I could be projecting, but I have yet to meet a woman who doesn't have some sort of issue with her body. It's sad, really, but it's reality. This post is me taking an opportunity to pat myself on the back and provide a bit more self-motivation.
Prior to getting pregnant with our second child, I had joined Weight Watchers (WW) for the same reason every woman does. I had lost all the baby weight from our first child within the first few months of giving birth, but as that year of mat leave went on, so did the pounds. I believe by the time I returned to work, I was almost as heavy as when I was fully pregnant! Yah.
Not to worry, right? Going back to work was going to be a positive change. I thrive on routine, which I desparately missed when I was off work. A routine is what was going to get me back on track. Here was my plan:
1. I would walk from Union to the office in the morning and vice versa in the afternoon. It's a good 20-minute brisk walk each way. That quickly changed to doing the walk at least once a day, then once a week, and then it all fell apart as things got busier and busier. I remember talking to someone at the office who was equally as stressed and I believe our consensus was that we barely had the will-to-live in the mornings let alone the energy to make the walk from Union. (This sentiment was hilarious at the time, trust me.)
2. Our subsidized cafeteria was going to force me into eating better. They have a great make-your-own salad bar and they're committed to ensuring all meals are nutritionally balanced. What I forgot about was (a) their chocolate chip cookies and my afternoon cravings, (b) the Timmies at the foot of our building with their 9865-calorie hot chocolates, and (c) I would be bored of salad after a week and head out to all the yummy fast-food places within a stones' throw of the office. Oh, and the fact that things were so busy meant getting home at 8pm, which would include a trek through a drive-thru for dinner.
I stress-ate at an Olympic level those first couple months back at work, and by the time August rolled around (three months back) I was up to my highest weight ever.
Enter WW.
Six-weeks into the program I was down twelve pounds. Man, did I feel great! And, frankly, it was dead easy. Then, I got pregnant with baby #2 and the program was put on hold.
I re-joined WW approximately five weeks after baby #2 was born and my weight was just under where it was when I put the program on hold. As of today (3 months later), I'm down almost 20lbs from that weight! Credit breasfeeding for the faster-than-usual weight loss as I haven't even started truly exercising yet.
I'm lighter than I was when I got married four years ago, and my energy level is getting back to where it was. Additionally, I've conquered a couple of my triggers: I can easily hit a drive-thru and NOT order some sort of burger/fry combo. I can go to Timmies and NOT grab a 10-pack of Timbits (which I'm embarassed to admit would take me about 5-minutes to polish off in it's entirety).
So I say to those Body Mass Index (BMI) tables... GFY. I am no longer obese in your estimation.
And, now that I've (more publicly) talked about my journey, I'm more determined than ever.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Monday, October 25, 2010
From the mouth of babes (Part I)
You knew a toddler-talk post was inevitable... :)
Although my daughter's grammar is somewhere on par with Timbaland's "The Way I Are" track, she tosses out a few gems once in awhile that just have us ROTFL'g, and I'm compelled to document them. (Again, these are funny to us... I understand completely if they mean nothing to you.)
I'm trying not to be the parent that thinks everything their kid says is funny (of course, it is), but I'll provide more as they come and if I deem them worthy of publishing. (Yup, she's already being pressured and judged... good thing we already know she's going to be a doctor/astronaut.)
Here are a few gems from the past little while:
---
Walking home from the park (about 7-8 blocks away) and Dad was carrying Gaby. We were almost home and clearly Gaby was getting a little heavy in his arms because he was grunting a bit. After one too many grunts, Gaby asks: "Dad, are you pooping?" We literally laughed out loud.
---
Colsen was wiggling around and my husband asked playfully, "Are you shakin'? Are you shakin'?" Gaby said, "No Daddy, he's not shaking, he's Colsen."
---
At the doctor's office, in the warm waiting room, I was fanning Colsen with a book that Gaby and I had just finished reading. Gaby watches for a few seconds, takes the book from me and say, "Mom, I'm going to put that away now. You're just being silly."
---
Gaby had bitten another little girl at daycare and on the way home we were discussing it:
Mom: Gaby, we don't bite people, right?
Gaby: Don't bite Mommy?
Mom: Right.
Gaby: Don't bite Daddy?
