Every Baby Should be Loved so Well

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Helen has begun a series called, "Winning Your Child" that aims to enlighten adoptive parents.  But there is so much wisdom there that is good for all parents.  As in the past, I can read about her challenges and recognize how much simpler it is to achieve the same ends with children born to me.  But I also recognize how important deliberate parenting for attachment and trust are for all children.  I've seen firsthand the wounded children of the orphanages; but I've unfortunately seen the wounded children of our self-centered culture as well.  Every baby should be loved as Helen is loving her new arrival.

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How to reason with a hungry five-year-old

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Nicholas is going through a particularly difficult food-aversion stage.  Basically, he'll eat sesame chicken and pineapple smoothies.  That's it.  Today, we ordered pizza.  He cried.  He begged.  He refused to eat in a most pitiful way.  But I didn't budge.  I understand food aversions very well.  I even understand cravings.  But this is getting ridiculous.  And expensive.

Nicholas:  If I can't eat sesame chicken, I can't eat.  I already had three smoothies today.

Me:  Well then, you're going to be very hungry because I'm not spending $11 on sesame chicken tonight.

Nicholas:  But you just spent $20 on pizza!  Eleven isn't more than twenty!

Me:  But I fed six people with $20.  If everybody's dinner cost $11, I'd have to spend $77 on dinner.

Nicholas:  No, everyone can get what they want for $31.  See?  It's much less than $77!

Something tells me that Mike would have been so impressed with the quick calculation, he might have ordered sesame chicken.  But I didn't...

Yet.

10 Random Facts about me--and YOU!

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I never got tagged, but I read them all--at least I think I did.  And I decided not to write my own, but to borrow from all of you so...

1.Like Cheryl,  I wear this nightgown almost every night.

2. Like Kristina, I won our Junior High spelling bee and my favorite ice cream is peppermint stick.

3.Like Jenn, I've always wanted to be a homesteader...but I'm such a city girl, have no experience and I'm allergic to most everything on the farm -- grass, hay, trees, animals. It's not really a perfect fit. And my husband has no desire to farm. I've adjusted my dream somewhat. To own an old big farmhouse and small piece of land -- a small organic farm to grow herbs, fruits and/or vegetables? I think we want a hobby farm or be a gentleman farmer like Thomas Jefferson.
4. Like Margaret, I have tremendous respect for my friends who can sew. I myself cannot sew to save my life.

5.Like Alice, my name is between the covers of one of Lissa's Little House books, 'though it's not a dedication, but a "thank you."

6. Like Meredith, I am an introvert--but a real one, not a sort of one. I am really very shy.

7.  Like Jen, I worked as a lifeguard in high school (and college and while pregnant with my first child--I also taught swim lessons and coached the swim team).

8.Like Bridget, I start listening to Christmas music in October.

9.Like Kathryn, my favourite colour is pink. (I used that one from her because I could use "ou" instead of "o" twice!)

10. Like Sarah, I hate ketchup and I have an aversion to Ginger ever since I had it with morning sickness (though I still love the smell of Ginger perfume from Origins). I also love the smell of tea tree oil and of lavender oil...

And...I noticed that Lissa never got tagged so, she's it!