New at the Southern Institute... Preschoolers 101!

Well, I can't tell you how excited I am about this!  You all know that I have a preschooler, Luke.  You also know that Luke challenges my patience like no other.  It's not that he's a bad kid.  He is one of the sweetest and funniest kids I know, but he can be incredibly stubborn and disobedient.  Add that to my little control issues and well, it's not pretty when these two forces collide.  Enter Heather Palatucci from A Happy Wanderer.  

Heather and I have been getting to know each other through email over the last few months.  Another wonderful woman that I would never have met had it not been for blogging!  She is a wonderful person and loving mother, not to mention talented!  Check out her shop.  Every time I visit her blog I leave smiling.  Add to that the fact that she taught preschool for 10 years... that's right!  Naturally I have been picking her brain and thought, wouldn't it be nice if she could do a series here at the Southern Institute?  I know I could use a little help  with my preschooler, could you?  Lucky for us, Heather agreed!  Here she is to introduce herself...

Let me start by thanking you, Jenny, for having me as a guest blogger!  I'm once again humbled by your invitation.  I'm so excited to be writing about something so close to my heart :)  

Well, I'd like to formally introduce myself...my name is Heather, and I am the mother of my little guy, Leo (who is now 21 months old), and the wife of my amazing husband, Brian.  Prior to having Leo, I was a special education teacher for almost 10 years.  Most recently, and for the longest stretch of my career, with preschoolers.  So, while I do not yet have my own preschool-aged kiddo, many have come through my life.  I'm still anxious to see what happens when Leo gets to be that age...and if he's really going to throw me for a loop!  As a teacher, I've had the privilege of really getting to know many, many 3, 4, and 5 year olds, and along with them, many, many learning styles...behavior styles...parenting styles...and the list goes on.  Those experiences have already been priceless in raising my son.  I do need to add, though, that once I had my son, much of what I learned, and what I used in the classroom, changed dramatically.   I learned that even with all the strategies I have in my back pocket, my son is my son and life is life.  Sometimes things change.  Sometimes what I said yesterday doesn't apply today, and that's okay.  We're all human.  Most importantly, we're all in this together.  It's not about being in charge as a parent or a teacher, it's about living harmoniously.  It's about being happy.  It's about understanding each other, and really knowing what we each need.  With that flexibility, comes a fruitful life...each and everyday.

Jenny has so kindly invited me to write a series of posts, and I'm thrilled!  We've collaborated and come up with several areas to cover, all about those complex little preschool aged cutie pies!  Look forward to information on development, behavior, calming techniques, expressing emotions, and more!  

Thank you so much Heather!  I am really looking forward to this series.  To all of my mommy (and daddy) friends...tell your friends, tell anyone that has a preschooler!  Tell them to visit the Southern Institute starting this week.  We will start with the first installment this Thursday!  Can't wait to see you there!