Mom: Right.
Gaby: Don't bite Colsen?
Mom: That's right, you don't bite people.
Gaby: Don't bite people... only food.
---
Gaby: Daddy scared me.
Mom: How did Daddy scare you?
Gaby: He was cleaning.
Although I know that Daddy had been vacuuming and it was likely the noise that scared her, I like her use of the word 'cleaning' instead of the more specific 'vacuuming' (which she knows). Daddy 'cleaning' would scare me too -- it happens so rarely. (Love you dear!)
---
We have home-made burritos every couple weeks and along side of these we have nacho chips. One day, Gaby saw the nacho chips but forgot their proper name and said, "Mommy, are you going to have some burrito crackers?"
---
And the heart-stopper... completely unprovoked and out of the blue at least once a week, "I like boys. Boys have penises."
*Sigh*
If you want to share some of your toddler's chat in the comment section, that would be awesome!
Although my daughter's grammar is somewhere on par with Timbaland's "The Way I Are" track, she tosses out a few gems once in awhile that just have us ROTFL'g, and I'm compelled to document them. (Again, these are funny to us... I understand completely if they mean nothing to you.)
I'm trying not to be the parent that thinks everything their kid says is funny (of course, it is), but I'll provide more as they come and if I deem them worthy of publishing. (Yup, she's already being pressured and judged... good thing we already know she's going to be a doctor/astronaut.)
Here are a few gems from the past little while:
---
Walking home from the park (about 7-8 blocks away) and Dad was carrying Gaby. We were almost home and clearly Gaby was getting a little heavy in his arms because he was grunting a bit. After one too many grunts, Gaby asks: "Dad, are you pooping?" We literally laughed out loud.
---
Colsen was wiggling around and my husband asked playfully, "Are you shakin'? Are you shakin'?" Gaby said, "No Daddy, he's not shaking, he's Colsen."
---
At the doctor's office, in the warm waiting room, I was fanning Colsen with a book that Gaby and I had just finished reading. Gaby watches for a few seconds, takes the book from me and say, "Mom, I'm going to put that away now. You're just being silly."
---
Gaby had bitten another little girl at daycare and on the way home we were discussing it:
Mom: Gaby, we don't bite people, right?
Gaby: Don't bite Mommy?
Mom: Right.
Gaby: Don't bite Daddy?
Mom: Right.
Gaby: Don't bite Colsen?
Mom: That's right, you don't bite people.
Gaby: Don't bite people... only food.
---
Gaby: Daddy scared me.
Mom: How did Daddy scare you?
Gaby: He was cleaning.
Although I know that Daddy had been vacuuming and it was likely the noise that scared her, I like her use of the word 'cleaning' instead of the more specific 'vacuuming' (which she knows). Daddy 'cleaning' would scare me too -- it happens so rarely. (Love you dear!)
---
We have home-made burritos every couple weeks and along side of these we have nacho chips. One day, Gaby saw the nacho chips but forgot their proper name and said, "Mommy, are you going to have some burrito crackers?"
---
And the heart-stopper... completely unprovoked and out of the blue at least once a week, "I like boys. Boys have penises."
*Sigh*
If you want to share some of your toddler's chat in the comment section, that would be awesome!
Friday, October 22, 2010
Fir$t vs. $econd Child...
I just wanted to break this down to see if any other two-kid households had this experience:
BEDROOM
Child #1
Where to begin...
We started with a bassinet that did everything but feed the child. Played music, simulated the womb, and vibrated. She hated all of it. But, the bed part actually lifts out and doubles as a change table. Sound/movement features aside, it is one of the best purchases we made for the use we still get out of it. (Child #2 hated those features, too, btw.)
We picked up basically the most expensive crib/dresser set we could find. This sucker converts into a double bed, and then I think into a new car when the child hits 16 years old. An organic crib matress and organic bedding to go with that, of course. I'd be embarassed to state the price. A grossly over-priced Toys R' Us lamp. Six 8" x 10" paintings from Chapters and stick-on wall graphics from Baby On The Hip! Both Wee Gallery, and both not cheap.
Child #2
Not a single new item was purchased for Colsen, except for a piggy bank, blinds and paint for the walls. He did receive a new hand-made blanket from his Aunty Reni, though, which is gorgeous.
