Baby Love
09/12/11The Helicopter MomThere is such a fine line between being a passive mom and a helicopter mom. It seems like the very moment that I start to relax, my kid gets hurt. Forcing me to teeter between helicopter mom and psycho mom. Last week while tailgating before a football game, my 21-month-old fell and caught himself with his left arm. I didn't see it happen, but the scream that followed was one that makes mothers go immediately into crisis mode. The screaming subsided after a few minutes, but he was obviously in pain and not using the hurt arm at all. Luckily, my husband has learned that in these situations, I'm not open to any sort of compromise. I demand action; quick, direct action. He found an EMT who called in for "back-up." Out of nowhere five more EMTs showed up. Even I knew... Posted at 12:19 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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08/25/11Supermoms at risk for depression? DUH!So I guess I'm going to chime in here with a million other mom bloggers today about the Today Show's segment about "Supermoms." My take on it is, is this really news? I mean, we all know the story. Guilt for working, guilt for not working, etc. etc. I still wouldn't take back having the choice. The only part about the story that was interesting to me is that working moms who don't expect their working husbands to do as much housework as they do were less likely to be depressed. Ha! So they're saying that as long as you don't set your expectations too high for your husband, than you're less likely to be disappointed. Although this may be true, isn't this letting the husbands off a little easy? I mean, so women are expected to bring home the bacon, cook it, feed it to their... Posted at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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08/16/11Hello my name is Abby and I'm a co-sleeper.Not too long ago I was touting about how "our baby just doesn't like to sleep with us.""He just prefers to sleep in his crib," I said.Well, throw that idea out the window. I think it's safe to say that we are now officially co-sleepers. The main problem is that we both have to pretend to go to sleep at 7:30. I, being a ceremonial sleeper who has to have all stars aligned to actually fall asleep, easily get up and continue on with my evening. My husband however is 0 for 2 this week because he keeps pretending a little too well. Ten minutes into "night-night" he's the first one snoozing. Needless to say, he's very rested this week. So, instead of spending hours making him "cry it out" in his crib (which makes me nauseous and extremely... |
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08/11/11Where Children Sleep.It's so hard to not get bitter these days. The stock market is an emotional roller coaster, the heat has been breaking records and most of our elected official's behavior is just plain embarrassing. Seriously, I watch the news and wonder if I should just move to a commune somewhere.But then I get an e-mail like this and it puts things into perspective. I'm very lucky, my son is very lucky and if you are reading this blog entry you are very lucky too. |
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08/04/11Water Limit Order Shuts Down City Splash PadsIn case you haven't heard, Mayor Bartlett called for outdoor water restrictions yesterday. For more information, click here to go to an article in the Tulsa World.Not to be completely insensitive because I know that it is definitely necessary, but the first thing I thought of were the splash pads. So, I called the Mayor's Action Hotline this morning and my greatest fear was realized....they are all shut down "until heat subsides."Actually, they are all shut down except for the one at 41st & Riverside. That specific one recycles the water. So, I guess I will see you all there sometime in the next month because I don't forsee the heat subsiding anytime before then.P.S. Have you all noticed how cranky everyone is? Jeez, I got flipped off on Sunday for reasons unknown to... Posted at 08:49 AM | Permalink | Comments: 2 |
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08/02/11Battle Hymn of the Happy MotherHave any of you seen the articles published finding that parents are more depressed than their childless friends? A friend e-mailed it to me some time ago and I've been keeping it starred in my in-box for a while.While reading it, I couldn't help but start really looking deep into myself asking...am I truly happy?The answer is that I'm happier than I've ever been in my adult life.Everyone's circumstances are different. I was 100% ready when I got pregnant. I'll never have to look back and think "I should have had more fun" because I most definitely had my fair share.I'm not saying that to brag or make my life seem wonderful and perfect because it's most definitely not. I have good days, bad days, mediocre days. My husband and I argue, mostly about money and scheduling. I... |
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07/18/11Toddler Time: Where is your happy place?My kid wakes up early. I'm not complaining because he does go to sleep early. Plus, with this heat, the only time you can even go outside is before 9 a.m.We usually go for an early morning stroll and most of the time it's just us and the bunnies. Lately, though, the streets have been packed at 6 a.m. Everyone is up trying to beat the heat. People are up jogging, watering their lawns, enjoying a cup of coffee, doing anything outside before they're forced inside by the oppressive heat. It's also the only time of day that my husband allows us to open the blinds. Between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., our house is a dungeon with curtains pulled in an effort to keep energy costs down. I've really been having to focus on my attitude. You pregnant women out there... |
07/13/11Should parents lose custody of obese children?That's what some Harvard researchers are suggesting in this article. Oh man, I'm not sure where I stand on this one. There are so many other factors to take in account.If the child is put into foster care, will that be a better place for him/her? I tend to think that being severely obese is a psychological issue and that being put into foster care could further damage the child's mental health. Thus, worsening the problem altogether. I guess that until a certain age, it isn't psychological, though. Like when there is an obese 2-year-old, it can be directly correlated with the child's parents. So, taking the child out of that environment would give them a better chance of leading a healthy life. I think the deeper problem here lies within the American... |
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07/06/11New Rules on Crib SafetyHave you heard the new rules on crib safety? I came across this article in the L.A. Times that gives a good description about what is expected. What I found to be most important to take from this is "that families that can afford to do so buy new cribs and destroy their old ones." So this means, if you have enough money to buy a new one, don't re-sell your old crib to a family that can't afford one or doesn't know about the safety regulations. That would be very, very wrong. If you don't feel comfortable just trashing it, you can make it into a dog house like my neighbor did with ours. I'm sure animal shelters could find a use for them. Also, if you have a crib that you're wanting to get rid of that meets the safety regulations, you can donate it to... |
06/03/11E.coli WoesSo by now you've probably heard "E.coli breakout at Tulsa childcare facility." Well my child goes to Boston Avenue Weekday School (BAWS), that very childcare facility, and I'm feeling a little defensive about it. Kind of like people are dissing my home team. I have this strong reaction because I absolutely love BAWS. Taking my then 9-month-old to a childcare facility was a necessary, but hard thing to do. I chose BAWS because people I trust, trusted them to take care of their children. I heard amazing things about Patty Baines, the school director, and just felt right about it when I toured. Almost a year later, I feel great about choosing BAWS. My son practically runs into his classroom and smiles instantly when he sees his teachers. I feel that he is safe and loved... Posted at 11:49 AM | Permalink |
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The first years of motherhood are the most educational years of your life. Abby Rodgers shares the highs, the lows, the love and complete shock of being a new mom. She'll write what she has learned and also seek advice from you about things she has yet to figure out. Abby keeps it real with a little humor and a lot of love. 
