Choice Mom Gathering

I attended a Choice Moms gathering in Santa Monica... it was a small gathering of about 15 women who were all at various stages: thinking, trying, and being.  It was nice to be able to meet like-minded women for discussion... particularly about the inevitable 'daddy question' - I didn't realize it was weighing so heavily on my mind until I began to cry.
The drive home allowed me ample time to process my thoughts... here's what I took from the night:

*Noa can create a flower (in lieu of a lopsided family tree) to acknowledge the important people in her life, past and present.  Thank you, Mikki, for this suggestion.


Sample taken from www.choicemoms.org

*It's not too early to read books to Noa about the many types of families... luckily she loves books!

*Psychologists recommend parents affirm their child's feelings about 'daddy' ... children need to be heard, and their feelings aren't in any way soothed by having them explained away.  We need to think less about "fixing" our child's grief and more about showing an appreciation for their feelings.

*Not only will Noa have 'daddy' questions, but other kids will have questions too... something I hadn't even thought of. 

No more dog and pony show for this mamma... I quit!

Even after switching to private swim lessons, with me in the pool, Noa was being ridiculous... I can deal with a few tears here and there but today was the last straw.  She flat-out refused to get in the pool.  I just don't have the energy to put a dog and pony show on to get her in the pool.

I completely felt like a parent who tells the teacher, "she reads at home, I don't know why she's not reading in class."  Anyway, I learned a long time ago that you can't "make" a kid do anything.  Oh well, I'm sure this won't be the last time she'll refuse to do something.

Choc. pudding... so yummy!

"Swim Lesson is Over"

I signed Noa up for swim lessons during the summer.  The first day she cried the entire time but the instructor, Melanie, said it was normal.  On the second day, Noa started crying as soon as we pulled up to Melanie's house... I knew it didn't look good.  Noa screamed and cried until she puked in the pool and Melanie, said "the lesson is over."  I was pissed off.  I was not pissed off at Melanie, I was pissed at Noa because normally she cries when she has to get out of the pool!