Ironically, in anticipation of Child #2, Child #1 got an even newer bed, a new dresser and nightstand, and new lamps!
STROLLER AND OTHER LARGE GEAR
Child #1
We walked into Sears to do our baby registry and saw a Graco suite on display (stroller, carrier, playpen, swing and high-chair) and said, "We'll take it." Apparently half of Durham hit that same store and saw the same display because I can't go anywhere without seeing at least five of those bloody strollers clogging up the aisles. Having said that, I'm very glad we didn't check out any higher-end baby stores prior to the Sears trip because I would've dropped 5x as much on the stoller alone. And, our ignorance regarding the superior-stroller-and-gear market allowed us to use those 'savings' on the 'reasonably-priced' crib/dresser set. Ha.
Child #2
Bought a used Joovey Sit-n-Stand courtesy of Kajiji to ensure Child #1 has the option of riding along if walking becomes too much of a burden.
SLINGS/CARRIERS
Child #1
First sling was purchased from the pre-natal class instructor -- turns out to be the best sling we own. The second sling was puchased at the Mommas & Chicks show -- used maybe twice (didn't work for us at all). Third sling was part of a prize package I won for purchasing umpteen items at the Mommas & Chicks show (second sling included) -- also a damn good sling.
Child #2
Bought a second-hand Baby Bjorn from Once Upon a Child to tide us over until he's big enough to use the first/second/third slings.
CLOTHING
Child #1
Each and every shopping trip during my time off with Gaby (usually to the Superstore) resulted in approx. $100 of groceries + $100 in baby clothing (and for those Joe shoppers, you know that $100 can buy like 20 items in the baby section). We could open a fuzzy-touque museum, seriously. Just so damn cute. Anyhow, I think we have about 18 diaper boxes of old clothes stored in the basement. It's a testament to those 10pm, Tuesday-night, hormonal shopping trips that nearly put us in the poor house.
Child #2
Key attire "investment" for Colsen is bibs... tons of them... 'cause he's a puker and our washing machine is tiny.
Not a single new item of clothing was purchased for Colsen until he was about 6-weeks old. These items included day-of-the-week socks *heart*, two pairs of stretchy pants and some "gently-used" PJs (again, puker). To boot, these were all extraneous items! An amazing amount of hand-me-downs from my husbands' friend will get us through the Colsen's first year life without having to buy him a sinlge item of clothing. This includes halloween costumes, winter jackets and shoes.
FOOD
Child #1
Suite of BPA-free, colic-reducing baby bottles with full sterlization and cleaning kit. Made all baby food, 95% organic.
Child #2
Re-using all bottles (still labeled with my daughter's name, sorry bud) and... huh, whaddya-know... there's a sanitization setting on the dishwasher... sweet! Did purchase new nipples, of course. I'm not that cheap.
I am looking forward to making all of Colsen's baby food, though, as it is an immensely satisfying thing to do. Can't say for certain it'll be as organic, though.
TOYS/BOOKS/VIDEOS
Child #1
Obscene. Just obscene.
Child #2
Accepting gifts. Nothing new purchased. His Christmas list is slim-pickings this year.
I'm sure I've forgotten more than I listed here, but this is a good start.
So, parents with one child, if a second is in the cards are you going to lavish #2 like you did #1? If you could go back, knowing what you now know, would you have spent that much?
Perhaps I'm naive, but marketing did a great job of making me believe that the more I spent on my unborn child the better the parent I would be. Turns out the only thing babies need in the first year of their lives is your love, attention, warmth, smiles and guidance, and that doesn't cost anything. Everything else is gravy.
BEDROOM
Child #1
Where to begin...
We started with a bassinet that did everything but feed the child. Played music, simulated the womb, and vibrated. She hated all of it. But, the bed part actually lifts out and doubles as a change table. Sound/movement features aside, it is one of the best purchases we made for the use we still get out of it. (Child #2 hated those features, too, btw.)
We picked up basically the most expensive crib/dresser set we could find. This sucker converts into a double bed, and then I think into a new car when the child hits 16 years old. An organic crib matress and organic bedding to go with that, of course. I'd be embarassed to state the price. A grossly over-priced Toys R' Us lamp. Six 8" x 10" paintings from Chapters and stick-on wall graphics from Baby On The Hip! Both Wee Gallery, and both not cheap.
