Friday, March 30, 2012

A New Parenting Blog (You'll Like It!)

It can be tough to jump back into writing on a regular basis after taking such a long vacation from it. It is especially difficult when you cannot think of anything to write about. I usually write about the fun projects the kids and I are working on or parenting in general. Unfortunately, things have been getting rougher and rougher around here with both kids. I know that some of it has to do with their reactions to the stress I'm feeling. No matter how much you try to hide something like this, it still shows. And, with my oldest, I am honest. He gets a simpler version of what's going on because 1) I don't believe in lying to him by saying that everything is going to be OK - it may not, and 2) if things do get bad, I don't want it to be a shock to him.

As for Little Guy, I am having a terrible time. It's as if he wants to constantly argue with me over everything. He'll ask for a flavor of juice that he knows we don't have, then whine and cry and throw a HUGE tantrum over not getting it. He wakes up in the morning telling me, "Today, I not gonna listen to you, Mommy!" All of the rules get broken all of the time. Not only the silly ones, like pick up your toys. The serious ones, too: no touching the electric outlets. He's thrown Hot Wheels at the TV screen, tossed my coffee mug down our wooden staircase, he runs off when we're on walks... into busy streets. I gave up on cooking and washing dishes with him because he's managed to cut me with a paring knife when I told him to please put it down (he put it down with force on my hand!) and he's broken a ton of dishes by tossing them on the floor just to see them crash. I feel that there is more than his reaction to stress to blame for this sudden change in behavior (no, he hasn't had any vax!)

Anyway, just when I thought I had no where but a physician to turn to (I really don't want labels such as "ADD" on his medical chart - especially at only 3 years old), I heard that a new blog is starting up that may just help me with these and many other parenting problems I will come across. The blog is written by three mothers who have a total of 17 children, ranging in age from 1 to 16 (and one on the way!). And, these aren't just any moms - they are moms who have the same parenting philosophies as I. They "...ascribe to Attachment Parenting, Gentle Discipline, & Natural Family Living philosophies; each in our own way. We wanted to create a place to share our lives as "crunchy" Moms with other similar-minded Moms." Their blog, Grateful Moms of Many, is scheduled to launch on April 1, 2012 and I, for one, cannot wait! On the site, you will find articles on many topics, including pregnancy & birth, breastfeeding, multiples, special needs children, schooling, discipline, frugality, crafts, recipes, mental health, and generally the unique challenges that moms face in daily life. It sounds like the PERFECT mom blog to me!

I really love how these three moms (Sasha, Nic, and Michelle) met each other. They were all on an Online Due Date Club - you know, where expectant moms can commiserate with other women who are at the same stage of pregnancy. Once their children were all born, the three moms stayed in touch via a private Facebook group. Though they all share similar parenting philosophies, they also believe that every parent does what he/she feels is best for their children. You won't find judgment on this blog, only support. And, with the years of experience that these Moms of Many have, you can almost bet that all kinds of interesting things have been encountered. That leaves me feeling as if I can find the help I need with my own kids.




If you can't wait for their April 1st launch, you can head over to their Facebook page, Grateful Moms of Many. There are already a few questions posted and the community there feels wonderful - lots of great ideas being generated and no judgemental attitudes.




 Oh, and I almost forgot! 
To celebrate the Grateful Moms of Many's blog launch 
on April 1st (you know what day that is, right?!), 
there will be a special giveaway 
with a nice little prank-like twist! 
April Fool's! 
So, don't forget to go check it out - I'll give you a quick reminder post so you don't forget. :)

Monday, March 26, 2012

Tuesday's Giveaway Linky (3/27)

I am so sorry for missing out on last week's linky! I think that things are finally settling down and I should be posting more often. It's just hard to get back into the swing of things - and to even think of what to write about! - after taking such a long hiatus!



Thursday, March 22, 2012

I Wrote a Blog Post! (Really!)

Nope, it's not here. You can read my post over at my friend Bernie's blog, One Mixed Bag.
Here's a hint:

Monday, March 12, 2012

Tuesday's Giveaway Linkup {3/13}


Tuesday's Giveaway Linkup
Welcome to Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up with your hosts Aimee @ Classified: Mom & Karen @ Tots and Me & Alicia @ McCrenshaw's Newest Thoughts!


This link up will be posted Monday at 7 PM est. and run all week long! Make sure you stop in as often as you can to list your latest giveaways.


Here is how to use the Giveaway Link Up



1. Post your reviews and/or giveaways, as many as you have, be sure to add the end date (family friendly please)


2. Help spread the word about the giveaway link up by grabbing our button, Tweeting or posting on Facebook. (Not mandatory- but it helps get more exposure to your giveaways as well!)


3. Take a moment to enter any giveaway that strikes an interest to you!

If you would  like to follow the three hostesses, we will gladly follow you back! Simply leave us a message to do so.



Thank you for linking up with  Aimee @ Classified: Mom & Karen @ Tots and Me & Alicia @  McCrenshaw's Newest Thoughts! 



Monday, March 5, 2012

Very Quick Update



I now have an Etsy shop!!!! Come browse my whopping 7 items at McCrenshaw's Newest Knits when you have time. I'm working very hard to get more items finished, photographed, described, and listed. My goal is to have a full page of items listed on my shop's homepage by the end of next week. I just need more hours in a day and faster fingers! Anyway, I'm very excited about some of the ideas I have for items, so check back for new listings every few days.


I promise that blog posts will be coming back this week.I'm giving my oldest his first real job: as a typist. The idea is I will speak my posts into the voice recorder of my MP3 player and, when he gets home from school, he will type what I've said. Later that night, I'll simply edit and add photos! I'm not sure how well this will work, so we're going to do a trial run of 2 weeks. I am trying to make this as close to a real job as possible for him to give him a taste of what will be expected of him in his future jobs. Also, I'll be able to write him a nice letter of recommendation when the time comes for him to get a real job.

I'm just wondering how much to pay him, what kind of hours to set, etc. It's not like we're rolling in the dough, so the paying thing is going to be tough. I'm trying to think of what I could use to barter with him. He asked if I could make some Amigurumi for him to sell to friends at school and at the trading card shop where he hangs out. Maybe I could make those in exchange for blog posts and he can sell them for whatever he wants? Is that legal? Any other ideas?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Tuesday's Giveaway Linkup {3/7} & a Quick Update

Hello! I know it's been quite a while since you've heard from me. But I'll be back this week. Knitting and crochetong is slow-going, but I've thought of a way to get my posts out and keep plugging along on making items for my shop!

In the meantime, check out these great giveaways:

Tuesday's Giveaway Linkup
Welcome to Tuesday's Giveaway Link Up with your hosts Aimee @ Classified: Mom & Karen @ Tots and Me & Alicia @ McCrenshaw's Newest Thoughts!


This link up will be posted Monday at 7 PM est. and run all week long! Make sure you stop in as often as you can to list your latest giveaways.


Here is how to use the Giveaway Link Up



1. Post your reviews and/or giveaways, as many as you have, be sure to add the end date (family friendly please)



2. Help spread the word about the giveaway link up by grabbing our button, Tweeting or posting on Facebook. (Not mandatory- but it helps get more exposure to your giveaways as well!)



3. Take a moment to enter any giveaway that strikes an interest to you!



If you would  like to follow the three hostesses, we will gladly follow you back! Simply leave us a message to do so.





Thank you for linking up with  Aimee @ Classified: Mom & Karen @ Tots and Me & Alicia @  McCrenshaw's Newest Thoughts!