Things I have learned by having kids

I am stay-at-home mom of three boys. I love what I do but I have definately learned

a few things throughout this process. Here's a few things I have learned.

Kids learn by doing, no matter how many times you tell them how the outcome will

be, they learn by doing. When my oldest wanted to know what happened if you throw

a bag of popcorn in our fireplace I told him. Now even though I told him, he had to do it

for himself and our house smelled like burnt popcorn for hours (luckily not days).

I have learned that no matter how many times you explain to toddlers what a toilet

is for they never believe you. Mine seems to thinks its either a water toy or he thinks

it leads to the ocean. In my house everthing must be out of reach because if not

my two year old sends it to the ocean.Whether it be keys, toys, food, just about

anything that will fit in there.

Speaking of toilets, I now know the trick they tell parents to use, the one about

putting cheerios in the toilet to teach your little one (boy) to potty train is very ineffective

and downright gross. Now some parents may have luck with it but i did not. While i was

explaining the trick to him about aiming at the cheerios I turned around to talk to one

of my other boys and my two year old preceded to eat the cheerios i just placed in the

toilet. Appaarently feeding the fish in the ocean didnt apply this one time in his mind.

I have also learned that finger painting is great. I sit all the time and finger paint with my

kids but as many know washable finger paint is not always washable. I was cleaning up

my two year old and his play date and while I went to rinse out the rag they scurried and

dumped three bottles on the carpet. (my fault for leaving the bottles there) but needless to

say, it doesnt come out of carpet, regardless of all the carpet cleaning tricks i know.

They had so much fun though that a little carpet discoloration was no big deal and neither was paint finger prints or head to toe scrubbing. Point of me saying this is boys thrive on messes and for me to see them so happy was a great highlight of my day.

I have learned that as an adult I may not see the humor in what my boys do sometimes but when i stop and look at it through their eyes, I understand why they do silly things and i just sit back and enjoy the ride (while looking through their eyes). I now do things that other adults find silly or funny (and yes i look rediculous or nuts) but i understand their world a little better.

You can reach me by emailing me at jnrodgers@iendeavor.com.