing said thing. However, when she wants to do something with me, she
doesn't get that I need time to finish up what I am doing to be with her.
Just now she said "Let's go downstairs." I told her that she could go
downstairs if she wanted to, but I was sewing.
Apparently she wanted me to go downstairs and play Candy Land with her, but
it took me a minute to figure that out. She was on her way downstairs (by
herself) when she said "you just get to into your sewing". Which made me
think of her video games. If I would have known she wanted to go down and
play Candy Land I would have just said "Just a minute, let me finish this
up", but I tried to explain to her that she doesn't want to do things with
me when she is into her video games. I don't think she completely saw the
connection that I was trying to make and it was probably a bad example
anyway because it may have suggested that I didn't want to go play Candy
Land, which wasn't the case.
Also, another issue we have is when we try to problem solve.
I will be talking to her trying to figure out how I can make something
better (like today with the Candy Land/communication thing, or the other day
when I was trying to see if there was a way to make baths more appealing to
her) and she will come up with reasons (sometimes crazy, imo, but I don't
tell her that) why my said idea won't work. But then, when I ask her what
she thinks, she just says "I don't know"
The only thing I can think of is that I am expecting too much of her. She
will be 8 in July.
--
Amanda
http://whatmykidstaughtme.blogspot.com/
Swap books. It's fun and free.
http://choose2bgr8.paperbackswap.com
"�or whatever other innocent sounding name where the child has been sent to
be stripped of his individuality and turned into an obedient, soul dead
conformist of the American consumer culture"
---George Carlin
Complaints & Grievances
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
ENSEMBLE S-WAYNFORTH
===================
My oldest and I seem to struggle with communication.
Examples:
She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention. When I am reading I am
really focused and it is the only time I can't multi task so I didn't hear a
thing she said. She often times will get upset when I finally do hear her
and I say "What?". I can understand that. I have asked her to try and get my
attention before talking to me and sometimes she does, but sometimes she
doesn't. Since noticing this, I have also tried to "keep one ear open to
her" so to speak, which helps, but not always.
========
As soon as you notice that she is talking to you can you say sorry and ask her to repeat what she was saying. I do that a lot. I did it today when David was telling me a good route to walk the dog. I spaced out and started thinking about what to feed Linnaea and her friend and completely didn't hear the last things he was saying. I apologized and asked him to repeat himself, and he did. I try not to drift away, but when I do, because I really do want to hear what was said, I ask to get the information, or the story, or the request again.
================
Something else:
Often times when she is playing video games (which she does a lot and that
is fine) I will ask her if she wants to do something with her sister and I.
She is of course free to say no and I only ask because Lil and I are already
doing said thing. However, when she wants to do something with me, she
doesn't get that I need time to finish up what I am doing to be with her.
Just now she said "Let's go downstairs." I told her that she could go
downstairs if she wanted to, but I was sewing.
=====================
Was she alright with your answer. Often if I'm invited to do something with Simon or Linnaea I try and make that a priority over whatever it is I'm doing. If it is something that will only take me a few minutes to complete and I know I'd feel better I'll ask if they want me now or if I can finish what I'm doing. I figure in not too many years they aren't going to be inviting me to so many things. It seems like such a gift to be asked to do something now, whatever else can wait.
==================
Apparently she wanted me to go downstairs and play Candy Land with her, but
it took me a minute to figure that out. She was on her way downstairs (by
herself) when she said "you just get to into your sewing". Which made me
think of her video games. If I would have known she wanted to go down and
play Candy Land I would have just said "Just a minute, let me finish this
up", but I tried to explain to her that she doesn't want to do things with
me when she is into her video games. I don't think she completely saw the
connection that I was trying to make and it was probably a bad example
anyway because it may have suggested that I didn't want to go play Candy
Land, which wasn't the case.
==================
Next time say dang, I want to play Candy Land way more than I want to finish this curtain or skirt or shirt or whatever else it is. Thank you for inviting me. There is no real gain by trying to show her that sometimes she doesn't do what you invite her to do with you. You don't really want parity, do you?
