Information OVERLOAD!

So, since I last discussed my 20-Time goal, here's what I've done:

1) I started to make a list of informational resources. And that list is SOOOOOO long. First I went to my favorite place for book recommendations: Amazon. Here I looked for the highest ratings and best reviews on parenting books out there. The titles were endless, which tells me that this might not be as easy as I thought. I ended narrowing my search  and purchasing just one title: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. It was highly rated, got great reviews, and was even called the "Parenting Bible". So, I bought it.

But then I also got a title from my daughter's daycare lady, who keeps a library for parents. When I asked her what book she has that most parents check out and benefit from, she immediately told me about this one: Have a New Kid by Friday by Dr. Kevin Leman. So, I checked it out.

But then I got a surprise gift from one of my students! He came and delivered a whole stack of books from the local library for me. I was flattered by his concern and support. So now, I have an even more extensive list of books to read. My plan is not to read ALL of them, but to find excerpts that help me with each of my identified goals for improving my parenting.  Here is the list of books (which vary greatly and some are even very controversial!):

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua (I read a NYTimes article about this one...don't think it suits my style, but I will give it a shot)

Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman (I saw this online and read some reviews. Highly controversial since it is a French mother who "criticizes"  American's parenting style)

What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know by Debra W. Haffner (I dunno. Might be good)

The Entitlement-Free Child by Karen Deerwester (very accessible)

Is That Me Yelling? by Rona Renner, RN (Sounds like me!)


2) I've scheduled a routine bi-weekly date night! Yes. I think that in order to be a better parent I need to have a stronger connection with my husband, so I have a girl at my daycare who has been bugging me to babysit (we never get babysitters) and I just asked her. Now every other week we are going to go out for dinner for two hours. This is going to give us a chance to talk about our parenting in a place NOT in front of the kids like we have been. I plan on sharing some of the stuff I learn so that Ed and I are BOTH on the same page in terms of raising our children. Plus we get some "non-parent" time. Win-Win.

3) I've looked for a mentor. This has been tough. I could go with other mothers I know, but they all have unique situations and they all admit that they are not "experts". So, I looked online at family psychologists in the area. I found a couple, and I plan on calling them during 20Time this week or next. I'm worried about whether scheduled visits will cost anything or if insurance will cover it. I will also need to commit time for this and probably set up more childcare (another added expense). I just wish I had a "free" helper. I'll keep looking.

Well, that's it for this week. What I will focus on for next week: how to stop yelling/how not to lose my cool with my kids. Time to hit the books!

It's 20-Time AGAIN! Yay!

It's a new school year, and yes, I'm attempting the 20-Time project again with my juniors. I can't wait to see the new goals, projects, successes and failures the second time around!

This year, though, I am going to attempt my own 20-Time endeavor. It's a personal one. I am going to work on being a better parent. Yes, I have two wonderful children, Edju and Emma, and they are the joy in my life, but our days have gotten harder. Trying to balance work and life has its challenges and oftentimes my home life can be chaotic: yelling, sibling fist fights, crying, whining, struggles at dinnertime, bedtime, toothbrushing, bathing, potty-training, etc. It can be overwhelming, and I need to figure out how to improve our lives as a family. Family the most important thing in the world to me.

So, what's my plan? I definitely need to read, research, and seek out help from experts on what I can do to improve this area of my life. I plan on first looking up reviews for parenting books, actually finding a book to read, and then seeing what's out the web. Each 20-Time I will focus on different troublesome area of parenting, and I'll watch YouTube videos, read articles, and/or even attempt to find some family counseling. Like many of my students, I just don't have enough time. This 20-Time will be my chance. It will also be a model for my students.