Diary of a Confused Mom: October 30th 2015

I'm unable to decide which is least painful on a Saturday morning; four hours at my son's football game starting at 6:30am or just under two hours at my other son's soccer game starting at 7:30am but with Little Z in tow?
 A strange but serious dilemma. 

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 29th 2015

I plan to write to the creators of Mr. Men because they need to add a character that provides representation for Little Z. It would be Mr. Unreasonable.

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 28th 2015

Little Z announced that he needs to do his "homework."

So T gave him a paper and once he was done offered to check it for him. Apparently his scribbles exceeded expectations and earned him an A+ :)

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 27th 2015

I just realized on my walk today, that the children's story book "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein, which I have always found to be extremely sad and gloomy, is talking about mothers.

Made it even more miserable for me.

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 23rd 2015

Yesterday O told me he sees me as "young, slim and beautiful." If I was an animal I'd be a "Mama Bear." I was wondering how this fits into the slim category when he elaborated "They are loving, viciously protect their cubs and in this case not fat."

The most beautiful thing about children is that they are sincere, so a compliment like this just means so much more...

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 22nd 2015

Yesterday at bedtime, Little Z informed me that he did not want to sleep. 

So I said sweetly "Mummy needs to sleep, so let's go to bed and rest, ok?"

"Ok," he answered, "Goodnight Mummy." And he walked off to his toys.

We did finally get to bed, and these days, I'm sleeping with the kids while their dad is away. This has introduced me to a world of nighttime eccentricities that I was unaware of. 

O whimpers in his sleep sometimes and T talks. They both end up entangled somehow, which causes some morning frustration and disputes.

Little Z will also whimpers occasionally. It's sort of in between talking out loud and whimpering. And every night, without fail, he must end up sleeping in a diagonal position, so even a queen sized bed becomes a real squeeze for the two of us.

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 21st 2015

Based on Little Z's request, I gave the little 'customer in training' shopping cart at Whole Foods another try today. 

It's amazing how a few short months will change a child. 

This time, no broken eggs and no frantic mother chasing after a speedy toddler on the loose with his glass-bottle-demolishing metal cart on wheels.

I had to herd him a bit, but we got our short list of groceries done, and he only crashed into my foot once.

I couldn't say who was feeling more proud at the end of it.

On another note, I sometimes wonder how some of T's socks get into some of the places where I find them? I mean a sock on the floor I can understand, and even one on the living room couch is the price for having a scruffy child, but I'm not exactly sure how they end up on the shelves?

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 17th 2015

Yesterday I gave T a bath with magnesium flakes. I told him it was to relax his muscles and he hopped right in and soaked it all up. 

I could tell O wanted the same pampering so today I offered him the same. He got in the bath but wanted me to inform him beforehand of how these magnesium flakes work and whether or not they would sting because he had a few cuts on his fingers.

It's amazing how I can have one who overthinks and over-analyzes everything beforehand and another that just dives in to see what will happen.

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 14th 2015

In a conversation with T today we started talking about animals and I asked him if he were to be an animal which one would he be? He chose a lizard and I thought that it suited him quite well, since he was skinny, fast and a really good climber. 

So I asked which animal I remind him of and he paused, the kind of pause that usually means he's thinking twice so as not to offend someone.

"Well, he started slowly...it's not a snail...not really a slug.."

"What?!" I interrupted and I'm sure he could see exclamation marks flying above my head.

In the end I got dog, and, at this point, I'll take it!

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 13th 2015

Loved this quote I came across today by Rumi:

"What you seek is seeking you."

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 5th 2015

I thought Little Z had somehow escaped his dad's excessively dominant gene, which dictates that our children are relentlessly argumentative.  He has been quite pleasant and, for the most part, accommodating so far.

But I'm noticing that more and more, he's demanding which shoes to wear and refuses to wear any T-shirt aside from his beloved gorilla one.

This week has been especially trying, since he's been under the weather.

He's argued with me about which fork color he will or will not eat with, has adamantly argued his way into 'eating' coconut water from a bowl with a spoon, and has told me that the garbage he's throwing goes on the wall (I swear he smirked when he announced that one).

