Suburban Moms
| Suburban moms are raising their children in suburbia, with a blend of some culture from the urban setting and some of the rural small-town feel. Life in suburbia can have its benefits and its challenges. Get tips and experience musings about life for suburban moms. Suburban Moms editor: Annie Evett |  |
Our streets and schools are seething with children who display disrespectful or rude behaviour. These key labels given to unruly children; cause major angst for parents, teachers and strain on relationships. When studied, most of these behaviours stem from the child attempting to carve an identity separate from their parents or from what is what they perceive is expected from them.
Despite what the media purports, teenage years are not the only time when children want to create their own identity. Be it a toddler, tween or teenage, children often come into conflict with their parents trying out ideas and opinions they have seen or heard from friends, television or have read.
The older generation bemoan the lack of table manners in younger people, however many have forgotten that manners – especially that of table etiquette, like any skill; is only learnt through demonstration, encouragement and consistent practice. Rightly or wrongly, childrens table manners are often seen to be the biggest reflection on parenting skills within both family and social circles. Its never too late to begin the whole families education. By doing so, you will be assisting your children exhibit respect, tolerance, and social graces which have flow on effects throughout their lives.
Flick on any current affairs show, or open a gossip magazine, and you will be confronted with images of people behaving poorly; with it followed almost immediately with blame on the parenting or teaching techniques. Whilst this may be a knee jerk reaction, there may be some truth in these stories. Knowledge and application to basic manners appear to lacking in most of these cases and for our overworked, stressed and under appreciated parents and teachers, the formidable task of teaching kids manners seems almost insurmountable. Manners don’t mean uppity social graces which are hardly used in our relaxed, modern society, but rather the general theme of respect, table manners, phone etiquette, how to address and interact with more senior people, social interaction with peers, and behaviours which aught be practiced on a consistent basis. Read on for tips on how to start with the basics.
Odd Socks are the bane of anyones washing. I have a theory, shared by countless millions, that there is a black hole in the bottom of the washing machine, which selectively sucks away one sock from random pairs and deposits them in other peoples washing machines on the other side of the world. I’m certain I have single socks I didn’t buy the pair of. Read on for some hints and tips regarding the Great Odd Sock Issue.
Living in the suburbs provides a variety of opportunities to expose your children to functional reading in real life situations. Comics magazines, library books, signs and shopping lists can stimulate your child’s reading at any age or ability and if included in everyday conversation; normalizes the barriers many children are confronted with when learning to read.
Nothing is as frustrating to a busy parent when a child either refuses or ignores your requests to do things. Suburbs everywhere are filled with the screaming matches between parents and children, slamming doors and disembodied calls and instructions on deafened ears.You may be surprised to discover that its not always disobedience or ignorance behind the lack of co-operation. More often than not its related to the way in which the instructions were given. What is the right way to ask your children? Read on for some common traps most of us fall into.
For many parents, extended family are scattered about the country and the old notion of dropping children at grandmas or with an aunt for a few hours is out of reach. Couples seeking date night or parent only time are having to look outside the family circles for occasional childcare and finding the process daunting to the point it does not happen.
Where do you look for a reliable babysitter and what are the qualities or skills you might be looking for when you meet them?
Living in the suburbs allow busy mothers a wide variety of self nurturing services and experiences to explore. Regardless if you are a Stay At home Mother or work outside the home, the time and emotional pressures to set aside space and time for oneself remains the same.
Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them. — Alan Watts.
A busy mother has little time reserved just for herself or to enjoy time out for herself. However, unless she claims even a little space for herself, she will grow resentful and unhappy with her role and with those around her. It is often said that a happy family starts with a happy mother.
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