Let Kids Rest and Get Bored

Yesterday morning I was getting my little one dressed for the day and she said "Mommy where we going?"  I told her we were going to the grocery store and to the Children's Museum and then to eat lunch with daddy at his office.  She looked at me and said "No, lets just stay at home."

I realized that while it is fun to go and have activities and also important to do the grocery shopping so my family has food.. sometimes little ones just need down time.  They need days at home with no where to go and no agenda, and no play dates.  It is healthy for them to have some time to get bored, so they can use their imagination and have free play.

So today we have no agenda; we are still in our PJs and are just going to see what unfolds for the day here at home.  Hopefully I can come up with a few fun crafts and then leave Madison with the rest of the day for just rest and free play....Humm maybe one of our activities can involve making brownies or cookies (that's more for mommy..haha).

Fueling our Bodies

I have had a very challenging morning with my little one.  She has been cranky, defiant, and whiny.
My patience with her has been pretty thin, so perhaps I am feeling a little cranky and whiny as well.

After an unsuccessful attempt at getting her to eat breakfast (milk & toast with Nutella.. the breakfast of champions, Right?) , she started to whine that she wanted jelly beans, cheetos, hot dogs, butter and numerous other items, that there is no way I would feed her for breakfast!
I started to think, as I sipped my coffee.....  Humm, all she has had this last two days is a bunch of junk food!  No wonder that's what she wants for breakfast.
At that instant I vowed I would get rid of the junk and make her eat good nutritious foods.

Don't get me wrong, my daughter eats healthy most of the time (her favorite snack is carrots, cucumbers and hummus), but sometimes I just get lazy and its easier to hand her a package of gummy snacks then it is for me to go cut up an apple or peel an orange.. how sad.

I know without a doubt that her attitude and sleep is greatly affected by what she eats, so I will put in my very best effort to make sure she eats healthy.

But here's my other dilemma...I also need to eat better... we are our kids role models, and I have to admit I am flunking horribly when it comes to my own nutrition and diet habits.

I am sure I am not the only mommy to do this:

• I find that most often I skip breakfast and opt for only coffee in the morning. 
• I eat a lunch of whatever I can find leftover in the fridge or pantry, sometimes I get busy with house chores and completely forget to eat lunch as well. So by afternoon time I am starving, but don't snack.. I hold out till dinner.
• I am very vigilant that dinner is delicious and healthy for my husband and daughter, but I tend to over eat as this is my sometimes first meal of the day.

 So.. heres the main point:  When it seems like your kiddos are behaving poorly, review their food choices over the last few days & YOURS too!  Perhaps if we all make the resolution to put the right things in our bodies, we will all have better attitudes and sleep (and NO I'm suggesting we skip dessert or treats.. just that we are more aware.. I still need chocolate, haha).

Here a list of 25 healthy snacks, just for inspiration:
http://familyshare.com/25-healthy-snack-ideas

Being a Kid

I started thinking this morning... Why are we parents so ready for our kiddos to grow up?

I remember when I had an infant and I couldn't wait for her to start talking and walking, now I miss those cuddles and coos (mine doesn't sit still very long anymore).
Now she is in the toddler stage and sometimes I wish my little one was potty trained (yes.. she's still in diapers, gasp!), knew not to color or paint on the walls and carpet, and could get her own juice from the fridge.  But I know the moment those days come, I will miss many of fun loving things little toddlers do.

So parents let make a pledge!  Let's not wish for our kids to grow up, let's keep them kids as long as possible.  Let them play in the mud and get dirty, make messes in the kitchen and run through the sprinklers while they still want too; because one day we will wake up and they wont want your attention so much and wont find joy in simple little things like that.