Don’t you Deserve A Break Today?

Do you remember Mcdonald’s old slogan, some time before “Da da da da da, I’m lovin it!”? It was “You deserve a break today.”

I know you are continuously reading that it is important to take time for yourself, nurture your spirit, have a quiet time each day… The truth is this is so much more easier said than done, isn’t it? I mean I want to be a great parent. I read parenting books all the time, and am always finding new information on training and disciplining my child. I want to be a good wife, loving and supporting, and giving of myself. But, how much have I done to nurture me? How many books have I read on becoming the woman God created me to be? How many stars have I even tried to touch? Not many, I am afraid. I can’t even take enough time for myself to go to the gym, and they have childcare! How many of you, like me, have pushed to be the best wife and mom, the best business woman, the best friend, the best sister, the best daughter, only to find yourself at the end of it all exhausted and resenting the lack of appreciation for all you have done, and those you have done it for? How many arguments with your spouse start with, “you don’t even have a clue at what all I do”? How many times have you thought, “If I have to do one more thing…?”

To share a bit of personal struggle… I have found myself in a vicious cycle of wanting to do everything for everyone, and burning out. In my attempts to do so much for others, I end up burning both ends of the candle, and then turn on the ones that I love and want to care for the most!

I vote we Stop the madness! While I am the guiltiest of them all for falling into this trap we must find away to have peace with ourselves. It is ok to say “no” sometimes. I know it is such a hard word to be so small, but we must learn how to use it. And it is ok to delegate; all great leaders do it. (You would be surprised what your husband would do if you would just ask, and not be a control freak about it … and let’s admit it, we all have a little control freak in us.) We have to take back our time, and find at least 30 minutes to meditate, pray, take a bubble bath, something that requires no thinking or movement.

Here is my challenge: at least 2 nights this week ask your spouse to put the kids to bed; you go into your room for 30-45 minutes and find something you enjoy, maybe scrapbook or read something light-hearted (My new favorite is “Stop dressing your six year old like a skank, and other delicate words of southern wisdom”). Just 2 nights, for 30-45 minutes. No guilt that hubby has to tear himself away from the computer or t.v. to tend to his offspring. (Let HIM read “Sex Begins In The Kitchen”, or listen to it as this link goes to an audio version, by Dr. Kevin Leman, it will change both of your lives!)

Please let me know how you do, and I will let you know on my part too!

Problems Are Opportunity’s Catapult!

“Whether or not something is a problem or an opportunity is
determined by your own attitude, approach and perspective. It
is entirely your choice.” -Jill Koenig

I found this quote inspiring when I read it. Jill Koenig was speaking in her October 11th post about the creators of YouTube, which we all know as a household name like Google. (Which coincidentally recently bought YouTube for 1.6 billion dollars.) This household name started with a personal problem, “how can we share a large video file on the web with my friends… It will not fit in an email”. Eighteen months later these two guys have not only solved their personal problem, but become multi-millionaires at less than 30 years old. Did they have a problem, or an opportunity?

In speaking with a pastor from my church last week he said, “I have had people in my life teach me the right way of doing things, and the wrong way of doing things, both are blessings in my life… It’s all about perspective.” (Pastor Perry Keyt) In reading Jamie’s Post about things to be thankful for I emailed her this: “It is easy to get all dumpy on life sometimes, because we look past the little things that bless us everyday, and they are usually the most important in the long run. So stopping to count even the smallest blessings, you can begin to feel like “Who Am I to be so rich?” That is a great way to live, don’t you think?” I went on to write this post.

Whether it is a professional or personal struggle, it is your attitude and perspective that can change the situation.You can choose to be disgruntled because you have to work and want to be at home with your kids. You can complain about your marriage. (We are all guilty) Or you can find your part in the problem and fix it. Finding a way to fix your marriage may lead you to a career of helping other marriages! You do not set out to heal a broken relationship with the attitiude of making money out of it, but the point here is, having the right attitude and perspective that “I can accept my part and change my situation”, affects every area of your life.

You can complain that there is nothing educational for infants, or you can decide to take your child’s toys put them in front of a video camera, play classical music as you make the toys move, and create a “household name” company that you sell to Disney for millions, and never have to worry about money or working again! (A mother’s personal problem became known as the “Baby Einstein Company”. Problem, or opportunity? Depends on your perspective and attitude.)

Dave Ramsey was a milionaire, and bankrupt before thirty. He had a problem, which did not look like an opportunity at the time. While I am sure he and his wife saw Bankruptcy as a HUGE personal problem, they soon saw the opportunity. . He did not set out to teach others, he was simply trying to change his own life. This problem catapulted him into an opportunity. He learned how not only to help himself, but others as well, to have financial peace. He is now, once again, a millionaire.

Sometimes even things that cause us pain can be an opportunity, if we have the right perspective. “Grey’s Anatomy” showed a little girl with a disease where she felt no pain. (This is an actual disease) The little girl was letting kids hit her with a baseball bat to show them how tough she was. She had internal bleeding and could have died. A real life case of this showed a child, about one, who had poked her eye out and was now blind because she could not feel the pain, and did not realize the damage she was doing. On the show one of the Dr.’s said “This is what pain is for people, to tell us when something is wrong”

Pain, discomfort, and unhappiness, are all catapults to change. Even the things that seem hopeless, and that hurt down to your bones, can be opprotunities with the right attitude and perspective!

