Parental Tolerances

Parenting styles are extremely fascinating to me. For the most part, I believe that many parents are good at it in their own ways. While kids generally come with their own little personalities, they seem to quickly adapt to our parenting styles. In a family with only one child, this may be more difficult to pin point. A family that has several children with similar characteristics makes identifying learned behaviors from their families easier.

In general, I think a lot of it is a mixture of priorities and tolerances. We all have our own opinions on what is valued behavior, acceptable behavior, and intolerable behavior. Of course, the two extremes are easiest to spotlight.

For instance, I am quite strict when it comes to how my kids will dress, their willingness to eat what they are given/healthy foods, early bed time, sitting with restraints on in the car/stroller/grocery cart, not whining, and being verbally kind to others. When my kids act up on any of these issues, I react quickly and consistently essentially nipping it in the bud. Consequently, my kids have learned not to press their luck on these things.

On the other hand, there are things that I tend to encourage that sometimes need to be reined in. Some people might not know this, but I have a shy streak, which has mostly disappeared with age. I am also quite critical of myself. I often think that this can be a real draw back in life. I believe that an outgoing, sometimes assertive, talkative and friendly personality would be beneficial. Both of my kids certainly don’t have issues with being shy and overly quiet. In fact, it is quite the opposite. They are over the top. They like being the center of attention even in huge groups, which can be a great thing. It isn’t so great when they need to be a little more reserved and practically silent, like at church. Lexi is capable of quiet entertainment, but Jordan can rarely manage it. During these moments, I wish it was more of a priority for me.

I have friends that I consider fine parents that have completely opposite views than I do. I also have friends that value some of the things I do, but not others.  One of the reasons people can’t be perfect is that we can’t be on top of everything all of the time. I doubt that would even be helpful to kids.  They need to relax about a few things so they don't feel the need to rebel.  We all pick and choose our priorities and they help to shape our lives and our kids. This is just one more way that we are all different and it is wonderful.

Sewing Projects

In November, I pulled out my sewing machine and actually started working on projects.  This was quite strange for me because I don't consider myself someone who sews.  In fact, my machine hadn't even been plugged in for 3 years (since I made that princess costume for Lexi).  Before that, I would have to guess that I was a teenager who mainly liked to start projects so that I could get my mom to do them for me.  I never minded picking out fabric and patterns or cutting out the patterns and material.  After that, I just wanted my mom to make it for me.  Let's be serious, she has skills...

It was probably a shock to everyone who knows me unless they just think I'm following in the footsteps of my mother and her mother before her & so on & so forth.  One would have to wonder what suddenly brought this on and I freely admit that it was a combination of things (perfect storm).  

1. I had no money (none, zip, nada)

2. Christmas was coming

3. I completely ♥love♥ pinterest and being inspired by them

4. On pinterest, I found an easy tutorial for a cute little shrug and a few other things

After I made the shrug and a few other simple things, I realized that I was ready for more. 

After that, I found an easy tutorial for pj pants. I had that in mind when I just went window shopping and found out that fleece was on sale for 60% off. I couldn't pass that up. It worked well, so I decided to make my kids Christmas pj pants too (another sale).

My next project was the Christmas skirt below, obviously a big jump in required skills.  I didn't have a pattern except for one that I bought off of ebay and my mom replicated last year.  There were a few mistakes and lessons learned, but I decided not to be a perfectionist or beat myself up about them.  I think that is why I hated sewing before.  There is nothing like comparing yourself to a talented seamstress all of your life.  It was still cute and definitely fun for Lexi to wear.          

By then, it was time to focus on Christmas presents for my kids.  Jordan's pre-school has nap mats.  Each week, we bring king sized pillow cases to cover them.  However, they didn't really cover the whole pad and the fit was quite tight.  I decided to make a case out of flannel.  There just happened to be a sale on flannel that week, so I decided to make a matching blanket.  Once that was completed, I decided to make a dress for Lexi.  I found an easy pattern that doesn't have a zipper or buttons.  I also found cute fabric and made this:

At this point, it sounds like I am really taking on a new hobby, right?  Well, that is where fate stepped in.  When I was sewing the black bow onto Lexi's dress (last step), I broke the needle and somehow threw off the timing of the machine.  I packed up my machine and was thankful that I got to do those projects. 

However, kindness decided to block fate, my mom must have thought it was kind of sad that my new hobby had been shut down and offered to pay for my machine to be serviced.  It is currently at the shop (takes a few weeks), but I am overflowing with project ideas.  I can't wait...  Yes, amazing sales, a birthday gift card to JoAnne Fabrics, and pinterest all result in projects just piling up.