Superheroes must have some time management secrets-- otherwise, how could they cram all of their superhero activities into a single day and still have time for their alterego selves to hold a job and have a personal life. I just wish that they would share these secrets with the rest of us.
I started this blog with the intention of writing every single day or at least 5 times a week. A week later I bought a dog and find that I'm lucky to get the newspaper and my scriptures read during the 6 hours between the moment I get home and the time I go to bed. Since Mom usually fixes dinner, I generally take care of the dishes and clean up. It's a challenge to even squeeze out the few minutes needed to complete that task.
We've learned that we ignore the puppy at our own peril. Sammie has a curiosity that knows no bounds. We've started closing doors that we used to leave open. We've had to baby-proof the house, i.e., put things at levels that the puppy can't reach. If we don't watch her every minute, she's apt to poop on the floor instead of outside. We've learned her basic schedule, but she's not a little robot and is apt to have "accidents."
When she wants to play, she doesn't like to play alone. We have socks and chew toys and teething toys and cardboard boxes that are designated as her playthings. If we don't keep her mouth occupied, there's a good chance that she'll nip us to get our attention.
I'm not a complete moron when it comes to time management. I've attended classes that taught me to set priorities and to take care of the "big" things first and then fill in the leftover spaces with smaller things. I guess puppies truly are like children-- and they qualify as a high priority. I'm hoping that life will get easier as Sammie learns the rules and chooses to keep them. It's all part of training the "little ones" in our lives.
In the meantime, I'm open for suggestions!
Showing posts with label puppies. Show all posts
Showing posts with label puppies. Show all posts
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Puppy parenthood
Parenthood is not for sissies! This applies to parenting puppies as well as people.
Part of a parent's job is to help their child learn how to get along with others. That is also true when one is parenting a puppy. The rules are pretty much the same. Puppies may not wear diapers, but they still have to learn a few bathroom rules-- like "we" (meaning dogs) don't go potty in the house. They also have to learn not to bite or nip at others, which is kind of hard because they explore the world by using their mouth. When they get excited, they can't go ballistic, but have to learn how to control themselves. We don't jump on or push others.
As the parent, it's my job to help Sammie learn these things. Even puppies have their equivalent of "time out." The guidebooks instruct that when she nips at me, I'm supposed to say "Ouch" in a very loud voice and to walk away from her and leave her alone for a few minutes until she can calm down.
Superheroes are not renegades. They know how to get along with other people. Think about it... have you ever seen Superman or Spiderman or any of the other great superheroes be rudc to others? No. Even when disguise as their alteregos, Clark Kent or Peter Parker, etc., they do their very best to behave appropriately. Someone had to show them how to behave and how to interact with others-- they had parents and other people who served as mentors to them to show them the way.
Even adults have mentors. When they are new to a situation or environment, these are the people who teach them the "unwritten" rules they need to know to succeed. Superheroes understand the value of a good mentor. They look carefully at the people around them and find the person with the best attitude, the one who gets along best with everyone, and the ones who are the most productive and successful at what they do. Two of the most important words in the English language are "Teach me." And superheroes aren't afraid to ask.
Part of a parent's job is to help their child learn how to get along with others. That is also true when one is parenting a puppy. The rules are pretty much the same. Puppies may not wear diapers, but they still have to learn a few bathroom rules-- like "we" (meaning dogs) don't go potty in the house. They also have to learn not to bite or nip at others, which is kind of hard because they explore the world by using their mouth. When they get excited, they can't go ballistic, but have to learn how to control themselves. We don't jump on or push others.
As the parent, it's my job to help Sammie learn these things. Even puppies have their equivalent of "time out." The guidebooks instruct that when she nips at me, I'm supposed to say "Ouch" in a very loud voice and to walk away from her and leave her alone for a few minutes until she can calm down.
Superheroes are not renegades. They know how to get along with other people. Think about it... have you ever seen Superman or Spiderman or any of the other great superheroes be rudc to others? No. Even when disguise as their alteregos, Clark Kent or Peter Parker, etc., they do their very best to behave appropriately. Someone had to show them how to behave and how to interact with others-- they had parents and other people who served as mentors to them to show them the way.
Even adults have mentors. When they are new to a situation or environment, these are the people who teach them the "unwritten" rules they need to know to succeed. Superheroes understand the value of a good mentor. They look carefully at the people around them and find the person with the best attitude, the one who gets along best with everyone, and the ones who are the most productive and successful at what they do. Two of the most important words in the English language are "Teach me." And superheroes aren't afraid to ask.
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