=========================
Also, another issue we have is when we try to problem solve.
I will be talking to her trying to figure out how I can make something
better (like today with the Candy Land/communication thing, or the other day
when I was trying to see if there was a way to make baths more appealing to
her) and she will come up with reasons (sometimes crazy, imo, but I don't
tell her that) why my said idea won't work. But then, when I ask her what
she thinks, she just says "I don't know"
====================
Baths are easy, go swimming more often. At 8 it isn't that big a deal. Simon, my 10 year old son, doesn't bathe that often. But we go swimming at least once a week and we have a hot tub. He doesn't stink, nor does he complain of any discomfort based on personal hygiene issues. About problem solving, often making sure it is a problem, really, is a good thing. The Candy Land thing seems like you were the problem, not your daughter. If you'd asked why, instead of dismissed her, you wouldn't have had the problem.
Sorry, I want to say more, but Linnaea wants the computer to play WoW with her brother.
Schuyler
www.waynforth.blogspot.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
My oldest and I seem to struggle with communication.
Examples:
She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention. When I am reading I am
really focused and it is the only time I can't multi task so I didn't hear a
thing she said. She often times will get upset when I finally do hear her
and I say "What?". I can understand that. I have asked her to try and get my
attention before talking to me and sometimes she does, but sometimes she
doesn't. Since noticing this, I have also tried to "keep one ear open to
her" so to speak, which helps, but not always.
========
As soon as you notice that she is talking to you can you say sorry and ask her to repeat what she was saying. I do that a lot. I did it today when David was telling me a good route to walk the dog. I spaced out and started thinking about what to feed Linnaea and her friend and completely didn't hear the last things he was saying. I apologized and asked him to repeat himself, and he did. I try not to drift away, but when I do, because I really do want to hear what was said, I ask to get the information, or the story, or the request again.
================
Something else:
Often times when she is playing video games (which she does a lot and that
is fine) I will ask her if she wants to do something with her sister and I.
She is of course free to say no and I only ask because Lil and I are already
doing said thing. However, when she wants to do something with me, she
doesn't get that I need time to finish up what I am doing to be with her.
Just now she said "Let's go downstairs." I told her that she could go
downstairs if she wanted to, but I was sewing.
=====================
Was she alright with your answer. Often if I'm invited to do something with Simon or Linnaea I try and make that a priority over whatever it is I'm doing. If it is something that will only take me a few minutes to complete and I know I'd feel better I'll ask if they want me now or if I can finish what I'm doing. I figure in not too many years they aren't going to be inviting me to so many things. It seems like such a gift to be asked to do something now, whatever else can wait.
==================
Apparently she wanted me to go downstairs and play Candy Land with her, but
it took me a minute to figure that out. She was on her way downstairs (by
herself) when she said "you just get to into your sewing". Which made me
think of her video games. If I would have known she wanted to go down and
play Candy Land I would have just said "Just a minute, let me finish this
up", but I tried to explain to her that she doesn't want to do things with
me when she is into her video games. I don't think she completely saw the
connection that I was trying to make and it was probably a bad example
anyway because it may have suggested that I didn't want to go play Candy
Land, which wasn't the case.
==================
Next time say dang, I want to play Candy Land way more than I want to finish this curtain or skirt or shirt or whatever else it is. Thank you for inviting me. There is no real gain by trying to show her that sometimes she doesn't do what you invite her to do with you. You don't really want parity, do you?
=========================
Also, another issue we have is when we try to problem solve.
I will be talking to her trying to figure out how I can make something
better (like today with the Candy Land/communication thing, or the other day
when I was trying to see if there was a way to make baths more appealing to
her) and she will come up with reasons (sometimes crazy, imo, but I don't
tell her that) why my said idea won't work. But then, when I ask her what
she thinks, she just says "I don't know"
====================
Baths are easy, go swimming more often. At 8 it isn't that big a deal. Simon, my 10 year old son, doesn't bathe that often. But we go swimming at least once a week and we have a hot tub. He doesn't stink, nor does he complain of any discomfort based on personal hygiene issues. About problem solving, often making sure it is a problem, really, is a good thing. The Candy Land thing seems like you were the problem, not your daughter. If you'd asked why, instead of dismissed her, you wouldn't have had the problem.
