Cares:
I’m in the process of brainstorming for novel #6. This is always the longest stage for me. It often causes a bit of anxiety. Like, what if I can’t come up with a great storyline again? I’m an immediate gratification girl, so I’d love to just jump right in. Yet I can’t. My main character’s goal and her motivation for that goal has to be believable first. It has to be something readers can grab onto right away, and I’m not there yet. Anybody else struggle with this stage?
Concerns:
How do you get a 2-year old to stop whining? Seriously. I’d love any and all tips you might have. So far, hubby and I ignore him when he whines, or we say, “Use your words.” But he’s not the best talker in the world, so that’s not always easy for him to do. I could really use some parental wisdom right about now.
Celebrations:
I got a fun, encouraging email this week.
It’s Friday! Was this the longest week ever, or what?
Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations today?
*I’m taking a Thanksgiving break from blogging next week. Have a blessed holiday!
Whining..uggh! Drove me crazy!
I don't think it's ever completely eliminated, but we were able to diminish it by telling the kids, "I can't hear you when you whine." Ignore anything they say until it's in a normal voice. It takes patience, but it worked for us.
Cares: Trying to reproduce the first thirty pages of my book, and all of my plotting notes (laptop crashed).
Celebrations: I finally got around to signing up for an online back-up service, plus I streamlined my laptop's programs, and I'm trying Microsoft OneNote for organizing my books' notes. I feel so good about this!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Enjoy your break and have a wonderful Thanksgiving! I can't help you much with the toddling whining. I used to tell mine that I wouldn't listen to whining so until they spoke in "a big boy's voice" they weren't going to get any help, or whatever it was they wanted. The challenge was to stick to my guns and not give in. 🙂
Cares: not getting as much writing done on my NaNoWriMo project as I intended, but I still love the story that's emerging.
Concerns: feeling heavy-hearted about Sandi Rog who was diagnosed with Stage 4 T-cell Lymphoma the same day her first novel was released.
Celebrations: a pleasant surprise when a magazine came out with my submitted article *and* they used one of my pictures for the cover.
I pray for patience, wisdom and guidance for your brainstorming session this week, dear. Yippee dippee on your email!!
Dr. Dobson says to tell a whiner you have funny ears and cannot understand whining talk, then ask them to speak in a normal tone.
Or you could whine to him to show him how irritating it sounds. Only boys love irritating noises, so this may backfire!
Cares and concerns: visiting my dd and her fam for Thanksgiving.
Celebrations: I was invited to contribute to a PW blog twice a month. This widens my platform, and gives me more ministry opportunities.
Have a great week!
Jen
Sorry about the whining. I honestly suggest you invest in some high decibel ear plugs. You'll still be able to hear the little guy, but your nerves will be more calm.
Cares: Which should get the most of my time? blog, random articles, novel?
Concerns: Am I putting enough effort into homeschooling?
Celebrations: My daughter is coming home from college for a few days!
Hi Katie –
Care: I'm driving for the holiday weekend – not my favorite thing.
Concern: Too much to do in too little time.
Celebration: I had a devotional published online last Sunday/Monday. Yay!
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Aw, your little man sounds adorable. My boys weren't very good with their words until later.
Care; I have a HUGE party in two weeks. And I have to clean like crazy. (hide/throw away)
Concerns: That I might eat all two dozen cupcakes sitting behind me left over from my decorating class.
Celebrations: I have a new level of peace. I can thank the Lord for that miracle.
Have a great week Katie!
Hi, Katie! Love encouraging emails! I received one myself this week from a blogging/writer friend and it came at such a perfect time.
Whining, huh? That's a tough one. Mine are 11 and 7. I'd like to tell you they simply grow out of it, but…
Happy Thanksgiving!!! Enjoy your break!
Aren't encouraging emails fantastic?
My CCC:
Story is hard to write.
Staying spiritually armed.
FAMILY IN TOWN! 😀
Haha! My husband teases that he is going to invent a toddler mute so we can understand the little guys. Currently my 2 and 3 1/2 yr old are our second batch of "2's" and not any less frustrating in the whine dept. I think your method is one of the best, often they just need reminded to "pipe down" as I call it. 🙂 My oldest didn't talk with his mouth open at that age and still I could tell what the attitude behind the words was! "Sorry, I can't understand you when you (whine, talk with your pacifier in, don't open your mouth etc) is a great reminder and helps us Mom's cope knowing we aren't expected to understand. Do we teach them or do they teach us I wonder. 🙂
Good luck with the brainstorming. I know you'll figure it all out.