Child #2
Not a single new item was purchased for Colsen, except for a piggy bank, blinds and paint for the walls. He did receive a new hand-made blanket from his Aunty Reni, though, which is gorgeous.
Ironically, in anticipation of Child #2, Child #1 got an even newer bed, a new dresser and nightstand, and new lamps!
STROLLER AND OTHER LARGE GEAR
Child #1
We walked into Sears to do our baby registry and saw a Graco suite on display (stroller, carrier, playpen, swing and high-chair) and said, "We'll take it." Apparently half of Durham hit that same store and saw the same display because I can't go anywhere without seeing at least five of those bloody strollers clogging up the aisles. Having said that, I'm very glad we didn't check out any higher-end baby stores prior to the Sears trip because I would've dropped 5x as much on the stoller alone. And, our ignorance regarding the superior-stroller-and-gear market allowed us to use those 'savings' on the 'reasonably-priced' crib/dresser set. Ha.
Child #2
Bought a used Joovey Sit-n-Stand courtesy of Kajiji to ensure Child #1 has the option of riding along if walking becomes too much of a burden.
SLINGS/CARRIERS
Child #1
First sling was purchased from the pre-natal class instructor -- turns out to be the best sling we own. The second sling was puchased at the Mommas & Chicks show -- used maybe twice (didn't work for us at all). Third sling was part of a prize package I won for purchasing umpteen items at the Mommas & Chicks show (second sling included) -- also a damn good sling.
Child #2
Bought a second-hand Baby Bjorn from Once Upon a Child to tide us over until he's big enough to use the first/second/third slings.
CLOTHING
Child #1
Each and every shopping trip during my time off with Gaby (usually to the Superstore) resulted in approx. $100 of groceries + $100 in baby clothing (and for those Joe shoppers, you know that $100 can buy like 20 items in the baby section). We could open a fuzzy-touque museum, seriously. Just so damn cute. Anyhow, I think we have about 18 diaper boxes of old clothes stored in the basement. It's a testament to those 10pm, Tuesday-night, hormonal shopping trips that nearly put us in the poor house.
Child #2
Key attire "investment" for Colsen is bibs... tons of them... 'cause he's a puker and our washing machine is tiny.
Not a single new item of clothing was purchased for Colsen until he was about 6-weeks old. These items included day-of-the-week socks *heart*, two pairs of stretchy pants and some "gently-used" PJs (again, puker). To boot, these were all extraneous items! An amazing amount of hand-me-downs from my husbands' friend will get us through the Colsen's first year life without having to buy him a sinlge item of clothing. This includes halloween costumes, winter jackets and shoes.
FOOD
Child #1
Suite of BPA-free, colic-reducing baby bottles with full sterlization and cleaning kit. Made all baby food, 95% organic.
Child #2
Re-using all bottles (still labeled with my daughter's name, sorry bud) and... huh, whaddya-know... there's a sanitization setting on the dishwasher... sweet! Did purchase new nipples, of course. I'm not that cheap.
I am looking forward to making all of Colsen's baby food, though, as it is an immensely satisfying thing to do. Can't say for certain it'll be as organic, though.
TOYS/BOOKS/VIDEOS
Child #1
Obscene. Just obscene.
Child #2
Accepting gifts. Nothing new purchased. His Christmas list is slim-pickings this year.
I'm sure I've forgotten more than I listed here, but this is a good start.
So, parents with one child, if a second is in the cards are you going to lavish #2 like you did #1? If you could go back, knowing what you now know, would you have spent that much?
Perhaps I'm naive, but marketing did a great job of making me believe that the more I spent on my unborn child the better the parent I would be. Turns out the only thing babies need in the first year of their lives is your love, attention, warmth, smiles and guidance, and that doesn't cost anything. Everything else is gravy.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Twin Drama!
No, no... we're not having twins (I wish!)
I was browsing a gossip rag site and noticed a snippit on a new Sweet Valley High book coming out in early 2011... Sweet Valley Confidential.
Elizabeth and Jessica are now in their mid-20s and I *pray* they've lost some of their innocence (and their little red Fiat that always got way too much coverage, imo).
