Parenting

30 Positive Sentences for Evie

Random Observation/Comment #812: When can I start saying “you go girl!”? My ultimate dad form would be complete. Why this list? I want Evie to grow up in a positive environment. As a parent, the way you communicate with your child can significantly shape their self-perception and influence their behavior. To me, this means the questions we ask and conversations...

30 Quarantine Toddler Activities

Random Observation/Comment #746: It doesn’t feel like the year has started for me yet. Quality time is tiring, but pretty awesome. Why this List? Covid sucks. Luckily, omicron has lower hospitalization even though it’s spreading like crazy through kids right now. Expecting more quarantine weeks for different parents. Since we’re stuck at home, here’s how we inject some random activities...

30 Questions for my Parents

Random Observation/Comment #728: Even if you don’t ask questions for advice, ask because you’re curious. I was surprised at how happy my parents were when I showed interest in their past, present, and future plans. Why this List? Sometimes I struggle with getting into the “real talk” with my parents. They are my ultimate idols and I don’t want to...

30 Foods Evie Eats

Random Observation/Comment #726: Being a good eater is important in Chinese culture. Best Chinese kids finish everything on their plate/bowl and ask for seconds. Why this List? Evie is at the age where she’s super picky about what she eats. We do the “3 bite rule”, but I think she’ll just love on carbs and chicken nuggets for the next...

30 Things My Parents Want Me to Learn

Random Observation/Comment #725: In retrospect, I’ve never gotten bad advice from my parents. Thank you! Why this List? I hadn’t seen my parents in a year due to the pandemic, so I’m ecstatic to show them Colorado. Along with their love and cooking, I’ve also received a lot of sage advice. I might be writing this because I know my...

30 Denver Kid Class Ideas

Random Observation/Comment #721: At this age, we’re just happy to see them roll around outside. Why this List? We want Evie to try as many things as possible. Awesome part of all this is the activities out there also double as daycare and socialization opportunities. After writing this list, I just realized that I can probably also take these classes...

30 Manners I Want Evie to Learn

Random Observation/Comment #719: Class never goes out of style. Why this List? Manners represent social norms and levels of kindness. From a Chinese background, poor manners are disrespectful and could lead to dishonor or disappointment. In these important years of parenting Evie, I want her to at least learn some of these phrases, actions, and situations. “Please” / “Thank you”...

30 Traditions We Want to Form

Random Observation/Comment #718: Let’s slow down time together. Why this List? Off of the previous post on Wills, Trusts, and Digital legacies, I was thinking about which traditions we want Evie to try out while she’s growing up. We got around 5 years to experiment with a few fun activities. For example, some families love the super bowl and will...

Wills, Trusts, and Digital Legacy

Random Observation/Comment #696: Start building towards your legacy for the ones you care about most. Learning From My Parents My parents are retired and I often tell them, “Spend all your money, and you’ll make us very happy.” I want them to enjoy the experiences they sacrificed while chasing the American dream as immigrants. I want them to spend time...

30 Toddler Toys

Random Observation/Comment #663: It’s been long enough that “now” is the new normal and “then” was the “good ole days.” Why this List? We’re trying not to just plop our 2-year-old in front of a TV (see 30 Non-TV Toddler Activities). We also tried to keep a manageable-size toy chest by leveraging everyday stuff as toys (see 30 Random Toys...

30 Non-TV Toddler Activities

Random Observation/Comment #658: I grew up watching TV to distract me while my parents had better things to do. Look at me; I turned out just fine. Why this List? We’re blessed that the major role we play in this pandemic is to (1) not get sick and (2) not spread sickness. At home, we’re mainly just parenting and trying...

30 Potty Training Tips

Random Observation/Comment #634: It’s a crappy job, but someone’s gotta do it. Why this list? Potty training is a developmental milestone and not a war. This is not a measurement of your parenting, but a normal phase in your toddler’s development. It helps when your daycare does some of this on a regular basis and shows other toddlers using the...

30 Dad Jokes

Random Observation/Comment #621: When is an obvious joke a dad joke? When it becomes apparent… Why this List? When I watched Magic School Bus (MSB) back in the day, I thought Carlos was hilarious with his punny jokes. It took a long time to realize that those were channeling the best dad jokes. I personally love how there’s a clear...

