Thinking of Having Kids?

This was forwarded to me in email by a father of two Read more

Is It My Day To Choose?

“Is it my day to choose?” This phrase is often heard in our house and has been for the last 4 years.

It all started one day as I wrestled to get the four boys (4 year-old twins, a 2 year-old and a 6 month-old) into the car at the park and I overheard a mom of an “only” ask what he would like to have for lunch. This was a question I could not ask since I would end up with three answers and probably a fight. I realized that my boys were losing the chance to make basic decisions — PBJ or Mac ‘n Cheese? Park or Bikes?, SpongeBob or Magic School Bus? Simple decisions that shouldn’t always be dictated by me. Still, I didn’t want the “majority” to dominate and the thought of keeping track of who of the four decided what last made my overtired mind hurt.

Then, I had an inspiration. Each of the boys were assigned a specific day of the week to make choices. Anything that had to be decided on that day was up to that boy. Maybe not all the same decisions were made everyday but over the years it all evens out (or so I tell my boys). There is still grumbling but I can easily shut down arguments with “It’s his day.”

This policy had the added bonus of bestowing instant status on my then 6-month-old — even he had his day to choose (decisions interpreted by Mommy, of course.) And now that he is four, it is fun to watch him savor his power to choose Dora instead of Justice League when he and his brothers sit down to watch TV on Friday (his day).

Sometimes, I do wonder though, will my 6-year-old grow up and feel Monday is his favorite day, not quite remembering why?

Resources for finding child care providers

These Web sites help you locate care providers near you and sift through their profiles and references. Whether for evening baby sitting or all day child care, its helpful to line up some candidates to interview or even to get some ideas about what qualifications you want in a person.

SitterCity.com
CallForSitters.com
eNannySource.com

Hope you find these useful.
Roland