Parenting Quick Challenge: Slow down

Avant Garde Parenting got its first blog award! 


A huge thanks to Is there a Doctor in the House? who bestowed this honor upon AGP- go visit and read about her precious daughter's first day at childcare- too funny!

The 'Cherry on Top' award asks that I answer the question, 'If you had the chance to go back and change one thing in your life, would you and what would it be?'

I'm not sure if this counts, but one thing I constantly work on is slowing down, breathing in, and savoring life. Stopping to smell the roses, so to speak. As a rule, I have two speeds: fast and faster. I'm always looking for the most efficient way to accomplish things, which has its merits, but can also cause events in my life to speed by without me having a chance to enjoy them. So if I could change one thing in my life, it would be to SLOW DOWN and enjoy it more. 

This is a good challenge for parents. With kids, we often feel rushed. Errands to run before lessons/practice, doctor's appointment at 2:15, need to put dinner in the oven by 4:00, homework finished by 7:30. And I'll be the first to admit: it's tough to make yourself slow down. But another tough realization is how crazy fast kids grow up. You know- you blink and they're teenagers. 

Slow. Down.

Take photos in your head. consciously make yourself remember moments in your children's lives. Write them in a journal. Capture them on film. Slow. Down. My guess is that you'll be glad you did.

So the challenge today: savor three moments. They can be with your kids, your husby, or yourself. 

Did it relax you? Put you in a good mood? Make you even more late for t-ball practice?

The 'Cherry on Top' award also asks me to choose 5 other blogs to give the award to. Not surprisingly, I chose parenting/mommy blogs. Here they are, described in three words each (not because I'm supposed to, I just like a challenge):

The Happy Holladays - witty. dogs. baby.

In the Kitchen with Audrey - cooking. kids. innovative.

The View from the Johnsons - hilarious. relatable. hilarious.

Lori's LOLz - homeschooling. inspirational. useful.

ag.gray.gate - family. eclectic. smiley.

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Avant Garde Parent of the Week: Caroline

This is Caroline. Her 18 month old takes after mommy- she’s smart, funny, and has GORGEOUS eyes. Caroline is such a remarkable woman and mom. You can tell from reading her post that she has a great positive attitude and is so patient with her daughter- two characteristics that every parent should strive to have. Read on as Caroline shares how she helps her daughter learn that sometimes, the best rewards come from hard work on frustrating problems.

Caroline working a puzzle with her daughter

One day I picked up my 18 month old daughter from daycare and her provider enthusiastically described how my daughter loves puzzles.  She handed my daughter a puzzle, which she completed easily, and we cheered for her.  We have many puzzles at home so I know how much she loves working the pieces into their correct place.  I also realized that when we work on a puzzle that is a little difficult for her she quits and turns her attention to a simpler puzzle.  When she completes the simple puzzle with ease, she looks to me happily and claps wildly, looking for me to do the same. 

It occurred to me that although I want her to love to succeed on tasks she knows well, I also want her to learn that struggling with things a bit more difficult is also worthy.  I have started to pay attention to moments when she shows frustration, and before she gets the chance to quit I clap and smile and tell her “Wow that needs more work!  Let’s try again!  Wow! You are working so hard!”  Lots of clapping and smiling follow.  Of course, she may still insist on moving on, and that is just fine with me.  Interestingly, though, she has begun to turn her attention to the tougher puzzles first, leaving the easier ones for later on in our play.  I help her move the pieces in place if she needs me, or I point out clues to figure out which piece goes where.  She is still very young to understand all of the words, but perhaps this will help her see that mommy likes to struggle with tougher problems.  It is the struggle to figure things out that is fun and praiseworthy, not just the product of success.  

At any age, praise the process as well as the product!

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Extreme Makeover: Blog Edition

Okay, so it's not extreme. But it is a makeover. John DeLuna of jdesign created a wonderful new logo, header, and icon for Avant Garde Parenting.


He's a miracle worker. Here's what I told him: "It's about parenting. I like blue. And brown. And I want it to look kind of modern and definitely kid friendly." And he came up with the most perfect design ever!


Do you like it? Read more...