Summer…Ready or Not!

Summertime…and the livin’ is easy (after you have all the kids signed up for their summer camps, swimming lessons, and other assorted activites, that is)! 

Luckily, I already have my summer child care  plans set, but I just ran across this great article at the PBS Parents website, and thought I would share it.

Here are some other ideas for summer activities and childcare:

Your local YMCA — check out their website for information about camps and child development centers

Your local Parks and Recreation District

Local zoos, aquariums, or children’s museums

Summer Book Pick: You Choose!

Which book should I read next?

Want more information before you decide? Click on the book cover for more info:

by Richard Louv

by Marie Sherlock

by Sara Napthali

by Karen Maezen Miller

p.s. You are welcome to read along with me and post your comments on the book, starting June 1!

Playful Parenting (Chapters 8-10)

I’m determined to make my way through this book…not only because it’s a wonderful resource to me as a parent, but also because I’m itching to get on to my next book… 

Chapter 8 – “Empower Girls and Connect with Boys”

This chapter is a testimonial to one of my favorite parenting quotes of all time,

“There are two things we should give our children: one is roots and the other is wings” (Hodding Carter, journalist and author).

Dr. Cohen discusses the importance of helping both girls and boys develop roots (by providing a strong foundation of nurturance and support) and wings (by promoting a sense of confidence and exploration). As you might expect, girls in our culture often lack “wings” and boys in our culture often lack “roots.” I consider myself a fairly liberal, progressive, open-minded mama…however, I’m sure I treat my two children (one of each gender) differently at times, even in the most subtle of ways. This chapter was a great reminder to give my son a few extra cuddles and loving words and my daughter some extra encouragement to run, and climb, and “fly.” 

Chapter 9 – “Follow Your Child’s Lead”

Goodness…this was the hardest chapter for me so far! I have a really hard time following anyone’s lead (just ask my husband about the dance classes we took in preparation for our wedding), let alone my children. There are ultimately some kinds of “child’s play” I just don’t care for…Barbies, loud toys that make obnoxious noises, and certain board games that shall remain unnamed. But Dr. Cohen says that I should play these games anyway, when my child invites me to, at least some of the time. Why? By letting our children take the lead, we are instilling a sense of confidence and creativity. The two most helpful suggestions in this chapter (for me at least), were to 1) set aside regular playtime with children where you can do whatever they want to do (within safety constraints of course), and 2) to take time to “recover” by taking some time for yourself as a parent, to talk to other grown-ups, do something relaxing, or engage in a leisure activity you enjoy.

Chapter 10 – “Take Charge When Necessary”

The primary idea behind this chapter is that there will be times when you are unable to follow your child’s lead (as recommended in the previous chapter) and you will need to take the lead temporarily to help them get back on track. Whether your child is playing something unsafe, complaining that there’s nothing fun to do (except watch TV, of course), or avoiding connecting with you altogether, there are several tips in this chapter to help you “take charge.” My favorite suggestion in this chapter was, “Make it Fun.” In other words, there is usually some way to make even the dullest game (or task) seem fun. When my daughter doesn’t want to go outside to play, instead of nagging her to turn off the TV and get some fresh air, I could say, “Let’s go dance around in the backyard and see who can dance the silliest” or, “Let’s see if we can build a really big mountain in your sandbox. How tall do you think we could make it?” Lately, with my daughter, I’ve noticed that a little bit of reverse psychology seems to do the trick. Doesn’t want to eat her salad? I say, “Well, that’s good because we don’t want you to get any bigger or stronger anyway. I want you to stay this little forever.” Her response? “Mommy, I have to grow up (eating her salad as quickly as possible).” I wonder how long this “trick” will last.

Fit Mama Week 3

 I know, I know…I’m posting my update almost a week late! 

My goals for the past two weeks were:

1. Continue with self-monitoring of food and steps per day (or minutes of physical activity per day if pedometer continues to be unreliable).

I have done a rotten job of keeping a food record. 0/14 days! The written diary just isn’t working for me. Since I spend a lot of time at the computer (at work and at home), I think I will try emailing my food records to myself.

I DID manage to wear my pedometer at least half of the days over the past two weeks. I also figured out a potential work-around to the pedometer resetting every time I picked up my children. I now wear the thing on my left hip (duh!) since I tend to carry my children on my right hip. My average steps per day was 7,000, which represents a significant improvement over week 1.5 (see prior post), but still leaving room for improvement!

2. Review my list of motivations daily.

I WAS able to do this. Yeah!!!

3. Drink water (or other low calorie beverage) with every meal.

I did drink more water than usual, but since I didn’t keep a food record, it’s hard to really track how well I did. I don’t drink enough water at work, so I’m considering buying a Brita filter to keep at my desk, along with a glass.

Good news! I have lost 2 more pounds since my last post (3 down, 11 to go). 

