While my kids enjoy a random day off school today and I enjoy having all 5 of my kids home (bwahahaha!), my wonderful bloggy friend Kristi from Live and Love Out Loud is stepping in to keep you guys entertained. Kristi, take it away! ~Lolli
Last fall, Lolli shared her momtastic wisdom on the pros and cons of parenting teens and tweens with my readers at Live and Love Out Loud. As a mother of 5, Lolli’s oozing with experience and expertise in the parenting department. And me? Well, I’m just trying to staying afloat.
As a mother of 4 children ranging in age from toddler to teens -with an 8-year old in between- I find parenting to be quite tricky. Toddlers and teens can often be polar opposites when it comes to their needs and temperament, but sometimes -and I mean sometimes- they can be quite similar. For instance…
When it comes to television, toddlers and teens can be quite maniacal. Trust me when I say that “Fred the Movie” is twice as annoying when your teens recite every.single.line. in the same high-pitched, nasally squeal of a voice. In unison.
And toddlers can be just as crazy about their tv programs. Take for instance, my daughter Alana. Two seconds into the “Yo Gabba Gabba” theme song and my sweet little angel morphs into a crazy person. I’m just waiting for the day that her head spins in a complete circle. Someone break out the holy water!
My pantry is empty and I blame it on the kids. Boy, can these kids eat! Parents of teens can totally empathize with me when I say that my pantry is just 2 potato chip bags shy of being wiped clean. Who knew that teens could eat their entire weight in macaroni and cheese in one sitting? And my toddler? Well, she’s already cleaned out our stash of cookies.
Toddlers and teens are temperamental, moody and at times, even withdrawn. The mood swings that teens experience are certainly part of the growing process, as is their need to withdraw at times. While toddler mood swings are no fun in the park, moments of withdrawal are extremely alarming. Look, if your toddler is quiet and a little withdrawn it’s probably because she’s playing with her own poop. Don’t ask. Just trust.
When it comes to verbal communication, toddlers and teens are more than equipped for the job. Sure, toddlers can be quite difficult to understand as they’re still growing and developing. But teens aren’t all that much easier to understand either. Who in the world can keep up with all that lightning fast rambling anyway?
Teens and toddlers go to great lengths to look their very best. My 16-year old son wakes up 1-1/2 hours prior to the school bus’ arrival to ensure that every freckle on his face looks its very best. And my 13-year old daughter spends oodles of time getting every beautiful curl on her pretty little head just so. But my toddler won’t be outdone. My little girl is just as serious when it comes to looking her best. Yogurt facials and deep conditioning hair masks are a must for my pint-sized cutie and if you ask me, it’s a great look!
Though parenting 4 children ranging in age from toddler to teens can be quite tricky, it can be incredibly amusing and downright rewarding – moody teens, toddlers with handfuls of poop and all. Boy, is motherhood sweet!
*I’d love to hear from you: What are some of the things you find most rewarding (or even amusing) about motherhood?
Kristi is passionate about photography, celebrating women who empower others and has a need to express herself through writing. She’s also suffering from an incurable addiction to Twitter as well. She’s navigating her way through the triumphs and challenges of motherhood and marriage and blogging about it all at Live and Love Out Loud.
© 2011, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Kristi- I love your post! Your humor and the photos told a great tale. I know those yogurt facials and poopy Picasso days all too well. lol
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This was fantastic, Kristi! And, that last shot is just too sweet.
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Spoken like only a mother of 4 can. I can only imagine. My 2 are only 2 years apart and there are days I think I might lose my mind. Like right now for instance. lol. Sorry, no advice.
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I have never given this much thought until, of course, reading this post. I was nodding my head all the way through. You’ve got valid arguments!
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That was hilarious! Love the yogurt covered picture. I have been there many time with my son (2yrs). While I don’t have teens my sister is 9 yrs younger then me so when my son was born she was a youngin & seeing her “fits” and my sons was comical
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Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:57 am
Double the “fits”? Oh boy! I’m sure your little sister and your son both fed off each other. I can’t even imagine what I’d do if 2 children were throwing a fit at once. Lord, help me. lol
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This is such a cute post. Let me tell you, though, I am terrified of my kid growing up. Given the struggles of taking care of a toddler, I can at the very least still pick him up and place him in his crib if he needs to chill out. Something tells me that won’t work with a teenager! :)
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Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:21 am
You’ve got a point, Crissy! You can pretty much wrangle a toddler in, but when it comes to teens there’s not much you can do. Unless of course if you’re willing to fork over some moolah in order to distract them with pricey electronics like cell phones and iPods. Maybe they make toddler leashes for teens? Sounds like an untapped market. ;)
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Spoken like a trooper mom! I love it! I give you huge props for staying sane with that age difference!!
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Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Reply:
April 1st, 2011 at 12:19 am
Haha! Most days I feel like I’m losing my marbles. Luckily, this guest post was written during one of my “sane” moments. lol ;)
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Love this! With an age span in our crew of 20 years old down to 3 1/2, I can certainly attest to the accuracy of this post!
Blessings!
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Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:45 pm
Wow! I could probably learn a thing or two from you! 20 to 3-1/2 years old? I imagine your days are filled with a lot of laughter and possibly a poop-covered hand or two. ;)
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Oh thank GOD it’s not just me. I’m forever telling my husband that our 17 year old and his 5 year old brother are like twins some days. “Just Trust” never more true words spoken about poop and toddlers!
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Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:18 pm
You are so not alone! And apparently neither am I. Thank goodness! I can’t make it through the next 16 years without someone else to echo exactly what I’m going through. lol To poop-covered toddler hands!!!
Kristi, Live and Love Out Loud
@TweetingMama
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That was hilarious! Maybe I’ll be equipped to handle a teenager after all. But thank goodness we still have 10 years to go.
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Kristi {at} Live and Love Out Loud Reply:
March 31st, 2011 at 12:03 pm
You’ll do just fine! Besides, there’s no way your superstar celebrity daughter Amelia would ever give you a hard time as a teen. She’s just too darn sweet. And famous. ;) Thanks for taking the time to comment on my guest post here at Better in Bulk! Have a great day.
Kristi, Live and Love Out Loud
@TweetingMama
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