Game of "Thrones": A Young Prince Who Detests Potty Time

Here ye Here ye, I will be the first to admit that potty training is F***ING hard and I wouldn't even be that mad if my two unruly direwolves (ok...dogs) took the liberty of training Rylan to do his business on our tree out front. Unfortunately, society looks down on a feral child raised by wolves, and at some point in his life he does have to use a toilet (weddings, funerals, school days ending in Y), so we are pulling out all the stops with encouraging the little lord to ascend his porcelain throne.
This is not an isolated incident--I have on good authority that I was a bit of a wee beast to potty train as a child (who me?). My competitive spirit took over when a little girl 6 months younger than myself successfully used the potty and I was green with envy. Low and behold, a toilet trained star was born! Having a strong-willed toddler of my own (laws of the universe), I realized early on that every kiddo is different and that it's a grave injustice forcing them to take something on before they are ready (remember all those time-sensitive milestones that we have burned into our eyelids by the experts? Yea, those are pretty much crap). My little dude can recite every last Bubble Guppy in alphabetical order according to tail color, but has maintained a steadfast aversion to using his Paw Patrol potty seat for anything other than a floatation device in the bathtub.
We've tried reading books on the toilet every hour on the hour, wearing big boy underpants, fruit loop targets, letting him watch us go (we hear insurance covers therapy nowadays...), running around naked, training schedules, books about potty time, you name it. I've been vigilant to not let myself get frustrated--eventually everyone gets potty trained, right? And these are supposed to be the most fun times of our lives--I don't want it clouded by unnecessary worry. Kids do everything in their own time. The rate in which your child is potty trained is not a reflection of your parenting, good or bad.
With that being said, we wanted to make it as fun as possible for him! When we picked him up from school yesterday, we told him that we were going to the store to pick out special potty prizes for him. The look of excitement on his face when we pulled up to the Target dollar bins section was priceless! Since it's almost Valentine's Day, they had boxes with 16 little dinosaurs to be attached to Valentines for classmates which can now be 16 prizes for the basket! We found tiny superhero figurines, bouncy balls, Doc McStuffins bath stickums, cute stickers that I cut into strips, stamps and mini ink pads, light up bracelets, lollies, slinkies and more! We also found a motivational sign that says, "TODAY IS THE DAY!"

It's important to keep in mind that we only get this one lifetime with our kiddos. As parents, it's not our job to push our kids mercilessly into the harshness of the world, but to help them navigate different methods until they find the ones that work for them. Have fun with it! Giving a child the confidence and support to explore trial and error, fail a few times and then get back on the horse and try again is the best gift we can give them (although Target dollar bin trinkets are a close second). Nothing beats the look of pride on their faces when they finally master something that they've been working on for a long time! Parenting is not a race--you do not get special brownie points in mommy heaven for potty training your kid at 2 years old or getting them to eat all their veggies at every meal. A happy, healthy, loved child is our greatest contribution to this world because they will become happy, healthy, loving adults.
I hope everyone had a magical holiday weekend with your loved ones! Serendipity Mom has some amazing things in store for the New Year, including a sneak peek into the new graphics launch on my Etsy.com page, Serendipity Mom 2! Stay tuned for the next blog highlighting some of the most sought after designs for 2017!

Fifty Custom Christmas Gift Ideas UNDER 50 Dollars

There's nothing that spreads Christmas cheer quite like a mob of sweaty people in tryptophan comas pressing you against the cold glass doors of Target at 3 am in search of the coveted last Hatchimal... Or the rush of adrenaline that courses through your body on the night of Christmas Eve as you scour the empty shelves of your neighborhood CVS in search of anything that can remotely be wrapped or bagged...

Aside from death, childbirth or starting a new job, Christmas shopping tops the list as one of the most painstakingly agonizing life-events in this girl's book. There's something about large crowds throwing elbows at each other to save $20 on a pair of sneakers that really gets me in the giving mood. While many of you will be waiting 30 minutes for a parking spot at the malls this holiday season, I will be calmly sipping festive craft beers on my cozy sheepskin rug, dreaming of the perfect holly spring to tuck into the ribbon on the brown paper packages that I wrapped months ago--(How hipster did I just sound right there?!) 

