TRAINING THE TOT

Training the Tot - Without traumatizing the parent  

Successful potty-training tips

Published on FamilyShare.com March 22, 2014

• Much of motherhood is glorious, uplifting and fun. However, there is one chore which looms over even the most cheerful and talented mothers: Potty training. When my first son was 1-year-old, I delved with excitement into the mission at hand. Unfortunately, the process (which spanned a year and a half) left me older and wiser, and vowing that I would never again train another breathing thing.
  

CHURCH MICE IN THE CHAPEL

My first article for FamilyShare.com was published Sunday, March 16th.  Within the first day it had over 6,000 hits, and is now approaching 9,000.  Hooray!  

Here's the link and the article below:

Teaching Children To Be Church Mice in the Chapel

Taking small children to church can be a daunting task for any parent. Here are a few tips for teaching your children to sit quietly during the service.

Church. For a parent with young children, the word may bring to my mind visions of temper tantrums, Cheerios thrown into the adjacent pew, and, “I have to go potty,” screamed at the wrong moment. Yet, those of us who want our children to be honest, upright citizens often make a weekly pilgrimage to a religious service.

Wisdom from a Witch

I’m a witch. I just need to admit it, and then I’ll feel better about myself. I didn’t mean to be a witch. When I was a little girl, I was kind and gentle, meek and happy. Then I went to college. I was kind and gentle, meek and happy. Then I got married. I was kind and gentle, meek and happy. Then, I had children, and a witch was born. (Not the baby, it was me.)

BLESSINGS OF BIG

"Biggie" size your family.  I'm serious!  Although the latest news topics generally discourage any "biggie" sizing (i.e.:  let's fight obesity in America), in one life department - families - upgrading is essential.  Not just essential, but vital to our world.  Yep, you heard me right.  I'm encouraging - even promoting - large families and lots of children.

MEALTIME MAGIC

I fully understand the meaning of eternity, and it has nothing to do with fire and brimstone. In my world, eternal is described in one word: meals. For me, meals go on and on and on ... forever. When one meal ends, another begins. As the “bread maker” in a family of 11 people, I fix 33 meals a day, 231 meals a week!!! Keeping some variety in that routine - not to mention the preparation, serving, and clean up involved - is enough to wipe me out.

Is Eight Enough?

IS EIGHT ENOUGH?

Published in the Casper Journal September 29, 2010

I have eight children.  When we all go to the grocery store, perfect strangers will often stop and ask, “Are those all your children?” (Why do they think I would bring extras along?)

“Wow!  You must be a very busy mom.” (Thanks for stating the obvious.)

And then the inevitable…

“Are you planning on having any more?”  (Is that any of their business?) 

Soon the jokes start.

“You know what they say… ‘Eight is enough.’”