Tricks to Stay Sane~priddymomma

Life as a parent has its ups and downs.  While you ahh over baby pictures and milestones, there are tough times too, some of which have nothing to do with your child.  The stress we feel as parents can profoundly effect our children and their lives.  This week, we’re talking about the tough times and how to stay sane when you really feel like kicking things and tearing out your hair.  (I don’t recommend either, btw.  Toe ouchies and baldness are not going to improve your situation)

Being wound too tightly is never fun.  Here are some tricks to keep you sane:

1. Exercise.  Don’t skip it because you’re busy!  Exercise is very important You time, it’s good for your body, and it’s good for your mind.  Consider trying yoga.  It has been proven that yoga decreases stress and anxiety.  Plus it’s fun!
2. Deep breathing.  Remember when your mom told you to take a deep breath and count to ten?  It works!  Breathe slowly in your nose and out your mouth ten or twenty times.  Deep breaths.  (and don’t hyperventilate like you know you want to because your child dumped her milk on the carpet AGAIN! *gasp* )
3. Keep a planner and/or calendar.  Being organized means forgetting appointments and special days less often, which equals less stress for you.  It also means you have a place to plan out when you will get things done, one step at a time, versus, “Garage sale tomorrow.  What am I going to do about tables?  Where can I buy price tags?  Do I have anything in the closet that needs to go?”
4. Plan out your dinner menu in advance.  Knowing by the day what you plan to serve for dinner takes out the fruitless conversations about what to have for dinner.  You know you ultimately decide anyway.  Why ask anyone else?  You can be flexible with the menu if something comes up last minute, but at least you have a list of available menu choices.
5. Make a shopping list.  I’m surprised how many people don’t do this simple time and money saver.  I have no idea how you shop without a list.  I make the dinner menu up, write the shopping list based on what I need for the menu, add non-food items, look up coupons, and hit the store!
6. Ask for help.  Family and/or friends would likely be willing.  Trade off with another family for babysitting.  Ask your sister to pick you up a few things when she goes to the store.  Ask your retired mother to pick up a present for a mutual friend's wedding instead of you each making a trip.
7. Get up early.  This is a huge bummer sometimes, but nothing stresses me out more than having to rush.  I also dislike waking up right as the kids do, as they want everything NOW!  NOW!  NOW!  (Dude.  I have GOT to pee before I get any yogurt for you.  You'll just have to be patient.  Also, it’s early.  Quit smiling.)
8. Set things out ahead of time.  Clothes for the morning?  Set them out the night before.  Make lunches the day before.  Make sure you know where your keys are.  Pack the diaper bag first thing in the morning or last thing the night before.
9. Pray or meditate.  Or both.  Having some time to speak with God and/or yourself is essential for the soul, especially during tough times.  It doesn’t have to take long, and it doesn’t have to be every day.  And it doesn't matter where you do it, either.  (Sometimes, the only time I'm alone is when I shower.  God knows what I look like naked, and he doesn't care that I'm washing my hair while I talk to him!  He's awesome like that.)  The quiet time truly helps.
10. Make time for family and friends.  Everyone gets busy, but don’t get so wrapped up in what you have going on that you forget to live.  Go out with your spouse.  Blow off some steam with your besties.  Have a long talk with your grandma.  Reconnect with the people that make you feel good.

No matter what is stressing you out, know that it will get better eventually.  One of my favorite quotes is this: “It will be all right in the end.  If it’s not all right, then it’s not the end.” 

I hope you have found some sanity here at The Case of the Missing Cheerios.  As always, we accept topic requests at any time.  If you’d like to make a request, comment, email us at thecaseofthemissingcheerios@gmail.com, or contact us through our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Case-of-the-Missing-Cheerios-blog/317836935013256  .  Don’t forget to like us on facebook!  Thanks for your support!

See you next week!

