Comments | steelymaam: sort of a downer post

steelymaam

sort of a downer post

Jul 04, 2008 10:27

Kinda lonely around here today. Most holidays are like that at our home here in the south. Now, really I'm not all that big into the holidays themselves, but I love any reason to congregate with family and friends and eat some food. Unfortunately, most of our Greenville friends grew up here, so they always have something to do on the holidays. And ( Read more... )

Comments 22

bevbo July 4 2008, 15:35:52 UTC

I am not the mother of two but I still have a couple of ideas. First, (you've probably already tried this) play up the big girl thing by giving Penny little jobs to do that help the family then reward her with mega kisses and stuff. Second, you can tell her that she will always be your first baby and make that really important. Also, you make it sound like she started the jealousy thing recently. If so, maybe it's not really about Lucy at all, maybe it's anxiety about moving and leaving her friends and stuff. We know the move is stressing you out, maybe it's stressing her out too? Like I said, I'm not the mother of two so I have no idea but maybe this will help you brainstorm.

steelymaam July 5 2008, 04:16:08 UTC

Even if you're not the mother of two, you definitely seem to know kids...

We do play up the big girl thing, for sure. Penny really is helpful sometimes, and we always thank her. Lately, it's more like she wants to be a little girl though. Makes things tricky.

I don't know, she's also really smart. Like, smarter than I'll ever know. She just sees through any of this trying-to-make-her-feel-better-about-having-to-share-her-beloved-parents-with-another-cuter-creature.

I also considered whether the move was stressing her out, but she really seems cool with it. I even asked her, "Are you stressed about the move?" and she just said no. Maybe she doesn't even realize it though, or maybe she's reacting to MY stress.

Thanks for the brainstorm!

bevbo July 4 2008, 15:47:40 UTC

Also, we're not doing anything today either.

steelymaam July 5 2008, 04:17:04 UTC

It's cool to be un-busy, too!

bevbo July 5 2008, 12:49:13 UTC

I'm very happy this way.

one last thing bevbo July 4 2008, 18:21:42 UTC

You should feel some happiness knowing that Greenville SC has the lowest prices for gas in the nation right now.

Re: one last thing steelymaam July 5 2008, 04:17:22 UTC

No shit! Damn.

goatfarmer2b July 5 2008, 01:25:57 UTC

wow, that sounds really rough, the jealousy stuff. i agree that giving penny ways to help out is probably key and letting her know how much it means to have a big sis to help make things easier on you. i am no mother at all, but i always worried about that with my nieces. i'll ask my sis if she has any tips about it. good luck!
by the way, here i am in britain of all places for independence day! a couple of aussies wished me a happy 4th!!!!

steelymaam July 5 2008, 04:19:37 UTC

Thanks for asking your sis. I think anybody who has "been there, done that" has got to have some insight.

I was in Europe for a couple 4ths and it was pretty weird. It was nice of those Australians to think of you!

steelymaam July 5 2008, 04:22:35 UTC

Oh! And I think I stayed in the same hostel as you in Edinburgh!

bevbo July 5 2008, 10:32:48 UTC

I was in Europe for the 4th one and a half times. One of them I was in Germany with Mervnet on an American army base. He got us root beer (they don't have that in Germany...they think it tastes like bubble gum because they chew Hubba Babba) it was sweet. The other time I was flying home from Europe and I got to meet my new baby brother when I arrived in the Detroit airport...he was wearing a patriotic onesie and a funny white hat. Happy 232!

bunnydeville July 5 2008, 03:15:46 UTC

We have some issues with Miranda, too. For instance, if Sebastian does something cute, like babytalk or sticking his fork in his hair, she wants to do it too. And she gets upset if she's not the center of attention, of course.

Penny's just a sensitive kind of a kid. I was a lot like her. Maybe if you just keep telling her that you're sorry she feels that way, and it's not true, she'll grow out of it eventually.

steelymaam July 5 2008, 04:25:54 UTC

It seems like it's really hard for older kids to figure this out-- like, "The baby does something and it's sweet and I do the same thing and get reprimanded!"... lots of experimenting to figure out one's place.

I'd love to bee in Sebastian's presence, he's changed so much since I knew him!

bevbo July 5 2008, 10:28:35 UTC

Yes, sympathy...perfect!