 

Should children witness childbirth??


Due to a power outage, only one paramedic responded to the call. The house was very, very dark, so the paramedic ask Kathleen, a 3-year-old girl, to hold a flashlight high over her Mommy so he could see while he helped deliver the baby. Very diligently, Kathleen did as she was asked. Heidi pushed and pushed, and after a little while Ricky was born. The paramedic lifted him by his little feet and spanked him on his bottom. Ricky began to cry. The paramedic then thanked Kathleen for her help and asked the wide-eyed 3-year old what she thought about what she had just witnessed. Kathleen quickly responded, “He shouldn’t have crawled in there in the first place ……… smack his butt again!” 🙂

I got this as an email, and laughed hysterically. However, I did have a friend that allowed her 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter in the deliver room to witness their baby brother’s birth. The son did not have much to say, but the little girl was quick to say she was never having children! So this is obviously a great way to scare a girl into not having sex as a teenager, but what about the long term effects? And should any boy ever see his mother like that? This funny email got me to thinking about this.

What are your thoughts?

Bebestages book swap

Oh David!I love this idea I found today on another site. If you are tired of the mounds of books that your child has collected, but can’t seem to get rid of a perfectly good book, then here is an idea for you! It is a book swap. For a minimal yearly fee you can post your books for someone to trade, and other parents post their gently used books to trade. I think it’s a great way to refresh your child’s personal library without breaking the piggy bank. (“Oh David!” is one of the books currently listed. I have this book and it is really cute!)

Bebestages, also has some great shopping tips like where to find inexpensive wooden classic toys, has craft projects every friday, and other great tools and resources for moms. A great new site to check out!

Lots To Be Thankful For!

Daddy's girlsLOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR! BlondeMomBlog, my good for a laugh read, brought a thankful note to my day. In all the things we can gripe about in life, there is more to look around and be thankful for. She asks what are you thankful for. Here is my response…

I am thankful for my sweet girls. The smile I get of just watching my nineteen month old breathe, and discover life. My favorite thing is to take her to music class, she just comes alive, and oh the sweet sound of her cackling… Melt my heart! I am thankful that my five year old is growing into a little lady, the excitement of all she learns at school, and the hope she has. I am thankful that I have healthy beautiful, confident girls, and that I am able to be their mom.

I am thankful for autumn days and memories of life that flood my thoughts as I enjoy the weather the fall brings. It is amazing at how fall brings a feeling of rejuvenation and new found energy, when outside it is actually a dying away of nature.

And I am thankful for my hubby, who seems to always understand my craziness, and loves me anyway. Who knows my heart even when I am screwing up, and thinks I am sexy when I am in flannel PJ’s and no makeup. And thankful that he believes “behind every great man is a great woman”, and oh how he is a great man! :)

Visit The Zoo!

Zoo AtlantaI was reminded today by Rookie Mom’s to check out the zoo. I know, I know, nothing new right? But, how long has it been since you checked it out? I realized my daughter is 19 months old and never been! When Emily was 2 (she is 5 now), we had a 1 year membership to the zoo for $89 (Atlanta Zoo) It cost $16 per adult, so especially if both parents go you have more than paid for the membership in 3 visits. Membership cost is tax deductible, plus it usually includes free guest passes, so when a stay at home mom wants to go with a friend it is a free trip all the way around!

When you have a membership, even when the money is tight, you have a great trip to take. Atlanta zoo does things such as Christmas lights and “Tastes of Atlanta”, so there are fun things to do all year long! For older children they even have a “spend the night at the zoo” a few times a year.
(Membership Invitation only)

Finally, and this was my biggest selling point, when you go and your toddler is exhausted after only an hour or two, you can leave not seeing everything and not feeling like you did not get your money’s worth. It is a great way to escape your own zoo, and see a few monkeys that aren’t your kids! 🙂

Red The Barber is As Funny As Floyd!

Floyd And AndyThis morning I want to introduce someone who has made me laugh on more than one occasion. “Red the Barber” seems to blog about whatever is on his mind. From political issues, his latest being about his outrage with the lack of character in politics, to “Gilmore’s Gone South”. Being the first man I add to my blog roll, my husband especially enjoyed reading this week’s blog choice. So whether your husband loves playing on the internet or not, send him to this blog.

Ben’s favorite was the “Gilmore’s Gone South”. He totally related that he has to go do something else while I am watching it now. An excerpt from Red’s blog best describes Ben’s attitude towards the current status of this show, and shows a little of this blog’s humor…

“Ok so I want to be a good husband. I want to try to find common ground with my sweet wife and share her interests and hope she will continue to do the same with me. My bride loves the television show “Gilmore Girls”….”
“… the “Gilmore Girls” were at one time, cute, clever, witty, mildly urbane, and vaguely sexy… now they are just irritating.”