Sorry, I want to say more, but Linnaea wants the computer to play WoW with her brother.
Schuyler
www.waynforth.blogspot.com
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then
wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention.-=-
It shouldn't be her job or her responsibility to get your attention,
though. She's only seven? You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
While I was reading that post, Holly came into the room, and I looked
straight at her until she made eye contact. She was coming to talk
to me. Had she just been passing through, I would've known and then
looked back at the mail, but she didn't have to call me or ask to
talk to me. She came into the room. I'm on duty here. I'm the
mom. That's my job.
Sandra
wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention.-=-
It shouldn't be her job or her responsibility to get your attention,
though. She's only seven? You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
While I was reading that post, Holly came into the room, and I looked
straight at her until she made eye contact. She was coming to talk
to me. Had she just been passing through, I would've known and then
looked back at the mail, but she didn't have to call me or ask to
talk to me. She came into the room. I'm on duty here. I'm the
mom. That's my job.
Sandra
[email protected]
>>... but she didn't have to call me or ask totalk to me. She came into the room. I'm on duty here. I'm the
mom. That's my job. <<<
****** Ohh ,I LOVE this! It IS our jobs! To always be *aware* and *ready*
and be there for them.
I know if I don't make eye contact as they enter the room when I'm on the
computer, they just might not bother saying what's on their mind, and that's
sad for ALL of us, a missed opportunity to *connect*.
~marcia simonds
_www.xanga.com/livefreeinharmony_ (http://www.xanga.com/livefreeinharmony)
(http://www.xanga.com/livefreeinharmony)
In a message dated 3/26/2008 3:42:13 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
Sandra@... writes:
-=-She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then
wonder why I
am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention.-=a
It shouldn't be her job or her responsibility to get your attention,
though. She's only seven? You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
While I was reading that post, Holly came into the room, and I looked
straight at her until she made eye contact. She was coming to talk
to me. Had she just been passing through, I would've known and then
looked back at the mail, but she didn't have to call me or ask to
talk to me. She came into the room. I'm on duty here. I'm the
mom. That's my job.
Sandra
**************Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL
Home.
(http://home.aol.com/diy/home-improvement-eric-stromer?video=15?ncid=aolhom00030000000001)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Laureen
Heya!
On Wed, Mar 26, 2008 at 12:39 PM, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
> -=-She will start talking to me while I am reading emails and then
> wonder why I
> am not listening. She didn't try to get my attention.-=-
>
> It shouldn't be her job or her responsibility to get your attention,
> though. She's only seven? You should be listening for her and
> watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
> when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
I telecommute fulltime, from home, so focusing on work is what I'm supposed
to be doing (my hubby is a SAHD). But my door is always open, unless I'm in
a meeting. Rowan (5) and Kestrel (2) are both super-good at coming up and
touching my arm to get my attention. I think the reason it works so well for
us, though, is that their father and I model the same thing with each other,
and the idea is not that this thing might be more important than you, it's
that you're most important, and I want to put this thing firmly aside so I
can focus and really hear you. Same thing goes with video games, movies,
intense cooking, working on boat engines, whatever.
I think when you're really engaged with a thing, you tend to zone in
(especially since we live in supersmall quarters here on the boat, and
sometimes someone needs to be in the room you're in, but doesn't need
anything from you), and I don't think it's a bad message to send that
getting someone's attention definitively is important. But the underlying
assumption, that the real live person wanting your attention and focus is
the most important thing, is critical. It's not a get-out-of-jail-free card
to ignoring each other.
--
~~L!
