Category Archives: parenting

What Type of TV is Bad for Kids?

Whether or not your child watches TV is a controversy onto itself. For those of us who do let our children watch TV, what is appropriate? Let’s face it, there is only so much Yo Gabba Gabba or Wa Wa Wubbzy I can tolerate in one day.

When I am sitting on the couch with my daughter, watching Nick Jr. with her, and I need to change the channel for a little sanity, what shows and or channels are really that inappropriate? Is daytime TV going to teach her how to become a mafiosa and marry the ringleader of some exceedingly wealthy east coast family? Are talk shows going to get her to question the way she looks?

What about in the evenings? My husband loves Family Guy. Is it wrong to subject a sixteen months old to Stewey’s potty mouth? I don’t think she understands any of the jokes, or what they are really saying. So, as far as I am concerned, she is just watching the cartoons for the visual aspects.

When we first moved into our house and cable was not yet installed, we would put on Simpsons DVDs for her to keep her busy while we unpacked. But even with as bawdy as the Simpsons at times get, it is not the same as putting on CSI where they show replica carcasses and other material which could potentially give Munchie nightmares for many months to come. But shows like these are the extreme. So where is the line drawn? When is adult TV too grown up?

Yes, in make believe land this would not be an issue, and I would be able to entertain my daughter every second she is awake without the use of TV. However, in real life, I need a break, and a shower, so the Wonder Pets are going to have to baby sit for a few minutes. Also, even when I am with her, there are times I just want to sit next to her, mellow out, and cuddle. TV zones her out just enough to make this happen.

What channels and programs do you allow in your house?

4 Common Myths About Inducing Labor

If you are pregnant, or have ever been pregnant, or even know anyone who has been pregnant, than you have probably heard one of these myths. These items or activities supposedly induce labor. I am only a few days away from giving birth, and if any of these were true, I would be in labor right now instead of writing this. And last time when I was pregnant with my daughter I would have given birth a lot sooner as well.

Basil

Basil is a staple in our house. Very few dinners we consume do not contain this herb. I am still waiting for the contractions to start.

Walking

I walk an average of four miles a day, half of which is at an incline. Again, I have not induced anything more than perhaps some toned legs. As toned as legs could get when you are nine months pregnant and retaining more water than you ever ingested. Is that even possible?

Coffee/Caffeine

This one is not so much an induction myth as a myth about premature babies caused by mothers drinking coffee while expecting. Regardless, according to my previous post, my baby should have been born early. As before, I am not saying caffeine has zero negative side affects, it just appears that early delivery is not one of them.

Sex

The specifics of this activity are really not for public disclosure. All I can say is that I should have popped this kid out last week.

Disclaimer: The sample size of my findings is one. I am the only subject used in this, um, study. If any of the above happens to help you induce labor, please share. If anything else helped you, or anyone you know, along, I would love to hear about that too.

4 Things Motherhood Has Taught Me

When you have children you learn basic things, such as taking care of your kid, changing a diaper, how to get an itsy bitsy onesie on an itsy bitsy baby, and so forth. However, there are some life lessons your kids will teach you that you may not have anticipated. These are some of the things motherhood has taught me:

Patience

Before you say “I already have loads of patience,” let me tell you, no you don’t. You do not have patience until a small child screams uncontrollably for three hours at night, and all you can do is hold them and hope they calm down so you can go to sleep yourself. Patience is when you are trying to perform a task that would normally take about ten minutes or less and has now dragged on for over an hour because your toddler does not feel you should be doing this particular thing.

Functioning on Little to No Sleep

I use the term “functioning” very loosely here. You are going through the motions of the day in a zombie like state, but nevertheless can perform some basic functions. Remember when you were in college and were able to go out partying until three or four in the morning, and then go to class and work the next day without missing a beat? Yeah, having kids is a lot like that, except there is no party and a lot more is expected of you. Fortunately this phase only lasts the first few months, after which, with any luck, your child is sleeping through the night for the most part.

Plans Do Not Count

I have to admit, this is still a lesson in progress for me, but I am slowly catching on. A little planning can in fact go a long way. However, for the most part, kids have a way of derailing even the best laid plans. They do not do this intentionally, and it does not necessarily happen all the time, but there are those occasions when you were planning on being somewhere at a certain time, or even going somewhere at all, and your child just would not allow this to happen (he puked all over himself and now you are late, she woke up with a fever, your babysitter cancelled on you and your destination is not kid friendly, etc.). You will eventually learn to just go with it.

Your Life Is No Longer About You

This is pretty self explanatory. In fact, if I even have to begin explaining this one, you are not ready for kids.

What have your kids taught you?