30 Favorite Toddler Meals

Random Observation/Comment #620: I can’t find a purer way to show my love than through cooking and sharing food. Why this List? As soon as Evie could eat solids, I claimed head chef of the household. It started off with creating purees of everything using our Beaba and making sure we had as many colors as possible throughout the day…...

30 Tricks to Teach Your Toddler

Random Observation/Comment #614: Parents sometimes treat their kids like PR brands or pets. “Look at what my toddler can do.” “See how my child’s intelligence reflects my own.” Why this list? I’ve been reading a lot about what to teach Evie at 18 months so she can build a foundation with learning physical feats, language, grasping new concepts, and understanding...

30 Toddler Calming Techniques

Random Observation/Comment #612: Toddlers are assholes. I read the book. Can confirm. Why this list? My previous post outlined all the signs of your infant transitioning into toddlerhood. Oh, joy. Now what you need, besides a vacation (aka business trip) is a few techniques for distracting or appeasing your child without forming bad habits. We really liked the book “No...

30 Signs of a Toddler

Random Observation/Comment #611: When did my cute baby become a mad (but still cute) toddler? Why This List? It happens slowly with signs of defiance and then all at once – your crawling & cooing infant has become a running & screaming toddler. It’s still extremely enjoyable and immensely rewarding, but very different. I’ve been putting together some personal toddler...

30 Fundamental Development Areas

Random Observation/Comment #608: “I can show you the world. Shining shimmering splendid.” ~Me singing in the shower Why this list? I’m not trying to rewrite education (even though I think it’s broken the way it exists today in the US with unbalanced debt-to-job expectations). Instead, I’d like to think about the fundamental lessons and personal development that naturally occurs outside...

30 New Little Things

Random Observation/Comment #607: She’s the missing TARDIS to my Doctor Who. Why this list? I lived for a lot of little things and even wrote a whole list about it: http://seelemonslive.com/2015/08/07/list-of-30-the-little-things/ Since writing this list, there have been a lot of new little things that have been making me beam with pride and joy. Happiness still comes in little doses....

30 Signs of Parenting Addiction

Random Observation/Comment #603: Conversations between parents are like therapy sessions. Conversations with a new parent and expecting parent are like coaching pep talks. We love parenting. It’s really difficult and sometimes boring, but also unexpectedly exciting. We find ourselves obsessed with the learning patterns and impressed with not-so-impressive things. She’s taught us a lot about ourselves and given us a...

30 Conversation Topics with Babies

Random Observation/Comment #602: I’m pretty sure she said “Daa Daa” to me first. I’m pretty sure this is a game I don’t want to win. Why this List It’s never too early to start talking with your baby. This helps with voice recognition and pattern recognition for inflections and intonations. I’ve been talking with Evie since she was still in...

Baby Gadgets

Random Observation/Comment #601: Yes, we’ll probably buy that thing we’ll only use for 3 months. It’s very easy to spend money on babies and baby goods. I no longer buy things or own things for myself — it’s all just baby stuff. While we’ve been fooled by some products with cool ideas and no practicality (e.g. squeezy spoons), we’ve also...

Leaving a Legacy

Random Observation/Comment #600: Daddy-daughter songs are sometimes creepy, but I totally get it. Being a parent really changes everything. My daily routine is completely different. My priorities have definitely shifted. Plus, my life philosophies and musings tend to be less about checking off a list and more about building a foundation. I sing these words every night: Someday we’ll all...

Fourth Trimester Retro Pt 2

Random Observation/Comment #598: Quality over quantity. Time will pass by in a blink, but we’ll have the memories. While we cover the dress, travel, and play-time aspect of the Fourth Trimester in Part 1, this section will focus on people and relationships – you, each other, family, and friends with the newborn. Visits Everyone is probably super excited to see...

Fourth Trimester Retro Pt 1

Random Observation/Comment #597: I’m either sleep deprived or time has sped up. The “fourth trimester” is a term that refers to the first three months of a baby’s life. It’s during this time where your baby still needs an environment like the womb and is most  vulnerable as they can’t do things like pick up their head yet or play...