I read the Sweet Valley Twins and SV High series in their entirety a couple times when I was 12-13 year old. I loved both Wakefield sisters: Elizabeth for her fierce determination to school and responsibility (something I envied and was only able to acheive later in life) and Jessica for being the cool kid I always wanted to be (still working on that one). Like any teen book, compromise was always reached on whatever issue plagued them in that edition.
So, this new book (out in March 2011) has Elizabeth on the other side of the country in NYC and Jessica's still living in San Fran. And, they've had what seems to be a major a falling out. Drama!
What a great way to kick off the trashy spring/summer reading list!
Excerpt here.
I was browsing a gossip rag site and noticed a snippit on a new Sweet Valley High book coming out in early 2011... Sweet Valley Confidential.
Elizabeth and Jessica are now in their mid-20s and I *pray* they've lost some of their innocence (and their little red Fiat that always got way too much coverage, imo).
I read the Sweet Valley Twins and SV High series in their entirety a couple times when I was 12-13 year old. I loved both Wakefield sisters: Elizabeth for her fierce determination to school and responsibility (something I envied and was only able to acheive later in life) and Jessica for being the cool kid I always wanted to be (still working on that one). Like any teen book, compromise was always reached on whatever issue plagued them in that edition.
So, this new book (out in March 2011) has Elizabeth on the other side of the country in NYC and Jessica's still living in San Fran. And, they've had what seems to be a major a falling out. Drama!
What a great way to kick off the trashy spring/summer reading list!
Excerpt here.
 |
| Sweet Valley Twins! |
 |
| Sweet Valley High! |
 |
| Sweet Valley Confidential! |
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
You don't say 'crap', right?
We've just entered the repeat-everything-you-say phase with our 2-1/2 year old.
The other day we were having dinner when something spilled on the table. My daughter slapped her forehead and said, "Oh crap!"
My husband, being the smart disciplinarian, was all over it: "Where did you hear that?! Gaby, you don't say that word, it's a bad word."
Supressing my giggles, I meekly owned up to it. "Uhh... that would be me." (To be clear, I don't use that word when I'm talking to her, but I have definitely said it in her presence when 'expressing frustration'.)
Anyhoo, showing a united front, I said to my daughter, "Daddy's right, we don't say that word. Mommy should not have said it. I am sorry and I won't say it again. It is a bad word. OK?"
She's a fantastic listener and we know she understands (to a degree) the concept of good vs. bad, right vs. wrong. We're pretty confident we've nipped this one.
Wrong. So wrong.
Not a day later, out of the blue, she says to me, "Mom, I don't say 'crap', right? Only Mommy says 'crap'? 'Crap' is bad?"
[Jaw hits the floor.] Three-for-three kiddo, good job.
After repeating the mantra from the other night (see above), she proceeds to confirm her question, "OK, so I don't say 'crap'". We then repeat this round of questions a couple more times during the day, for good measure.
I'm now positive that she's surpassed both myself and my husband in intelligence. Now not only do we have to deter her from saying 'crap', we need to deter her from asking about saying 'crap'. This will either open up a whole new line of questions about 'crap', or she'll shut down completely and never talk again.
Vocabulary Karma
When I was in Grade 5 (Mrs. Vandusen, God bless her) we did vocabulary units. One of the tasks was to use the word(s) we were studying in a sentence, with the goal of ensuring we understood its meaning and could use it in the correct context. If I did not know the meaning of a word and was too lazy to figure it out (happened frequently), my sentence would be something like, "What does the word <rickshaw> mean?". If push came to shove, I could argue that I had provided a sentence with the studied word in it. Probably one of the reasons I almost had to repeat the fifth grade.
I think my daughter is doing a smarter version of the same trickery... she's getting around the issue on a technicality. She's not using the word in a bad way (which is what we reacted to), she's simply asking us to clarify our position - and how can she possibly do that without saying the word?
Smart, smart cookie.
The other day we were having dinner when something spilled on the table. My daughter slapped her forehead and said, "Oh crap!"
My husband, being the smart disciplinarian, was all over it: "Where did you hear that?! Gaby, you don't say that word, it's a bad word."
Supressing my giggles, I meekly owned up to it. "Uhh... that would be me." (To be clear, I don't use that word when I'm talking to her, but I have definitely said it in her presence when 'expressing frustration'.)
