Comments on: Happy Kids http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:12:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4633 Mary Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:16:48 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4633 Exactly, I'm the same way. And if the kids aren't conditioned to expect that treatment, they're so nice to be around! Exactly, I’m the same way. And if the kids aren’t conditioned to expect that treatment, they’re so nice to be around!

]]> By: Linda http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4618 Linda Sat, 15 Sep 2007 06:05:23 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4618 *Linda, that’s a good synopsis of what I do also, except I don’t go out of my way to make sure “life” hands out the same treats in the name of fairness.* i don't either. that's what i was trying to say. i try to meet individual needs and not have them focus on what the other ones get. i see the reward to this way of doing things whenever we happen to shop with friends. i know there are a lot of moms who think, *well, i got little erik a shirt so now i have to get little erika a shirt to be fair. * well, no you don't. *Linda, that’s a good synopsis of what I do also, except I don’t go out of my way to make sure “life” hands out the same treats in the name of fairness.*

i don’t either. that’s what i was trying to say. i try to meet individual needs and not have them focus on what the other ones get. i see the reward to this way of doing things whenever we happen to shop with friends. i know there are a lot of moms who think, *well, i got little erik a shirt so now i have to get little erika a shirt to be fair. * well, no you don’t.

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4610 Mary Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:27:56 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4610 Good practical tip! Yum, cheetos and coffee... ;) Our firstborn was always cracking everyone up by visiting everyone's plate at say a Christmas gathering when we'd all be eating in my mil's living room. She was 1 year old and LOVED to share. She'd share her food, and then look at you with big happy eyes like, "It's your turn, what are you going to give me?" Smile. Good practical tip! Yum, cheetos and coffee… ;)

Our firstborn was always cracking everyone up by visiting everyone’s plate at say a Christmas gathering when we’d all be eating in my mil’s living room. She was 1 year old and LOVED to share. She’d share her food, and then look at you with big happy eyes like, “It’s your turn, what are you going to give me?” Smile.

]]> By: Heather http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4605 Heather Fri, 14 Sep 2007 21:05:02 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4605 Hi, Mary, my girls are 10 and 5. What we've always done, which I think encourages them to think of others, is to say "Grapes? Sure! Ask (whomever) if he/she wants some, too". Now it's usually automatic that they dole everyone out a portion of whatever they're getting -- which can sometimes backfire when they are bringing you a bowl of Cheetos with your morning coffee :) Hi, Mary, my girls are 10 and 5. What we’ve always done, which I think encourages them to think of others, is to say “Grapes? Sure! Ask (whomever) if he/she wants some, too”. Now it’s usually automatic that they dole everyone out a portion of whatever they’re getting — which can sometimes backfire when they are bringing you a bowl of Cheetos with your morning coffee :)

]]> By: Mary http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4603 Mary Fri, 14 Sep 2007 20:53:29 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4603 Linda, that's a good synopsis of what I do also, except I don't go out of my way to make sure "life" hands out the same treats in the name of fairness. When my oldest, for instance, was invited to a slumber party and middle daughter wasn't, we just encouraged her to be happy for her big sis and used the time with just her at home to have fun together. We baked cookies or something, nothing huge, but something. Tried not to let it *become* an issue, other than an opportunity to be happy for big sis. Heather, I've noticed that children really close in age are more concerned with fairness, esp in their younger years. What ages are yours? Hey, Mom! I sure remember hearing about me loving the merry go round! But I never thought to credit YOU for enduring it 7 times, or that it might be what ruined my equilibrium for life! Thanks on both counts! ;) Linda, that’s a good synopsis of what I do also, except I don’t go out of my way to make sure “life” hands out the same treats in the name of fairness. When my oldest, for instance, was invited to a slumber party and middle daughter wasn’t, we just encouraged her to be happy for her big sis and used the time with just her at home to have fun together. We baked cookies or something, nothing huge, but something. Tried not to let it *become* an issue, other than an opportunity to be happy for big sis.

Heather, I’ve noticed that children really close in age are more concerned with fairness, esp in their younger years. What ages are yours?

Hey, Mom! I sure remember hearing about me loving the merry go round! But I never thought to credit YOU for enduring it 7 times, or that it might be what ruined my equilibrium for life! Thanks on both counts! ;)

]]> By: mom http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4595 mom Fri, 14 Sep 2007 12:30:03 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4595 Talk about memories! When you were 2 1/2, Mary, when we took that trip around the USA, we spent a whole day at Disney World in Florida. I'm sure you don't remember that but believe me, I do. Your young teen sisters and their girlfriend who was along, headed out to take rides, etc., and you and I set out to do the 'little kid' things. My biggest memory of that day is the 7 times in a row that we (note that WE) rode the merry-go-round! We did 'do' Small, Small World too, but the merry-go-round was your activity of choice! Do you suppose that marathan of circular riding set you up for seasickness later in life? Good memories! Talk about memories! When you were 2 1/2, Mary, when we took that trip around the USA, we spent a whole day at Disney World in Florida. I’m sure you don’t remember that but believe me, I do. Your young teen sisters and their girlfriend who was along, headed out to take rides, etc., and you and I set out to do the ‘little kid’ things. My biggest memory of that day is the 7 times in a row that we (note that WE) rode the merry-go-round! We did ‘do’ Small, Small World too, but the merry-go-round was your activity of choice! Do you suppose that marathan of circular riding set you up for seasickness later in life? Good memories!

]]> By: Heather http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4582 Heather Fri, 14 Sep 2007 02:34:16 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4582 Mine do a little of both -- they want to make sure they get their fair share, but are usually their sister's number one advocate for making sure she gets her fair share, too. Mine do a little of both — they want to make sure they get their fair share, but are usually their sister’s number one advocate for making sure she gets her fair share, too.

]]> By: Linda http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4576 Linda Thu, 13 Sep 2007 22:31:44 +0000 http://homesteepedhope.com/2007/09/13/happy-kids/#comment-4576 awwwwww, that's cute. she sounds really sweet. we had passes to the water park/amusement park nearby and went a lot over the summer and the kids just got accustomed to taking turns doing the stuff they wanted. i've always really tried to treat them as indivduals and make sure their needs are being met and they've never been caught up in comparing what they get to what the others get, luckily. i think it might drive me nuts if they did. awwwwww, that’s cute. she sounds really sweet. we had passes to the water park/amusement park nearby and went a lot over the summer and the kids just got accustomed to taking turns doing the stuff they wanted. i’ve always really tried to treat them as indivduals and make sure their needs are being met and they’ve never been caught up in comparing what they get to what the others get, luckily. i think it might drive me nuts if they did.

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