I asked PP if I could interview her and her first question was, “what’s an interview?” I told her an interview is where I ask you questions and you get to answer them. Surprisingly, she was excited to take part, so I seized the moment:

1. What’s your favorite food? (I didn’t want her to lose interest so I decided to start simple and ease her into the interview…)

“Chocolate.” (I guess we need to work on the food groups a little more..)

2. What’s your favorite thing to do?

“Watch TV (hence my reason for doing this) and draw pictures.” (at one point, PP’s room was covered wall to ceiling with her artwork.)

3. What’s your favorite thing to do with Mommy?

“Hug her.” (Isn’t she sweet?)

4. What’s your favorite thing to do with Daddy?

“Read stories.”

5. What’s your favorite color?

“Pink” (No surprise there, but thought she would say pink and purple–that’s usually one color for her.)

6. What do you want to be when you grow up?

“Unicorn flyer.” (Hhmm…not sure if that is a high demand career.)

7. What is your favorite word?

“Annalise.” (Is currently one of her best friends.)

8. What is your favorite thing to do at school?

“Play outside.” (Glad to know I am paying for a quality education and ” playground” is her favorite subject.)

9. If you could do something all day long, what would it be?

“Roller-skate with Daddy and ride my bike.”

10. If you could have anything in the world, what would you want?

“A unicorn.”

11. What is your favorite movie?

“Chihuahua.” (Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2)

12. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?

“Disney World, so I can watch all of the Disney movies.”

13. Who is your best friend?

“All the girls in my Pre-K 2 class.” (Nice to know she is so inclusive!)

14. What is your favorite TV show?

“Bubble Guppies.”

15. Who is your favorite Princess?

“Ariel.”

16. What is your favorite thing about yourself?

“My feet.” (Random)

17. What is your favorite game?

“Pinkalicious Cupcake Game.” (Best $15 that I have spent!)

18. What is your favorite thing about Mommy?

“She hugs me a lot.”

19. What is your favorite thing about Daddy?

“His strong bones because he picks me up and does strong things.”

20. What is your favorite animal?

“A giraffe, no a dog, yeah a dog!”

I thought it was so fun to see what my child’s “favorite” things are as well as spend time together outside of Television. Ask your little one what their “favorites” are and let us know what they say!

The oldest is stubborn, willful, and dangerously clever. From the time he was two (he was speaking full sentences at 1 years old) he has been coming up (in my opinion) with the most amusing ways to manipulate situations. I could have a running list pages long, however, I will stick with my two favorites.

My father and half-brother live in New York City and getting into schools (even public) is quite a process. During the pre-school interview process the children were asked to complete tasks, chores, and activities to test their social and mental acumen. My older half-brother passed all tests not because of his ability to complete said tasks, but because they were so impressed with his ability to get out of doing the task.  He actually delegated all his work to other children. He told each child and teacher present why he thought they would be better at completing the task than he would be, by pointing out what he thought were their strengths. For example, he told the moderator “I think you have had more schooling than me and would be better at picking out numbered blocks, but I am happy to watch you do it.”

His latest, which I have no clue where it came from, is insulting you when he is upset or trying to be funny and then telling you that whatever he said was just a “saying.” He must have picked up the gist of what a “saying” is, somewhere along the way. His use is wrong and his motives are beyond transparent, but it’s hard not to find the humor in a 5-year old thinking that labeling something a “saying” clears him all of hurt and wrong doing. For instance, he told his little brother he was a “Diaper-headed chicken,” and when my father reprimanded him for using that language and insulting his little brother, his response? “It’s just a saying, don’t you know what a saying is?” There have been many more instances where a “saying” excuse was used to avoid punishment.

I live states away from my little brothers and so my access to them is limited and time spent is few and far between, but the manipulation behaviors that I have seen are hilarious and I know most of it is part of the growth process. It just never ceases to amaze me how young it starts and how resourceful a child can be.

We would love to hear from you. What has your child done to avoid punishment? What behavior or learned knowledge surprised you? Made you laugh?

My daughter grew up on a street with a host of other children. They were constantly running up and down the street, in and out of each other’s houses. There was an unspoken agreement among parents on the street that they would watch out for whatever group was in their yard.