Anyhoo, showing a united front, I said to my daughter, "Daddy's right, we don't say that word. Mommy should not have said it. I am sorry and I won't say it again. It is a bad word. OK?"
She's a fantastic listener and we know she understands (to a degree) the concept of good vs. bad, right vs. wrong. We're pretty confident we've nipped this one.
Wrong. So wrong.
Not a day later, out of the blue, she says to me, "Mom, I don't say 'crap', right? Only Mommy says 'crap'? 'Crap' is bad?"
[Jaw hits the floor.] Three-for-three kiddo, good job.
After repeating the mantra from the other night (see above), she proceeds to confirm her question, "OK, so I don't say 'crap'". We then repeat this round of questions a couple more times during the day, for good measure.
I'm now positive that she's surpassed both myself and my husband in intelligence. Now not only do we have to deter her from saying 'crap', we need to deter her from asking about saying 'crap'. This will either open up a whole new line of questions about 'crap', or she'll shut down completely and never talk again.
Vocabulary Karma
When I was in Grade 5 (Mrs. Vandusen, God bless her) we did vocabulary units. One of the tasks was to use the word(s) we were studying in a sentence, with the goal of ensuring we understood its meaning and could use it in the correct context. If I did not know the meaning of a word and was too lazy to figure it out (happened frequently), my sentence would be something like, "What does the word <rickshaw> mean?". If push came to shove, I could argue that I had provided a sentence with the studied word in it. Probably one of the reasons I almost had to repeat the fifth grade.
I think my daughter is doing a smarter version of the same trickery... she's getting around the issue on a technicality. She's not using the word in a bad way (which is what we reacted to), she's simply asking us to clarify our position - and how can she possibly do that without saying the word?
Smart, smart cookie.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Guest Blogging on Durham Region Kids
Just a quick note today to let you know that I'm guest blogging for Durham Region Kids -- a great site dedicated to bringing local information to parents in the Durham Region. They're currently doing a 30 Days of Truth feature and my Television blog is part of that.
I will be a guest columnist on the site so you'll see more from me there in the future -- some original and some republished from the Snappy Naptime blog.
Check out the site and enjoy!
I will be a guest columnist on the site so you'll see more from me there in the future -- some original and some republished from the Snappy Naptime blog.
Check out the site and enjoy!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Television... my kids... the truth.
Although I'm loathe to admit it, the TV is on. What can I say?
I had this conversation with a friend of mine the other day... Do we use it as a tool? You bet. Are we proud of that? Not really. But, the concensus is that we can be great Moms with the help of the TV or unpleasant stress-cases and keep it turned off.
When I'm in a non-negotiable position (e.g. breastfeeding/tending to our second child, preparing our super-healthy, wonderfully flavourful meals) the TV keeps our daughter from putting playdough in the fireplace, or testing the cat's neck for weaknesses (what is it about kids and putting their little hands around little necks?).
Between being food and making food, we're looking at about 1.5 hours a day. Let's call this "Mom's sanity viewing". We can probably add another 1/2 hour for just general "enjoyment viewing".
The math is not overly encouraging, I know that. I think can feel the judgement oozing through the screen. But, hear me out:
1. We're watching kid-friendly programming 95% of the time. God knows how many times the kids have been in bed for an hour before my husband and I realize we're watching those strung-out Waybaloo's doing meditation-yoga to morning trance. The other 5% of the time, I'm embarassed to say, we're watching the Food Network (you think I'd be a better cook) or Sex And The City. I know... but I can't help it. Hand to God, my two-year old has likely seen the entire, what, 6-7 seasons at least fifteen times, courtesy of Cosmo TV. Not so much worried about the effect it'll have on her vs the effect it'll have on my son (who's on his third go of the series).
2. We are at an out-of-the-home activity five days a week (music class, dance, gymnastics, sportball, art & swimming) so she's being exposed to a good variety of non-TV-related stuff, as well. And, weather permitting, we hit the local park one to two times a week.
I don't want to start bad habits, however, and I fear it's starting. For example, she no longer wants to go to her respective activities if it means turning off the TV. The conversation goes something like this:
Mom: Let's go, sweetie... get your shoes on. [Turns off TV]
Daughter: Noooo... don't turn it off, I'm watching that.
