Social Skills

Who knew that social skills could be learned and improved upon by meeting people in everyday life around the community? Aren't social skills picked up strictly in a public school setting? Nope, and today was a perfect example.

G and I went to Costco today and after we had done our shopping, we decided to sit down and share a hot dog and a sundae. We parked our cart and looked for a couple of nearby empty seats. There was an older gentleman sitting alone at one of the tables and we asked him if we could join him. He was happy to have the company and as we ate our lunch, we sat and chatted with our new friend. He was a great grandpa and I think he got a kick out of G. I know G enjoyed talking with him. The gentleman shared about his family, his hobbies, and even a little about what life was like for him as a kid (no indoor toilets or running water in the house, which G was amazed about, and didn't believe at first). It was a great way for G to continue to develop a respect for old people and to have the opportunity to personally relate to people much older than him. When children realize the wealth of knowledge, wisdom and experience that can be passed from one generation to another, and the mentors they have in their elders, they set themselves up to live rich and fulfilling lives.

I-Can't-Wait-to-Grow-Up Syndrome

Translation: I wish I was a grown up so that I could do what I want like eat whatever I want and just do what I want so that is why I want to be a grown up.

Behavior Jar

Someone on one of my yahoo groups posted this today and G loved the idea. We took a small jar and pasted on some tissue paper squares with watered down Elmer's glue. Each time I notice G doing something helpful, kind, or having a good attitude, he gets to put a marble in the jar. Whenever I see him whining, complaining or being disobedient, we take a marble out of his jar. When he collects 25 marbles, he gets a quarter.

We've only had the jar for a couple of hours, but they have been a couple of the most helpful, cooperative hours we've ever had! Let's see how long this lasts!

Please Excuse My Absence

It has been almost 2 weeks since my last post. Can you say "home buyer's stress"? We are in the process of buying a home and it has had its easy, walk in the park days. Those are over. We are now in the home stretch. You know the one, the stress-filled days of last minute glitches and a seemingly impossible deadline over our heads. The days where you are half-packed but still not sure that you will actually be moving. Ugh! Brighter days will be ahead...right? Please?

At least G is learning the real life lessons that go along with buying a home: the roller coaster ride that it is, the real, and raw stress that goes with it. I can't help feeling bad, though, that he has to go through it right along with us. Stress is not easy to hide.

Long story short: I should be back up and blogging by mid February for sure.