Tag: toddlers

Whats normal, right?

Jordyn WelgeLeave a comment

Sometimes I struggle to see “normal” moms struggle. Its hard not to look and think, “That is the hardest part of your day? Could you even survive the hardest parts of my day?” I often undermine the challenge of having a child with exceptional medical needs or precautions. Most days are so very tiring worrying about Jocelyn, checking stats, checking blood sugars, hoping today is the day she figures out how to eat by mouth (cause thats a thing believe it or not), making sure her tube feedings are right, extra steps to prevent vomiting, hoping this week she continues to gain weight. On top of that I have to find the balance of allowing her twin Lucy to grow independently with Jocelyn having the freedom to grow independently as well (that is also a concern with twins). 

Here’s why I down play how tough the day to day can be. Because as a mom, any mom, you always do the best for your kids no matter what. So when people say, “I don’t know how you do it?” Sure maybe you can’t imagine but if you were in my shoes I know you would find a way, it may be different then mine but you make things work for your kids. Truth is I’m jealous other moms get normal struggles about listening or cooperation, or even how smart their child is, or what schools are the best. To worry about laundry and what time dance or soccer practice will be the next day. While I sit here and plan our months around doctors appointments, surgeries to come, and god forbid the back up plans to the back up plans if Jocelyn’s condition takes an unexpected turn. For each event planned I know where all the local peds. Hospitals are and how long the drive would be. I have our cardiologist’s cell number for any emergency needs, cause well I’m paranoid and she gets it.

But I’m working on it, I’m working on understanding everyone’s parenting experience is meant to be very different. Their struggles may seem silly to me or even something to be envious of, are still very important and monumental to them. Its not about what the struggle is, it’s how important the struggle is to you. Im learning life yields a different path for everyone. 

Please to any parent reading this know whatever your child’s needs are I’m going to support your struggle. My internal feelings don’t trump my ability to look beyond and see amazing mothers doing amazing things for their kids everyday. 

We have some fun events coming up and new adventures I can’t wait to share. Until then have fun, be kind and love your little ones. 

Mocking Birds for the Better

Jordyn WelgeLeave a comment

This week I must have added two tiny mocking birds to my household because nothing said is safe anymore. Even normal words in the mouth of a toddler sound so inappropriate. Lucy’s new favorite word is silly, it comes out sounding more like the word sh*t. Which can really catch a parent off guard when their toddler is not yet speaking sentences to find context clues. I find myself having to investigate the intentions behind the word when she is repeatedly saying it. Which is not easy to do with a toddler. But almost always it’s an innocent reference to the horse Maximus in Disney’s Tangled. 

Now like any parent we have had some slip ups here and there with, well.. you know some not nice words. And if I’m being honest.. it is so funny to hear it repeated back. Somedays Matt and I can hardly keep our composure, holding back tears and muffled laughter to deter from encouraging it.

However, I can hear it already, “You should NEVER curse around your child.” Yeah thanks Karen I know. But I’m not walking around my house yelling profanities for no reason, okay. So chill. I’m not perfect, no parent is, and well mistakes will be made. We have figured out something along the path of toddlerhood that has proven helpful to keep our daughters from repeating bad words.

  So Matt had come across an article about how after you curse you should say, “banana” that way a toddler won’t repeat it. And if you’re rolling your eyes like I did to Matt, because surely one word could not prevent our children from repeating the bad ones magically. But hear me out. The first few times I said banana after a bad word there was not a word repeated back or she would ask me for a banana. However, it had absolutely nothing to do with the word banana and everything to do with language development. Toddlers tend to repeat just the last word said in a sentence or phrase. So here is what we have begun to do if and when we slip a bad word. Just say any random appropriate phrase after the curse word and what my toddler will repeat is the last thing I said. Which has worked amazingly so far. *insert bad word here* purple unicorn *or here* pretty dinosaurs. Now that I’m thinking about it maybe we should try saying some random SAT words…hmmm..

  Now the disclaimers: 

Only works if your child is mocking one to three word phrases. 

Subject to not work on every toddler. 

Will also not work forever so please be mindful you will have to start watching your language more carefully eventually(or don’t not my child and I don’t judge). 

This is just something that has worked for us so far and I thought I would share. So I hope this helps! Hope everyone is having a wonderful and healthy New Year!