I have been gone for awhile on the blog and I am so sorry. I have not forgot you guys but have been working on bringing the MommE-Shop to fruition as well as working on events for you MommE's and your children.
But today I am so frustrated that I have to write and vent and I hope you don't mind. Today I need to ask when do Dadde's grow up? When does it register for them that someone else needs them and relies heavily on them? When do priorities kick in?
For most mothers the moment you are told you are pregnant your life changes. Gone are the days of partying and drinking with your friends instead we welcome sickness, tiredness and body aches. Gone are the days of frivolous spending and unhealthy eating but we now say hello to setting a budget and creating a savings account and a new diet to protect this precious life inside you. But for some men this doesn't happen.
I have spent 3 years hoping and praying this man would grow up and realize his children come first! Not first in his book but first for real. The needs and wants of them trump you wanting to go away or having a day off. Their needs and wants are more important then you and your issues at work. Unfortunately that has not happened yet.
We moms are told to hold our heads, to pray about it, to work hard and focus on our children. We are forced to ask others for help while we struggle, cry, yell and smile for the kids. We do it all with nothing at all while they live their lives and smile at the progress of the child.
I pray that any male reading this understands this is not a bash but a push to do better. Step back and think about how you would want a dude to treat your daughter in the future or your sister. Understand that your children need you ALL the time and your child's mother respects a man who does the right thing ALL the time. For the males who do right be sure to tell your friends that YOU KNOW are doing wrong to step up. Tell them to man up and be a better father for those kids because if you don't who will.
For all the MommE's reading this who are struggling to make it happen remember there are others out there just like you and all you can do is your best. Your happiness creates a happy baby and a happy baby is all we want. For those of you who are fortunate enough to have a great significant other and father of your child be sure to tell him thank you and how much you appreciate the help he gives. Remember all of us are not as blessed as you and you want to keep that man feeling happy and appreciated.
The black family is struggling and its up to us to fix it folks!
Have a great Weekend!
Friday, March 26, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Getting your child ready for Preschool
With Jade starting school I have been doing alot of reading on things I can do to get her ready for preschool. Here are some of the tips I have found over the past few weeks:
Give him/her a sense of what to expect
It's the rare child who isn't at least a little anxious about starting preschool. Resist the temptation to say things like "It'll be the most fun you've ever had," or "There's nothing to be afraid of," and never belittle your child's fears or concerns. Instead, help calm his fears with information. Talk to him about what to expect when he gets to school — where he'll be going, what he'll be doing, and who will be in class with him. Before school begins, visit the classroom together at least once, preferably when other children and his future teacher(s) are there. You can also read stories about starting school. Some good ones to try are Franklin Goes to School, by Paulette Bourgeois; Starting School, by Anne Civardi and Stephen Cartwright, and Starting School, by Janet Ahlberg.
Schedule a visit to the school
Seeing the classroom, meeting the teachers, and playing with the toys can make this transition easier. Familiarity helps children feel safe.
Read to your child every day
Most preschool classes have at least one reading period each day. Setting aside at least 15 minutes a day for reading time will make this a familiar ritual when school begins. Children who don't have early experiences with books often have difficulty learning to read later.Since preschoolers don't read independently, they need to learn to listen. Reading aloud to your child is a great way to help him develop listening skills. Stories with rhythm are particularly engaging, so look for books that repeat phrases. When he starts remembering the phrases, ask him to "read" with you. For instance, if you read The Three Little Pigs, after the wolf says, "Little pig, let me come in," let your child fill in the next line, "Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin."Your child will also learn to predict the outcome of a story in preschool. To help him prepare for this, you can stop midway through a reading and question him about what he thinks will happen next, or how he thinks the story will end.
Help your child picture what preschool will be like
Take turns playing the roles of Mommy, kid, and teacher. Act out saying good-bye to Mom and hello to the teacher. When you get tired of that scenario, add other activities, like snack time and finger painting.
Bathroom Skills 101
You can help make your child's bathroom trips easier by ensuring that he can undo his buttons and snaps. Even though your child may look adorable in overalls, he probably can't get them off very quickly. Tights are another big challenge for little girls, so try swapping them for leggings until she gets the hang of quick pull-downs.
Intro to Dining
Your child's fine motor skills are still developing, so opening plastic containers or sandwich bags can easily turn into a frustrating battle.
Avoid mealtime meltdowns by running through a few "practice" school lunches at home. You'll learn what she can't open and have time to rethink your packing technique.
All information posted today was found on Babycenter.com and Parents.com . I also found a fun interactive map on the Scholastic website.
http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/parentguides/preschool/timeline.htm
Good Luck MommE's and DaddE's enjoy this eventful time with your little one.
Leave your comments and thoughts! Remember its MommE-Talk!
