Childhood Memories

I've been told that I have a pretty good memory. And honestly, I have vivid memories that go back as far as age 2. Since becoming a parent, I really try to draw on those memories to help myself relate to and better understand my kids. I've been drawing on those memories a lot lately...

I try to remember what I can about being 4: This is the first birthday party I vividly remember - I got my first bike, had my first "real" birthday party with friends from my preschool (it was a clown theme) and we played a game where we had to sit on a balloon to pop it and get a message hidden inside. I used to sleep at the top of the stairs with my blanket and pillow, eating saltine crackers - I can remember just wanting to be closer to my parents and not miss out on anything that went on after I went to bed. I remember riding my bike all over the townhome complex where we lived (Gateway Gardens in CR) - shocking to me when I think of Andrew riding a bike all over our neighborhood without me knowing EXACTLY where he is at all times! I was scared of the older kids at the complex. I remember "mean Sue" and "nice Sue," my two babysitters that year. I remember the "oily road" we had to drive on to get to my preschool (Kindercare). I remember how embarrassed I was when I'd have an accident during nap time at preschool. I remember my first Christmas recital at the preschool when we sang for our parents at a local mall.

Ah, the list could really go on. I think age 4 was when I really started to realize that I was my own person and that I was growing up. I try to think about what it would have been like if my little brother had come along that year, rather than nearly two years later.

I read some great advice recently from a woman that taught third grade for a long time and has a book out about "behavior charts." I haven't downloaded the book yet, but just in her intro alone, I found a great idea. Create a "gratitude journal" in which at the end of each day, you make a list of five things you appreciate about your child, or that you liked about how your child behaved that day. Here's an example from my day yesterday:

Andrew
I loved when you laughed like Sponge Bob and sounded JUST like him!
I loved when you calmed down and just want in the playroom to play.
I loved it when you spooned tuna noodles onto your plate even though you thought you wouldn’t like it.
I loved it when you got yourself dressed this morning.
I loved it when you leaned down and talked to Madeline in her carseat and made her smile.

Thomas
I loved it when you answered the phone and asked me how my day was at work.
I loved it that you said the corn and broccoli was your favorite vegetables then served yourself.
I loved it when you told me all of the things you did in gym class – especially the “crab walk”
I loved it when you gave me a huge kiss on the lips at bedtime
I loved it when you said “Hi Maddy!” and made her smile.

Fun stuff...