 |
baby,
toddler, preschooler, elementary, tweener and teen, positive discipline,
siblings rivalry, breastfeeding, sleep problems, homeschooling, temper
tantrums, twins, eating, work & stay at home moms, relationships with
spouses, personal struggles, weight loss & much more!
|
||||||
|
Contact
us at |
|||||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Mysticool
Moms ~ parenting stories by real moms you can relate to. Parenting support,
encouragement and humor for the most important job you have!
|
|||||
 FEBRUARY 2004 - A LOOK BACK This is the perfect time of year to take a look back and reflect on one’s life. I am able to do that by personal reflection and also by reviewing my archived articles here on the Mysticool Mom’s website. It is neat to see how far I have come as an individual and also as a parent this last year. I started off the year in a depression, yet I didn’t even know it. Through the last 12 months I have acknowledged my depression, taken medication, gone to therapy, worked through my personal issues, become closer to God, and started exercising regularly. Because of those steps taken I have become a more confident, healthier person, a better wife and a better mother. I share this because I know I am not the only one to have ever gone through this struggle. A year ago, my life was utter chaos (ref. Archived article “Nov. 2002 - Chaos”). I didn’t know up from down or left from right. I am happy to report that life around my house has calmed down an immeasurable amount. For one, Sabrina is 14 months old and is not as totally dependent on me as she was a year ago - that is most helpful! Also, Isaac is 5, goes to full-time Kindergarten, and is a great little helper around the house. They both have their regular daily routines (as do I), and that helps the household run smoothly. Isaac is such a joy to spend time with. In the article titled Jan. 2003 - Falling in Love…Again (With Your Child), I wrote about the difficulties I was having in connecting with Isaac while caring for infant Sabrina. I feel so good about my place with both children right now. I love helping Isaac play his guitar, listening to him read, and cooking/baking with him. We have a great bond that will only continue to get stronger. I was able to rebuild that bond by setting aside special time each day to spend with only with him. Usually that was at bedtime, after Sabrina was asleep, and we could talk, read and laugh uninterrupted. In the spring I was having difficulties with nighttime parenting (ref. Archived article April 2003 - Nighttime Parenting). I desperately wanted space, but also wanted to keep the strong bond I had with Sabrina and not put her trust in jeopardy. This issue was solved mostly with patience and a little with planning ahead. I realized I needed to take things very slowly with Sabrina in moving her out of our bed and comfortably into her own. After 4 - 5 months of an extremely gradual change in routine, Sabrina started sleeping in her bed (by herself) through the whole night, with only a few setbacks when sick. Every 1 -2 weeks I would change a small aspect of our bedtime routine or nighttime ritual and now I have the best nighttime sleeper I could have ever asked for. Patience was a strong virtue in this issue. Lastly, the best part of this last year has been the connection with my husband. Because of my depression at the beginning of the year, I was all about “me” and not about “us”. As with my relationship with each of the children, I have also gradually changed my relationship with my husband. We have a deeper understanding of each other’s needs and communicate much more effectively because we are so open to each other. During my depression I was closing myself off - to everyone but Sabrina. My poor husband really suffered. After I went through four weeks of therapy, I was comfortable in handling my life again. I concentrated deeply on my relationship with my husband by talking more openly about my feelings and about my daily life at home. We also started a regular date night for only us, whether at home or out on the town, and we have flourished because of it. With the strong bond that we have, we will continue to set a good example for our children, and also be more effective parents. I plan to keep up the self improvements through this coming year, including strengthening my bond with God, and improving my physical fitness. I wish all of you love, peace, and joy as you journey through 2004. May you gather strength and wisdom as you witness the improvements made in your life this year. |
 Teach your children essential tools for life. Heidi's husband Nick is the author of this educational workbook for children. |
Heidi
| Ginny |
Marcia | Andrea
| Stella
Resources
| Charity |
Archive |
Pictures |
Weighting Game
Link with Mysticool Moms
Contact us at
|
Heidi's
husband Nick wrote this workbook about Character Development.
If you want to help instill values, virtues and character in your child then check out this out! |
 |
|
-
- |
|
Visit
Heidi's Handmade Jewelry Website
|
 |
Heidi Hoke
- H2 Designs © 2002 © 2003 © 2004
Mysticool.com / H2 Designs P.O. Box 1852 Kingston, WA 98346