Comments for GNMParents http://gnmparents.com Giving New Meaning to Parenting Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:27:00 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 Comment on I Just Bought a Puppy by AmyL http://gnmparents.com/i-just-bought-a-puppy/comment-page-1/#comment-10445 AmyL Sun, 05 Jul 2009 03:27:00 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2566#comment-10445 What about giving her a towel to sleep with that has our scents on it? I could have each boy sleep with it one night, then she'd be able to smell them in her bed. Would that be a better plan? LOL on the shoes getting chewed on. The boys have a tendency to leave them out. Only in the entry, but still scattered about. I will have to get the closet door finished and hung. I've been working on staining it for (ahem) years. We have a good vet and I was figuring we'd get the pup and make an appointment right away. She'll come with health records and a few shots already, but I want to get on the right schedule immediately. I'll ask the breeder about treats, thanks. I just learned this weekend that many treats can damage a small dog's liver. Maybe we'll just use kibble. I have 2 baby gates still and we're planning to keep her with us or crated at all times. We'll ask about a puppy class asap. I saw a groomer that had a dog training sign. Thanks for all the input!! What about giving her a towel to sleep with that has our scents on it? I could have each boy sleep with it one night, then she’d be able to smell them in her bed. Would that be a better plan?

LOL on the shoes getting chewed on. The boys have a tendency to leave them out. Only in the entry, but still scattered about. I will have to get the closet door finished and hung. I’ve been working on staining it for (ahem) years.

We have a good vet and I was figuring we’d get the pup and make an appointment right away. She’ll come with health records and a few shots already, but I want to get on the right schedule immediately. I’ll ask the breeder about treats, thanks. I just learned this weekend that many treats can damage a small dog’s liver. Maybe we’ll just use kibble.

I have 2 baby gates still and we’re planning to keep her with us or crated at all times. We’ll ask about a puppy class asap. I saw a groomer that had a dog training sign.

Thanks for all the input!!

]]> Comment on On the (TV) Fence by STL Mom http://gnmparents.com/on-the-tv-fence/comment-page-1/#comment-10443 STL Mom Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:08:37 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2587#comment-10443 It's been a cold and wet summer here, and I've been letting my kids watch more TV than I think they should. During the school year I'm stricter - no TV before school, and an hour at most in the evening if there is even time for that. But now we're experiencing TV creep since we are home more. When I was a kid, the rule was 1 hour a day, but when my mom was at work my brother and I would sneak into the TV room to watch fine classics like "Emergency!" and "Chips" and "Three's Company". Somehow I still turned out more-or-less okay, so I hope my kids will survive their exposure to Pokemon and iCarly. It’s been a cold and wet summer here, and I’ve been letting my kids watch more TV than I think they should. During the school year I’m stricter – no TV before school, and an hour at most in the evening if there is even time for that. But now we’re experiencing TV creep since we are home more.
When I was a kid, the rule was 1 hour a day, but when my mom was at work my brother and I would sneak into the TV room to watch fine classics like “Emergency!” and “Chips” and “Three’s Company”. Somehow I still turned out more-or-less okay, so I hope my kids will survive their exposure to Pokemon and iCarly.

]]> Comment on Despite Myself, I Was Afraid by Kelly Damron http://gnmparents.com/despite-myself-i-was-afraid/comment-page-1/#comment-10433 Kelly Damron Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:54:07 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2561#comment-10433 Agreed. Every cough makes me perk up. I'm a total worry-wort. Agreed. Every cough makes me perk up. I’m a total worry-wort.

]]> Comment on The Indoor/Outdoor Conundrum by Kelly Damron http://gnmparents.com/the-indooroutdoor-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-10432 Kelly Damron Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:51:37 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2560#comment-10432 I agree with pushing your kids outside of their comfort zone. My girls are anti-social and I make them attend events where other kids will be, such as a dance or Spanish class. They love the classes, but don't interact too much with other kids. I agree with pushing your kids outside of their comfort zone. My girls are anti-social and I make them attend events where other kids will be, such as a dance or Spanish class. They love the classes, but don’t interact too much with other kids.

