Tag Archives: youtube

Life, Parenting

The Parent-Toddler Communication Barrier

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“Avery.” I said in a stern, but not scolding voice, “Please pick up your duck from the kitchen and put him in your basket or I’ll take him away.” Never thought that would be a sentence I’d have to say.

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Avery’s resulting facial expression said it all….

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After repeating myself just to give her another chance and waiting for 5 minutes (felt like an hour!), I had to take the duck and put it on top of the bookshelf.

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You’ll notice the bag of blocks already there from a similar standoff we incurred earlier in the day.

And before that, we received a package at the door so I let her play with the box. I told her as long as she keeps off the couch and doesn’t tear the things off the box, she can play with it. I should’ve known better….

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She also handed me a piece of tape and cardboard strip she tore off. She’s lucky she’s so cute!

This, along with 10,000,000,000 other standoff-type occurrences have become part of the daily routine. Going Mom and I try to maintain composure and do quite well most of the time, but, well, c’mon, patience can only be tested for so long.

Parents, I am sure you know exactly what I’m talking about here. And to think we only have our one, my heart goes out to you with multiple! Your patience must be like that of iron! Or just really good. 🙂

I assume the communication barrier parents face with their toddlers is a commonality we all must experience to turn our hair gray at a faster than normal rate fully appreciate parenthood. It may not be needed (or necessary), but I took it upon myself to create a visual representation of the barrier with a quick video. By simply taking a ball and asking Avery to catch it, you see the barrier in full effect.


What do you think? Did I capture the parent-toddler communication barrier accurately?

It does help to keep calm and politely ask your little one to do as told. Then, once (if) they follow through, be sure to praise them and let them know how good they are. You just might be rewarded with super cuteness!

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Do you have any parent-toddler communication barrier examples of your own?

What ways do you find best to get them to listen better? Or are you still searching?

Life, Parenting, Vlog

Our Toddler’s Poop Frustrations: Avery & Daddy Vlog Episode 3

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Looks like we’re starting another week with an even fussier toddler who really likes to poop. I mean she poops, sometimes tells me by saying what sounds like pronouncing the letter “p”, I change her, set her down to run around, and 5 minutes later I hear “p” again.

I joke around a lot, but this is not one of those times. We usually have enough cloth diapers to last a good 3 days, but after 2 days, the diaper pail is almost overflowing. It smells good too. Okay, that is me joking around. 🙂

As a stay-at-home parent, I know I need to stop the whining, so that’s what I’ll do….kinda….maybe after this post. Maybe not. Ahhh, who am I kidding? Like I have any clue what’s in store for the near and distant future; I’m sure I have plenty more whining to do.

For our third installment into the world of Vlogging, it’s just Avery sitting with me as I rant about her multiple poops so close together and her moodiness. The unimpressed look on her face throughout the video pretty much sums things up.

These Vlogs make it easier for me sometimes since Avery likes to be included (forget her glum look in what you just watched), so we’ll keep doing these. Please, for those reading, let me know what you’d like to see from us. And no, Gary, there will be no more maiming…..I hope. We did record a couple videos with Going Mom reading to Avery, so be on the lookout for those soon.

Avery still has bouts of cuteness and continues to work on her dance skills, but I miss having a full day of happy Avery. Until then, I’ll cherish any time no crying is involved, like here…..

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Wouldn’t having a poop schedule to refer to reduce a parent’s stress ten-fold? I think so!

Parenting, Vlog

Reading “Hey! Wake Up!” By S. Boynton: Avery & Daddy Vlog Episode 2

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Almost every day, we begin by reading “Hey! Wake Up!” A cute board book written by Sandra Boynton. This has been the current routine for at least 2 months now, and Avery is finally starting to actually go through the moves as I read.

She still has some work to do with yawning and stretching, but touching her feet/toes and doing the “shimmy, shimmy, shimmy” gets better each day. As any parent knows, routines can and do change quickly, so my wife and I are trying to hold on to this one as long as possible.

Unlike our first Vlog episode where you were graced with staring at me holding Avery as she chewed a piece of food and I desperately tried to get her to do something, anything, she was more lively this time. She actually got upset when I turned the camera off, so maybe there’s hope for more exciting vlogs from Avery and Daddy to come!

I’m trying to avoid editing anything and just posting the raw video we create each time. Obviously, there will be times when I need to shorten parts where everyone is off screen or because of some toddler mishap, but otherwise what you see is what I recorded. Time is precious, and there are flips to do and more books to read off camera!

By the way, our book collection keeps growing around here. Not only for Avery’s sake, but for our sanity as well. Reading the same book about how Hippos Go Berserk! will drive anyone…..errrr, berserk! That said, it is a cute book and Going Mom’s favorite.

Well, I’m typing with a left thumb that’s missing a nice chunk from the tip. This makes it difficult to type, so I’m off to try and regrow some skin and enjoy the weekend with my girls. This weekend is going to be low key since we have a Fourth of July 5k to run next weekend!

What did you think about the second episode?

Any suggestions for what episode 3 should be like?