~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
Writing here:
http://www.theexcellentadventure.com/
http://lifewithoutschool.typepad.com/
Publishing here:
http://huntpress.com/
~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~ ~ * ~
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanna Murphy
--- In [email protected], "Amanda Horein" <horein@...> wrote:
I do get the sense that you are expecting too much of her. It might be easy to put too much
on the older child because they seem so much more capable every year that passes, but she
has a long way to go before she can be so responsible for keeping the communication lines
clear with you. I don't have grown kids, but my sense is that it will be more our job than
theirs for a long time. It seems, from what you wrote, that she is supposed to be
communicating with you in some very clear ways, but as a parent you need to be reading
everything she does give you, even an "I don't know" --and interpreting it as useful
information. Even the way you said, "My oldest and I seem to struggle with communication,"
could have been worded, "I am struggling with communications with my oldest." I think the
struggle should be more yours than hers.
Joanna
>will be 8 in July.
> My oldest and I seem to struggle with communication.
>The only thing I can think of is that I am expecting too much of her. She
I do get the sense that you are expecting too much of her. It might be easy to put too much
on the older child because they seem so much more capable every year that passes, but she
has a long way to go before she can be so responsible for keeping the communication lines
clear with you. I don't have grown kids, but my sense is that it will be more our job than
theirs for a long time. It seems, from what you wrote, that she is supposed to be
communicating with you in some very clear ways, but as a parent you need to be reading
everything she does give you, even an "I don't know" --and interpreting it as useful
information. Even the way you said, "My oldest and I seem to struggle with communication,"
could have been worded, "I am struggling with communications with my oldest." I think the
struggle should be more yours than hers.
Joanna
Pamela Sorooshian
On Mar 26, 2008, at 3:03 PM, Laureen wrote:
sometimes work to get each others' attention.
But, a mom with a 7 year old should not be doing that.
EVEN with my 17 year old, if she and I are in the room together, both
doing our own separate things, I'll take off my earbuds in case she
happens to want to say something to me. I started doing that when it
occurred to me that she might not bother to talk to me if she has to
make the effort to get my attention, first.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> Rowan (5) and Kestrel (2) are both super-good at coming up andAll of us often have headphones on - earbuds in. So we do have to
> touching my arm to get my attention. I think the reason it works so
> well for
> us, though, is that their father and I model the same thing with
> each other,
> and the idea is not that this thing might be more important than
> you, it's
> that you're most important, and I want to put this thing firmly
> aside so I
> can focus and really hear you. Same thing goes with video games,
> movies,
> intense cooking, working on boat engines, whatever
sometimes work to get each others' attention.
But, a mom with a 7 year old should not be doing that.
EVEN with my 17 year old, if she and I are in the room together, both
doing our own separate things, I'll take off my earbuds in case she
happens to want to say something to me. I started doing that when it
occurred to me that she might not bother to talk to me if she has to
make the effort to get my attention, first.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
graberamy
I've noticed lately that my 10yo is getting frustrated if she has to
repeat herself.
I really like the advice to look at them when they walk in the room,
let them know I'm there!
My heart breaks and I realize I haven't been doing my mom job, if I
hear that dreaded "nevermind."
amy g
repeat herself.
I really like the advice to look at them when they walk in the room,
let them know I'm there!
My heart breaks and I realize I haven't been doing my mom job, if I
hear that dreaded "nevermind."
amy g
>both
> EVEN with my 17 year old, if she and I are in the room together,
> doing our own separate things, I'll take off my earbuds in case she
> happens to want to say something to me. I started doing that when it
> occurred to me that she might not bother to talk to me if she has to
> make the effort to get my attention, first.
>
> -pam
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Amanda Horein
-=-=-=-=-=-
As soon as you notice that she is talking to you can you say sorry and ask
her to repeat what she was saying.
