Monthly Archives: February 2012

momthropology 101

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Knock knock.
Who’s there?
High School.
__________

Why is it that it’s the year 2012 and yet sometimes I feel like I’ve been transported back to the mid-90’s? It’s not the latest fashion trends. It’s definitely not the music. And it’s not even the fact that today I spotted at least 3 women (4, if you include me) at the grocery store sporting “The Rachel.”

After careful observation, I have concluded that mommyhood is basically high school all over again. You know, the time in your life when you’re desperately searching to find out who you are and where you most fit in.

In high school, we had the jocks, preps, punks, popular, dramas, nerds, grunge (yes, grunge).

In mommyhood, we have the working moms, stay-at-home moms, soccer moms, helicopter moms, tiger moms, crunchy moms, yoga moms, yada yada yada. And just like in high school where I floated from clique to clique never really cementing myself into one particular group- motherhood has been a similar experience for me. From the outside, most people would probably say I am more of a crunchy-granola-yoga mom because I choose organic foods, I love to exercise and do yoga, and I try to implement an all around healthy and green lifestyle for my family. But to me, I am just a mish mosh of mom types that never really fit into a mold pre- or post kids:

  • I breast-fed both my children well into toddlerhood, but used disposable diapers.
  • I co-slept initially, but kicked them out as soon as I possibly could.
  • I wore my babies for about 30 seconds, then opted for a stroller.
  • I made my own baby food (once or twice), then busted out the Earth’s Best.
  • I put my kids in time-out and yell when I’m mad.
  • I get tired, cranky, irritated- and am not afraid to admit it.
  • I say “no” to my kids, then change my mind so they will stop nagging me.
  • I make mistakes, but try my hardest to learn from them.
  • Potty training is/was a pain in the ass.

In my experience with motherhood, I think it’s safe to say that versatility is key. Decide what works for you and your family and use it. Keep an open mind and be willing to change and adapt. Take our culture’s obsession with fitting moms into a particular group or category with a grain of salt. The bottom line: We’re moms leading different [crazy] lives and we need all the support we can get to feel confident in our parenting choices. You might be surprised to find the best mom friends you meet could be the ones that do the exact opposite of you.

lisa

ps. Meet me in the cafeteria, I saved you a seat.


baby it’s cold outside

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The winter blues are in full swing here at my house and my family is in need of some sort of “lifting of the winter spirits” exercise. You know, maybe something where we all get together in the morning, stand holding hands in a circle, and chant for the sun gods to shine some light and send some heat and bathing suit weather our way. I don’t know about where you live, but winter can get pretty damn depressing in the northeast. Every day is like groundhog day. Get up, look outside- cloudy. Make breakfast, get the kids dressed, start the car- freeze my ass off. Run back into the house, bundle the kids up in winter jackets-boots-hats-mittens, and scoot them out the door as quickly as possible- would you look at that it’s raining/sleeting/snowing/a blizzard. And pretty much every morning, I have the same conversation with my kids as we leave the house. Here’s my end:

“Hurry up and get in, I need to buckle you my head is getting wet.”

“Yes, you have to wear your hat, it’s cold.”

“Because I said so.”

“No, you can’t open your window.”

“Your boogies will freeze.”

“Sorry, but we can’t play outside today.”

“How are you going to roller skate in slush?”

“Your bike is put away for the winter.”

“I’m pretty sure your training wheels wouldn’t make it through that snow bank.”

“The park is closed.”

“Because they took the swings down.”

“No, we can’t go swimming.”

“Baby, it’s cold outside.”

As a mom of two very active and energetic young kids, the best way to keep them happy and thus maintain my sanity is to open the door and let them go, go, go. In spring, we throw on our rain gear and stomp in muddy puddles. In summer, we ride bikes, run through sprinklers, and picnic under a shady tree. In fall, we take hikes and go on nature walks.

Then comes winter.

It’s great in the beginning because the holiday season is in full throttle and the kids are preoccupied with Santa and sleigh rides. But then comes January, February, March. Can you say boring? After I’ve exhausted every do-it-yourself craft activity, book reading session, puzzle time, watch-momma-cook-dinner fun- and the kids are still bouncing off the walls, it’s time to bundle them up and brave the cold.