As for the parenting advice, I'm not the greatest mom in the world, but I'm all about empowering kids to make their own choices. So I say stuff like, "You can choose to whine to me, or you can choose to talk with words. If you whine, I can't help you."
And then don't help him. That's the hard part. And if he's not a great talker, at least mumbling in a non-whining voice is better than whining. Right?
Yay for encouraging emails!
Two words.
Duct Tape.
What? My children are perfectly well-rounded, highly intelligent and well-adjusted young adults. And they still talk to me, I swear.
I'm here if you need a brainstorming session. it's always much easier for me to brainstorm on someone else's story! maybe we can take turns.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving!
YES. Brainstorming is hard.
Yay for encouraging e-mails! Yeah, sometimes I get caught up in the brainstorming stage. I often end up having to talk to someone to work through my thoughts and see if what I'm saying makes sense or even sounds plausible.
I'm celebrating getting some good personal news this week and I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving! Have a great weekend and Thanksgiving if I don't see you around.
Good skill with the brainstorming.
We have one whiner kid and think it is related to her not wanting to get much sleep. We haven't had much success in encouraging her to snooze more.
My concern is offering the kids enough running and exercise time now that the blah days of cold are here–living in a small town, we have to be real creative.
I so want to read one of your books! Hurry up and get published – or send me the pdf 😉 lol
Cares? I'm in the process of revisions before I send to the agent who requested piles of stuff.
Concerns? I'm running WAY behind on revisions, am buying a house which means moving right over Christmas, my daughter is being closely watched for impending pnuemonia because of her weak lungs, and the holidays are here.
Celebrations? Coffee. Coffee. and Coffee. Blissful coffee.
I agree with Sarah. Private message on way!
LOL, Keli's comment cracked me up!
Oh, the whining…We've experimented with a lot of options. We sometimes take away a privilege. Like telling him, "If you whine again instead of telling us what you want, you won't get to watch Diego this morning." That usually gets his attention. 🙂 Or we've done time-outs. I've also heard that when they have trouble talking, you can try some basic sign language. Our son never really latched onto it, but it could be worth a try.
As far as my 3 C's, I just sent out a couple queries this week and sent out my full last week to the editor who requested it. Now I start the waiting game again. Celebration: Today I'm officially turning in my laptop and paperwork at my day job so I can be a full-time mommy! And my son turns 3 this weekend!
Katie, I hope the time off over the holidays frees up your creative spirit and the ideas flow freely.
And the best way to quiet a whining two-years-old? Pop a piece of chocolate in his mouth. I have a hunch you'd see a smile immediately. Either that or a stunned look. Rewarding the whining might send the wrong message, I know, but it would end the noise. (Sheesh. I'm starting to sound more like a grandma than a mom. =)
My two-year-old isn't a big talker either. He prefers to grab us by the hand and drag us around the house. It drives me nuts some days!
About the whining… here's a news flash: IT NEVER STOPS. Mine are 9 and 5 and still believe it to be an effective form of communication! When they were little, though, I would mimic their whiney tone and act silly. Most of the time that got them giggling and changed the tone… it's worth a shot! Best wishes on your publishing endeavors! I enjoy reading about your journey.
I have a concern about Thanksgiving Day dinner. I'm making it this year and it's been a while so I'm getting a little anxious about it. 🙂
It has been a long, long week.
I say "use your words" to my kids, but it never works. Maybe because they're dogs?
Ha ha. Sorry. I'm not a mom yet, but you give me things to wonder about.
Have fun with the brainstorming a new idead!
Whining. Is it because he's tired? Or looking for attention? Can you divert him with an activity? Coloring? Clay? Maybe a basin of water and soap and he can wash dishes or sail boats (if you don't mind the mess?)
Hi Katie,
It's my hope for you that story idea keeps growing and growing inside your brain.
Whining…hmm. I got tired of hearing ignore it–or them while they are doing it. I began ignoring it for my own sanity and it helped (a little).
Cares: Lots to do before Christmas.
Concerns: Visiting w/ hubby's fam. next week. All kinds of dynamics to pray about.
Celebrations: Had some beautiful time praying with an author friend yesterday. Has such a way of putting everything into perspective.
Yeah for your email!
Love,
Wendy