Things I Never Thought I Would Say Until I Had Kids...

After a full week of going to the gym every day, my children are finally excited to go. It started off a struggle every morning because none of us wanted to go, but I knew we needed to. After they started to make new friends and realized how much fun they were having, they started to anticipate it every morning.Now, we're all excited to get out the door in the morning to head to the gym. Okay, I still have my days where I have to listen to my trusty Instagram friends and sleep in my gym clothes to motivate me to go, but I'm having less and less of those days. This morning, my kids were racing to the Lifetime Kid's Activity Room (fancy name for gym childcare). Liam beat us to the door and the only logical move that came to Levi was to bite him. "Levi, we don't bite!""Mom, he won and I hate when he wins! So, I bit him.""Well, I don't bite my brothers when they beat me at something."As soon as the words left my mouth, I realized how silly it sounded. Sometimes, the things we have to tell our kids is completely nuts. I never would have expected I would have had to tell my kids half the things I do on a weekly basis. Another mom over heard me and started laughing. She knew it too. We gave each other the look. You know the look I'm talking about. The "I'm right there with you," look. This post is to all of you moms out there. I'm right there with you! Here are just a few of the things I've had to tell my kids....

Never in a million years did I think I would have to say to my kids...

It's not nice to pee on your brother. Why are you licking him!?Stop licking the floor!Don't eat that! It was in the garbage!Stop licking the dog's water!Take the underwear off your head!Stop putting underwear on your baby brother's head!Don't clean the toilet with your tooth brush!You can't put your sandwich on the toilet!Stop trying to fart on your brother's face!No, you cannot put your brother in your toy box.No poop is not a bad word, I just don't want to hear you talk about it. Be a good example and stop eating your boogers!

I definitely didn't expect them to say this...

Mom, I had to pee and I couldn't wait so I peed in the tub.Mom! My brother is outside naked!Do you see that? That man has a towel on his head. I think he was just in the shower. Mom, you're tummy is big again. Is there another baby in there?How did my baby brother come out of your belly button? It's really small...Mommy, if you don't let me stay up I won't give you any money... but I will give you money...Did the dinosaurs eat Jesus?Mommy, when I get big can I marry you?Mom, Levi took my bed skin (bed sheet) off!--Life with kids is one of the craziest things, but it's never dull.

What is the craziest thing you've found yourself saying to your kids?

All Parent Should Listen To Advice

My little baby. I remember when I was pregnant with him. Every month was new and exciting while I watched my belly grow.

 

I had so many crazy thoughts about pregnancy. 

 

One day comes to mind. I was in the car with my husband and sister in law. We were talking about something, I haven't the slightest remembrance over the topic anymore, and it was getting heated. All the sudden I started yelling, telling them to be careful what they were saying in front of my unborn child. I didn't want all of this negativity in front of him!

 

Wow... Like my child could actually understand a word we said. I'm so grateful they gave me such grace and didn't just laugh in my face. Luckily I have very loving family who puts up with my crazy. 

 

As new parents, my husband and I had so many ideas about parenting. We thought being in youth and children's ministry made us pros. We planned on raising perfect children, since we had it all figured out. 

 

It didn't take us too long to realize we actually knew nothing about having a little baby. 

 

It doesn't matter how much you think you know, even after five kids. There is always something to learn about raising kids. Each child is different and children go through different seasons. 

 

If we would have remained the know it all parents, our kids would be completely screwed up by now. One thing I love about Indian families is their the village raises the child mentality. You're not ever on your own. All of your pinnis (aunts), mamas (uncles), and parents teach you what they've learned and give  you advice. They've taught us so much about raising kids. 

 

If I could give you new or seasoned parents advice, it would be to ask for and be open to advice from others. You don't have to listen to everything, but at least hear them out. 

 

Make sure you're only asking people if you actually want their advice. I try to only ask my close friends and family. 

 

You don't have to know everything there is to know about raising children. Accept help and advice from the people you love and respect. 

 

Share the best piece of parenting you've received from a love one on my facebook page, tag me @almstindianwife, or on Instagram with the #almostindianwife 

Your Inner "Greatness"

As you all know, Joel travels quite a bit for work. He had a bit of a break in travel the last week or so, but he's getting really busy the next two months. I'm due in December so he's trying to get all his travel in before so he can take some time off. It's definitely worth the next few busy months for help later. I'm still not entirely sure having three kids under four is possible...These little boys sure miss their daddy when he's gone. We decided to take a little family trip to Vancouver, Wa. We packed it full of some super fun things!Bollywood Theater was by far my favorite! It was delicious! If you're in the Vancouver, WA area you have to go and tell me what you think!!! You walk in to see a Hindi movie playing and stand in a super long line. The word is out. This place is a hit! Don't let the line scare you, their service is amazing!!They use authentic Indian utensils and dishes. If you were to go to a restaurant in India, you would see the set up in the picture above. They even have a little modern flare to some of the dishes. Everything we got was spicy. On purpose. Oh man was it amazing. Don't worry, they have white friendly, not so spicy food as well. Liam wasn't as thrilled with the heat level. I kept giving him these cucumbers in yogurt to help. Nothing was helping. He was getting upset and I made a final attempt to give him a cucumber. Joel saw what I was doing and stopped me. "Babe, you know those are really spicy right?" Umm..... Nope. I'm a "great" mom. I finally gave Liam regular yogurt and it fixed it all. After I tormented him. Come on, I know you all have them. Those moments where your inner "greatness" comes out. Share your stories!  

The Terrible Sleep Training Mama

One thing I have learned over my "extensive" two years of parenting is all parents think their way is the only way. If you ask for advice on any topic concerning your children, get ready to hear that your terrible for even posing said question, ridiculous advice that you'd never follow, hilarious remarks from friends, and a few good ideas. 

 

One thing that's extremely important to my little family is sleep. If my children don't get enough sleep, they are monsters the next day. If my husband doesn't get enough sleep at night, he acts like the world is over. Literally over and can't proceed with his day. If I don't get enough sleep... Let's just say, stay away from mommy. 

 

We learned very early that sleep training is key to our sanity as a family. Ah sleep training. The controversial topic that causes riots amount at mothers.

 

I've heard it all. Letting your children cry it out won't hurt them. You are traumatizing your children and making them feel abandoned when you let them cry. Lay with your kids until they fall asleep. Lay them back down every time they get up in bed. 

We'll, I've tried it all. I don't think there is a universal way to sleep train your child. I think it depends on your child. You know what your child needs, as their mom. It's completely ok if you don't agree with this post. Let's just remember to keep the comments friendly. :)

 

We have chosen the cry it out method with both kids. We were very strict with Liam for the first year and it went perfectly. He cried for thirty minutes the first night and he cried less and less the following nights. Then Joel and I lost our minds and thought it would be sweet to let him sleep with us in bed sometimes. This turned into him climbing into our bed in the middle of the night. It was cute at first. Then we had Levi. I'll never forget the first night we brought Levi home. Liam woke up in the middle of the night, Joel brought him into our bed, and he was utterly betrayed when he found Levi in our bed nursing. It took about a week straight of working with both of them to share. 

 

It got worse from there. They both go to sleep in their own beds to start out the night. Then they both mosey in around three in the morning. How do we fix this? Put list back in his bed and let Levi cry it out. However that is much easier said than done. My husband and I are delirious I the middle of the night and don't realize we're giving I until the next morning whenwe wake up with no blankets and a child's foot in our face. 

 

I guess we have eight months to fix this. Otherwise we will have five people in our beds every morning. No thank you.