Chaotic....party of 5

Well I have finally updated again. I know it is probably futile since I have only 3 followers, but it feels good to post. I would love to blog semi-daily but it is hard to find the time. I am going to try to do better though. Lately we have been super busy with Dillon and Dakota both playing baseball. We spend at least 4 days at the ballpark. It is a lot of fun to watch them play, but this has been a hot summer so Dalton is not a big fan of hanging out at the ballpark.

Our house is slightly chaotic right now because all of three of the boys are at precarious ages. Dakota is 6 1/2 (very important to remember the 1/2) and is starting to get a little bit of an attitude. He has always been my sensitive one, but now he is adding attitude to the list. He has a hard time distinguishing between what is funny, what is rude, and what would be funny as an adult but is rude coming from a six-year-old. He is also starting to get a little frustrated with his little brothers and their lack of interest in things he likes, or when they have too much interest in things he likes. He is excited about starting the 1st grade in the fall. He is also a little water bug and loves to swim. He would do it all day everyday if he could. He is fearless on the diving board. He is also the one that is most like me at his age, and some like me now :) He loves movies, video games, and board games, and except for swimming would rather be inside playing a game, than outside. He cannot stand to disappoint someone or hurt their feelings. He is creative and smart and really knows how to manipulate me ;)

Dillon is 4 years old and for the Parrott boys that can be the equivalent of the terrible twos. He is ornery and defiant. He is also loving and kind. He is starting to come into his own and develop his own personality apart from his brothers. He loves to be outside and playing. He is also a water bug. He learned how to swim yesterday thanks to Carrie Thomas, and he is really excited about that. He is a big helper when it is time to clean up. He is also is a great helper for Marmee and Poppa working in the yard. He even helps Poppy build things. He is obsessed with bubble gum and it has become a useful tool in bribery. He reminds me a lot of how Dennis' parents say he was when he was little. He also tans like his dad. He is so dark, it makes me jealous. He loves playing sports, running around, and just being active. He also loves curling up in a ball in your lap when he is tired.

Dalton will be two at the end of next month, and whoa, he is a wild man. He is always into something. He is always making messes. While you are cleaning up one mess he is making another. He is definitely the most defiant. He does not like the water or swimming, which makes going to the pool difficult. He fights bedtime like we were sending him to the torture chamber, but when he falls asleep he is out cold (and snores.) He has the most beautiful blond hair and blue eyes. And his smile will melt your heart. He is really talking up a storm lately. He just makes me crazy though how he does not mind. He tells us no and if he gets a spanking, he spanks back. I am still trying to find a discipline method that works on him and teaches better behavior. I know a lot of it is my fault for giving into his demands in order to avoid the tantrums. I know that is not the proper way to handle things but with our lives being so chaotic, it was the easier choice. I know, I know it is not the right choice and now I am paying for it. And it is not Dalton's fault that he is the youngest of three kids. I welcome any advice on dealing with a head strong two year old.

So all of that to say that I have to adapt my parenting style with each kid. What works with one does not work with the others. It is a strange thing being a parent. No one ever tells you about the overwhelming amounts of guilt that come with parenting. I worry that every mistake or choice I make will negatively impact them. Most parents start college funds, but I have "psychiatric funds" for the boys. I feel like I mess up so much that they will get more use out of therapy than college. (I kid, I kid) Sometimes I feel that by working I am short changing them on life, but other times I feel like I am a better parent when I work. I do not know why I even think about the pros and cons of being a WM and a SAHM because I have no choice. Our family relies on my income in addition to my husbands. Also, it makes me feel important. I want my boys to know that women can have roles outside of the home and that I can be just as successful as a man. I think it is important to teach the boys how to respect women. (***NOTE: I in no way am insinuating that being a SAHM is not a respectful role, hard role, or extremely important. I did it for a year and it was more than I could handle. I think it is a strong woman who can stay at home full-time, and I consider it a career. It is just not the right career for me....right now)

So that is it for now. I am hoping to get my blog a little more attention and hear from other mothers of young children on how they handle the daily battles, and from mothers of grown children who have been in my shoes. I would also like to hear from fathers about the role they play in the household. Gone are the days of men working and bringing in the money and leaving the rest to their wives. I know some families still function that way, but Dennis and I have taken a more non-traditional approach in a lot of areas. He is just as active as I am with the boys. While I am the one who makes dinner and he is the one who always takes out the trash (eventually) we have chosen those duties for ourselves and never felt as they were assigned chores based on our gender. When Dennis is home he does just as much diaper changing as I do, and he has probably handled bath time more than I have. He goes to school plays, PTO meetings, class parties, and anything else the boys are involved in. He is an amazing father and I am very fortunate to have him in my life. We compliment each other well. While we are not perfect parents, we do give the boys unconditional love and try to teach them how to be good human beings and Christians, and I think that at the end of the day, that is what is important.

Ok well peace out blogosphere. Hopefully I will be talking to you soon, and hopefully next time be a little funnier, a little more insightful, and actually have a point!