Thursday, October 6, 2011
I See Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Thank you all for your support, prayers and listening ears. I am happy to update you all that my oldest is making leaps and bounds in the school and homework area. He is getting his homework done on a daily basis, learning to take more responsibility in the planning of weekend homework and is bringing his grades up slowly but surely.
We have been trying a brand new to me idea lately that seems to be helping tremendously. I gave my almost 11 year old his first cup of coffee right after school and before he started his homework. I added the same amount of coffee and milk to a coffee cup then sweetened it with sugar. He able to concentrate on his homework he finished all of it by 5:00. This may not seem like a big deal to some but he has been finishing up sometimes as late as 9:00. Not only was he able to concentrate on the homework in front of him, he was able to hold a conversation with me while still looking up the answers - something I have never seen him able to do.
I decided to give this a try after seeing this article: Mom Gives 7 Year Old Coffee Daily TO Treat ADHD.
After really thinking through the pros and cons, I decided to give it a try. My kids don't have a lot of caffeine...in fact the only time they are allowed to have pop is sometimes when we dine out. They are allowed to order Sprite or Rootbeer sometimes. At home they drink milk or water. So making the leap to giving coffee to my child was not taken lightly, but thought out, discussed and worried over.
I want to stress that while it seemed like a logical step for our family to take and is working, I am in no way saying this is a cure all for ADHD. In our case, there didn't seem to be any side effects other than completed homework and a little boy who finally got the chance to go outside and play in a timely fashion after school.
In addition to the coffee, we have been holding him accountable for the work that is completed in class. On Friday's he always has the least amount of homework for the week. Since this coincides with the afternoon that he is allowed to go to his Grandma's, we had a talk with him about putting just as much effort into his classwork everyday. I couldn't believe it but this worked. For the last couple of days he has been coming home with just 15-20 problems instead of 3 to 4 pages worth.
Do you struggle with getting your children on task in the homework arena?
BzzKit: Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions
Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solution for Sensitive Skin is a new line of natural skin products distinctly formulated to cleanse and moisturize your vulnerable skin without causing redness or irritations. Thanks to my membership with BzzAgent I was sent the bzzkit shown below. I have been trying out the 2 full size products for the last couple of days and am really impressed with them. The facial cleanser has a gentle foam that removes all traces of make-up, dirt and oil. I love that it's gentle enough that when I finished using it there was no trace of redness. The moisturizing cream is great too. It felt nice when applied and doesn't leave my skin feeling oily in the least. The only negative aspect that I can see is that there is no mention on the packaging of SPF factor. So while it would be great to use at night, if you wanted to use it during the day you would have to add in a layer of protection for day time use.
Burt's Bees have formulated their new Natural Skin Solutions for Sensitive Skin line with Cotton Extract because its gentle touch is perfect for sensitive skin. It includes 7 "oligosaccharides." or sugars, that help improve the skin barrier, reduce the appearance of skin redness and increase the production of keratin. Keratin is actually the key material making up the outer most layer of skin, and it give skin it's strength, flexibility and water-retaining capabilities. It also Helps carry moisture where it's most needed. A little Cotton goes a long way.
Sensitive Facial Cleanser:
This soap-free facial cleaner is clinically proven to moisturize sensitive skin while gently cleansing away dirt, oil and make-up without over drying or causing redness or irritation.
- Contains Quillaja, which is extracted from the bark of the Soapbark tree and provides a natural foaming lather.
- Contains Yucca, a desert plant high in saponins, which have traditionally been used in cleansing.
- Costs $9.99
Sensitive Daily Moisturizer:
This all day, nourishing moisturizer is clinically proven to moisturize sensitive skin without causing redness or irritation.
- Contains rice extract to moisturize.
- Contains Aloe to soothe,
- Is non-comedogenic (it won't clog pores)
- Costs $14.99
These products can be found in mass retailers (Target and Walmart), drug stores, grocery stores and natural health food stores nationwide.
I was sent the bzzkit mentioned above thanks to my membership with BzzAgent. I was not compensated in any other way. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
New moms should be required to keep their newborns at home at least until the new completely wears off.
This newness is devastating and almost debilitating to women like me. Those tiny little feet and hands, the possibility of catching a whiff of that fabulous new baby smell and the tiny outfits causes those of us who have had all the children we are going to have what I like to refer to as crying uterus.
Whining uterus.
Empty uterus.
This is a serious affliction which can make normally sane women open doors that they closed long ago with the help of a tubal. It causes women to forget about the sleepless nights, spit up covered clothing and the constant supply of dirty diapers your little bundle of joy also brings to the table.
It causes women like me to forget about the time that you had to take out of your life to actually grow your little human, the stretch marks, the hormones, the peeing while laughing and sneezing, the epidurals or lack there of, the crowning, the labor and delivery and the baby brain fog that ensues soon after you finally have a baby in your arms.
It causes women, like me, in a very different stage of life...where the kids can mostly take care of themselves, wipe their own asses and your back is no longer required to sustain the trauma of carrying a diaper bag with everything your baby owns, car seat and the baby itself to give thought to things like tubal reversal, a 5th child and maybe slathering all my children in baby lotion in the hopes that a time that is now lost will reveal itself again.
Just the sight of your newborn makes this stage that I am in....seem like I am raising giants.
I'd like to strike a deal with all the new mom's out there. Keep your newborn at home at least until the newness wears off and I promise to keep the giants at home too as they are the window to your future. They will remind you that this time in your life is ever so fleeting. Childhood flashes by in the blink of an eye and no matter how many times you hear someone say:
Enjoy this.
Cherish this time.
Take the time to listen to each and every person that says it. Listen with your heart and soul. Forget about all the things that you have to do, need to clean or can not let wait until tomorrow.
Throw caution to the wind and cherish your little one.
Just do it at home for pity's sake my uterus can't take the reminder of what is now just a memory.
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