]]> Comment on The Indoor/Outdoor Conundrum by inthefastlane http://gnmparents.com/the-indooroutdoor-conundrum/comment-page-1/#comment-10431 inthefastlane Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:21:57 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2560#comment-10431 My kids are outdoor kids. But, can get lazy and fall back on the TV. Yesterday, I tried to enforce a no TV between 10 and 4 rule. It didn't work so well. And my youngest is still in need of supervision and help in entertaining himself. So, I try to get them out, together, for a few hours a day, whether permitting. My kids are outdoor kids. But, can get lazy and fall back on the TV. Yesterday, I tried to enforce a no TV between 10 and 4 rule. It didn’t work so well. And my youngest is still in need of supervision and help in entertaining himself. So, I try to get them out, together, for a few hours a day, whether permitting.

]]> Comment on Despite Myself, I Was Afraid by Meg http://gnmparents.com/despite-myself-i-was-afraid/comment-page-1/#comment-10429 Meg Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:41:32 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2561#comment-10429 Oh, boy oh boy do I hear you. We've (knock knock knock) been lucky to have only had a few scares- I'm so glad to hear that she's well. I really hear this one. We can only do what we can do. And pray that it's enough. Oh, boy oh boy do I hear you. We’ve (knock knock knock) been lucky to have only had a few scares- I’m so glad to hear that she’s well.

I really hear this one. We can only do what we can do. And pray that it’s enough.

]]> Comment on I Just Bought a Puppy by STL Mom http://gnmparents.com/i-just-bought-a-puppy/comment-page-1/#comment-10428 STL Mom Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:45:39 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2566#comment-10428 Just remember to leave that teddy bear outside the crate, or your puppy will rip it up and swallow the batteries. Speaking of which, if your kids leave shoes on the floor, this is a good time to practice putting them in a closet. Also, socks, legos, stuffed animals, etc. Puppies chew on everything! Having a puppy can be good motivation for kids to put things away. Our dog is 2 years old, but in the last week she chewed up a water gun and a whistle, both left on the floor. Get recommendations now for a veterinarian so you have one before you get the puppy. A good vet will answer a lot of questions and be very helpful. Training treats can be anything tasty and tiny. Some trainers just chop up hot dogs, but I like cleaner options. Your breeder may have suggestions. If your dog breed tends to have allergies, I'd stick with non-wheat treats. The pet store will have dozens of options. The main thing with puppies is don't give them the opportunity to make mistakes. Keep the puppy in sight using baby gates, or if you are moving around tie a rope or long leash on your belt. Always crate when you can't watch the puppy. The extra time taken in the first couple of months will pay off later. And I can't say enough about finding a good training class. Your puppy will get socialized with other dogs and other people, and you will learn a lot. Have fun! Just remember to leave that teddy bear outside the crate, or your puppy will rip it up and swallow the batteries. Speaking of which, if your kids leave shoes on the floor, this is a good time to practice putting them in a closet. Also, socks, legos, stuffed animals, etc. Puppies chew on everything! Having a puppy can be good motivation for kids to put things away. Our dog is 2 years old, but in the last week she chewed up a water gun and a whistle, both left on the floor.
Get recommendations now for a veterinarian so you have one before you get the puppy. A good vet will answer a lot of questions and be very helpful.
Training treats can be anything tasty and tiny. Some trainers just chop up hot dogs, but I like cleaner options. Your breeder may have suggestions. If your dog breed tends to have allergies, I’d stick with non-wheat treats. The pet store will have dozens of options.
The main thing with puppies is don’t give them the opportunity to make mistakes. Keep the puppy in sight using baby gates, or if you are moving around tie a rope or long leash on your belt. Always crate when you can’t watch the puppy. The extra time taken in the first couple of months will pay off later.
And I can’t say enough about finding a good training class. Your puppy will get socialized with other dogs and other people, and you will learn a lot.
Have fun!

