Like most cute 3-year-olds, Mazen has his share of funny phrases. Cinnamon Swirl Bread is known as “cinnamon squirrel bread” around here, and we dare not correct him it is just so cute!
He has also just learned how to say “L’s.” “Pwayground” and “swide” are now playground and slide, with a really heavy and pronounced “L” sound. It’s very cute!
The other morning at breakfast Mazen pointed to the side of his mango yogurt and said, “Mommy, this says ‘fresh mango yogurt'”. Of course he can’t read yet, but he sure seemed like he could!
I stumbled upon an article in Real Simple titled “45 Books to Get Kids Through Life’s Trickiest Transitions.” The article covers everything from divorce to new siblings. I jumped to the divorce section and ordered one of their recommendations, and two more that I found on Amazon in the related category.
These were the three I ordered:
Two Homes is a FANTASTIC book!! The little girl, Alex, tells the reader about her two houses and all the cool things she gets to do with each parent. Mazen really connected with the book, especially when I pretended that Alex had similar things, like a Star Wars toothbrush at Mommy’s and a Super Mario toothbrush at Daddy’s.
It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear
In contrast, I HATED Koko Bear!! This book was depressing, even to me. It makes it sounds like grown-ups are supposed to fight and Koko bear is just so sad throughout. While I think the authors wanted kids to connect with Koko’s sadness, to me it makes it seem like kids are supposed to be sad. Koko also draws a photo of his family and isn’t sure what to do because he has two houses. He looks over at his friend who is painting a perfect traditional family pictures and he feels bad. In my opinion it would have been smarter for the authors to show a few different kinds of families to show that everyone has a unique situation – perhaps a family with only one parent or a family with two moms or two dads. I now make up my own words to this book because I found the messages to be so negative.
LOVE this one! It’s not about divorce in particular – it’s a story about twins who are scared during a thunderstorm and who seek out their mother, who then explains to them that their hearts are connected by invisible strings at all times. She gives all kinds of examples of times when we might tug at our strings to feel connected to those we love. Mazen seemed to understand the concept, and we’ve continued to talk about invisible strings during the daytime. He hilariously thinks the strings join our bodies at the nipple, and we have two because we have two parents! Insightful, Mazen : )
Judith says
I read “Love Waves” by a Rosemary Wells with my almost 3-year-old. When mama is not with her, I’m always sending love waves that she catches. More about working parents but relevant to divorce and separate homes (I am in that boat, too): http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11162467-love-waves
Katie says
My daughter has two moms. She loves The Family Book by Todd Parr. It represents all types of families. Actually, we have a lot of Todd Parr books and love them all but The Family Book may be what you are looking for. Heather Has Two Mommies is a good one too. While it is mostly concentrated on a little girl with two moms, her teacher has her class draw pictures of their families so that they can see how different they all are (including divorced parents, single parents and same sex parents).
http://www.amazon.com/Family-Book-Todd-Parr/dp/0316070408/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1462882886&sr=8-1&keywords=the+family+book
http://www.amazon.com/Heather-Has-Mommies-Leslea-Newman/dp/0763666319/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1462883006&sr=1-1&keywords=heather+has+two+mommies
Katie says
Also, my daughter’s (who is two months younger than Mazen) favorite breakfast is banana oatmeal. She calls it “oatmilk” and we don’t correct her either. It is just too cute!
KathEats says
Aw cute! We just ate some!
Robin R says
We LOVE Todd Parr books.
Kathy v says
I love Two Homes! I provide counseling to military children and that is the book we read and discuss when their parents are separating/divorcing.
KathEats says
Glad to hear that!
Tonya says
Maaaan. I was gonna make a thoughtful comment, but then the nipple strings made me “LOL!” so hard that it doesn’t even matter. HA!
cara says
Our youngest who is 10 still says homelets and we never correct her, lol! I love it when they say things like that! I love that there are so many resources out there for so many different situations!!
I love seeing how happy you are:)
Katie says
We were given the Invisible String to help our 4 year old with the passing of our 8 month old baby. That book is great because its meaning can be applied to so many situations as you said! You’re a good momma to be looking for ways to help your son and ease him into this new transition.
