We Can Work it Out

My son and daughter normally get along very well but, they do have their American Gladiator moments.

On the rare occasions that they argue and snipe at each other, I stay back and just let it run its course. It's important for them to learn how to resolve conflict on their own and if I step in to referee every time they raise their voices, they'll never learn for themselves.

If the arguments become too heated, I use the following trick: I send them both into the same room, tell them that they can't come out until they've worked it out and then I shut the door. This usually helps them to resolve the issue within a few minutes so that they no longer have to sit in the room together.

Too bad we can't use this method with the adults in our lives who don't see eye-to-eye.

Check the Piggies!

One evening, my two-month-old daughter was crying as though the world were coming to an end. She wasn't wet, she had just eaten and had enjoyed a long nap, so I had no idea what was causing her to cry.

I tried everything I could to comfort her, but nothing was working. Her wails grew louder and more frantic and I of course started to cry as well, thinking that something was horribly wrong.

Then I remembered something that I had read weeks before and had dismissed as ridiculous. It had said that if your baby is crying uncontrollably and you are unable to determine the reason, you should check her feet to see if a piece of hair had wound itself around one of her toes. Like I said: ridiculous!

But, it couldn't hurt to check, right? Sure enough, I found a piece of my long, dark hair wound tightly around my daughters tiny toe. It was wrapped so tightly that I had a difficult time removing it. Once it was removed, her tears subsided.

MORAL OF THE STORY: pay attention to all of the silly tips you hear. You never know when they might come in handy.

Welcome to Happy Kid City

Years ago I was at a gathering where a new Mommy was showing off her little bundle of joy. As I peered into the folds of the blanket at the little person nestled inside, I couldn't help but smile. "Oh my gosh... she's so cute!" I said. "How long until her eyes open?"


NOTE TO MY READERS: babies are not kittens. Tuck that little piece of info away and save yourself from being reminded of it for the next 20 years.


Many years later as I was expecting my first child, it suddenly hit me: there is a tiny person inside of me who will soon be mewling in my arms. This person will depend on me for EVERYTHING. This person will look to me for training, guidance and advice. When I realized the gravity of this life-changing event, I did what came naturally. I panicked.


I know nothing about kids! How on earth can I raise a child when I know nothing about them? I started scouring books and magazines and interviewing parents about what works and what doesn't work when it comes to kids. I filled notebooks with the information that I learned and my friends and family thought I was going completely overboard.


Well, it turns out that I wasn't going overboard after all. I'm happy to say that all of that learnin' paid off and I have two happy, well-adjusted kids. 


Here at Happy Kid City, I'd like to share some of the things that I've learned over the years so that it may help you smooth the rough waters of parenthood.