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Mommy Talk
January 2008
Wednesday January 30, 2008
Posted by: Janine Anderson at 1:12PM CST on January 30, 2008
Between Nov. 8 and Jan. 27 I really had no schedule. Whatever the baby wanted, I did. Time to eat? Ok. Time for a diaper change? Got that covered, too. Time to sleep? No problem. Now that I'm back at work, I can't figure out where the day goes. I get up with the baby's last night-time feeding, take a shower, get dressed, make sure I've got all the supplies I need for the day at work, and then head in. Inevitably, I'm a bit behind. Today, I didn't have time to eat breakfast before rushing out the door. I had two slices of pumpkin bread at my desk, but I forgot to take them with me when I had to brave the cold to get to the courthouse. My mid-day break has been a combination of rushing, back to the office, eat some lunch, return the phone call from my husband telling me how things are going with the kiddo, write a Mommy Talk, and make it back to court by 1:30. I wasn't always the world's most organized person, but I had a pretty good handle on how much time things were going to take. Now, I have no idea. When I was home, that didn't matter. I just did what was necessary, when it was necessary. Since my day was all about the baby, that wasn't a problem. Now I'm trying to squeeze pumping sessions in between work duties, and manage to get out of here on time, so I can get home and snuggle the little guy. Any tips from you experienced moms as to how to get my time management skills back under control? Monday January 28, 2008
Posted by: william Kern at 11:32AM CST on January 28, 2008
Lifelink International Adoption invites you to
attend an Information Meeting at 10:00 am, on Saturday, February 23, at its offices in the Trinity UCC, 4435 N. Calhoun Rd., Brookfield, to learn about the process of adopting children internationally. For more information call 262 695-6481 or visit us at www.lifelinkadoption.orgMommy Talk: Remembering to look both ways
Posted by: eyoung at 9:51AM CST on January 28, 2008
When my first daughter was 1-2 months old, our pediatrician gave us our first real assignment. In addition to our daily chores of feeding, diaper changing, leaping clear of projectile spit-up and counting poops (yes, this is something many first-time parents actually do), we were now supposed to encourage our daughter to turn her head to the left. Apparently we were over-stimulating the right side of her world. Her neck muscles were really good at turning her head to the right, but they weren’t so great at turning her head to the left. “Dangle toys on her other side so she looks that way too,” our pediatrician told us. “Make her look to the left.” We didn’t want a one-way kid, so we followed orders. To the left. To the left. Got it. That daughter, I am proud to report, is now 5-1/2 years old and looks both ways with ease. She also rolls her eyes with ease. I’m not sure if that’s related. ... (more)What's the best age to have kids?
Posted by: mlaehr at 9:32AM CST on January 28, 2008
One of my two older sisters had her first child at age 24. She and her husband, who are the same age, now have two kids, a 14-year-old and an 11-year-old. I was chatting with my brother-in-law the other day when I realized he and my sister would be sending their kids off to college before they turn 50. Wow. In today’s day and age, that’s pretty young to be a couple of empty-nesters. Then I calculated my own fate. I also won’t turn 50 until after the last of my chicks has flown the coop. (Although my husband is a few years older.) On the other hand, I have a family member who is in her 40s with two children ages 4 and almost 2, who says she would like to have at least one more child. I also recently found out that another friend who is 40 is pregnant with a third child. It’s a trend of the times, I suppose. Women who carve out careers and independent lives before they settle down and begin families are bound to be older than their mothers were when they have children. A girlfriend of mine who used to be a labor and delivery RN in a busy Dallas hospital said that nearly every mother who walked through the door was under 18 or over 30. But most of my friends, myself included, had our children in our mid to late 20s. What do you think today's norm is for child bearing years? How old were you when you had children? Do you think there are pros or cons to being a younger or older parent? -Marci Thursday January 24, 2008
Posted by: Cheers at 1:06PM CST on January 24, 2008
My daughter is almost 3 1/2. We always consider her very smart. Her memory and humor is far beyond her age. And her common sense is amazing. However, the other day I was looking through my baby book and noticed some things that made me wonder if she is progressing normally. My baby book stated that I could spell and write my name by myself 2 months short of 4 years old. I could also count to 30 and write the entire alphabet. My daughter knows the alphabet and recognizes most of the letters. But she isnt even close to being able to write them - especially her name. And she refuses to count to 10 without my help. She wont even try. She thinks its funny to say "1, 2, 17..." I know all kids are different but I also know that I was/am no genius. So, is she going to be behind? She goes to a very good pre-school...but I havent seen many changes as far as educational. I know I am proably being silly. But I am just curious what others may have to contribute to this. Thanks!!