-=-=-=-=-=-
I do, but that is when she gets upset with me, because I wasn't listening in
the first place, I guess.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Was she alright with your answer. Often if I'm invited to do something with
Simon or Linnaea I try and make that a priority over whatever it is I'm
doing. If it is something that will only take me a few minutes to complete
and I know I'd feel better I'll ask if they want me now or if I can finish
what I'm doing. I figure in not too many years they aren't going to be
inviting me to so many things. It seems like such a gift to be asked to do
something now, whatever else can wait.
-=-=-=-=-=-
I will have to think more on this. I didn't know she wanted to do something
with me, but I should have figured that out. Had I known (or figured) I
would have said, "Just a minute." which would have been fine for her.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Next time say dang, I want to play Candy Land way more than I want to finish
this curtain or skirt or shirt or whatever else it is.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Will do!
-=-=-=-=-=-
Baths are easy, go swimming more often.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Not easy in Michigan right now and with no car and next to no money, that is
not so easy. Any ideas for improvising here?
-=-=-=-=-=-
You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Wow. That is a tough one to swallow. My gut reaction would be to say "then I
would never read email." As you can probably see I am already behind.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Even the way you said, "My oldest and I seem to struggle with
communication,"
could have been worded, "I am struggling with communications with my
oldest." I think the
struggle should be more yours than hers.
-=-=-=-=-=-
I totally agree with you here. I thought of that after I posted.
Thank you all. I will be working on this.
--
Amanda
http://whatmykidstaughtme.blogspot.com/
Swap books. It's fun and free.
http://choose2bgr8.paperbackswap.com
"�or whatever other innocent sounding name where the child has been sent to
be stripped of his individuality and turned into an obedient, soul dead
conformist of the American consumer culture"
---George Carlin
Complaints & Grievances
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
As soon as you notice that she is talking to you can you say sorry and ask
her to repeat what she was saying.
-=-=-=-=-=-
I do, but that is when she gets upset with me, because I wasn't listening in
the first place, I guess.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Was she alright with your answer. Often if I'm invited to do something with
Simon or Linnaea I try and make that a priority over whatever it is I'm
doing. If it is something that will only take me a few minutes to complete
and I know I'd feel better I'll ask if they want me now or if I can finish
what I'm doing. I figure in not too many years they aren't going to be
inviting me to so many things. It seems like such a gift to be asked to do
something now, whatever else can wait.
-=-=-=-=-=-
I will have to think more on this. I didn't know she wanted to do something
with me, but I should have figured that out. Had I known (or figured) I
would have said, "Just a minute." which would have been fine for her.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Next time say dang, I want to play Candy Land way more than I want to finish
this curtain or skirt or shirt or whatever else it is.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Will do!
-=-=-=-=-=-
Baths are easy, go swimming more often.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Not easy in Michigan right now and with no car and next to no money, that is
not so easy. Any ideas for improvising here?
-=-=-=-=-=-
You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Wow. That is a tough one to swallow. My gut reaction would be to say "then I
would never read email." As you can probably see I am already behind.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Even the way you said, "My oldest and I seem to struggle with
communication,"
could have been worded, "I am struggling with communications with my
oldest." I think the
struggle should be more yours than hers.
-=-=-=-=-=-
I totally agree with you here. I thought of that after I posted.
Thank you all. I will be working on this.
--
Amanda
http://whatmykidstaughtme.blogspot.com/
Swap books. It's fun and free.
http://choose2bgr8.paperbackswap.com
"�or whatever other innocent sounding name where the child has been sent to
be stripped of his individuality and turned into an obedient, soul dead
conformist of the American consumer culture"
---George Carlin
Complaints & Grievances
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-=-=-=-=-
You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Wow. That is a tough one to swallow. My gut reaction would be to say
"then I
would never read email." As you can probably see I am already behind.
-=-
==================================================
What are your priorities? What is your purpose? If you want to be
an unschooling mom, too much e-mail can be detrimental. If you want
to be an e-mail reader, having children might prove to have been
detrimental.
People can't do EVERYTHING. They can't be cloistered nuns and world-
class skiers both. So in a less extreme way, look at your options
and decide what you are. If you're a mom, that's first!
