Well, not so much "good-bye" as "you still haunt me."

Not cool, man.  Not cool.

I just realized I have been a scapegoat at work.

And it's not a recent or new thing.

I knew this before...

in a way.

I wouldn't really admit it.

I am so convenient.

How 

In 

The

Hell
Did 

I 

Do

This

To

Myself?

Adults can learn, too.

This is from a simple assignment where we were asked to compare the parenting style of our parents.  I opted to write about my own parenting style, since I didn't want to pick apart my overly picked apart parents--no really, I actually didn't want to!

The first theory that best describes my parenting style would be the psychoanalytical style with my approach leaning more toward the Erikson perspective rather than Freud.  According to Erickson, a person must maneuver through five defined stages in childhood and then two more in adulthood.  Within each of these stages, we must overcome an inconsistency that is present in each stage such as the “trust vs. mistrust” dispute in infancy (Berk 2012).  Even before my first child was born, I believed and knew that my strongest and most effective parenting tool was unconditional love.  My goals as a parent were based around not making the same mistakes my own parents had made and giving as much as I could to the “nurture” side of the “nature vs. nurture” paradox.
As I grew up with my children, I realized there were other things I could do to support their development.  I knew they had to make their own mistakes and make their own choices.  I also understood that they had to be given the guidance and support to do so, and be provided with a safe place to fall when things get rough.

The second theory that fits my parenting style is Piaget’s theory of Cognitive Development.  The book tells us that Piaget felt that a child will “construct knowledge as they manipulate and explore their world (Berk, 2012). ”  As a parent I feel it is the adult caregiver’s job to provide appropriate environments for the child to explore.  From the time my children could walk, we were exploring the back yard, local parks, and the library.  If and when one of my children appeared to enjoy something, I encouraged this interest by providing materials and experiences to further their exploration.  I’m sure I went overboard at times, enjoying the learning experience along with my child.  When my first child noticed butterflies, we ran to the library and collected as many insect and butterfly books as we could carry.  I approached my second daughter’s interest in dinosaurs in the same way.  One of my twin boys enjoyed music and was always interested in the covers the cds came in.  He eventually learned to read his first words by memorizing the track list of his favorite “Wiggles” album.  Luckily for me, resources to encourage these interests of my children were readily available. 

These two theories share a common belief that children should be allowed to be autonomous.  Erikson even theorized that negative feelings such as “shame” can and will emerge if a child is not allowed “reasonable free choice (Berk, 2012).”

Textbook cited:
Berk, Laura E. (2012). Infants, Children, and Adolescents (7^th ed.) Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon

This post + that post = a little clarity

So, the post about how my childhood shaped me.
And
The post where I stop whining.
Result:  Yes it shaped me, but here I am and I am fine in this shape.
This shape is me, it is good,
I am fine.

My OCD, Philip Semour Hoffman, My Interview with Teri Gross and the Stomach flu

Does anyone else do this?  I had been listening to Fresh Air earlier in the day.  A lot more than I usually had time for due to our week of snow days leaving me home from work.

I learned about Mr. Hoffman’s untimely death and was inspired to go net surfing to learn more about the actor.  I learned about everything there was to know and more.  I also read all that Wikipedia and YouTube had to offer about Truman Capote, heroin addiction, methadone programs, and some Catholic priest scandals.
Later that day the dreaded tummy troubles started.  I knew I had a good chance of falling victim because my three children had been suffering on and off for over a week.  YUCK!!
With a cold, you can drink, eat, relax on the couch, sleep, watch TV, look at any of your devices.
But with this stomach flu, I couldn't look at a screen without getting nauseous.  I could sleep some, but when the nausea came...well you can't sleep then.
So what's a person to do to pass the low-grade-fevered, head ache and stomach cramping time?
Sit up in your bed and fantasize your Teri Gross interview about how and why you started your one-million plus readership blog!
"Wow Teri, it's such an honor."
I think I faded in and out of a waking dream, but the interview went very well.

Stop Whining Post #1

 

I think changing the title of my blog has helped.

Why?

Reason #1

It used to be called "Not 40, Not Yet."  As if becoming 40 years old was something I could avoid.  

Something I should avoid.  What's the alternative?

I got here, I am alive and very comfortable.  In fact, if you took every person who has ever lived on the earth, gave them a rating based on quality of life, I would have to be in the very, very, very, infinitely very top.  By top I mean top percent of comfortable people who have ever, ever lived on earth.

Because a lot of people have lived on earth.

Most of those people have not had any of the luxuries I have.

My biggest complaint right now?  

My feet are a little cold and my skin is a little dry.

That's it.

That's my biggest problem.

If you asked my husband what his biggest problem is right now, it would probably be that he is hungry and he has to pay taxes this year.  

That's it.

Oh no!!  I can't turn 40!  Well I am lucky I did.  Right, child leprosy victim in 1st century A.D.??

Reason #2 

I actually think I did say "good-bye."

So maybe after awhile I should rename this blog "Hello, more monthly income" or "Hello peaceful world."  The second one sounds better from a moral standpoint, I know, but if there is any possibility of results coming from changing the name of the blog, the first one is much more plausible.