My kids are desperate to get outdoors in the winter even when it’s 6 degrees and I can’t say I blame them. I’m desperate, too. Being cooped up inside (home, work, school, daycare) for months on end starts to take it’s toll. Any sign of sunlight and 30+ degree temperatures and my family is hitting the front yard like it’s an 80 degree beach day.

The benefits of keeping kids active during the winter are key to their optimum development and overall well being. Outdoor exercise builds strong bones and muscles, reduces stress, strengthens immunity, releases endorphins in the body, increases much needed Vitamin D levels, and allows for an overall better mood and night’s sleep.

So get outside with your kids even if it’s just for a brisk walk. And the next time you find yourself hauling out the Radio Flyer wagon and trudging through six inches of snow and slush in mid-February, know that I am right there with ya.

lisa

Own it then OM it

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As a mom of two young children, I have to say this parenting stuff is hard. Yes, their kisses are wonderful. When I look into their eyes, I melt. When they say silly things, I crack up. They are beautiful, smart, funny, endearing – and I wouldn’t give them up for the world. Yet sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in a sea of Elmos, Lalaloopsies, Tinkerbell Band-Aids, and juiceboxes. There are days when my life is a disaster movie marathon and I can’t seem to pull it together long enough to change the channel. I can barely keep up with the responsibilities of motherhood – let alone wifehood, careerhood, maidhood, exercisehood, diethood, playhood, dayhood, bedtimehood, and of course, up-all-night-hood. Did I forget to mention no-time-for-myself-hood?

In the midst of all the craziness that surrounds my daily life – I have found that the best way to save myself from drowning in a sea of never ending responsibilities is to consciously recognize where I am, and then do everything I can to bring myself back to center. In other words, “Own it then OM it.”

Now you might be thinking, where is center? Great question because on days when I am gasping for air trying to keep my head above water in Momville, center would be located in my bed, under my down comforter, watching a SATC marathon on TBS. So nice. Refreshing. But the center I’m referring to is that of the spiritual kind, the yoga variety. Center is not a physical place, but rather the essence of you and where your confidence lies. A place where you can connect with yourself even if just for a split second. OM is the whole universe coalesced into a single sound and represents the union of mind, body, and spirit that is at the heart of yoga. So when you are feeling overwhelmed or overjoyed, turn inward for a moment or two, hold onto the feelings of happiness and let the feelings of anxiety, fear, frustration, and sadness pass. Practice this everyday and eventually you will be doing it without even thinking about it!

Some ~Own it then OM it~ times in my life:

When my living room looks like Toys ‘R Us and I spend all day cleaning and I never get anywhere –

Own it then OM it.


When the laundry is piled up and the baby is crying and the husband is screaming for more toilet paper –

Own it then OM it.


When I use a car cart at the grocery store and I keep slamming into store shelves because I have no perception of how large the thing really is and my son is screaming to get out because he doesn’t want to ride anymore –

Own it then OM it.


When bath time takes two hours and my son just peed on the rug and my daughter asks for another sip of water every two seconds before bed –

Own it then OM it.


When I’m in the Target check-out line and my daughter is stuffing candy into her pockets and my son is already tearing through an unpurchased bag of M&M’s and my migraine just went into overload –

Own it then OM it.


When my iPhone alarm is set, but my phone is on silent and I sneeze after putting on mascara and I just find out the toilet is plugged as I sit my a** down –

Own it then OM it.


Here are some of my BEST Own it then OM it moments:

  • When I look at my kids and realize how lucky I am and what a blessing they are in my life.
  • When I get hugs and kisses and artwork made from noodles and the sweetest giggles from too many tickles.
  • When I watch them grow and thank God for their health and cherish the milestones they reach every day.
  • When I hear them say, “mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom mom.”
  • When I cuddle them at night and tell bedtime stories and watch them fall asleep.

This list could go on and on. I have so many more Own it then OM it moments that I couldn’t possibly write them all down!

Please comment below and share some of yours, good or bad!

Have a great weekend.

lisa