Socializing Your Child~priddymomma

Every parent has to make decisions eventually about socializing their children.  Play dates, slumber parties, volunteering, birthday parties, schooling, church, holidays, hobbies, and sports can all play a role in socializing.  My children are home schooled, so I get a lot of questions about socializing my children.  The truth is that I don’t do anything out of the ordinary.  Here are some tips to bring out your social butterfly.  Keep in mind that all kids follow their own rates of development, and some kids are naturally introverted.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  They will have friends, just like the next kid.  They likely just enjoy one-on-one play over group play.

• Talk to your child.  Having conversations with your kids (and talking at them before they can talk) teaches them how to have conversations with other people.
• Read to your child.  Reading increases vocabulary and having them read aloud allows them to practice pronunciation.
• Set up play dates for your child with kids around the same age.  They don’t have to be elaborate, catered events.  Just get together with a mom you know (and like) who has a kid roundabout the same age as yours.  Call it quits after an hour.  The kids will be worn out by then, and they’ll be eager to have another play date soon.
• Go to the park.  There are usually other children and moms at the playground.  Your kids will have a good time, and you might just make a friend while you’re at it.
• Take advantage of playgroups.  Many churches and libraries offer playgroups, usually arranged by age.  Many offer learning activities.  There are also classes available at other locale for a fee.  Taking these classes for fun and socialization is a great idea. 
• Sign up for sports.  Obviously, I’m talking at least four years old.  If your kid is interested in a sport, signing up will keep them active, introduce them to other kids their age, and keep them out of your hair for a bit.  Whoop!  Don’t force sports on your kid if he or she isn’t interested, however.
• Role play with your child.  Use dolls or stuffed animals to teach your kid how to interact with other people in different scenarios.
• Teach manners.  This is important, so I’m going to say it again.  TEACH MANNERS!  There are so many rude people out there.  Your child need not grow up to become one.  My 17 month old daughter occasionally says “Thank you” or “You’re Welcome” unprompted.  It’s never too early.  Teaching kids manners means that they are better prepared to work with other people and to settle any differences diplomatically.  Manners also start a nice discussion about empathy.
• Let your child be a part of your every day life.  Sounds simple enough.  Let your child participate in a conversation with the cashier, mail carrier, or relative on the telephone. 

All in all, I wouldn’t get too hung up on socializing unless your child is clearly struggling with it.  You’re likely doing a fantastic job, momma!  Keep it up.  :)

What's New This Month~priddymomma

Hey guys!  As I’m sure you’ve noticed, we haven’t been updating frequently.  We’re all super busy, so bear with us!  With that in mind, here’s where my thoughts have been this month:

Exercise

yeah...this is legit one of the moves -_-

My workout schedule this month is elaborate.  Some weeks can’t play out exactly the way I want, but for the most part, my week looks like this chart.  (The abs workout is killer)

	Sun	Mon	Tues	Wed	Thurs	Fri	Sat
Early Morning	10 min. yoga	10 min. yoga	10 min. yoga	10 min. yoga	10 min. yoga	10 min. yoga	10 min. yoga
Morning	Aikido Stances	Plank	Horse stance	Side plank	Aikido Stances	Horse stance	Side plank
Nap Time	Train*	Abs **	Train*	Abs**	Train*	Abs**	Strength training
Afternoon	X	Hiking	X	Hiking	X	Hiking	X
Evening	X	X	Zumba	X	Zumba	X	X

*Self defense and Aikido

**With stability ball

Big News

We’re looking at houses, ready to buy!  We made an offer on a house, actually, but then we found out it doesn’t qualify for the loan we were hoping to get (USDA).  Long story short, we need to come up with a down payment.  So unless that money just falls from the sky (I’m not ruling it out.  Anything could happen!), it looks like we’re going to be looking into other homes and/or waiting until our tax return so we can put up the $$$.  I hope it works out with that place, or a place very similar.  Wish us luck!

Kids

Chrysalis

alphabet

Cheerio Champ is doing a Health Unit for homeschooling this week.  We talked about teeth today.  Princess Cheerio keeps waking up at night and I can’t figure out why. 

