Better. Much better.

Since Friday, unless my memory is serving me poorly, things have gone well with the Mia meister.  We've had our timeouts, our talks, our following-through, our good naps, and she's even done better drinking milk out of a cup, if even for 1/4 of the time.  (That's an altogether different subject, though!)

As I learn this parenting thing, I am reminded of the various teachers I encountered growing up.  Some were strict, some were way too lax, some were from another planet, and some were really good.  Even some of the strict ones were really good.  I think at first, you meet a teacher and think, "He/she seems cool, really easy-going, I think we're going to get along."  But then they either lose control of the classroom, or are "too cool," and not really acting like a teacher, and all the boundaries get messed up.  You're not sure who's running the classroom anymore.  From my very little experience in the classroom, I have found it is easy to go in that direction if you're not really sure where you're headed.  If you're unsure of what your goals are, or how you want your students to respond to you, you can easily be swayed by what seems cool or what will make you seem like a "friend."
That's when you're surprised when you're relieved to be in the strict/more controlled teacher's classroom. You know what to expect, there's order, and while you may receive discipline, *hopefully* it's fair across the board.  You do your work, you're recognized appropriately, you learn, and everyone moves on.

I have never really tried to define myself as a parent, and if you're unfamiliar, there are billions of labels that people attach to themselves as parents.  I haven't found the one for us that fits just yet.  Not even am I talking about crunchy or modern, or tiger mom or panda dad ... For right now though, for the stage Mia is in, I think we need to be more authoritative.  Not authoritarian, authoritative.  She learns from us who is the boss and who sets the rules.  In Marriage & Family class back at our dear FC, there were 3 types:
authoritarian (my way or the highway); authoritative; and passive (whatever goes).  Obviously as Dr. Dickey detailed these parenting types, authoritative stuck out as the winner.  From Wikipedia: "Authoritative parenting encourages children to be independent but still places limits and controls on their actions."  And who doesn't want to be a winner?  I sure do.

And now for your viewing pleasure...this week's past pics:

Mia discovered her winter hat & mittens and
tried them on while also trying out her potty.
Have I mentioned how I have no clue how to potty train??

Busy day working from home for both Mia & Greg.
Glad she can put in a few hours here & there.

This is Mia's newest pose, outside or inside.
Guess she remembers some of the yoga I did when she was still in the womb!

Showing the street how to do it

Mommy & Daughter Yoga.  I wanted to get in on the action too!