KathEats says
Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry for your loss
Hannah @CleanEatingVeggieGirl says
How funny! When I was a child I called swirl ice cream “squirrel ice cream.” I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who has done this 😉
Leah Finn says
you are awesome, kath! mazen will be totally fine through all this b/c of your amazing parenting. adorable books! my daughter Charlotte just turned 3 and she can’t say L’s either! i want her to talk normally but also kinda-not b/c it’s soooo darn cute :0) have a wonderful day – Leah
Amanda says
I am so glad that parents and children have these kinds of resources out there to help them through changes in their lives!
Julia says
Thanks for sharing these book reviews. I LOVE Mazen’s shirt with the dino sporting bowties! May I ask where you got it, please? Thanks!
KathEats says
I think it came from Mini Boden. LOVE their clothes!!!
Becky says
Hey Kath, when you made “The Post” it sounded like divorce was not necessarily a forgone conclusion….but now it’s sounding more like it is? Just wondering how the separation has helped you figure out where you’re headed. I’ll continue to keep all of you in my thoughts! Sure seems like you are all striving to do your best and doing a good job of it!
Sarah says
My parents divorced when I was 5. I vividly remember crying and feeling really, really sad. Perhaps keep the Koko book around in case Mazen isn’t always feeling so positive. How great for you that he is handling it so well so far!! Definitely a difficult time for everyone.
Natalie says
Hi Sarah. Can I ask a question? I am divorced and dating a guy who is recently divorced with a 5 year old. We talk alot about if she is going to remember any of this (she seems to be handling everything very well). Did you parents get along during this time of your life? I just wonder if you wouldn’t mind sharing anything that could have made things easier on you. Thanks for sharing!
Sarah G says
Hi kath, as someone who is currently going through a divorce with children. What is your assessment of how Mazen is doing? Does he ask questions? My three year old acts as if nothing is wrong 🙁
KathEats says
He seems to be doing great. The only sign that we can tell he knows what’s going on is he told a friend that his daddy doesn’t live at his house anymore. But that was followed by some comment about Star Wars at Daddy’s house, so I guess he wasn’t too upset by it. He loves going to Matt’s and obviously likes our house too.
Amanda says
Books are great for getting little ones through life changes! I love the sound of The Invisible String. Sounds like it might help with my son’s separation anxiety.
My kiddo used to call swimming goggles “gobbles”. It was soooooo cute! ????
Vicki says
Just wanted to say how great it is that you are sharing the realities of modern families. Your honesty, whilst still protecting Matt and Mazen seems to be working well. If this is what you are doing in real life then I think Mazen, and you, will be just fine xxx
Alana says
I called grilled cheese, girl cheese for a long time. 🙂
Linda says
My daughter does the exact same thing, and she always talks about it. She’ll ask why is it called “girl cheese”? It does sound like it though.
Lindsey Jensen says
Aww, I did that too! It’s a sandwich just for us 😉
aimee says
My 3 year old is notorious for saying things”wrong” but they are just so cute! My current favorite is upside down became applesauce down. Kids! 🙂
Lee says
My 2-year old says most things correctly except that he calls strawberries “bobbyboos.” So now my husband and I refer to them as bobbyboos.
Alaina says
I agree — Koko Bear is the WORST! Super depressing and looking to blame. Good luck with your transition!
leatitia says
Two nipples for two parents, how adorable!!
My son ‘normal’ is living with mommy and going to see dad when its vacation time. He has examples of houses with two parents and houses with one parent. For him, it’s not sad per say, it’s just like that. Some children have two parents living together, others, just one. He says it like, yep, that’s normal.
What affects him is when dad doesn’t show up or leaves early. He cries when dad leaves and that’s heartbreaking. I hug him and tell him I understand, it’s normal to feel like this. I’m sorry you’re sad. It’s hard.
Becca says
Seems like you’re doing a lovely job with all these transitions, Kath. Sending good wishes!
Megan says
Long time reader here, i just lurk way more than i actually comment. These book suggestions look great. I can really relate to your post, although we have different situations. My husband is deployed all year,and although we are still married, my kids,ages two and four, are still experiencing a rather big transition. Its really remarkable how well kids can adjust to big changes and accept a new normal. You’re a great mom with a very positive way of explaining these changes to your son.
Alice says
My mother insists I learned to read when I was three, so he could be right on the verge!