We all have moments when we question our parenting. Since welcoming our second child, I have been doing this a lot.
There comes a time when we all fall into what I like to call survival mode. Whether it is due to a hectic schedule, new family members, or just pure exhaustion, all parents come to a time when they go against their better judgment and not make the best parenting choices.
One thing that I feel strongly about is allowing Stella television time. I try to be very conscientious about how much time I allow her in front of the television and what she watches. I want television time to be something that is a treat and not the main activity she turns to. Instead I try to keep her occupied with crafts, playing outside, reading, etc. Many of these activities require a parent to join in.
Because I am now taking care of a two-week-old boy in addition to Stella, I am not able to play with my daughter as much as before. While the hubby does his best to step in, he is not always able to. I have found that I have allowed Stella more television time than normal, especially when I need to turn my attention to the baby.
It is no secret that kids pick things up from television.
I was sitting with Stella the other night watching one of her favorite shows and feeding the baby. I was talking to Stella about what was watching on TV and it surprised me how much she had learned from the show. She was able to participate and give all the correct answers during the interactive parts.
When the show was over, I asked her a few things about what she had seen. It turns out that she learned some good stuff (the episode happened to be about dinosaurs). This got me thinking; does television always have to be a bad thing?
There are about four shows that Stella is allowed to watch. We record a few episodes and leave them on our DVR and she picks from those when she gets TV time. I feel that all of the shows are age appropriate and have some type of educational component.
It turns out she had learned some things from these shows.
Why should children be any different than adults? We learn things from some of the shows that we watch, especially on channels like Discovery or the History Channel. Our children can gain some useful knowledge from the television, as long as we are monitoring what they are watching.
I know that television should not be the babysitter. I also know that we all have a time when allowing our kids a little time in front of the tube is the best that we can do. Instead of punishing ourselves about it, why not just make good choices when having to do it?
Here's my recommendation: Research the shows that are available to your kids and limit the TV programs to ones that focus on learning skills. If your child is older, have your daughter or son choose from channels that are educational. If possible, record shows on the DVR so that there is always something appropriate for them to watch.
I don’t feel great about letting Stella sit in front of the television, but I know that I can control what she sees. By learning how to limit what and when she watches, TV time doesn’t have to be a bad thing for us or our kids.
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP
Happy Hump Day! After settling in with our new arrival (12 days old), I am ready to do some hopping! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP
Happy Hump Day! After settling in with our new arrival (12 days old), I am ready to do some hopping! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Olympic Mania - On a Toddler Level
I don’t know about everyone else, but I sure have been having fun watching the Olympics! I give up hours of precious sleep at night to watch some of the events that I love the most: gymnastics and swimming.
I remember watching the Olympics as a kid, but I don’t remember it being a huge event or a big part of my life when the Olympics came around. I think for Stella that will be different.
Since we try to not have the television on when Stella is awake, I had no intentions of introducing her into the Olympics this year. But I was watching swimming one afternoon when she got home — I was hooked on the event and didn’t turn the television of right away. She asked me what I was watching, and I started to explain the Olympics to her. Since she takes swimming lessons, and she was immediately interested.
Before I knew it, Stella was on the floor “practicing her kicks” while watching the swimming event. She informed me that she was kicking like her swim teacher taught her and doing it “fast” like the women on TV.
A couple days later, she awoke from bed for a drink of water (yes, she is in “that stage”) to find the hubby and me watching women’s gymnastics. She clapped and squealed with delight at the girls jumping and spinning.
It was at this point when I realized that perhaps it's not too soon to make the Olympics a part of Stella’s life. Even at 2 years old, she finds joy and inspiration in what she watches. There is plenty to learn from the Olympics, and it excites me that she is so into it. I have even found some ideas on how to bring the Olympics into our home with arts and crafts.
Stella now tells me she would also like to play volleyball where you “can hit the ball over the net and you can’t miss.” I am sure Misty May and Kerri Walsh only wish it were that easy. They sure make it look like it is. While our Olympians are an inspiration to us all, I glad I didn’t miss the message that their inspiration can never start too early.
I remember watching the Olympics as a kid, but I don’t remember it being a huge event or a big part of my life when the Olympics came around. I think for Stella that will be different.
 |
| Stella in her swim cap |
Before I knew it, Stella was on the floor “practicing her kicks” while watching the swimming event. She informed me that she was kicking like her swim teacher taught her and doing it “fast” like the women on TV.
A couple days later, she awoke from bed for a drink of water (yes, she is in “that stage”) to find the hubby and me watching women’s gymnastics. She clapped and squealed with delight at the girls jumping and spinning.
It was at this point when I realized that perhaps it's not too soon to make the Olympics a part of Stella’s life. Even at 2 years old, she finds joy and inspiration in what she watches. There is plenty to learn from the Olympics, and it excites me that she is so into it. I have even found some ideas on how to bring the Olympics into our home with arts and crafts.
Stella now tells me she would also like to play volleyball where you “can hit the ball over the net and you can’t miss.” I am sure Misty May and Kerri Walsh only wish it were that easy. They sure make it look like it is. While our Olympians are an inspiration to us all, I glad I didn’t miss the message that their inspiration can never start too early.
WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP
Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Celebrating World Breastfeeding Week
This week is World Breastfeeding Week! It is a the time to raise awareness and celebrate all you haute moms that are or have breastfed your little ones.
There are some great companies out there that are helping the celebreation so be sure to take advantage of these World Breastfeeding Week promotions.
Mothers Lounge LLC a huge supporter of breastfeeding. They are giving away FREE carseat canopies and nursing covers this week! They are a must have for you little ones and always make great gifts.
Here is how to take advantage:
1.Go to www.carseatcanopy.com.
2.Click on "Shop Now" and select any carseat canopy you like.
3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code "BREASTFEEDING2012" and we will deduct 100% off the cost of the canopy - all you pay is the shipping fees!
For a free nursing cover follow these steps:
1.Go to www.uddercovers.com.
2.Click on "Shop Now" and select any nursing cover you like.
3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code "BREASTFEEDING2012" and we will deduct 100% off the cost of the cover - all you pay is the shipping fees!
Remember: the promo code is "BREASTFEEDING2012" and you can use it more than once - just open a new browser window each time you do.
Mothers Lounge LLC a huge supporter of breastfeeding. They are giving away FREE carseat canopies and nursing covers this week! They are a must have for you little ones and always make great gifts.
1.Go to www.carseatcanopy.com.
2.Click on "Shop Now" and select any carseat canopy you like.
3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code "BREASTFEEDING2012" and we will deduct 100% off the cost of the canopy - all you pay is the shipping fees!
For a free nursing cover follow these steps:
1.Go to www.uddercovers.com.
2.Click on "Shop Now" and select any nursing cover you like.
3. Once you have made your selection, you'll automatically be directed to the shopping bag. Enter the promo code "BREASTFEEDING2012" and we will deduct 100% off the cost of the cover - all you pay is the shipping fees!
Remember: the promo code is "BREASTFEEDING2012" and you can use it more than once - just open a new browser window each time you do.
WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP
Happy Hump Day! It's a great time to make some new bloggy friends. I hope you join in on the hop! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and check out some new blogs!
Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun.
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
There are a few rules though:
1. Follow the hostess, Haute Mom and the guest hostesses. Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow one other blog.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.
So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!
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