What if I told you that you could do all your Christmas shopping in one day, on ONE website and everything would be either handmade, personalized or one of a kind? Etsy.com is a charming portal for makers and crafters to display their handcrafted products. It's like an eBay for artisans, but you are buying goods directly from the dealer and cutting out the upcharge that stores tack on. I know for many, it is incredibly daunting to navigate because there are just so many goshdarn adorable options. Lucky for you, since I have zero personal life outside of instagramming my lunches and hot gluing felt, I am something of an Etsy aficionado. Behold, a carefully compiled list of the top 50 gifts under 50 dollhairs. And don't worry--these pieces are all timeless, so they aren't going to go out of style like those little furbies that hatch out of eggs. PLUS, you are supporting small business owners all over the world. Most of these gifts have a quick turn around--you will receive them within a week or two of ordering, even the personalized ones! Be sure to read all ordering and shipping information to ensure that your gifts arrive before the holidays. 

Long forgotten are the days of snowmen neckties and Bill Cosby sweaters for dad. Give the man in your life something he can actually use!

For Men

Engraved pocket knife or multi-tool ($20-$40)
Flannel Pajamas ($45, without monogram)
Monogrammed shaving kit or leather toiletry bag ($20-$40)
Leather Wallet ($40)
Vintage Ammo Can toolbox/storage can ($35-$45)
Rustic iPhone docking station ($35)Engraved flask ($20)
Monogrammed, etched cigar humidor or watch box (starts at $50)
Custom pocket watch ($45)
Game of Thrones whiskey decanter set ($25-$35)

Copper engraved & personalized "Love Reminder" card ($20)
Engraved hammer ($30)
Wooden engraved watch ($45)
Red Clay beer mug ($25)
Dapper Fox print necktie ($30)
Case of craft beer ($30-$40)
Outdoorsy Fleece/Shirt ($20-$45)

I think every woman in the world has at some point owned the same gold heart necklace or Elizabeth Taylor perfume given to her on Christmas morning. While those are tried and true classics, this could be the year to really WOW her!
For Women

Olive green jersey infinity scarf ($45)
Bohemian jewelry ($20-$40)
Fingerless felted gloves ($35)
Chunky nautical knot bracelet ($25)
Rustic handmade soap set ($20-$30)
Celtic knot hair barrette ($20)
Wooden iPad stand ($45)
108 Mala bead necklace, Buddhist jewelry ($20)
Dark wood watch ($50)
Burgundy cotton handbag tote ($40)
Contemporary silver etched business card holder ($20)
Designer patterned leggings ($30-$50)
Dainty pinecone earrings ($6)
Wooden owl hair pin ($25)
China leaf trinket bowl ($45)
Rustic wooden beer or wine tote ($25)
Brown leather driving gloves ($40)

While kids sized Jeeps and American Girl Dolls are every child's dream, budgets don't always agree. Skimp on price, not quality with these one-of-a-kind gifts for kids of all ages.

For Kids

Superhero Cape ($50)
EcoFriendly Dinosaur shaped crayons ($10
Personalized wooden baking utensil set ($20)
Peppa Pig nesting dolls ($20)
DIY Catapult kit ($10)
Personalized wooden Lego tray ($40)
Woodland Animal DIY papercraft kit ($10)
Engraved guitar ($45)
Personalized treasure chest ($45)
Organic handmade construction vehicle play mat ($25)
Zombie brains soap ($5)
Mermaid tail blanket ($30)
Handmade Batman shelf ($45)
Kids' teepee playhouse ($50)
Personalized children's book ($25)
Personalized leather tool belt with kids' tools ($45)
6 pcs crochet vegetables set ($30)
Fairy Garden kit ($30)
Friendly Sloth peekaboo stamp ($10)
Knit stuffed unicorn doll ($45)

Another successful Christmas shopping for the books! And the most important thing to consider is that it's not the gift, but the thought that counts. The true spirit of Christmas is found in the faces of those you love and the bottom of the huge bowl of rum egg nog. Happy holidays to all and much love to you and your family!