Josh is out of town so I ended up taking the kids to the park on my own Friday evening - but before you go thinking what a good mom I am...know that I'm not.
It's just my 'parenting by diversion' plan...
Divert them with something entertaining so they're too busy to drive you crazy.
And this merry-go-round thingy is the perfect diversion.
It makes them happy.
It keeps them entertained.
It wears them out.
It gives you time to sit and ponder on how cute they are when they're diverted.
And if you're really smart...you stay long enough that they're all worn out and ready to go to bed by the time you get them home.
And so why is that not good parenting! Sounds pretty good to me! ;)
Posted by: Cathy | March 07, 2010 at 05:25 PM
Luuuv the new pics on your header. Too cute!
Posted by: Jamie K | March 07, 2010 at 05:35 PM
this made me smile...I am typing a life is good post and one of the reasons it is good is for little boys who have played so long outside they crash on the couch...I'm with you on the diversion idea :)!!
Posted by: Lynn | March 07, 2010 at 05:42 PM
oh the last pic of annie is adorable!!!! i mean seriously that pout face is priceless
Posted by: Lori | March 07, 2010 at 05:44 PM
I know that tactic! Looks like your plan worked by the face on Annie in the last photo!
Posted by: Mallory | March 07, 2010 at 06:01 PM
exercise is good for them, right?
Posted by: Carla | March 07, 2010 at 06:03 PM
Loved all these shots!
Posted by: Addie | March 07, 2010 at 06:08 PM
I think you have excellent parenting skills!! And photos to prove it!!
Posted by: Sandy Brown | March 07, 2010 at 06:13 PM
Parenting by diversion was my plan the whole year my husband was deployed! You still have to feed them after the diversion though. You're never totally off the hook! : )
Posted by: vera | March 07, 2010 at 06:31 PM
I love it! Diversion parenting is my new philosophy!
Posted by: Deanna | March 07, 2010 at 07:56 PM
Love the photos- what a fun merry go round!
I think it does make you a good mom :)
You know tricks that keep your kids and YOU happy.
Posted by: Jacki | March 07, 2010 at 08:45 PM
And that is just what "good" moms do. Hope you have a quiet, restful evening1
Posted by: janel | March 07, 2010 at 09:19 PM
You forgot the best part, it gives you a chance to take photos and they mostly don't care.
Posted by: Lisa | March 07, 2010 at 10:27 PM
When my Husband was traveling.I used to shut all the curtains early,feed and bath them early and yawn away.It worked a treat.They were always fooled and they got to have a nice long sleep.Ahh Bliss......
Posted by: Karen Aldrin | March 08, 2010 at 12:41 AM
You did exactly what I would do and plan to do next weekend when my husband travels out of town for 5 days. Keep him busy with plenty of outdoor activities. Visit the grandparents. Bake. Decorate for Easter. Just anything other then let him watch too much TV or video games. Diversions are ok. YOU could have just let them trash the house and watch tv all day. Your a great mom. And you got great pix too!! Koodo's for being creative with your time.
Posted by: tricia | March 08, 2010 at 03:59 AM
Looks like fun...and it beats the heck out of parking them in front of the T.V....You ARE a nice mom and don't you forget it!
Happy Monday!
Posted by: Brandi | March 08, 2010 at 05:23 AM
You're so smart. I seem to recall the many times I did the same. I must be smart too! Another great way is PT (that would be military lingo for physical training); I've got 12 year old boys and there isn't anything like telling them to go run a mile and when they come back in tell them to go bike 2 miles and when they come back in to do pushups and sittups. They actually get a kick out of it.
Although I'm not sure it would work for Annie.
Posted by: Susan Bowers | March 08, 2010 at 05:29 AM
Been there, done that! :) Now, that my youngest in in high school it is just the opposite! She has a diversion plan...run the parents ragged and wear them out so they'll hand over the car keys! ;)
Posted by: Gena - MI | March 08, 2010 at 06:39 AM
The pictures are beautiful! Helps that you have beautiful kids to take pictures of. Look at Annie's face on the last picture! Adorable!
Posted by: Dina | March 08, 2010 at 06:48 AM
You are a good mom because you do know how to create a great diversion LOL. Love the photo's and that last one of Annie is way too cute!
