New Nigerian Goat Kids Video 3

New Nigerian Goat Kids Video 2

Here are our New Goats

Diamond (White and Black) and Topaz (White and Tan)
Nigerian Dwarf Kids

Codependency

What is Codependency?
Codependency is an unhealthy relationship based on an addiction to connection with another person.  It often appears to be extreme selflessness and obsession with the health and well-being of another to the detriment of oneself.  The most common codependent relationship is between parent and child.

Why is it a Problem?
Codependent parents are generally obsessive and over-protective, keeping their children from having normal relationships and life experiences.  Children with a codependent parent often do not have the experiences necessary to help them become successful, independent adults.  A codependent relationship between parent and child frequently damages other relationships, including that of the parents with one another, as well as the non-codependent parent and the child.

Types of Codependent Parent-Child Relationships:

1. Controlling Parent - This is the parent who wants to control all aspects of his/her child's life, such as clothing, activities and friends.  He/she will assist the child in activities that the child should be able to complete themselves.  He/she will also use manipulation tactics such as nagging, yelling, etc. to get his/her way.  This parent never admits to being wrong or apologizes.
2. Parent that has a fear of rejection - This parent fears their child will reject him/her and so rarely establishes rules or holds the child to them.  He/she has a difficult time telling a child 'no' and sticking to it.  Also, He/she rarely disciplines the child and tries to be more of a friend than a parent.  If the child is unhappy, this parent can not be happy.

Signs you are a Codependent Parent: 

1. You use guilt in order to get your children to do what you want them to do. (Controlling)
2. Your children accuse you of never listening. (Controlling)
3. You prefer to choose your child's activities, friends, etc. (Controlling)
4. You never admit to being wrong and rarely apologize. (Controlling)
5. You live vicariously through your children by pushing them to do things you wanted to do that they are not really interested in doing. (Controlling)
6. You manipulate situations that don't go your way by yelling, crying, silent treatment, etc. (Controlling)
7. Your significant other complains about how much attention the children receive. (Controlling and Fear of Rejection)
8. You assist your children with tasks that they can easily do themselves and often put their health and well-being above your own. (Controlling and Fear of Rejection)
9. You fear rejection from your children to the point that you are afraid to tell them 'no' or set boundaries. (Fear of Rejection)
10. You feel responsible for your children's feelings and can only be happy when they are happy. (Fear of Rejection)

How to Stop your Codependent Tendencies:

1. The most important thing that you can do to stop being codependent is to recognize and admit that you are codependent.
2. Learn all you can about codependency and recognize the signs in yourself.
3. Once you begin to recognize the signs of codependency in yourself, you can work on changing those thoughts or actions for healthy ones. A list of examples follows.

Examples of Codependent vs. Healthy Thinking:

Codependent Thinking	Healthy Thinking
If I can get my child to change xyz, his/her life will be better.	I can only change myself.
If I can control this situation for my child, it will work out for the best.	I can only control myself.
My child isn't happy, so I can't be happy.	My happiness does not depend on anyone else's.
I'm going to do this for my child so that it is done right or faster.	It would be better if my child did this for him/herself, even if it isn't perfect so that he/she can learn from the experience.
I have to say yes or my child will hate me.	It's okay to say no for the benefit of my child.
My child won't do anything unless I nag/yell/cry/etc.	It is okay to let my child make his/her own choices and mistakes so that he/she can learn from them.
I'm keeping my child safe by protecting him/her from the consequences of his/her mistakes.	My child needs to learn from his/her mistakes by accepting and experiencing the consequences.
I'm keeping my child safe by not allowing them to participate in xyz or be away from me.	I need to recognize that even though there is a small chance my child will be injured, etc. it is good for them to participate in activities or be away from me occasionally.
I'm running myself ragged for my child but it is worth it to give them the best.	I'm no good to anyone if I don't take care of myself.
I know I said my child couldn't do xyz but I don't want to raise a fuss even though they didn't listen.	Setting rules, establishing boundaries, and having my child follow them is important so that they learn to do so when they become an adult.
My child doesn't want to do xyz but I know that they will love it because it is something I always wanted to do.	It is okay that my child has different interests than I do.
Admitting I'm wrong or apologizing will show that I am weak.	Admitting I'm wrong or apologizing will show that everyone makes mistakes and teach my child how to properly react when the need arises.

