Love Truthfully

Where Transparency Breathes New Life

Never Miss an Update

  • Home
  • The Purpose
  • Wednesday Wife
  • Married Life
  • Pregnancy
  • Sex Talk
  • Our Travels

Practice Parenting Part II

July 24, 2011 By: Shanacomment

A while ago I told you all about the challenging experience that Casey and I had with my niece Ashlynne for a weekend, I also alluded to an upcoming challenge to have her for a whole week. We had a strong game plan in place soon after Ashes arrived. We gathered at the kitchen table to discuss the household rules. After signing the agreed upon standards of behavior, we developed the schedule of activities for the week. We wanted to be proactive so we didn’t hear the dreaded words “I’m bored.”

– Summer camp during the day
– Go karts
– Batting cages
– Maggie Moos
– Movie night
– Girl’s only spa night

Even a great, fun-filled schedule like this couldn’t immunize us from the pains of parenting a preteen. For 3 nights in a row, I not only went to bed late, having to tuck her in, but was also woken up in the middle of the night. I love my niece. I love my husband. But after a few nights of little sleep, rising early to make lunches, working all day then fulfilling our schedule at night, you would have thought otherwise. Although exhausted, the week went really well. Casey and I stuck to our behavior rules and really enjoyed the quality time we spent with Ashes, who was loving camp.

The goal of the trip was for Casey and Ashes to have some bonding time. It seemed they have a unique way of bonding. Their game of choice, banana whack. Similar to punch bug, but with yellow vehicles. It opened up the door for “goodbye slap” from Ashes to Casey that didn’t go over very well. Needless to say, we’ve learned it’s hard to draw a line of acceptable and not. We discovered that preteens are all about privacy, even with their illegal Facebook profiles. We also gained an new appreciation for parents, especially working parents with preteens. Thankfully, even if we got pregnant tomorrow, we have 11 years to learn from this week.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Meet the Wife

Hi! I'm a semi-newlywed living in a small town outside of Nashville with my husband, Casey, our baby boy, teen niece, and hyperactive dog, Minny. I'm a new mom and marketing consultant at BeEngaging.com that loves Jesus and won't eat anything with 4 legs. I talk about marriage, pregnancy, parenting and everything in between. I believe real growth only happens through transparency. Join me on the journey. Read More…

Featured Post

when-should-i-get-married

When Should You Get Married?

Are women waiting too long to get married these days? One lady dropped jaws at Princeton when she encouraged girls to be on the lookout for a spouse. You may not agree with her either, but what other time in your life will you have that many eligible bachelors in your midst? She has a […]

Recent Posts

  • Thoughts from a 5am Cuddle Session
  • Mine for a Moment
  • Silas Graham is 3 Months Old!

Archives

Connect on Twitter

My Tweets

Tags

25 things at 25 anger anniversary ashlynne Bible birth book review celebration communication community conflict connection counseling culture date divorce failure faith family family life financial struggle fitness gifts for spouse God health holiday Home husband illness in-laws labor leadership mckelvy military miscarriage missions money moving parenting pregnancy sex silas submission wedding writing

Looking for something?

Categories

Copyright © 2022 · Modern Blogger Pro Theme By, Pretty Darn Cute Design