How much should kids eat at Daycare?
Posted by: jdnmm2003 at 12:46PM CST on January 24, 2008
I always assumed that my child got his snack and that was it. I thought a cup of applesauce and cup of juice. Maybe some pretzels and cheese. That has turned out not to be the case. I was first alerted of this overfeeding problem by a friend. Her son was gaining an unhealthy amount of weight and she wasn't understanding why. After asking his teacher what he eats a day they said that when a child asks for another helping they will give it to them. If that means they want three bowls of macaroni that is what they will get. My daughter is very ACTIVE to say it nicely. I had cut down his sugar intake before she started this new daycare and it seemed to work well. She listened better and could focus. Lately she has really been difficult. I know she is only 4 and that is how kids are, but I try to help anywere I can. I asked the teachers how her appetite was at school, and this is what they told me. That one day she had 4 bowls of applesauce! I know that is natural sugar, but come on. They wonder why she is so hyper and has a hard time concentrating on what they are doing. You are pumping her with tons of sugar. Now I realize this isn't the only reason he has a hard time focusing but I think 4 bowls of fruit for snack is a bit much. Am I over reating?
Friday January 18, 2008
Posted by: ErockforKids at 11:14AM CST on January 18, 2008
Since I saw our name, I had to chime in. We're a local group based out of the Milwaukee area. Check out our music at www.erockforkids.com. We feature an 11-piece band that includes horns, bass, guitar, keyboards, drums and a powerhouse vocal trio. We're playing all over Wisconsin this coming year so checkout our website for tour dates. I also volunteer at local schools to sing in classrooms. If you have or know of a school that might be interested please feel free to contact me through the website. Keep smiling, Erock
Wednesday January 16, 2008
Posted by: mlaehr at 1:03PM CST on January 16, 2008
Last summer we went to my brother and sister-in-law’s for a family party. The kids were playing in the yard. My husband and I were eating and chatting with the other adults, you know, the normal family get-together kind of thing. About halfway through the party my husband and I lost sight of our 4-year-old son. We checked inside the house, in the garage (where the kids had been playing with basketballs) and all over the yard. He couldn’t be found. My husband, frantic, went out the front door and started to walk up and down the street. Our 13-year-old nephew went with him. They spotted my son in the yard of a home across the street and down about a block. My husband was so upset when he got back to the house he was shaking. He’s kind of a Nervous Nelly to begin with, so to find his child had wandered off, across streets and down blocks in a strange neighborhood, really scared him. Even I, usually the more laid back parent, was pretty unhinged. It was at this point that we came to the conclusion that our 4-year-old just can’t be left alone. He’s the type of kid who will go into the desk drawer when your back is turned, take a pen, and use it to scribble on the leather sofa in the family room. He’s climbed the linen closet shelves to reach the nail clipper. Last week my husband caught him trying to open a bag of new Legos with a steak knife from the kitchen butcher block. I don’t get it. He’s a sweet kid. He just does stuff without thinking, and repeatedly touches things he’s been told not to. In one weekend last year he burnt his finger on candle wax, cut himself after taking the razor out of our bathroom shower and hurt his toe opening and shutting the door to the garage. You would think after injuring himself he might have learned! Nope. Just last night I took the baby up to bed and left my boys watching the Wizard of Oz on the couch. At most I was upstairs for 10 minutes. I came downstairs, noticed my 4-year-old was not in the room and panicked. I called his name and he came running out of my bathroom. "What were you doing?" I asked. "Nothing," he said. "Roman, you tell me right now what you were doing," I saw, peering into the bathroom and expecting the worst. Not seeing anything amiss, I ask once again. "What were you doing?" "Putting on nail polish!" he yells at me. Thank God it was the clear stuff. Best kids' music?