Sources: WeHaveKids, PsychologyToday, BigElephant, BetterHelp

New Nigerian Goat Kids Video

We brought home two of our new goats today.  They are Nigerian Dwarf twins.  The little black and white doe is Diamond and the white and tan whether is Topaz.  They were named after my husband and daughter's birthstones.

Chicks Outside Video

Animal Injuries

This was a week for animal injuries.  I'm not sure what happened to Tigger but he came in with this lump on his right cheek.  It swelled even worse than is shown in the picture.  At first, I thought it was an abscessed tooth, but it wasn't hot to the touch and it continued to swell.  My husband thinks he was stung by something.  I gave him benadryl twice a day for several days and the swelling finally went away.

Kinka ripped a nail out of one of the toes on her back paw.  I cleaned it up and sprayed wound care on it for a few days.  She is doing much better.  Don't you just love her princess chair? 

Chicks Outside

I took the chicks outside for the first time the other day.  I put them in the dog kennel while I cleaned out their brooder.  I went to get them water and when I came back, this is what I saw:

My daughter was in the kennel with the chicks all huddled in her lap like she was their mother hen!

Surprise Eggs

I found this stash of eggs in a corner of one of our stalls under the garden stakes!  There were 20 eggs.  The irony is that our chicks are all still in the brooder in our basement.  These eggs were layed by a chicken that belongs to the neighbor next door. 😉

Check out the difference between the store-bought egg (white) and the egg laid by the neighbor's chicken (brown).

Ducks First Water Experience

Cauliflower Crust Pizza

I made an awesome cauliflower crust pizza. The best recipe is here.  The key really is to squeeze all the water out. My first attempt didn't turn out so well. ;) Once you make the crust you can top it with just about anything you can put on a pizza.  My daughter had fun shaping her own crust and then adding toppings.  Pizza without the carbs!

Japanese Knotweed

This plant is called Japanese Knotweed.  It is extremely difficult to get rid of as it is much like bamboo with deep, tuber-like roots.  Fortunately, unlike bamboo, Japanese Knotweed is not toxic to horses and goats.  The previous owner brought a tiny twig of this stuff home and had the 'brilliant' idea to plant it right next to a corner of the barn. 😒 The plant is now growing in a swath at least 8' by 4', pushing the metal barn panels and growing up inside the wall.  We have found that the dried stalks make excellent kindling and I'm sure the goats will love it when they come in June.

Depression in Children

Children absolutely can suffer from depression! 

Depression in children is more than a fleeting sadness or occasional grumpy mood.  Generally, if the child has cause to be sad and gets over his/her sadness within a reasonable time, 2 weeks according to MedicineNet and ADAA (see sources below), then it is not clinical depression.  However, there are many symptoms that point to a child suffering from depression.  Signs of depression in children are often different from signs of depression in adults. Some of the symptoms of depression in children include:

• Loss of interest in activities that the child used to enjoy
• Irritability or other disruptive behaviors that interfere with normal social interactions
• Significant drop in performance at school or in other extra-curricular activities
• Unwarranted angry outbursts or abnormal acting out
• Sadness or hopelessness that doesn't go away
• Tiredness or other physical complaints that don't respond to treatment
• Difficulty sleeping, change in appetite and/or trouble concentrating
• Critical attitude, constant complaining, focusing on problems, fault-finding
• Low self-esteem, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, calling themselves stupid

Children may exhibit some or all of these symptoms. Drug use may also be involved as the cause of the depression or a symptom of the depression.  The ultimate result of untreated depression can be suicide so it is important to recognize the symptoms early and get the child help.