Posted by: Deneen | March 08, 2010 at 06:50 AM
LOL! I didn't know the name of my parenting style, but now I do!!
Posted by: Sue | March 08, 2010 at 07:02 AM
Oh, God love her ! That face just makes me want to give her a hug and tell her everything's gonna be ok. Isn't it funny how your "Mom Instincts" kick in when you see that look on a kids face ?!
BTW - Great idea about the distraction - almost makes me wish my kids were still young enough for that to work on them !
Posted by: =^..^= | March 08, 2010 at 07:10 AM
That is soooo true! Sometimes, it is just a great opportunity to get some great photos and not listen to the fighting! Great job!
Posted by: colette | March 08, 2010 at 07:16 AM
OH SO TRUE!!!! love this post!
Posted by: Sheryl | March 08, 2010 at 08:24 AM
How cute is that pouty face? I did the same this weekend too while the weather was somewhat decent for us to wear ourselves out.
Posted by: Huyen | March 08, 2010 at 08:30 AM
sounds like good parenting to me....I have been known to do that exact thing (playground, Ikea, Mall of America, Legoland, etc.) all so that I don't spend the evening at home alone with my kids (aka: at the end of my rope, yelling at my kids!)
I want my kids to remember the time they were young, doing fun things and not their mom yelling at them.
Posted by: julip | March 08, 2010 at 08:53 AM
smart mama!!
Posted by: teresa b | March 08, 2010 at 09:05 AM
Karen Russell, you've discovered the secret of parenting!!!!
Posted by: Kimberly | March 08, 2010 at 09:15 AM
I love all of your shots, as usual. That last one of Annie, though, is so adorable. That little pouty face makes you wonder what is wrong and want to fix it for her.
Posted by: Janna | March 08, 2010 at 09:46 AM
GREAT plan mom and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pouty face on Annie in the last picture. Does she just do that on "cue" per your request or does she really go from all smiles to pouty in a short time?! LOL Either way she's too cute for words and an absolute doll! :o)
Posted by: Tracy | March 08, 2010 at 10:48 AM
Oh goodness, that last photo of your little Pouting Annie looks like you must have said to her, "Come on, it's time to go home!" Beautiful photos, beautiful post. And I'm usually a parenting-by-diversion mom too. :)
Paulette
Posted by: Paulette | March 08, 2010 at 11:00 AM
Wait a minute...you use the term 'parenting by diversion' like it's a bad thing. It's one of the biggest bullet points in our parenting plan :) Cute pictures!
Posted by: Nicole Kberg | March 08, 2010 at 12:18 PM
You're such a good Mom!! Love your strategy!! And the terminology sounds like a great title for a book!! Awesome shots of your day at the park!! :)
Posted by: ♥ ♥ Debbie | March 08, 2010 at 01:37 PM
oh.....and LOVE the photos on your header!!!!
Posted by: ♥ ♥ Debbie | March 08, 2010 at 01:38 PM
Love the last photo of Annie!
Posted by: Kelli | March 08, 2010 at 02:21 PM
sounds VERY familiar!
Posted by: cynthia | March 08, 2010 at 02:22 PM
Oh my Gosh, that pout seriously cracks.me.UP!! ('Course, I don't have to deal with the whining that might accompany it sometimes) You ARE a great mom!!
Posted by: MilliD | March 08, 2010 at 03:09 PM
i remember those days.
Posted by: Traci | March 08, 2010 at 03:50 PM
That's my favorite trick..plus the bonus that I always get to take photos while they play at the park!
Posted by: Jennifer S | March 08, 2010 at 07:06 PM
now THAT is a merry go 'round! I've done many a diversion in my mothertime...TV and DVD watching rank HIGH...
Posted by: jakki | March 09, 2010 at 05:40 AM
Amen sister!!
Posted by: Val | March 09, 2010 at 06:33 AM
We just don't have parks like that...I remember staying in Wilsonville? Oregon and being blown away by the park. My boys wanted to move there immediately. I have fond memories of that place (I of course my camera in the hotel charging a battery ~ ugh!).
Love your pics ~ you are amazing!
Junelle
Posted by: Junelle | March 09, 2010 at 07:36 AM
This was what I did yesterday! Love the pouty face too!
Posted by: Crystal | March 09, 2010 at 10:02 AM