Here is the thing: I am not a whine specialist. In fact, far from it. Instead I am impatient with the whining and not at all pleased with my parenting skills when it comes to dealing with my adorable little whiners. I need some serious improvement in that department which is what led me to writing this blog. Well, the whining is one of many things. You see, I thought maybe if I put this out there, I might get some feedback that is helpful and that would help others at the same time. Plus, I love to talk so am hoping that can somehow translate into quality writing. A girl can dream, right?
So, about the title of my blog....While sitting in traffic on our way to a ferry to Okracoke Island in the Outer Banks, my husband and I were struggling with the whining coming from the back of the van. We had some skittles that came in the kids' overly processed Lunchables***. My skills from teaching kicked in and I remembered how valuable rewarding kids can be. So, I started rewarding those brief moments when our children were not whining. This worked rather nicely and got us through about a 2 hour wait for a 40 minute ferry ride (not that I am whining). Fast forward to the drive back to our beach house when the whining was in full swing and I was out of candy. An ad came on the radio for a wine specialist in the area and my husband started laughing. He suggested I start a blog and call it the Whine Specialist. I laughed, too. but it was one of those moments. You know those moments where you are stunned that your husband has read your thoughts or was it your email? Anyway, I have been contemplating blogging for some time but never mentioned it to him. I thought he would think it was a silly idea. He said, "You spend enough time on the internet. You could at least be doing something constructive."**** So, I just haven't been able to get it off the ground and my most recent excuse was that I needed a great name. And just like that I had a name and there were no more excuses...so here I am. I hope you will enjoy reading my thoughts as funny, neurotic and painfully honest as they may be.
So, today I head to the library to find a parenting book that deals with handling whining. In the meantime, I am going to try silliness and see if that helps and maybe some candy.
Thanks for reading!
Andie
*** Purchased by my husband...when I saw them I commented that the kids were not going to eat them and I was correct which I loved. My kids don't do processed meat or cheese...they did eat the ritz crackers and the skittles.
****My charming husband does not see the value of facebook or my obsession with applying for jobs I am never really going to take.
uh...hello??? ANDIE!!!! You didn't tell me about this!!! I love it! I love the title!! And, I am intrigued.. you apply for jobs you are not really going to take? This is fascinating to me. How far do you take it? Do you go on the interview? I need to hear more about this.
ReplyDeleteOh, the whining... I've got nothin. I'm in the middle of a 1.5 hour scream at the baby gate by one of my 2 year olds. oh.. this is day 6 of this exciting new behavior. let me know if you have any advice for this. She has passed out in the hallway each night.
Molly
Molly! So funny! I was just going to email you and tell you I started a blog. I guess it isn't necessary now. I will email you about the scream fest. I have been down that road with one of mine and it isn't pretty:) How did you find me?
ReplyDeletePlease tell us about applying for jobs you are never going to take. That sounds like JUST the sort of thing I could become obsessed with, too. How fun!
ReplyDeleteAndie, I'm so excited you started this blog. I will be checking it obsessively to read your thoughts.
Also, I love Ocracoke and your husband sounds like good peeps.
LOVE!
G
Thanks, G! I thought of you while we were in OBX because all I wanted to do was give it all away and move to the water!
ReplyDelete