Depression is a treatable illness! 

If you suspect that your child is suffering from depression, the first step is to go to the child's regular physician.  Discuss the child's symptoms with the physician and see what the doctor suggests for a next step.  If your child gets regular check-ups their doctor will have a medical record and should know best how to help the child.  The doctor may also be able to refer you to a good child psychologist.  Depression is most often effectively treated through a combination of therapy and medication.  Therapy may work without medication but medication is only a short-term fix if not joined with counseling.

Depression is often coupled with an anxiety disorder.  For information about anxiety in children, including a symptom list, please click here.

Sources: WebMD, MedicineNet, ADAA, KidsHealth

2 Clowns Review

This gorgeous face and balloon unicorn were quickly and expertly made by a funny and friendly gentleman from the company 2Clowns.  He was a master with the balloons, creating this beauty while telling jokes and talking to us about his business.  He said he was able to make hundreds of different balloon sculptures from memory.  He was also the fastest face painter I have ever seen!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

City Smells

My five-year-old daughter and I were driving in the car with the windows down and the wind blowing. I turned around to look at her and saw that she was holding her nose. I asked her what she was doing. She answered, "I'm used to city smells, I'm not used to country smells." LOL 

The Ladybug Game Review

We love this game!

My daughter has been playing this game since she was three.

Now she is six and she still loves to guide her ladybug through the garden!

The most amazing thing about The Ladybug Game is that it was created by a 6 year old girl!  Her first grade teacher taught the class about ladybugs and had the children do a project about ladybugs.  Kylie Copenhagen came up with the idea for this game for her project.

 

The Ladybug Game is really inventive.  Children learn about the life of a ladybug, numbers and counting and social skills when playing this game.  Instructions are simple for young children. 

The game board is bright and colorful.  Your first obstacle is to get past the Praying Mantis without being eaten.  You must also collect 10 aphids to entice the ants to let you pass by them.  First one to pass through the obstacles and make it to the rose garden is the winner.

The playing pieces are super cute little ladybugs. Two boys and two girls with different colors and names to match.

The Praying Mantis Pass gets you past the Praying Mantis so that he doesn't eat you.  If you run into the Praying Mantis without a pass, you go back to start and try again.

Ladybug cards give you either a number of spaces to move or aphids to collect.  If you get a ladybug on your card, you get to go again.

The game comes with a story that explains more about the game and the life of the ladybug.

Pure Romance Miracle Oil Review

Before

To the left is a clear picture of the eczema on my hand.  I have had these small, red bumps for years and have never found a product to remove them, until now!  I used the Pure Romance Miracle Oil every night for a month and the result is below.  Before bed I would take a small amount of the Miracle Oil in the dropper and squeeze tiny drops onto the bumps.  After letting the  

After

oil sit for a minute I would rub it in to my skin.  Last, I would apply my normal lotion (right now I am using Aveno, but it varies).  You can clearly see the difference in the pictures!  Comment below if you are interested and need to find a representative of the business. Scroll down for more pictures.

BEFORE

AFTER

Easy Felt Doll Sleeping Bag

This doll sleeping bag is super easy, even if you are not much for sewing!

Cut a piece of strong fabric, like felt, in a rectangle shape that is twice as long as the doll you are making the sleeping bag for and at least two inches wider on each side.  (For example, for a 12" doll the rectangle would be 24" x 6")

Fold the piece of felt in half.

Thread a needle with a long strand of string (or more than one if you are going through thicker material or need a stronger strand).

Start sewing at the base of one side down by the crease edge so that your stray strands of string don't stick out the top of the sleeping bag.  (You can see I didn't do this in the picture.)

You can use any sewing type you like as long as you sew up the edge completely.

Once you have sewn down both edges you can tie off and cut the strands.

Turn the material inside-out so that the sewn edge is on the inside.

Straighten the corners and you are all finished!

The New Tractor

My husband found this little beauty for $800! Once he charges the battery, hopefully it will run! 😂