A Mommy Minute: Teaching Your Children to Use Their Words

By: Jessica Byrd

This particular blog is for all the struggling mothers of toddles as myself. As mentioned before I'm trying to work on my patience with my children but one thing I have very low tolerance for is whining and crying to get your way. My favorite line to my children is "use your words"  I'm trying to teach my children to communicate their needs instead of crying, especially my soon to be three year old. She sees her brother crying and tires to follow suit! NO way! Here is one example of me expressing the importance of using your words to my daughter;

My daughter usually holds herself in the morning and cries. I know she has to use the bathroom so when I walk in her room I say, "Lailah do you have to potty" sometimes she's still whining, I say "ok Lailah I'll come back when you tell mom what you want" of course their is a possibility that she could potty on herself but thank god she hasn't. When I walk back in the room she usually says, "mommy I have to potty" I would then say, "thank you for using your words Lailah, you're such a big girl! I usually give her praise ask for a high five and she's usually a happy camper. I am repeating this praise over and over until she learns that using your words is the best way to communicate your needs!

My son on the other hand is a little younger, he will be two in December but I'm starting the same routine with him. Especially when he cries for milk, I usually stop him in his tears and say, "do you want milk"? He says yes and I reply "how do you ask mommy for milk like a big boy" he usually says "milk please" and I praise him! Of Course there are times when their both way too frustrated and crying is the easier answer for them, but for the most part mommy is teaching them this is a use your words zone!

Make sure you're teaching your toddlers to use their words and not answering to their every cry without properly explaining how to ask for things and use their words! It's a process but they need to learn how to communicate.



*This weekend was a park weekend we celebrated some friends birthday and went to the park both days!

As promised, I was going to keep you guys updated on my children's school. I took Lailah out of Childtime which I believe was awesome for when she was 1-2 years old but as she transitioning into her pre preschool years (she will be three in November) I want her to attend a school environment. She will be starting Early Impressions this September! I am excited for her to attend a big girl school but nervous, as any parent would be. You can't start this school until you're two so my son will be starting January 1st (his birthday is December 31st) I will keep you guys posted about the school!

Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Metro Detroit Mom's Club and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose!

Social Media and the Fake Reality of Parenting

By: Jessica Byrd

I read an article in this month's Parenting Magazine that talked about how social media shows the fake reality of parenting, allowing parents to sometimes compare and contrast their own parenting skills and even worse, compare their children. I am big on social media, I believe it is an awesome marketing tool, but I hate to say it, I agreed deeply with this article. 

I can vividly remember looking on social media and seeing another mother post a picture of their one year old son in the pool having a blast and I immediately thought. "Man why does my son hate water," at that moment a little bit of mommy guilt arose in me. Social media has made parenting look like a walk in the park, capturing every happy moment in a toddler's life. You see the "perfect" parent that posts their children's healthy meals everyday, showcasing their children almost always acting on their best behavior. News Flash! It's not real! Take a deep breath and take off your superman cape and understand that social media is a place for us all to showcase the "best" of our lives. Which is ok! Personally I don't want to scroll down my timeline and see all negative things but we must learn to separate the two. Social media is not reality. Every mom has those moments when we're too lazy at night to give our children a bath so we wash their face, brush their teeth and send them their way, every mom does not have a gourmet meal for their children every day, we all have problems, we all have rough days but we don't showcase this on social media and again it's ok! 

Parenting is and will always be a demanding job, their is no perfect parent and their is no perfect family. So don't compare your children, don't compare your parenting skills rest assure that every mother has their days!

On the flip slide, social media has become a ploy for some mothers and I, again, admit that I have been guilty of this too. The days our children are dressed like kids in magazines becomes a photo shoot for a toddler, taking away precious moments that we can actually use to spend time with our children. We have to use social media wisely, and be careful not to make it such a priority in our lives! Myself included.   

*This weekend was a relaxed weekend finally!! Yesterday we had friends and family over for a barbecue. To entertain the children hubby brought a bounce house from Toys R Us! This thing was a life saver, the children were well occupied and the parents actually had a moment to eat.. Lol 

Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Metro Detroit Mom's Club and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose! 

Creator of Metro Detroit Moms Club 

A Mommy Minute 

Say Goodbye to Mommy Guilt

Happy Memorial Day Everyone!!!

Over the weekend I took one day to hang with my girlfriends. Three of my college friends and myself drove to Grand Rapids for a Night of Neo Soul. While on the road I thought about how I almost declined this trip because of mommy guilt. I am so happy I didn't!! I kept talking myself out of the trip, then finally I told myself it's only one day and furthermore, I need it. As parents sometimes we have to take off our mommy hat and have some good ole fun. It is healthy for the soul and it allows you to step out of reality for a minute and become a regular person. Here's a couple ways to relax from mommy guilt:

1. Tell yourself you deserve a good time, and don't think twice about. If you haven't been out since your children were born, then relax its ok and I'm sure your children will be in one piece just for a day

2. Pack an extensive overnight bag, so you're not bothered by your babysitter if you forget something. This is the easiest way to make us feel bad as a parent. No one wants a call from the sitter because you forgot to pack a light jacket or an extra change of clothes, so make sure you over pack!!

3. FaceTime your children before your night begins, tell them you love them and you'll see them tomorrow. This always put my heart as ease and let's me know everything is just ok.

Mommy guilt is real!! As mothers our children are our fist priority but we can't forget about ourselves. A lot of times it allows us to step out of mommyville and come back refreshed! When is the last time you had time for yourself or girltime?

                                                              
                                

Me and my college friends!!!

Jessica M. Byrd is the parent of a two and one year old. 

She is the founder of Metro Detroit Mom's Club and believes 

every mother should live a life on purpose!