Random

I have fleas.  Or so it seems.  I’m the only one getting bitten, and we don’t have carpet, so I have no idea.  We have a cat, but she stays outside.  Go figure. 

 

Coming Up

I have no idea what kind of schedule we are on for this house hunt thing, my godmother’s daughter is having a bridal shower this weekend and getting married next month, my cousin just had her baby son yesterday, I’m looking shaggy and need a haircut, I should really start Christmas shopping soon and buy a gift for aforementioned wedding (and wrap bridal shower gift), we’re throwing a Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone Halloween party this year (don’t judge me!) so I have to get on planning and what not with that, I need new contact lenses, I’m hoping to drop eight more pounds this month while simultaneously fighting my addiction to coffee and chocolate, the kids get their flu shots next month, I’m helping a friend to plan her wedding, and I’m pretty sure I have a cavity that needs dealt with.  *gasp*  So that’s what’s coming up soon!  A mother’s work is never done, eh? 

Hope you guys are doing well, and see you next week! 

Immunizations

I’ll be straight with you all up front.  I am 100% for immunizations.  Even if, in the small few, an immunization causes an issue, the simple truth is that immunizations save lives and prevent widespread misery.  I know it is difficult to watch your babies get jabbed three or four times during a doctor’s visit.  I view that to be considerably more acceptable than my kids having something like Pertussis or Polio (admittedly, they have an oral for the latter, but you get what I’m saying).  If you read up on modern research, you’ll find they have found nothing to link immunizations irrefutably to any spectrum disorder or health concern.  There are millions of factors to consider in each case, and the simple truth is that the cause has not been constant across the board. 

Big questions, moderate size answers:

Q:  Do you think immunizations should be mandatory?

A:  No.  What would be the point?  There would still be a clause about religious reasons and it would be hard to regulate.  It should be a decision made by the parent, though it should be strongly encouraged.

Q:  Would you let your vaccinated kids play with unvaccinated kids?

A:  Yeah.  I would.  If my kids are protected, I fail to see the issue.  Shunning unvaccinated children seems like a way to make others feel small based on their beliefs and decisions.  You aren’t right just because you vaccinate, and you aren’t somehow better than anyone else.  One exception:  no way am I letting an unvaccinated child near my infant (whooping cough fear-baby is too young to vaccinate).  Funny thing about that:  often times it is ADULTS, and not children, that pass whooping cough to infants.  Have you gotten a booster?  You should.  To be honest, I didn’t really let anyone near my infants, for a variety of reasons. 

Q:  Are vaccines worth the risk?

A:  I certainly think so.  Our lives are constantly full of risk.  We daily drive, cross streets, use elevators, and use electricity.  Any of those things could result in catastrophe, but the odds have been in our favor enough that we continue to go on our merry way and utilize them.  I don’t see why immunizations should be any different.

Q:  What advice do you have to parents trying to make the decision on whether or not to vaccinate?
A:  It’s your decision ultimately, but at least know the FACTS (There’s a lot of misinformation out there.  For example, I recently read where someone was scorning autistic children because they were obviously contagious.  Idiot.)  Find out what immunizations there are, when kids receive them, and what they protect against.  Read what they contain.  Decide for yourself if you’d rather worry about illness or something like autism, and realize that most kids get vaccinated and are just fine. 

***I also have a note to parents of kiddos with spectrum disorders or other health concerns they believe to be caused by immunizations:  I don’t know why your child is going through what they are going through.  I don’t know your story, I don’t know his or hers, and I don’t know if vaccines caused any change.  But what I do know is that spreading the hate about vaccines isn’t fixing the problem.  If you want to make a real difference, you have two options.  The first is to lobby and raise money for the cause, to get more research done by unbiased companies so hopefully there can one day be a happy medium.  Vaccines that do not contain such toxic chemicals, perhaps?  The second is to turn your attention to where it truly belongs:  your child.  Your kiddo is special and loved.  Make sure he or she knows that, and accept the gifts you do have.