TV, TV, TV

I try to be the best mom I can and basically have done, I think, pretty well with things like eating, sleeping and social behavior but TV I am failing badly. I have to admit, I LOVE IT. I love tv only second to movies which I will watch on my TV. Now I am creating a bunch of little tv-holics. Sometimes they are even WORSE than me, if that is possible.

We are told to raise people who are bright, intelligent and creative through exposing them to literature, sports and art and avoid the evils of tv. Even though I try to expose them to all those things, I think I still let my kids watch too much tv. I make the excuse that as long as they are watching feature length movies that it is better than 15 minutes of episodic tv but now their imaginary friends are characters from High School Musical!

I really don't think I or my husband will lose our love of tv so I guess we will one day have a whole family fighting over the tv or get our kids addicted to the shows we love so that we can spend quality time together watching those shows. I guess it’s better than children out graffitiing the neighborhood or at least I will tell myself that so that I can go on watching my tv.

How do you keep your kids healthy?

I am so tired of having one cold after another.  Watching my baby suffer with a pathetic sqeeky voice and stuffy nose.  Since Madison started school we haven't gone more than 8 weeks without one or more people in the house getting sick.  I try, I try everything...

1. We all take multivitamins
2. We all take extra Vitamin C
3. I have been teaching my kids about germs and not putting toys in their mouths
4. I have been teaching my kids to cough/sneeze into their elbows
5. I have been teaching my kids to wash their hands before eating and after using toilet
6. Everyone gets alot of sleep.

I have even stayed away from friends who are themselves or have kids who are sick but nothing seems to keep us healthy.  If anyone out there has suggestions please let me know.

Are BOYS and GIRLS born BOYS and GIRLS?

Funny I never thought so.  I thought that most of that was nurture.  If you put a dress on a boy and treated him like a girl that he would act like one. 

Living in this day and age I didn't want my children to feel they had to fit some mould created for society.  Now I knew that it could make their live more challenging if they didn't conform but I wanted it to be their choice.  At first I bought gender neutral toys and then when we would go to a playgroups I would watch and see what toys they would choose and then nurture that.  A funny thing happened, Madison automatically gravitated to dresses and carried around a stuffed cat like a baby and played with girl type toys.  She will never wear pants and loves pink.  Now with Jack he has a older sister he idolizes and who dresses him in girl clothes and has made him love and learn all the lyrics to all 3 High School Musicals but he was born with a basketball in his hand.  He can throw better, understand what to do with toy cars better and loves trains and all while running around in a dress saying 'I a beautiful princess'.

So maybe they are pre-programmed but if they choose to play with gender opposite toys I don't worry.  I will follow their lead.

Sleep its a Health Thing

In my mind sleep is the answer to what ails ya.  It is the answer to everything!  I have followed this therory for me AND my children but you know what bugs me?  People telling me I should be for flexible when it comes to my kids sleeping schedule. 

Now I have some really well balanced, well behaved and happy little people.  I think there are 3 main things that keep them that way

1. SLEEP
2. A well balanced and healthy diet.
3. Boundaries.

I find it amusing that people appreciate that my kids are not annoying to be around but they don't want their own schedules to be effected by the fact that my kids have to sleep to be that way.

Healthwise I have seen my children go to bed with cuts or a diaperash and wake up healed.  If that is what happens to their skin what do you think happens to their brains and their spirits.  Sleep is natures reboot button.

Drop-in groups; Speed-dating for moms.

Drop-Ins are general playgroups in your community that have a variety of activies and have a leader to help guide the kids but you are responsible to watch your kids.  These are great for kids between 18 months and 5 years.  Especially if you have more than one kid its a great option for them.  You don't have to go every week and it isn't always the same people.

I am pretty outgoing but I find this much harder to make new friends because its like speed-dating for moms. You meet a mom, size up her kids, her and whether or not you could stand spending 2-3 hours with her and her children. Then if you like ask for her number and then hope you remember to phone her soon enough that she doesn't think you ditched her.

Some groups to look for:

• The Family Place
• Strong Start
• Community Centres