Are You Pushing Mood Swings?

Marie got off the bus the other day. She was the last one of our tribe to step foot on the sidewalk. While Chadee skipped towards me, Marie didn't even make eye contact. I knew before she looked at me that she'd had a bad day.

"How do you know?" Marie says to me when I ask if she's had a bad day.

Signs of A Mood Swing:

I think any mom who knows their kids well enough can recognize the signs of their daughters' mood swings. It's that time when we have to put on her investigatory hat and interagate for clues. If answers are forthright, there is always a sibling close by who may know the answer.

Chadee usually just skips along beside us and asks, "What's wrong Sissy?"
While their brother, stuck between two girls, remains quiets. As he has found is best when we deal with one of Marie's mood swings.

I go through all the questions:
"Did something happen today at school?"
"Did someone hurt your feelings?"
"Did someone say something to you that you didn't like?"
"What did you have for lunch?" (For a picky eater like Marie, even food can put a girl in a terrible mood.)

LITTLE LADY LESSON #1

Bad days are inevitable. A little lady is never unkind or pulls others down with her, but may confide her troubles to a good friend or adult that they may help her find the goodness through the bad. 

By the time we walk home from the bus stop, I usually get enough information that I can determine the cause of the mood swing and attempt to push Marie's mood in a different direction. Or at least I try to make her smile before going in the house. It usually works.

I think mood swings are inevitable when you have girls. It has to do with growing up and that whole hormone thing. As a mom, I'd like to think that somewhere in my morning cup of tea is a dollop or two of patience. God knows I need it when the mood swings start to escalate.

And just when I thought we'd out grown the tantrum stage. LOL

It's so important that we let our girls know we're there for them, even on the bad days.

How do you handle a bad day and how do you encourage your daughter through a bad day?

If The Shoe Fits

Are shoe sizes seasonal or is it just about the colors, do you think?

Marie has almost caught up to my shoe size now.
But that's not the part that worries me. Now that Marie is shopping in the "women's" shoe section, the shoes have gotten so much more mature than the simple princess design sneakers and low heel flats. We've entered the high heel arena, but how much of a heel is really appropriate for a tween?

Thank goodness, Marie is much more of a 'tom boy' than she is a girly girl like Chadee. I cringe thinking of the day I see either one of my little ladies strutting around in six inch heels.

So how do you determine what is the right shoe for your daughter? I've been asking myself this question all week. Is it the shoe that fits?

And what exactly does fit mean?

Seriously, is it the shoe that fits your budget? Fits her foot the best? Or fits a criteria of what a shoe should be according to her age?

It's so much easier with Chadee. As long as it's pink and sparkles she's wear it until it wears out. Preferably in a Mary Jane Style.

But I've seen heels on little girls shoes that I wouldn't wear myself.
I know, I know... call me old fashion.
Or just call me a klutz.

It's so hard to find a shoe that fits. There are so many! Colors. Styles. Purposes. How do you choose for which one is the right fit?

Tea Party Tuesday

Come join us on Tuesdays for a virtual tea party with Chadee. 

Don't these cupcakes look scrumptious? 

Thanks weheartit.com for sharing this pretty picture.

One lump or two? 

Don't forget to join us on Tuesdays!

What Are Little Girls Made Of?

I love this simple little rhyme that describes little girls.

One day, our little girls grow up and become little ladies, and eventually they become woman.

Raising girls can be most difficult at times.

I've named this site after my own two girls and I hope you join me here for creative ideas for crafts, tea parties, etiquette, and most of all encouragement. No matter what age your little girl is, she'll always be a lady.

Our girls are growing up in a world so much different than the one we knew at their age. I don't know about you, but I think the values we hand down to our little girls are more important now than they ever were before.

What is the one thing you worry about most with your girls?

Let's face those challenges together.