It generally worked. We knew — and the kids knew — someone was in charge and someone was watching. It wasn’t just discipline. Many’s the time I dealt with a tearful scraped knee. But we also made sure the kids were safe and treating everyone nicely. I didn’t mind the neighbors telling my children what to do, perhaps because we knew them, but also perhaps because I was fairly confident they had the best interests of all the children at heart.

Outside the neighborhood, occasionally you’ll have a parent attempt to discipline or correct your child. How that goes over depends on what they do. Certainly, no stranger would be allowed to punish my child. And don’t correct them if they’re not doing anything more than being children, boisterous and messy as that can be.

But correcting truly bad behavior, especially if done calmly and focused on the behavior itself, is generally fine. “It’s not nice to take someone else’s toy. Can you share?” is certainly acceptable.

I’m almost more worried a parent who ignores or excuses bad behavior. Again, it’s a matter of degree — you don’t yell at someone else’s child, and certainly never touch them. But a reminder that there are standards of behavior can be welcome.

What is your opinion? Do you agree with my Dad or do you feel you are the only one who should discipline your children?

Do you ever wonder if your baby recognizes you more easily with a camera in front of your face than without? I have a feeling many mama bloggers may agree.

Gracie turns six months old tomorrow, so I know what we’ll be doing tonight: Photoshoot!! I’ve come to really love my monthly recordings of my daughter’s growth and development. With the busyness of life, I never did get around to reading cover to cover in the “Your Baby’s First Year” type books, but as the 29th day of each month approaches I do take the time to read about that particular stage, think about what happened over her last month, and write a special letter to my daughter recording our special moments.

And, thanks to the creative couple behind Young House Love, I also have a very fun way of recording Gracie’s physical changes each month. I love picking out fun fabrics for her to lay on for each snapshot – and I’m thinking I’ll make a quilt using all twelve when Gracie’s first year is done. (Full disclosure: I did totally hesitate to show y’all the how-to link since I get SO MANY compliments about each month’s onesie. Most people didn’t have a clue that it was Photoshopped.) If you don’t have Photoshop available to you and you want a similar effect, search etsy – there are lots of creative ladies out there selling “Month to Month” badges like Jenny uses on her blog.

I know lots of mommy bloggers have similar creative ways of measuring their little one. Have you guys seen Eleanor’s photos on Making it Lovely? They’re one of my favorite sets.

Another super easy and fun thing to do would be to pick out a favorite stuffed animal (not tiny – probably as big as or a little bigger than your baby when she comes home from the hospital) and take a photo of Baby & Stuffed Lovey next to each other each month. It’s fun to see them trade roles: first the baby lies there looking tiny next to the stuffed animal, but then before you know it the little one is towering over the lovey and trying to chew its ear! I tried to Google this to put an example here, but no avail. Has anyone done this who could share a link? So fun!

I love the creative energy that flows from blog to blog – most of my best baby ideas seem to come from one online friend or another. Do you have any ideas to share with us about how you measure your little one?

Calling All Atlanta Moms-To-Be! Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 12 from 10:00 a.m. until noon for an event all about you!

We think planning for your new baby should be fun – but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start!  If you’re looking for helpful pointers, tips and solutions to make your transition to parenthood easier – this event is for you. Join Graco and a panel of mom experts from the Atlanta area to hear advice from real moms on how they prepared for their new arrival.

This group (the final list of panelists will be announced soon!) will answer all of your burning questions about becoming a new parent — like pregnancy, labor, registry and more! Have a question or topic you want to hear about? Leave it here in the comments and we’ll add it to the agenda.

Then stick around for a Graco product giveaway and to meet tons of other parents -to-be just like you. We can’t wait! So bring your bump and come join in the laughter, fun and a chance to meet other new moms in the area.

Here are all of the details:

Date: Saturday, February 12th

Time: 10 a.m. – noon

What: Atlanta New Mommy Event

Where: Cator Woolford Gardens

The Frazer Center

1815 Ponce de Leon Ave NE

Atlanta, GA 30307.

(hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be provided)

Want to join us?! RSVP by emailing your name and contact information to GracoRSVPATL@edelman.com by Friday, February 4! We can’t wait to meet you.

I know I’m guilty of trying not to stare while a parent yells at her screaming child in the grocery store, or I’ve  wondered how a family could let their kids play Ring-Around-The-Rosy in the middle of a restaurant. It might be because I don’t have kids yet, but already, I have a strong opinion on the subject.

I have two half-brothers who are two and six and I babysit them all the time. Being 20 and 22 years older than them, I feel like I am more like their mother than their older sister. Disciplining them when they are with me seems to come naturally, and I think it’s because I believe we are all a product of what we know and what we were taught when we were younger.

In college, I took a Communications Conflict course. The very first day we were ordered to stand under the card that most represented the household we grew up in. The three cards read Authoritarian, Passive and Authoritative:

Authoritarian: Unquestioned obedience of the child is required. Little explanation is given and the child is expected to accept the rules unquestioningly. Rewards are avoided for fear of spoiling the child. Emphasis is on corporal punishment for misbehavior.

Passive: Complete freedom of the child is allowed. The child provides the discipline; no control or authority is given. Few rules and little guidance or explanations are given. The child is expected to derive satisfaction from the social approval that good behavior brings. The child learns from the consequences of the act that he has done the wrong thing.

Authoritative: Control from within the child is the outcome desired. The parent, other adult or child provides the discipline from “within”. The major emphasis is on explaining the meaning of rules and repeating them until the child learns them. Praise is used lavishly for right behavior or an attempt on the child’s part to do what he knows is expected. The child is given an opportunity to explain why he misbehaved before being punished. Corporal punishment is used infrequently.

Although these are the three most recognized “styles,” by psychologists as well as other noted parenting sources, I believe most parents are a combination of sorts.

I found myself gravitating towards Authoritarian and Authoritative.

I grew up with a mother who was raised in a strict, conservative, military household, and a father whose family dynamic was dysfunctional to say the least. What resulted was what I still believe to be a strong mix of both Authoritarian (parents are always right, no questions asked, spankings as punishment) and Authoritative — thinking for yourself was promoted and cultivated, arguing your point was welcome, and creativity was nurtured.

What resulted were two children who are ambitious, independent, respectful of adults and team players. This is what I hope my two youngest brothers will become and I hope to be a strong influence in that department. My step-mother is definitely more Passive than Authoritative and I find myself struggling to reconcile with her decisions.

I know that neither her way nor mine is right, but I can’t help feeling that my way is more right. I am sure she feels the same. Either way I know my step-brothers are loved and will turn out just fine. Like, I said, it’s all subjective. It wouldn’t be fun if we were all alike, being raised differently is one of the things that makes us all unique.

What is your parenting “style?” Do you believe you are more right in the way you discipline?

For more information on the three types of discipline, please see links below.

http://pediatrics.about.com/od/infantparentingtips/a/04_pntg_styles.htm

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1993478/are_you_an_authoritarian_permissive.html

http://parenting.ygoy.com/2010/11/09/the-compare-of-parenting-styles-democratic-authoritarian-and-permissive/

http://www.parenting-healthy-children.com/authoritarian-parenting.html

So now that I have a little over a year of grandparenthood under my belt,  I’m amazed at what I’ve learned about myself  and life now that the next generation has begun!  Here are some of my latest enlightenments:

01.  Grandparents DO have favorites.   It’s a rule that you must love all your kids equally (you know you all do!), but… when you have grandchildren, you can choose favorites!   “Love Bird” is my favorite.  I am completely overwhelmed with joy and I’m sure I could never love another grandchild as much.  Didn’t I say that about my first baby too?

02.  My house is no longer babyproofed!  Somewhere along the way, I started keeping poisons under the sink and not locking the door to the basement.  My outlets are exposed. Even my oval coffee table has developed sharp edges.  It’s okay.  I can never take my eyes/hands/lips off this child anyway!

03.  There used to be rules in my house, but I forgot where I put the chart.  I think it was stuff about only eating food  in the kitchen, and at the table and on a plate and with a fork and spoon, chewing with your mouth closed…I think…. Oh and we eat at regular meal times.  “It’s alright if you are not hungry for lunch, the next meal is dinner – you can eat then”, was an old favorite saying in my house.