]]> Comment on A StepFather’s Father’s Day by Bonnie Worthington http://gnmparents.com/a-stepfathers-fathers-day/comment-page-1/#comment-10427 Bonnie Worthington Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:36:08 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2488#comment-10427 Stu, My heart goes out to you. In my former marriage, I was a stepmom. I felt the same way about Mother's Day. But you know what we did? My ex-husband (then my husband) would give me a Mother's Day the weekend before and it was a big ta-do for me. To this very day, my (now former) step son sends me a Mother's Day card or calls (On the Real Mother's Day and he's 30 years old now) He calls me "OM" instead of mom. It stands for Other Mother. I love it. :-) Keep doing what you are doing and the kids will love you as their own, just as you do for them. You are very wise to support the other guy because it would backfire on you if you didn't. Maybe you and your wife can have a child of your own? I had my first with my now ex-husband at age 40. I'm so glad I didn't miss out! Having a biological child is an amazing experience. Keep up the great job. Bonnie Stu, My heart goes out to you. In my former marriage, I was a stepmom. I felt the same way about Mother’s Day. But you know what we did? My ex-husband (then my husband) would give me a Mother’s Day the weekend before and it was a big ta-do for me. To this very day, my (now former) step son sends me a Mother’s Day card or calls (On the Real Mother’s Day and he’s 30 years old now) He calls me “OM” instead of mom. It stands for Other Mother. I love it. :-)

Keep doing what you are doing and the kids will love you as their own, just as you do for them. You are very wise to support the other guy because it would backfire on you if you didn’t.

Maybe you and your wife can have a child of your own? I had my first with my now ex-husband at age 40. I’m so glad I didn’t miss out! Having a biological child is an amazing experience. Keep up the great job.

Bonnie

]]> Comment on I Just Bought a Puppy by AmyL http://gnmparents.com/i-just-bought-a-puppy/comment-page-1/#comment-10426 AmyL Tue, 30 Jun 2009 02:10:37 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2566#comment-10426 STL Mom, thanks! I'll go look for that book at the library tomorrow. Puppy kindergarten? Hmmm. I'll have to look for that. I can deal with the whining, and Hubby is hard of hearing so he won't have to listen overnight. I saw a teddy bear at the store once that made heartbeat sounds. It was meant for human babies but I was wondering if it would comfort a pup. Treats: that's one of my biggest questions. What do you use for training treats? I see trainers giving puppies little things to eat as a treat for good behavior, but I don't know what that is. Do you just use dog food? Is there something that's safe and healthy that won't mess up her regular eating? STL Mom, thanks! I’ll go look for that book at the library tomorrow. Puppy kindergarten? Hmmm. I’ll have to look for that.

I can deal with the whining, and Hubby is hard of hearing so he won’t have to listen overnight. I saw a teddy bear at the store once that made heartbeat sounds. It was meant for human babies but I was wondering if it would comfort a pup.

Treats: that’s one of my biggest questions. What do you use for training treats? I see trainers giving puppies little things to eat as a treat for good behavior, but I don’t know what that is. Do you just use dog food? Is there something that’s safe and healthy that won’t mess up her regular eating?

]]> Comment on Summer Insanity by STL Mom http://gnmparents.com/summer-insanity/comment-page-1/#comment-10425 STL Mom Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:53:46 +0000 http://gnmparents.com/?p=2526#comment-10425 My kids are complaining every day about going to a summer program, but I know those three hours a day are keeping them busy and me sane. One minute they say, "We shouldn't have to do anything in the summer!" and the next minute they say, "We're bored!" Somehow my suggestions, such as, "Okay, then clean your room!" aren't getting a very good response. My kids are complaining every day about going to a summer program, but I know those three hours a day are keeping them busy and me sane. One minute they say, “We shouldn’t have to do anything in the summer!” and the next minute they say, “We’re bored!”
Somehow my suggestions, such as, “Okay, then clean your room!” aren’t getting a very good response.

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