My goals for the upcoming week:

1. Try keeping food record/steps record by email.

2. Increase average steps per day to 8,000.

3. Review list of motivations daily.

4. Buy a water pitcher (with filter?) to keep at my desk to encourage drinking more water at work. 

Will keep you posted! How are you doing? Please post your comments below.

Best,

Michelle

 

Backyard Campouts

My 4-year-old daughter has been asking to go camping…I was thinking that a campout in our backyard might be a good place to start…and then I saw this event, “The Great American Backyard Campout,” sponsored by the National Wildlife Foundation. What a wonderful idea! We already have a vacation planned that overlaps this event, but you can bet we will try it out later this summer.

If your family is ready to venture beyond your own backyard, here are some sources for family-friendly camping ideas:

The Essential Family Camper by Zora Aiken

Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

GORP — A wealth of information on adventure travel and outdoor recreation.

National Park Service – everything you need to know about visiting one of our beautiful National Parks. 

State Parks in the US

Happy Camping (be sure to tell me how it goes!),

Michelle

I’m in Love

With a automatic dishwasher detergent! 

So, I was recently cruising down the aisles of my neighborhood supermarket and noticed an exciting new product…[insert traditional name brand now "green-washed"] Dishwasher Detergent… 

What’s this? …a NEW “green” product? AND it was on sale to boot! I had to get it!!! (I chose Citrus Apple scent). 

It wasn’t until I got home that I began to get suspicious. First of all, the ingredients are not listed on the label. Second, the fine print said not to mix with “other cleaning products” (i.e., this product contains chlorine). Third, I was unable to find an ingredients list on the manufacturer website either. Hmmm…. 

What the H-E-double hockey sticks!!!???? Well, since I already got it all the way (2 blocks) home, I might as well try it. 

Dare I say…this is the best dang dishwasher detergent I have ever used. It removed ALL of the cloudiness from our glassware (that we were THIS close to replacing BTW), the coffee stains from our white mugs (just like new!), and the flatware…well, I can see myself it it, Madge! Furthermore, I must admit that I’ve always had a “thing” for the smell of chlorine…nothing says “sanitized” quite so well! 

So, that’s it!!! I really don’t care if it’s not the MOST ecological brand out there (it IS still free from phosphates, after all). Forget [insert alternative green band I usually use] folks, I’m having a steamy affair with the greatest new green-washed dishwasher detergent in the whole wide world. 

A girl’s gotta get her kicks somehow… 

Sigh…

Chickenpox Parties? No Thanks!

More parenting videos on JuiceBoxJungle

Readers of my blog probably know by now that I typically fall to the “left” on these kinds of issues… I believe in attachment parenting, extended breastfeeding, and co-sleeping. I buy organic food whenever possible (sometimes I can even get my family to eat tofu and bean sprouts). I read “alternative” and “natural” parenting literature. So, you may be surprised to find out that I stand firmly in the pro-vaccination camp.

Why? Do I want to subject my child to painful shots? Do I enjoy the screaming and tears? How about the look of disbelief in my baby’s eyes as I hold his arms down while the nurse pokes him 5 times? The redness, soreness, and fussiness? Of course not. No loving mother would wish these things for their child. Have I ever worried about a possible connection between autism and vaccines? Did I ever wonder if several shots in one day would overwhelm my child’s immune system? Of course. No ordinary devoted mother can read the tabloid  headlines and listen to playgroup parents’ hyperbole without harboring some doubts, however small. Haven’t I heard of the “Vaccine Conspiracy” theories? Yes, I have. But, I suspect that at least some of the bigwhigs at the governmental agencies accused of propogating these conspiracies are loving parents too.  And I bet they vaccinate their children!

After much research and deliberation (I am trained as a scientist after all), I concluded that scientific evidence and common sense support the importance (and safety) of  vaccinating my children… fully, and on schedule. So, if and when I receive an invitation to a chickenpox party, my RSVP will be a firm “no.”

If you are seeking some balanced coverage of this issue, please consider the following sources:

CDC information on Vaccine Safety

KidsHealth.org information on Chickenpox

Immunization Action Coalition

Institute for Vaccine Safety (John Hopkins School of Public Health)

The Vaccine Book by Robert Sears, MD

Vaccination: A Thoughtful Parent’s Guide by Aviva Jill Romm

Best Wishes, Michelle

P.S. Please read my disclaimer.

Simple Pleasures

Five minutes’ peace. 
A good book. 
A good laugh with an old friend. 
Pink Martini (the band, not the drink). 
Sangria (the drink, not the band). 
A steaming hot bath by candlelight. 
A relaxing foot massage. 
Fresh sea air and sand between my toes. 
A fresh scone and an almond latte. 
Chocolate. 
The sunlight streaming through the windows of our church’s sanctuary. 
Walking a labyrinth. 
My daughter’s declaration of, “I love you Mommy,” whenever she is feeling particularly content. 
My son’s giggles and sparkling blue eyes. 
Coming home to a clean house and hot white bean soup after a long day of work (thank goodness for my housecleaners and my crock pot!). 
Pancakes for dinner. 
Warm memories. 