Sandra
You should be listening for her and
watching her and looking out for her all the time, reading e-mail
when you know for sure she doesn't need you at all.
-=-=-=-=-=-
Wow. That is a tough one to swallow. My gut reaction would be to say
"then I
would never read email." As you can probably see I am already behind.
-=-
==================================================
What are your priorities? What is your purpose? If you want to be
an unschooling mom, too much e-mail can be detrimental. If you want
to be an e-mail reader, having children might prove to have been
detrimental.
People can't do EVERYTHING. They can't be cloistered nuns and world-
class skiers both. So in a less extreme way, look at your options
and decide what you are. If you're a mom, that's first!
Sandra
carnationsgalore
> Baths are easy, go swimming more often.My kids have always loved playing in the tub. I kept a rubbermaid bin
>> Not easy in Michigan right now and with no car and next to
>> no money, that is not so easy. Any ideas for improvising here?
in the bathroom full of fun toys and things to do in the bath: water
guns, tub tints, tub crayons, floating toys, matchbox cars, foamy
soap, shaving cream, turkey baster, measuring cups, funnels, spoons
and whisks. Oh, and bubble bath! Lots of times the kids didn't want
to be bathed but they stayed in the soapy water that I figured it was
happening anyway! :)
Beth M.
melissa_hice
--- In [email protected], "carnationsgalore"
<addled.homemaker@...> wrote:
go "swimming" in the bathtub. I get out their goggles, snorkles and
some small plastic sea animals and fish nets and they go "snorkling".
Sometimes, Megan likes to pretend to be Laura Ingles taking a bath. I
put a large rubbermaid container (one of the really, really big ones)
in the kitchen, fill it with warm water, drape a quilt across two
chairs (just like in the book) and she takes her bath that way. I pour
the water over her like Ma did for Laura. Of course, I have to call
her Laura the entire time!
My children also like to take turns playing in the shower with their
umbrellas. They pretend they are in a rain storm. Of course, they
soon get tired of the umbrellas and I take them out and they continue
to play in the shower. Sometimes, they even want to use the squeegie
thing and wipe the shower doors and walls while the shower is going. I
also have let them use clean paint brushes to "paint" the walls of the
shower (or tub) with water. Also, those small paint rollers work well,
too.
My only problem for my kids is that they are allergic to soaps. Both
have eczema really bad so they just take water baths and showers. No
fun bubbles or soaps for them.
Melissa
<addled.homemaker@...> wrote:
>bin
>
> My kids have always loved playing in the tub. I kept a rubbermaid
> in the bathroom full of fun toys and things to do in the bath: waterAnd my ds(6) and DD (8) love to put on their bathing suits and
> guns, tub tints, tub crayons, floating toys, matchbox cars, foamy
> soap, shaving cream, turkey baster, measuring cups, funnels, spoons
> and whisks. Oh, and bubble bath! Lots of times the kids didn't want
> to be bathed but they stayed in the soapy water that I figured it was
> happening anyway! :)
>
go "swimming" in the bathtub. I get out their goggles, snorkles and
some small plastic sea animals and fish nets and they go "snorkling".
Sometimes, Megan likes to pretend to be Laura Ingles taking a bath. I
put a large rubbermaid container (one of the really, really big ones)
in the kitchen, fill it with warm water, drape a quilt across two
chairs (just like in the book) and she takes her bath that way. I pour
the water over her like Ma did for Laura. Of course, I have to call
her Laura the entire time!
My children also like to take turns playing in the shower with their
umbrellas. They pretend they are in a rain storm. Of course, they
soon get tired of the umbrellas and I take them out and they continue
to play in the shower. Sometimes, they even want to use the squeegie
thing and wipe the shower doors and walls while the shower is going. I
also have let them use clean paint brushes to "paint" the walls of the
shower (or tub) with water. Also, those small paint rollers work well,
too.
My only problem for my kids is that they are allergic to soaps. Both
have eczema really bad so they just take water baths and showers. No
fun bubbles or soaps for them.
