I've been absolutely dying to share this with you. Recently stumbling upon All for the Boys, a new blog by the charmingly warm and creative Allison Waken, I couldn't resist getting in touch. I'm so glad I did. There is such an emerging desire to discuss, share, inspire and clarify the needs for our growing boys in blogland, it's a thrill to be part of such a wonderful crew of devoted parents.
I asked Allison to share her thoughts on being a mum to her two boys and was really encouraged and enriched by her responses. Allison's blog is filled with creative ideas, products and decor inspiration, it's definitely one to add to your daily read. Don't miss her Friday fort series, either!
Before having boys how much did you know about their wants and needs? I actually have been around boys my entire life. I played with boys at the babysitter's when I was younger and most of the kids I babysat were boys. Maybe that was my preparation to having 2 of my own?
What's the most memorable thing they have said or done? Oh wow, let's see. When my oldest was 10 months old we were at an aquarium and thought he was looking at the fish in the tank, but he was eyeing the ladies hair in front of us and decided to just give it a little tug. Well, it was one of those detachable ponytails and he yanked it right off! SO embarrasing (but very funny). I think I'll always remember my youngest son's Kindergarten graduation performance. They were singing Raffi's "All I Really Need" and that boy hammed it up like nothing I've ever seen. I can still see his dramatic little face. Enough to make any mother melt! Or the time my 2 year old colored all over himself with a Sharpie. I mean ALL over himself. When I asked him why he was doing it - "To scare my brother!"
As a working parent and living away from family, balancing work, rest and play can be challenging. How do you manage? I do a lot of stuff for me late in the evening. I am a night owl and like being up late, so after the boys have fallen asleep I get to work on my personal crafty projects or blog posts. I try to leave the waking hours to play and interact with my family. I know they'll only be around this much for such a short time so it's what's working for me at this point in our lives.
What is your goal for All the Boys? My goal for All for the Boys is to encourage and inspire interaction with your kids. I try to share fun projects, links to activities, or products that will hopefully get your wheels turning!
If you had a piece of advice for your adult boys, what would it be? Be kind. I tell them even now that they don't have to like everyone, but they should always be kind, even to someone who might be mean to them. Kindness will get you far. There are so many important lessons that we as parents have to teach our kids, but that one is so important to me. Oh and ALWAYS call your mom ;)
What concerns do you have for boys these days? I think boys have as much pressure on them as to how society thinks they should be or act as girls do. My concern is that they'll lose themselves somewhere along the way trying to fit in to one of the perfect "clicks".
Favourite toy/activity/book... My all time favourite toy has to be Lego. We have Lego coming out our ears over here! I'll admit to "helping" put sets together when they were a bit younger just because I have fun doing it as well. I love that they can use the instructions to make whatever it was that caught their eye on the box, but then take it apart to aide in creating what their imagination has in store.