Wishing you life’s simple pleasures,

Michelle 

Mommy List #5: My Favorite Board Books

It’s hard to limit myself to my “Top Ten,” but here goes:

1. Snuggle Puppy! A Little Love Song, by Sandra Boynton. Boynton is probably one of the most prolific childrens’ author/illustrators of our time. This particular book is my daughter’s favorite by far though. The contrasts of silly and sweet, loud singing and whispered secrets were just enough to get her hooked.
2. Listen, Listen! by Phillis Gershator. Lyrical text and marvelous “crackle” illustrations to celebrate the sights, sounds, and wonders of all four seasons. Beautiful!
3. Ten Little Rabbits, by Virginia Grossman & Sylvia Long. My in-laws live in New Mexico and often send books celebrating Native American tradition. This is a beautiful counting book with stunning illustrations. Winner of multiple book awards.
4. Baby Loves, by Michael Lawrence. Baby loves a lot of things, but Mommy and Daddy love baby more than anything. Sweet text and charming illustrations. I really don’t mind reading this one over and over.
5. I Love Animals, by Flora McDonnell. As a former vegetarian, I have a special fondness for animal books. This one has really cute illustrations too. 
   

   I Love Animals by Flora McDonnell

6. Splash! by Flora McDonnell. A playful baby elephant saves the day! Adorable, bright illustrations. This book would make a particularly refreshing read for a hot, summer day.
7. Yummy Yucky, by Leslie Patricelli. ”Burgers are Yummy. Boogers are Yucky.” Hilarious introduction to opposites!!! Simple text and bold illustrations…very engaging for babies (and parents).
8. Baby Beluga, by Raffi. I love ALL of the Raffi board books (“Songs to Read” series), but this one is my favorite. I remember singing this song to my sisters when they were little, and now I get to share it with my children…”Baby beluga in the deep blue sea…swim so wild, and you swim so free…”
9. My Love For You, by Susan L. Roth. A counting book, an animal book, and a feel-good, lovey-dovey book all in one! The collage illustrations are nice too. Also available in Spanish.
10. I Howl, I Growl, by Marcia Vaughan. It’s a nature book/rhyming book/opposites book about desert critters with a cute (albeit stinky) ending. Another wonderful gift from my mother-in-law!

Notice: I reserve the right to update this list as new favorites are discovered.

 Happy Reading, 

Michelle

Fit Mama Week 1.5

Okay, okay, I know I promised to post my weight loss progress each Sunday. Well, as a wise person once said,

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” [1855 H. G. Bohn Hand-Book of Proverbs 514]

So, without further ado, here is how I did last week:

1. My first goal was to write down everything I ate and drank in a food diary. This is harder than it seems! I kept my diary 3/7 days. Definately room for improvement here…

2. My second goal was to buy a pedometer and record my steps per day in my diary.  I DID manage to buy a pedometer, but I mistakenly bought the cheapest pedometer I could find.  I guess I shouldn’t have been suprised, therefore, that the device wasn’t exceptionally reliable. The reset button appears to be overly sensitive…every time I picked up one of my children (this happens a lot, mind you), they seemed to conveniently hit my reset button with their bottom. One minute, I had racked up 1700 steps and the next minute, I was down to 16. Drat. The darned thing seemed to function better on work days (no kids!), and my average per working day approximated 4000 steps. A far cry from the recommended 10,000 steps per day. Yes, it appears I have room for improvement on this one too! 

3. My third goal was to get motivated by making a list of the reasons I would like to lose weight and get fit. I was actually able to accomplish this one (I do LOVE lists after all):

Better cardiovascular health

Better mood

Good role model for my children

Getting rid of my “mommy weight”

Other reasons too personal to post in my blog (a girl’s gotta have some secrets, you know)

4. My final goal was to post my progress on Sunday. Ahem…better late than never? 

By the way, despite my “failure” (ooh, I hate that word) to meet above goals, I did somehow manage to lose one pound last week. Hurrah! One down and 13 to go!

And now (drum roll, please), my  goals for this week: 

1. Continue with self-monitoring of food and steps per day (or minutes of physical activity per day if pedometer continues to be unreliable).

2. Review my list of motivations daily. For a decent (i.e., I’ll stay on the look-out for a better resource for you) article on using motivational affirmations to help you lose weight, click here. 

3. Drink water (or other low calorie beverage) with every meal. For a great slideshow about the best and worst beverages for weight loss, click here. 

If you are following my progress, please, please, please post your own comments, successes, and challenges. I look forward to hearing from YOU!

Best, Michelle

P.S. To see the inspirational video that got me going, check this out:

More parenting videos on JuiceBoxJungle

And if you need even more “inspiration for perspiration”, here are some other cool links to check out:

America’s Walking (PBS)

The Walking Site’s 10,000 Steps Walking Program