Melissa
Sandra Dodd
-=-My only problem for my kids is that they are allergic to soaps. Both
have eczema really bad so they just take water baths and showers. No
fun bubbles or soaps for them. -=-
I had soap problems when I was a kid. I could use Ivory soap or Avon
Skin-so-Soft. There must be other good stuff by now.
I like those ideas. Ice makes good bath toys. Freeze in molds or
something?
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
have eczema really bad so they just take water baths and showers. No
fun bubbles or soaps for them. -=-
I had soap problems when I was a kid. I could use Ivory soap or Avon
Skin-so-Soft. There must be other good stuff by now.
I like those ideas. Ice makes good bath toys. Freeze in molds or
something?
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Pamela Sorooshian
On Mar 27, 2008, at 2:55 PM, Amanda Horein wrote:
pudding. I'd put a bowl of it in the bathtub along with some
paintbrushes and kitchen utensils (like the turkey baster and egg
beater). The kids would sit and play, then we'd rinse them and the tub
off. A few times we used a big tube of toothpaste to play with in the
tub. If you get it at the 99 cent store it costs - only 99 cents! <G>
Be creative.
Get one of those hand held shower thingies so you can rinse from their
level, not from above their heads.
-pam
>Play in the tub. I used to make pudding - a huge batch of instant
> -=-=-=-=-=-
> Baths are easy, go swimming more often.
> -=-=-=-=-=-
>
> Not easy in Michigan right now and with no car and next to no money,
> that is
> not so easy. Any ideas for improvising here?
pudding. I'd put a bowl of it in the bathtub along with some
paintbrushes and kitchen utensils (like the turkey baster and egg
beater). The kids would sit and play, then we'd rinse them and the tub
off. A few times we used a big tube of toothpaste to play with in the
tub. If you get it at the 99 cent store it costs - only 99 cents! <G>
Be creative.
Get one of those hand held shower thingies so you can rinse from their
level, not from above their heads.
-pam
melissa_hice
The dematologist recommended we use Cetaphil which really doesn't
make bubbles. I do use it for a quick wash up after they are about
through playing in the tub. My daughter's eczema gets so bad I have
to use a steriod creme as well as another prescription topical creme
to alleviate the itching. She gets huge patches that turn bright red
and scaly. We use humidifiers throughout the house as well. My kids
don't take baths everyday and it is probably a good thing because
their eczema would really be bad!
interesting ice tray molds would be lots of fun! I'm going to look
for some soon.
make bubbles. I do use it for a quick wash up after they are about
through playing in the tub. My daughter's eczema gets so bad I have
to use a steriod creme as well as another prescription topical creme
to alleviate the itching. She gets huge patches that turn bright red
and scaly. We use humidifiers throughout the house as well. My kids
don't take baths everyday and it is probably a good thing because
their eczema would really be bad!
> -=-My only problem for my kids is that they are allergic to soaps.Both
> have eczema really bad so they just take water baths and showers. NoAvon
> fun bubbles or soaps for them. -=-
>
> I had soap problems when I was a kid. I could use Ivory soap or
> Skin-so-Soft. There must be other good stuff by now.I have used ice cubes before, but I think that maybe getting some
interesting ice tray molds would be lots of fun! I'm going to look
for some soon.
>or
> I like those ideas. Ice makes good bath toys. Freeze in molds
> something?
>
>
>
> Sandra
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
Sandra Dodd
=-I have used ice cubes before, but I think that maybe getting some
interesting ice tray molds would be lots of fun! I'm going to look
for some soon.-=-
Little ice melts too quickly. Freeze something big.
We have an aluminum fish mold . There are lots of molds made a few
decades back that were for jello or aspic dishes or sometimes people
used them for meat loafs and such.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
interesting ice tray molds would be lots of fun! I'm going to look
for some soon.-=-
Little ice melts too quickly. Freeze something big.