04.  Great-grandmothers don’t seem as excited about their new status as they did when they became grandparents.  I feel like they are laughing at me on the inside and know “something”  I don’t.   Wise as they are, they are enjoying watching me “gush”.  I bet it just because they have more experience at the most difficult grandparenting responsibility of all – restraint.

05.  So now I have to sleep with a Grandpa!  Truly – this is SO much NOT what I had imagined 20 years ago.  Sharing a grandchild is another of life’s blessings that we have been fortunate enough to experience together.  Life seems more complete, it has deepened our relationship.  Our capacity for gratitude grows every day.

What has the little one in your life taught you lately?

I’m engaged!!  Well, I have been engaged for a month – but it is my first time sharing it here…so… I’M ENGAGED!!  I met my fiance, Danny, a few years back in NYC while we were both living in the WONDERFUL city.  We made a quick trip back to “our home” in December to visit some close friends.  After much scheming, he got down on one knee, on the Brooklyn bridge, and asked me to be his wife.

After a few minutes of no-words, and utter surprise, I said “YES!!”  He was down there forever, but I was speechless.

Thanks to my fiance’s planning and our dear friend, Lee, we captured it all on film.  Lee followed us over the bridge without my knowledge.  It was romantic, and meaningful, and the scenery of “our home” was especially beautiful that night.

After a week of non-stop dinners, celebration, and champagne, things started to settle down and we got to planning. Now, for me, planning was heavily focused on the obvious next step -  a wonderful wedding.  I was overwhelmed and almost immediately ready to elope.  After-all, who has time to plan the ceremony, the reception, the mood, the music, the favors, the wedding party…(you get the point).  Danny, on the other hand, started to prepare for our life together… post-wedding.  Yes, he is the very logical & practical one.

He began by talking finances & budgeting.   Which lead to discussing the pros and cons of one or two bank accounts.  But this simple conversation began to drift in to MUCH larger ones…  Where we will live?  What side of the family we will see for each holiday?  When we will get a dog?  What type of dog? (This is a hot topic).  How many dogs?  How many kids?????????????????  PHEW.

Although I am so excited to start my life with Danny and am certain it will be full of so much joy, we have officially started our very own family of two.

Decisions no longer belong to me – they belong to US. This is a new perspective, but so far, these conversations have gone over smoothly.  Before getting engaged, we discussed these “hot topics”  in passing and we’re usually on the same page — it’s just finally sinking in how much we have ahead of us!  We have a full year to prepare for our family of two, before it is official.  And we will take that year to figure out the important stuff.  In my experience, your “plan” only works out about 30% of the time anyways.

From previous posts about family – I think it is obvious how crazy I am about mine, and how important it is that I carry on the value of family as I plan my future.

It is exciting to be part of something so special (although small – with just the two of us).  I can’t wait to start our own traditions and pass them on to our children.  Hats-off to all you parents out there who have done it so successfully!  I can’t even imagine the conversations that will arise then (I’ll stick to wedding planning for now!).  Danny and I hope to follow in your footsteps.

Do you remember starting your own family of two?  What were the hardest & most exciting conversations you had?  What about when your family of 2 became 3 or more?

What’s more fun than a rolling roll of TP?   Here our LoveBird  “helps” her mom get ready.  Nonna could just eat her up.

Share some of your great photos of cuteness and awe on the Graco Flickr page.  Your little one may be selected for posting on our Wednesday feature Bundles, Bumps and Babies!  Come back often and stay tuned for contests and prizes as well.

Maybe you’d like to share that great shot of the ever-growing baby bump you are sporting, your newborn baby’s very first picture or anything that captures the wonder, humor, marvel of childhood and parenthood — here’s how!

I happen to live in one of those states and cities that were covered with snow on Christmas morning, and as a resident of Atlanta, to say I was surprised was an understatement — I was ecstatic! There has not been a white Christmas here since the 1800’s. Atlanta was not alone as the storm moved up the coast throughout the day and the ones following.

Did you get an unusually large amount of snow on Christmas? Tell us about it!