Give him/her a sense of what to expect
It's the rare child who isn't at least a little anxious about starting preschool. Resist the temptation to say things like "It'll be the most fun you've ever had," or "There's nothing to be afraid of," and never belittle your child's fears or concerns. Instead, help calm his fears with information. Talk to him about what to expect when he gets to school — where he'll be going, what he'll be doing, and who will be in class with him. Before school begins, visit the classroom together at least once, preferably when other children and his future teacher(s) are there. You can also read stories about starting school. Some good ones to try are Franklin Goes to School, by Paulette Bourgeois; Starting School, by Anne Civardi and Stephen Cartwright, and Starting School, by Janet Ahlberg.
Schedule a visit to the school
Seeing the classroom, meeting the teachers, and playing with the toys can make this transition easier. Familiarity helps children feel safe.
Read to your child every day
Most preschool classes have at least one reading period each day. Setting aside at least 15 minutes a day for reading time will make this a familiar ritual when school begins. Children who don't have early experiences with books often have difficulty learning to read later.Since preschoolers don't read independently, they need to learn to listen. Reading aloud to your child is a great way to help him develop listening skills. Stories with rhythm are particularly engaging, so look for books that repeat phrases. When he starts remembering the phrases, ask him to "read" with you. For instance, if you read The Three Little Pigs, after the wolf says, "Little pig, let me come in," let your child fill in the next line, "Not by the hair on my chinny-chin-chin."Your child will also learn to predict the outcome of a story in preschool. To help him prepare for this, you can stop midway through a reading and question him about what he thinks will happen next, or how he thinks the story will end.
Help your child picture what preschool will be like
Take turns playing the roles of Mommy, kid, and teacher. Act out saying good-bye to Mom and hello to the teacher. When you get tired of that scenario, add other activities, like snack time and finger painting.
Bathroom Skills 101
You can help make your child's bathroom trips easier by ensuring that he can undo his buttons and snaps. Even though your child may look adorable in overalls, he probably can't get them off very quickly. Tights are another big challenge for little girls, so try swapping them for leggings until she gets the hang of quick pull-downs.
Intro to Dining
Your child's fine motor skills are still developing, so opening plastic containers or sandwich bags can easily turn into a frustrating battle.
Avoid mealtime meltdowns by running through a few "practice" school lunches at home. You'll learn what she can't open and have time to rethink your packing technique.
All information posted today was found on Babycenter.com and Parents.com . I also found a fun interactive map on the Scholastic website.
http://www.scholastic.com/familymatters/parentguides/preschool/timeline.htm
Good Luck MommE's and DaddE's enjoy this eventful time with your little one.
Leave your comments and thoughts! Remember its MommE-Talk!
Monday, March 8, 2010
School Anxiety
Happy Monday MommE's and DaddE's! The sun is shining here in NYC and I have to admit I'm ready for spring! No more layers of clothes, snow on the ground, and grey sky's. But with the hint of spring comes MommE's and DaddE's searching for schools for the little ones. With school searches comes testing, interviews, open houses and information sessions. And with all of that comes anxiety...will my child do OK, will he/she be accepted to a school, can I afford a private/catholic school, what and how much do they teach in daycares/headstarts?
I am currently going through anxiety trying to get my 2-year old in school. We actually have our first interview/test on Wednesday for St. Mark the Evangelist School in Harlem. I'm going crazy trying to figure out what they could possibly want her to know. I have harassed Jade all weekend about colors, numbers, alphabets and she is annoyed with it. But I'm scared. I know my child has personality and is very bright but what if she decides Wednesday is the day she wants to play bashful, or have a tantrum? What if Wednesday she does what she did all weekend and say every color is yellow???
I know I'm worrying to much but what parent doesn't worry? And if your not worrying why aren't you and whats your secret?
I will be sure to post later in the week with the details of the test and interview for all of you who are interested. Below are links and school open house information that I have found. Good Luck!!!
Harlem Catholic School Open Houses
St Joseph of the Holy Family School (168 Morningside Avenue 212-662-1736)
March 25 9-11am
April 19 11am-2pm
Mount Carmel-Holy Rosary (371 Pleasant Avenue 212-876-7555 ext 1)
March 13 9am-12pm
March 17 3pm- 6pm
March 20 12pm-3pm
St Mark the Evangelist School (55 West 138th st 212-283-4848)
Please call for appointment 212-283-4848
St. Aloysius School (223 West 132nd street 212-283-0921
Please call for appointment
Corpus Christi School (353 West 121st 212-662-9344)
March 10,10,24
April 14, 21, 28
May 5,12, 19, 26
All Open Houses are from 9am-11am
Private School Fairs in NYS
http://www.privateschoolreview.com/privateschools-fairs-events/stateid/NY
I am currently going through anxiety trying to get my 2-year old in school. We actually have our first interview/test on Wednesday for St. Mark the Evangelist School in Harlem. I'm going crazy trying to figure out what they could possibly want her to know. I have harassed Jade all weekend about colors, numbers, alphabets and she is annoyed with it. But I'm scared. I know my child has personality and is very bright but what if she decides Wednesday is the day she wants to play bashful, or have a tantrum? What if Wednesday she does what she did all weekend and say every color is yellow???
