Is having a second baby a harder decision than the first?

Deciding to begin a family is one of the most pivotal decisions a person can make. Your first child changes your entire life in more ways than can be counted. It is hard to imagine that when the time comes to make a decision about having a second baby, it seems the decision can sometimes be even bigger than the first time around. Questions arise in new areas. What is the proper spacing between siblings? How will this change the one-on-one connection with the first child? Is it possible to love a second child as much as you love the first?

As parents.com points out in the article "Whether to have another child"

In the end, what is best for the family is not whether you actually do or don't have a second child. It is how that question is handled. It can become a power struggle, a source of battle, or a template for how future conflicts between family members are resolved. If you approach each other with compassion, respect, and a willingness to listen, the two of you can work this out in a way that strengthens both your relationship and the family.

Whether it is a harder decision to add a child to the family varies by family. Talk with others, talk with your spouse and understand that there's no right answer. Be open, and honest and remember that you are simply deciding what is right for you and your family.

Getting involved with children and reading

Raising smart well adjusted children. Isn't that what we all aim for when we enter that process. The expression that it takes a village to raise a child could not be more clear to me today. I saw a segment on the Today show this morning about summer reading. One child read 280 books during the summer. Pretty unbelievable. The show also talked about how much ground a child loses if they do not read and keep up their skills during summer. When my children where young our library had a summer reading program that our children participated in. Some begrudgenly and some with great enthusiasm. Some of my grandchildren live in a community that does not have such a program. We developed our own. Ours is a little different because it not only includes books it involves other activities that teach responsibility and enriches their world with things they might not do without the nudge. We are in year two of this program and all is going well. Last years treat was seasons tickets to to the Boston Children theatre. Lord knows about this year. It is still a work in progress. As grandparents or aunts and uncles we can help by being part of the village and so can your communities. Get involved with the children . It always pays off in spades.
-Margaret

Are we selling our sons short?

For awhile now, we’ve been hearing a lot about how girls should have the opportunity and be encouraged to play with blocks, science kits, and other traditionally “boy” toys. The world needs more women scientists and mathematicians, and the way to get there begins with play. That focus seems to be paying off, as more girls are attending university than boys and women, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics were 49.83% of the work force in the United States in September 2009. At the same time, I don’t think anyone is actively encouraging boys to play with dolls, toy kitchens, or any other toys that teach nurturance and foster imagination, traditionally “girl” toys. If everyone is exclusively focused on careers, who is going to focus on children and family?

Play really is the foundation of a child’s future, and if children aren’t given a wide variety of choices, they may not find their right path. Additionally, as much as we want our girls to succeed in the sciences, don’t we want to encourage our boys to be caring men and good husbands and fathers. I think it is great all that we do to encourage girls, but I worry that we might be selling our boys short. Doesn’t true gender equality come when all of our children are given the same opportunities in play, in education, and beyond.

-Katie