Still working on the longies. This photo was taken around lunch time - the best light was already gone. Anyway. As of now, the longies are all knitted up. I still need to sew up the crotch and weave in all my ends. And make the drawstring. And sew down the waistband. Ack. Okay, so they aren't exactly done. Hopefully I'll get them done tonight or tomorrow morning and take pictures of the Beast in them.
I've finally finished the Pink Carnation books (though the next is due out later this month! Squee!) so these are my new library acquisitions. The one is called Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin. I saw it at Borders and it sounded interesting so I thought I'd give it a shot (even though it is a mystery). The other book is called Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas. I've only just started it.
Do any of you have suggestions for parenting books? Specifically about boys? I'm out of ideas regarding my oldest son. He's eight (the lower end of eight) and he has the attitude of a cranky teenager. Nothing we do seems to help. We've tried everything we can think of. Our family is full of tension over this.. change.. he's going through. We don't know how to cope or how to help him. Anyone out there with boys ever experience something like this? He's angry and argumentative and mean to his little brother and never seems to think before he acts or speaks. I've heard there is a seven year change and a nine year change (though generally closer to ten in boys). This eight year thing doesn't seem to be mirroring those. I'm just.. ugh.. lost.
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And here, in one picture, is why my family will never manage to be 100% Waldorf (and I'm okay with that):
I'm in my second week of the yarn along how fun to see what everyone else is doing. That last picture is pretty funny.
ReplyDeleteAs for your son hmmm... I have a son that just turned 10 *gulp* and there were a couple of rough patches in my experience it's a cry for something else is going on with them that they are trying to figure out. What helps talking one on one. Figure when the best time like before bed or some point in the day wehen it's most quiet. Doing something one on one and then taking it from there. That's the best I can offer good luck.
As for the pink carnation series... I finished the 5th book in a couple days and went back to the first. It has taken me longer because sickness decided to befall our family. Oh my these books are quiet good. Thank you for sharing a great author.
ReplyDeleteLove the longies! As for help with the boy troubles I am no help since we have 5girls. However, Luisa offers some really good advice. Sometimes the love tank needs to be filled up with one on one time out with either mom or dad.
ReplyDeleteMom to one teen girl here so absolutely no help on the boy front! Love the last photo though, too cute!
ReplyDeletesuch cute longies! will you be handsewing the top down or do you have a sewing machine (i'm looking to buy a sewing machine and am welcome to suggestions)?
ReplyDeleteforgot to say, i've only read one parenting book - kids are worth it by barbara coloroso - so no help there. you know, they have those ophelia books for parents of girls transitioning into adolescence...is there nothing for boys?
ReplyDeleteand lastly, have you considered it is diet related? i know you prepare very healthful meals but it's where i always start with my kids :)
Luisa: Thanks, I'm working on making time for just him and me. It's hard with two littler kids, but I guess I just have to find a way.
ReplyDeleteLynette: I was going to send you a copy of the first book but I wasn't able to find a copy at the used book store. :/ Glad you were able to find it at the library! My favorite books in the series are 2 and 3.
JoAnn: Thanks. I think you're right, must top off that tank!
jenletts: Thanks!
amanda: I avoid machine sewing as much as possible. I don't know why, but it just seems like such a hassle to me. It's part of why knitting appeals to me so much - very little sewing required. I have a Bernina.. uhm.. the lowend one.. Bernette 55 maybe.
I have thought of diet concerns. Right now he's finishing off a crappy, sugary cereal for breakfast. We've put an end to food coloring where possible. I've been making our sandwich bread, I make our pizza from scratch. He's been eating an abundance of strawberries and oranges (so glad they're back in grocery stores for less than an arm and leg). Our current thought is to make sure he sleeps enough and to get him enough exercise.
Just a thought, but ask him if he feels he has no privacy or a place and or any time for himself and/or to himself. I'm wondering if he is starting to, or wanting to individuate and is feeling he cannot or feels severely restricted.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if these would be up your alley, but two books that I have read specifically about boys (that I loved) are:
ReplyDeleteBringing Up Boys by James Dobson and Wild at Heart by John Eldredge
I think one of the main things that we, as women, miss in the raising of our sons is that they are growing into MEN. You know, tough, assertive, conquering men. These books helped me understand what my son needs to turn from boy to man, and some of the frustrations he does/will experience in the process. Hope that helps.
Love the longies. I need to do some of that, too. :)
desertnutmeg: It's funny that you mention that, because I ended up talking to him this morning about privacy. He says he'd like to be able to keep things as *just his* and not have to share with his brother. Being that his brother is too young to understand that but old enough to open doors and climb stools, it's a tough thing. We had set up a bookshelf on top of his dresser to keep things out of reach of the younger kids. But now the shelves are full of junk and things get left everywhere. I think he's at a strange point where he wants one thing but isn't will to accept the responsibility to keep that one thing - if that makes sense.
ReplyDeletewoolandchocolate: I'll look for both of those books, thank you!
I'm planning on dying some yarn and knitting some stockinette longies if you ever want to do a swap. (:
Fabulous longies! So cute.
ReplyDeleteI learned a lot from "Real Boys" by Pollack and Pipher. And just as a general parenting book, would highly recommend "Unconditional Parenting" by Alfie Kohn. Good luck in this difficult phase!
Lise: Thank you! I'll look into those. (:
ReplyDeleteOh very cute longies!! and the light was still good:-)
ReplyDeleteHave you read 'Raising Boys' by Steve Biddulph? I love all of his books and this one is particularly good.
Many Blessings!
I enjoyed "Boys Should Be Boys: 7 Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons" by Margaret J. Meeker but I don't remember a lot of discipline advice. I thought "how to make your child mind, without loosing yours" by Kevin Leman was good too. My little guy is four, so I don't have any experience with how well Leman's techniques work with older kids. -Elizabeth (using her hubbys google account)
ReplyDeleteTaking Time: Thanks so much! The playroom gets really nice light in the morning so I had to scrounge for a patch to take this picture.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read any parenting books before. So all the suggestions I'm getting will be requested from the library. The one I'm reading now is helping me to understand my Elf a little better already. (:
Elizabeth: Thank you, I'll look into those as well. I know I've seen the second one at the Goodwill bookstore before.
I <3 the photo -- I have a feeling this will be indicative of our family in a few years.
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