Posted by: eyoung at 10:37AM CST on January 16, 2008
There's only so much "High School Musical" one mom can take. Eventually the CD needs to come out of the minivan so I can hear something new. Problem is, my grown-up ears have also grown weary of the other children's music in our collection. I need some suggestions. Calling all parents: What are your favorite children's albums? Who are your favorite artists for kids? Monday January 14, 2008
Posted by: mlaehr at 11:05AM CST on January 14, 2008
Last week I covered the court sentencing of a man who was found guilty of shooting and killing another man. I know this isn’t the usual Mommy Talk topic, but please bear with me a moment. It was awful. Both the moms - the mom of the man who died and the mom of the man sentenced to life in prison - wept hysterically throughout the proceeding. Although I had a job to do, the mom in me had tears threatening to fall too. I was sorry for the woman who lost her child. I was sorry for the other woman who lost her child. It was painful to watch. ... (more)Thursday January 10, 2008
Posted by: eyoung at 8:59AM CST on January 10, 2008
My oldest daughter, age 5-1/2, has decided she wants to be a surgeon. Of course, she's 5-1/2, so we're not enrolling her in pre-med studies yet. But this month, that is her career of choice. She's fascinated with all things medical. (In fact, her first choice would be to actually have surgery, so deep is her desire to get in an operating room. "I just want to see what it looks like!" she enthuses. My husband argues that this is not a valid reason to A) undergo surgery, or B) choose a career: "Watch, we'll put her through med school and she'll take one step in an OR, say 'Oh, so this is how it looks in here' and then quit.") But joking around about her future easily leads to serious thought: How will we pay for it? We're taking some steps now, but we wonder if we're doing enough. How are you saving for your child's education? Do you have Coverdell Education Savings Accounts? EdVest? Do you ask grandparents for financial gifts instead of presents at birthdays or holidays? What smart steps are you taking now to make them smarter later?
Tuesday January 8, 2008
Posted by: eyoung at 2:04PM CST on January 8, 2008
I am not a well-prepared parent. Yesterday afternoon, when the tornado warning sent us into our basement, I grabbed six things: My two daughters, my cell phone, my home phone, a quilt and, inexplicably, a box of Lucky Charms. No water. No sturdy shoes. No flashlight. Nope, I grab the most sugary cereal in the pantry and a blanket so we have something to sit on. Plus, we don’t have a TV down in our basement, or even a radio. So I waited to hear from my husband, who was working downtown, when it was safe to head back upstairs. At the time, I was just trying to keep my kids from completely freaking out. My daughters, ages 5-1/2 and 3-1/2, were practically in hysterics. They started worrying in the school parking lot when we heard the warning over the radio. The whole drive home, they were crying “Is that a TORNADO?!” at every dark cloud in the sky. Once they calmed down (who knew Scrabble would be such a hit with kids who can’t read yet?), I was able to look at us. None of us even had shoes on. Had a tornado hit our house, we would have had to climb out of the debris in bare feet and short sleeves, or sustain ourselves with Lucky Charms. I’ve since talked to parents who are much more prepared, not just for a tornado but for all disasters and emergencies: NOAA weather radios, bottled water, extra clothes, canned food, first aid kits, etc. I’ve always got this stuff on my “Should Do” list: “Should get a fire escape ladder for the girls’ bedroom.” “Should get a LifeHammer tool and first aid kit for the car.” “Should get a NOAA weather radio.” Maybe it’s time I get my act together and actually do some of this stuff. Especially now that I’m a parent responsible for little people. I mean, Lucky Charms and bare feet are OK for me, but for them? The NOAA radio is first on my list; we can’t hear tornado sirens in our house. How prepared are you for emergencies? Do you have a disaster survival kit? Fire escape plan? Auto emergency kit? Monday January 7, 2008
Posted by: mlaehr at 1:46PM CST on January 7, 2008
I forgot how gross baby food is until a few months ago when I started feeding it to my daughter. Here's the hierarchy of baby food as far as I'm concerned: Meats - I will NEVER serve them again. They are the absolute nastiest thing, especially when they come back up. Green beans - None of my children liked them. They can wait a few months to eat them whole, which tastes better. Prunes - The absolute worst at staining bibs, shirts, faces, walls and high chair straps. Bananas - The SMELL is unlike any food I've ever tasted, and does not even closely resemble a banana. I've started to simply mash bananas on my own and feed them to my daughter. Carrots, sweet potatoes, peas and peaches - I can handle. Applesauce and pears - These are the only baby foods I actually find appealing. As I am on my third child now, I've gotten a little more relaxed about feeding her. I remember being very regimented about the type of baby food I fed my first, when I moved on to the next level, when I started feeding him table food, etc. I have no problem now making my own baby food: mashed potatoes, yams, bananas, pieces of bread, cheese, and the like. What are the worst baby foods in your opinion. Or what do you remember being disgusted by when your children were infants? -Marci Wednesday January 2, 2008
Posted by: eyoung at 12:02PM CST on January 2, 2008
So it's FREEZING outside and our kids are stuck indoors for most of the next three months. Ugh. I'm getting cabin fever just thinking about it. How do you keep your kids entertained and active during winter? What are your favorite kid-friendly winter activities? And for days when it's just too cold out there: Where are your favorite indoor escapes, where kids can get some exercise despite the walls that surround them?
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