Mom: Nope... we've gotta get going or we're going to be late for <insert activity>.
Daughter: No thanks, I don't want to go to <insert activity>, I wanna watch <insert program>.
She eventually joins me after the final threat to leave without her. I fear the day she says, "Yup... you go ahead, I'm good here."
Additionally, she can almost turn on our TV! This may sound pretty straightforward, but we require three remotes to get it fully up and running (receiver, cable box, television set). It took me a few months to get it, so the fact that she's almost there is a little concerning. The PVR can't be far behind, and we're starting to worry about her cancelling some of our programs in favour of Peep and the Big Wide World.
Finally, it's only been two weeks since she's been home from daycare full-time and I'm already getting anxiety about her television habits. Winter is coming and activities aside, we'll be spending much more time inside than out.
So, cast me from the Mommy Blogosphere if you must, but first, please send me a list of things you do to keep your kids occupied when you need a little time for yourself (i.e. time for other family members). And, please don't include puzzles, books, dress-up, playdough, colouring, dolls, dancing, chasing the cat, climbing stairs and tidying, because they no longer hold her attention the way that crazy Mr. Noodle does.
I had this conversation with a friend of mine the other day... Do we use it as a tool? You bet. Are we proud of that? Not really. But, the concensus is that we can be great Moms with the help of the TV or unpleasant stress-cases and keep it turned off.
When I'm in a non-negotiable position (e.g. breastfeeding/tending to our second child, preparing our super-healthy, wonderfully flavourful meals) the TV keeps our daughter from putting playdough in the fireplace, or testing the cat's neck for weaknesses (what is it about kids and putting their little hands around little necks?).
Between being food and making food, we're looking at about 1.5 hours a day. Let's call this "Mom's sanity viewing". We can probably add another 1/2 hour for just general "enjoyment viewing".
The math is not overly encouraging, I know that. I think can feel the judgement oozing through the screen. But, hear me out:
1. We're watching kid-friendly programming 95% of the time. God knows how many times the kids have been in bed for an hour before my husband and I realize we're watching those strung-out Waybaloo's doing meditation-yoga to morning trance. The other 5% of the time, I'm embarassed to say, we're watching the Food Network (you think I'd be a better cook) or Sex And The City. I know... but I can't help it. Hand to God, my two-year old has likely seen the entire, what, 6-7 seasons at least fifteen times, courtesy of Cosmo TV. Not so much worried about the effect it'll have on her vs the effect it'll have on my son (who's on his third go of the series).
2. We are at an out-of-the-home activity five days a week (music class, dance, gymnastics, sportball, art & swimming) so she's being exposed to a good variety of non-TV-related stuff, as well. And, weather permitting, we hit the local park one to two times a week.
I don't want to start bad habits, however, and I fear it's starting. For example, she no longer wants to go to her respective activities if it means turning off the TV. The conversation goes something like this:
Mom: Let's go, sweetie... get your shoes on. [Turns off TV]
Daughter: Noooo... don't turn it off, I'm watching that.
Mom: Nope... we've gotta get going or we're going to be late for <insert activity>.
Daughter: No thanks, I don't want to go to <insert activity>, I wanna watch <insert program>.
She eventually joins me after the final threat to leave without her. I fear the day she says, "Yup... you go ahead, I'm good here."
Additionally, she can almost turn on our TV! This may sound pretty straightforward, but we require three remotes to get it fully up and running (receiver, cable box, television set). It took me a few months to get it, so the fact that she's almost there is a little concerning. The PVR can't be far behind, and we're starting to worry about her cancelling some of our programs in favour of Peep and the Big Wide World.
Finally, it's only been two weeks since she's been home from daycare full-time and I'm already getting anxiety about her television habits. Winter is coming and activities aside, we'll be spending much more time inside than out.
So, cast me from the Mommy Blogosphere if you must, but first, please send me a list of things you do to keep your kids occupied when you need a little time for yourself (i.e. time for other family members). And, please don't include puzzles, books, dress-up, playdough, colouring, dolls, dancing, chasing the cat, climbing stairs and tidying, because they no longer hold her attention the way that crazy Mr. Noodle does.
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