In one of his more serious fits, when I called him by his nickname, he declared furiously "I'm NOT Bubbles!" 

All I could think was "Oh, thank goodness, they've switched my child, can I have the old one back?"

After being messed around with all week with his demands and fits, his last remark left me with no doubts that this child is a strong willed copy of his brothers. I asked if he wanted something and his reply was...

 "Yes and No."

Food Fuel: Teach your kids what healthy foods are good for in their everday life.

It seems like an on going battle for parents to get their children to eat healthy food even though foundation of good eating habits is crucial to a person's health and well being and will make it easier for them to lead a healthy lifestyle in the long run. 

To quote Dr. Gary Hardy in his interesting video about homeopathy and nutrition:

"Nutrition creates the conditions for health to exist."


Some children are such picky eaters that parents eventually resign to feeding them whatever they will accept, resulting in a nutrient deficient (and sometimes even harmful) diet, for these growing bodies.

Today's sophisticated children want the research and reasoning behind everything, so sometimes all is takes is to show them the value of each food and how it benefits their bodies to convince them to try it.

Here are some simple and tasty examples:

1. Coconut Water:

Benefit: This is a natural sports drink. It hydrates, gives energy and has a lot more potassium (and less sugar) than energy drinks. This means you can play better with more energy and less muscle cramps.

It is also healing and helps with post-game recovery. Professional tennis player John Isner swears by it.

How to Drink: Best taken straight from the coconut, cracked on the spot, but if that's not possible - look for a fresh one that tastes good and has NO additives. I've found that the Harmless Harvest brand at Whole Foods which has bottled coconut water with a great taste that is very close to the fresh one, and the only ingredient is organic coconut water. That's what I use when I need a bottle to grab for my son's football games.

2. Eggs:

Benefit: Eggs help build muscle tissues because they are packed with high quality proteins. Telling my boys that a food builds muscles is usually enough to convince them to eat it!


How to Eat:My favorite things about eggs is how easy they are to make! Boiled or sunny side up is minimal cooking effort. If I have extra time, I'll add mushrooms, some greens and cheese to make an even more nutritious meal for the kids.

3. Strawberries:
(Contributed by my 10 year old)

Benefit: They are full of Vitamin C which wards off sickness and promotes wound healing. Fun fact: The nutrient packed seeds are on the outside and we eat them without realizing. An average strawberry has about 200 seeds!


How to Eat:Many children actually like this fruit. Simply wash and eat. You can cut off the green part and you can slice it onto salad but it really works great just as it is. Some people will dip it in chocolate or sugar but if Vitamin C boosts your ability to fight disease, sugar greatly hinders it!


4. Avocados:

Benefit: They were listed in the Guiness World Book of Records as the most nutritious fruit known to man! Lots of healthy fats for growing, fiber for digestion and minerals for healthy bones and energy. (The Guiness comment is probably enough to get my boys to eat this amazing fruit!)


How to Eat:Slice and enjoy with a pinch of salt or lemon, or mash and add squeezed lemon, salt and cilantro for a quick easy dip (guacamole). Can be cut into cubes and added to any salad.


5. Salmon:

Benefit: Salmon is known as brain food because of the Omega 3 fatty acids. However, it's also helpful to combat depression, promote restful sleep and is a source of Vitamin D which guards against allergies.

How to Eat:Buy wild caught not farmed which is higher in Vitamin D and healthier overall. Salmon can be cooked in the oven with various marinades but my boys prefer it in a salmon pasta I make them. I usually use smoked salmon pieces but regular salmon would work too. Stir fried with onions and with whipped cream and parmesan cheese added.

Diary of a Confused Mom: October 1st 2015

I fell down yesterday - again. And hurt the same knee - again. This time I'm hobbling around because other than the renewed and rather large bleeding wound, my knee is swollen and painful.

T was with me and we were running back to the car after soccer practice. When, like humpty dumpty, I took my great fall, he quickly got into the car. His first comment to me as I suppressed my tears and agony was "maybe Daddy should take me to soccer practice from now on." 

Ummmm....

No King's horses or King's men coming for me anytime soon I guess.