We have an aluminum fish mold . There are lots of molds made a few
decades back that were for jello or aspic dishes or sometimes people
used them for meat loafs and such.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
MrsStranahan
I've cracked the ice cube tray over the tub for my kids and they love
that, but it does melt pretty quickly.
I've been working on eating out of the freezer all week so I'll have
room to fit a bundt pan in there to make a big block of ice. And the
grocery store had a bag of squishy monkeys for $2 I want to freeze in
the ice. Not sure how that's going to work, but in my head it will
look awesome.
I got the ice idea from here - http://sandradodd.com/strew/tadaa.html
We did the jello and milk projects.
It was fun!
Lauren
that, but it does melt pretty quickly.
I've been working on eating out of the freezer all week so I'll have
room to fit a bundt pan in there to make a big block of ice. And the
grocery store had a bag of squishy monkeys for $2 I want to freeze in
the ice. Not sure how that's going to work, but in my head it will
look awesome.
I got the ice idea from here - http://sandradodd.com/strew/tadaa.html
We did the jello and milk projects.
It was fun!
Lauren
On Fri, Mar 28, 2008 at 7:34 AM, Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> =-I have used ice cubes before, but I think that maybe getting some
>
> interesting ice tray molds would be lots of fun! I'm going to look
> for some soon.-=-
>
> Little ice melts too quickly. Freeze something big.
>
> We have an aluminum fish mold . There are lots of molds made a few
> decades back that were for jello or aspic dishes or sometimes people
> used them for meat loafs and such.
>
>
> Sandra
>
Pamela Sorooshian
On Mar 28, 2008, at 6:36 AM, melissa_hice wrote:
It really isn't necessary unless you have greasy dirt that won't wash
off in just water.
Use a very mild gentle shampoo if you need soap - just a little bit on
one of those fluffy scrub thingies to make lots of suds.
Use a very mild gentle shampoo for bubble bath, too.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > -=-My only problem for my kids is that they are allergic to soaps.Don't use soap.
>
It really isn't necessary unless you have greasy dirt that won't wash
off in just water.
Use a very mild gentle shampoo if you need soap - just a little bit on
one of those fluffy scrub thingies to make lots of suds.
Use a very mild gentle shampoo for bubble bath, too.
-pam
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Sandra Dodd
-=-Use a very mild gentle shampoo if you need soap - just a little
bit on
one of those fluffy scrub thingies to make lots of suds.-=-
Oh good idea!! There's also hypoallergenic baby wash stuff.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
bit on
one of those fluffy scrub thingies to make lots of suds.-=-
Oh good idea!! There's also hypoallergenic baby wash stuff.
Sandra
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Joanna Murphy
My son had chronic eczema--the kind that got bloody--for 10 years, until he stopped
eating any soy. We had previously been focused on the outside--soap, laundry detergent,
etc. And then, like magic, it was gone. I've since heard from many sources that eczema is
commonly a food sensitivity, but our doctor never mentioned that possibility. Looking back
it should have been more obvious--I drank a lot of soy milk while nursing, and then he
drank gallons of the stuff after he weaned--and then lots in other forms too. Now we don't
use it and it hasn't come back. (I had some mysterious stuff that cleared up too.)
Don't know if that will help, but I thought I'd throw it out there....
Joanna
eating any soy. We had previously been focused on the outside--soap, laundry detergent,
etc. And then, like magic, it was gone. I've since heard from many sources that eczema is
commonly a food sensitivity, but our doctor never mentioned that possibility. Looking back
it should have been more obvious--I drank a lot of soy milk while nursing, and then he
drank gallons of the stuff after he weaned--and then lots in other forms too. Now we don't
use it and it hasn't come back. (I had some mysterious stuff that cleared up too.)
Don't know if that will help, but I thought I'd throw it out there....
Joanna
--- In [email protected], Sandra Dodd <Sandra@...> wrote:
>
> -=-My only problem for my kids is that they are allergic to soaps. Both
> have eczema really bad so they just take water baths and showers. No
> fun bubbles or soaps for them. -=-
>