Phases

Our children have all gone through different phases.

Jacob even went through an ugly phase for awhile, but luckily it was a short phase. He also had a mean phase, where I felt like he was going to grow up and become a criminal. I was having so many problems with him and we didn't get a long very well. This was around his third birthday, looking back now I thought he was so grown up and expected so much out of him.

I had a strange mother type feeling that he was going to die. I didn't understand what or why or how I just had the feeling. Sometimes with Jacob's bad behavior I felt completely helpless. It didn't matter what I said or what was done to discipline him it was as if a switch had gone off in his head and he didn't hear us anymore. He had his sweet, awesome good little boy moments but as it got closer to Brian retiring from the Sheriffs department, those moments were fewer and fewer. Finally a diagnosis of diabetes was made and things began to get better. I had been giving him black dots on a chart when he misbehaved and yellow stars when he was good. I still feel bad about my many many black dots that I gave him. He was sick and his body still reacts that way when his blood sugars are high, he gets a little goofy or mean.

I can't believe that Jack is the same age that Jacob was when he was first diagnosed with Diabetes.

Jack Jack has really blossomed these past 6 months or so. He is very aware of his "past" names and "past" habits. He still has his fits and tantrums but he is working so hard trying to be a good boy. He points out to us all the time "mama, look at what a good boy I am!" or "Dadee, I a good boy, I not hit or push or throw cars."

Right now Jacob is in the SILLY, TRICKY, SNEAKY, I didn't DO IT, I AM NOT LYING, TEASING, with a little pleasing PHASE! Is this normal for 6 year olds???

He is quick to react!

He is quick to go berserk every so often!

He is a wiggle worm, even while sitting. Something is still wiggling, pulling faces, hitting a boy or girl just to get a rise out of them or me.

He is quick to wrestle, run, jump, sing, holler, climb, flip, push, pull, crawl anything involving movement.

He is quick to listen when we are speaking double talk and doesn't listen when we are speaking English.

He wants to play with friends and classmates, but when they are together they are hitting, quarreling, and kicking each other.

He is constantly trying to gain attention and build his personal status, he brags, exaggerates, and struts when he retells stories of his accomplishments.

He can not take criticism, it rips him apart. Even the littlest point made to Jacob ends up in a tantrum fit with crying, shaking, and wailing.

Jen's things to do to help Jacob and I make it to SEVEN! I understand Seven is Heaven!

TO DO: That wasn't a nice thing to do! (give him a release from the pressure of being perfect, this gives him an option to improve or change.)

Don't Do: "no good" "bad boy" "ungrateful" "disobedient boy" etc... These only label him and then he begins to live up to his calling.

TO DO: Do not place fault! Jacob is quick to go on the defensive when he is blamed for everything. Yes he is the oldest but I need to remember I am his teacher. Instead of you should know better, again I should say "that wasn't a nice thing to do!"

Aiden is all about FUN! Five is Fun!

Fun with friends.

Fun with Family.

Fun with Chores.

If it involves doing something fun Aiden is excited and ready. If not he is tired and as Jack Jack says "his wegs are broke!"

I bet Aiden asks me 40 -50 times a day if he can go play with someone, do something fun, or can I call again. He doesn't understand that calling once is sufficient. Please this is a hint to invite him over or call and come over to play ANYONE! He is not picky you should hear his list, it involves every Child and sibling he knows and sometimes doesn't know.

Jack like I said before is coming of age. He has a new desire to gain approval and loves to take on new chores. He for the most part can be reasoned with and we are so excited."Relax, everything is going to be all right now!"Best of all most of his childhood nick names do not fit anymore!!!

I think with all my kids I need to be more positive and give complements more readily.

Charlee is "jello." Maybe even a Jello mold. She still is not rolling over, nor is she sitting up by herself. She can for a bit, but like a jello mold that has not fully set she just ends up folded in half or wiggling on her side (still sitting). This is good because she is my Baby and she is our last. Brian loves her new phase of just loving him on his shoulder. They will lay (only with Brian) on his shoulder on the couch for hours. Notice HOURS! He doesn't get much done. I tried it the other day and she gave me her hu hu ha HA HA HU HUY YYYYYY EEEEE... that is her excited "momma is going to nurse me" sound. She is fussy fussy at night and most of the time just wants to nurse to go to sleep. I hate doing it but sometimes it is the "only" option!