I know I'm worrying to much but what parent doesn't worry? And if your not worrying why aren't you and whats your secret?
I will be sure to post later in the week with the details of the test and interview for all of you who are interested. Below are links and school open house information that I have found. Good Luck!!!
Harlem Catholic School Open Houses
St Joseph of the Holy Family School (168 Morningside Avenue 212-662-1736)
March 25 9-11am
April 19 11am-2pm
Mount Carmel-Holy Rosary (371 Pleasant Avenue 212-876-7555 ext 1)
March 13 9am-12pm
March 17 3pm- 6pm
March 20 12pm-3pm
St Mark the Evangelist School (55 West 138th st 212-283-4848)
Please call for appointment 212-283-4848
St. Aloysius School (223 West 132nd street 212-283-0921
Please call for appointment
Corpus Christi School (353 West 121st 212-662-9344)
March 10,10,24
April 14, 21, 28
May 5,12, 19, 26
All Open Houses are from 9am-11am
Private School Fairs in NYS
http://www.privateschoolreview.com/privateschools-fairs-events/stateid/NY
Friday, March 5, 2010
Free Events
Its supposed to 50 degrees this weekend so be sure to take the kids out. Looking for free events to help in this recession? Well look no further here are some events happening in NYC!
Friday
Target Free First Friday Night
Children's Museum of Manhattan
212 W 83rd St (between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)
Friday Family Movie Night
6:15pm
The Moxie Spot 81 Atlantic Ave, at Hicks St, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn (718-923-9710)
Saturday
Forest Fairytales
1:00 p.m. 700 Rockland Avenue Staten Island
Science Power Hour
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Prospect Park Audubon Center (Enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Avenue or Flatbush Avenue & Empire Boulevard)Brooklyn
HSBC Family Day at Queens Botanical Garden
2pm–4pm
Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St, between Dahlia and Elder Aves
Horseplay
11am
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center Broadway, between 62nd and 63rd Sts
WeBop Spring Trial Class: (various Age Groups, Please call for your age and time)
Irene Diamond Education Center (at Frederick P. Rose Hall) Broadway, at 60th St (212-258-9800)
Harlem on my Mind
2pm, Queens Library,
A tribute to the Harlem Renaissance, this production features three new short plays mixed with period costumes and the music of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and James P. Johnson. In “Tell Me Again,” your kids will hear some of the Southern black folk tales gathered by Harlem women in the 1920s and 30s; “Lena's Quilt,” about a runaway orphan in the rural South, will likely pull a heartstring or two; and “Grimke's Shadow” uses Zora Neale Hurston's Glossary of Harlem Slang to witty effect. Ages 8 and up.
Sunday
The Phagwah Parade
noon
133rd St at Liberty Ave 133rd St, Liberty Ave
Target Free Sundays
2pm–5pm
Studio Museum in Harlem 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd, (Seventh Ave) and Malcolm X (Lenox Ave)
Magic Show
3pm
Abracadabra Superstore 19 W 21st St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves, Chelsea
Enjoy your weekend!
Its MommE-Talk
Friday
Target Free First Friday Night
Children's Museum of Manhattan
212 W 83rd St (between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway)
Friday Family Movie Night
6:15pm
The Moxie Spot 81 Atlantic Ave, at Hicks St, Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn (718-923-9710)
Saturday
Forest Fairytales
1:00 p.m. 700 Rockland Avenue Staten Island
Science Power Hour
1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Prospect Park Audubon Center (Enter the Park at Lincoln Road & Ocean Avenue or Flatbush Avenue & Empire Boulevard)Brooklyn
HSBC Family Day at Queens Botanical Garden
2pm–4pm
Queens Botanical Garden 43-50 Main St, between Dahlia and Elder Aves
Horseplay
11am
David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center Broadway, between 62nd and 63rd Sts
WeBop Spring Trial Class: (various Age Groups, Please call for your age and time)
Irene Diamond Education Center (at Frederick P. Rose Hall) Broadway, at 60th St (212-258-9800)
Harlem on my Mind
2pm, Queens Library,
A tribute to the Harlem Renaissance, this production features three new short plays mixed with period costumes and the music of Duke Ellington, Fats Waller and James P. Johnson. In “Tell Me Again,” your kids will hear some of the Southern black folk tales gathered by Harlem women in the 1920s and 30s; “Lena's Quilt,” about a runaway orphan in the rural South, will likely pull a heartstring or two; and “Grimke's Shadow” uses Zora Neale Hurston's Glossary of Harlem Slang to witty effect. Ages 8 and up.
Sunday
The Phagwah Parade
noon
133rd St at Liberty Ave 133rd St, Liberty Ave
Target Free Sundays
2pm–5pm
Studio Museum in Harlem 144 W 125th St between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd, (Seventh Ave) and Malcolm X (Lenox Ave)
Magic Show
3pm
Abracadabra Superstore 19 W 21st St, between Fifth and Sixth Aves, Chelsea
Enjoy your weekend!
Its MommE-Talk
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