#mommingstrong

Tuesday, January 19, 2021

My Little Technology Addicted Child

 

So the other day I thought it would be really FUN for Easton (my five year old) and myself to have a little contest to see if we could go the day without technology until Daddy got home. Since COVID, doing kindergarten virtually, and a new baby at home it has been a struggle to keep him (and myself) off the screen. I wanted to not only do it for Easton, I wanted to do it for myself. 

We came up with a fun list of things to do and started the morning by making some lemonade. According to E, the lemonade was great! Then we moved to the living room, and as Brynlie happily played on the floor, we decided to start a 500 piece Donut puzzle. Puzzles were something we have been working on since the corona lockdown, and its been fun watching him go from 10 piece puzzles to 1000 piece puzzles. We talked about how we both loved Dunkin Donuts and that we both really liked going there together. Things were going swell. 

Then about after 5 minutes of puzzle making, my little technology addicted child decided he was done with puzzle time and he wanted my phone to play on. That is when it all went down hill. The whining started, the frustration started, the anger started, and my hopes for a fun technology free day went right down the drain. 

I very soon got sick of the whining so I told him we were going to bundle up and go outside to shovel some of the snow and slush off the driveway. Distraction, right? Well after about a 15 minute struggle we were outside. The fresh air, beautiful falling snow, and a little bit of exercise felt good for the soul. A cranky, whiny 5 year old who wanted to go inside and play video games, was not. 

I was so defeated. I will be the first to admit that my child gets way too much screen time, and that it is mostly my fault. But lately its been easier to just give in and let him play. I know, big mistake. 

Now five year olds do not really have filters, but what couldn't hurt worse is hearing your five year old call you fat and then tell you that he loves video games more than you. Ouch. After trying my best to be the fun mom. The no screen time lets do a lot of fun stuff mom. The mom who just wants what is best for my kids mom.... I turned into the mom who wanted to just lay in bed and hide under the covers. 

Parenting in a pandemic is hard. Teaching a kindergarten virtually is hard. Being a maid, a waitress, a cook, a bartender with 24/7 milk on tap is hard. This week was hard. 

Momming isnt always sunshine and sparkles. But tomorrow is a new day and a fresh start. 

Right?

Monday, January 11, 2021

Oh 2020!

 

Well Hello 2021. I. AM. BACK. And it feels so good!!

I haven't written for quite some time because well ... you know.... it was 2020. 

Looking back on the last year, its safe to say it was a rollercoaster! Between the election, riots, and the pandemic there were highs and lows of all sizes. Despite the uncertainty, the frustration, the seclusion, the anxiety, and all the feels of being trapped in your home for so long, 2020 brought me one of the most important and much needed joys I have felt in a looooong time!

In August we welcomed our little rainbow baby GIRL into this world. Miss Brynlie Jean joined our family after a much awaited and lengthy IVF journey. She brought us hope amidst the fear. She brought us a gazillion smiles despite the sadness. And she brought us the most love and joy in a year full of doubt and unsettle. 

To say this past year was easy and free from anxiety would be lying. But nothing will surpass the horridly painful and brutal year 2018 gave me. 

I think I can speak for everyone that we all may be looking forward to 2021 and what this year might bring. I am looking forward to many more laughs and baby giggles. Many more firsts. Many more hugs and smiles. And a lot more blogging! 

I have missed you all! Now bring on 2021.