Poor Puppy

I've never been a dog person. Meaning, I think they should be treated humanely, and I think pets should have loving homes, but I don't feel like that home is with me. 

About two weeks ago, my in-laws dropped their dog off at our house so they could enjoy their Alaskan cruise. They told me beforehand that the dog had a heart condition and might not make it. I wrote it off. And joked about it. 

And then the dog died last night. The night before he was supposed to go home. 

And I have no idea how to process this. If it hadn't happened at my house, I honestly don't think the dog's death would have much of an impact on me. And I realize there is nothing we did to cause it. The dog died peacefully in his sleep after having a treat before bed. But I feel guilty. And bad. 

The dog's owners have been notified and his remains are buried. And I guess I move on? I found a way to explain the Circle of Life to Hailey (I think). And I keep on keepin' on. 

RIP, Oskar. 

Things I Don't Know How to Process

Today Hailey asked for the iPad. By name, as in "I want iPad." It's her first technology ask (besides DragonTales, which I suppose counts). 

Is it bad that she wants to play with the screen? It's far from the first time she's asked for a toy - baby, blankie, tea, animal, ball, etc. And while she has liked playing with the iPad for a long time, it's now apparently part of her routine. 

I think it's OK. She plays with plenty of technology and non-technology toys. She sits sometimes and runs sometimes. And when it's not -50 she's perfectly content outside. So while I am definitely raising a 21st century daughter, I think she'll be OK. 

That's Not How We Behave

Now that Hailey's at an age where she occasionally needs to be punished, there's a whole new series of decisions to make. What deserves a punishment? Is there a warning? What is the actual punishment? Why are toddler punishments such a pain for the parents? And the list goes on. 

Some decisions aren't too tough. Time-outs, one minute or slightly more, one warning, boring consistency. 

But as she ages, and even now, these decisions will be harder. Nick and I recently had a discussion about teenage drinking, and we didn't immediately agree (we aren't that far off, and we have some time to decide so it's hardly code red). Grandparents and the general public have opinions they are all happy to share. 

And the consistency. Ugh. It's so easy to let things slide. Or to bend the rules occasionally. Or to make rules on the spot. Some of this will happen and some of it's OK. But it never makes it easier. 

And now I am overthinking. My parenting style usually involves overthinking. It will all work out. There's no perfect way to parent, but there are lots of pretty good ways.