With summer upon us, I see soooo many kids in the sun at the pool - and wonder if they have sunscreen on (Which they probably do) and if their moms know about the effects of sun on their little bodies.
Did you know that 80% of a person's sun exposure is BEFORE the age of 18?! So who is responsible for a child's skin before 18? Well... probably before 14 or 15, because after that, kids do what they want :-) But the parents do! It is crucial for parents to protect their child's skin! But it is also crucial to protect your own skin, even as an adult. Skin cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer in the US and the numbers just continue to rise. It is shown that even 1 or 2 bad burns during a child's life can SIGNIFICANTLY increase the risk that the child develop skin cancer. It is not worth it!!!!
For kids, we need to apply sunscreen every couple of hours. It was also shown that parents who applied sunscreen to their kids at the beginning of the play time, let their kids stay out in the sun MUCH more than kids with no sunscreen - so there is still the same amount of damage being done. Sunscreen needs to be applied every 2-3 hours. Also, for every 1 day in the sun, a part of the eye is burned - causing an increased chance of cataracts when the child becomes older. So eye protection is crucial as well! Hats, rash guards, sunscreen, sunglasses - all very important!!
We are here to protect our children - I would be devastated if Cy got skin cancer later on in life because of "exposure to the sun" or developed cataracts because of the sun. I will do everything I can, to make sure he does not burn... and after researching tonight - we will be getting some sunglasses for the little dude :-)
Now on to adults - we also need protection! They say we should apply 15-30SPF on our skin DAILY and to not use tanning beds (as much as I LOVE them). So, what is the solution, because I gotta have my tan on during the year! It's just not "me" to be white but I also don't want to be fighting cancer at an early age and putting my kids through that. That is why I love love love Arbonne's befoRE Sun Self Tanner. People - this stuff is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It tans me - BROWN - not orange. It's super easy to spray on, it has never streaked on me, and it lasts for a while. It is perfect! It's amazing & I will forever be using it! Bring on the sunscreen! I don't need more than a few minutes in the sun unprotected each day (Sun exposure is important for natural vitamin D to be absorbed so, it is suggested that we stay in the sun for a few minutes BEFORE applying sunscreen, so we can reap the benefits of the sun) - and I'll just get my tan from a healthy source :-) Here is the amazing Self Tan :-)
So please protect your child/ren and yourself in the sun this year - it's very important for prolonged health and to help prevent skin cancer. It's totally worth it to be pasty white and live another 20 years and I'm sure your kids will feel the SAME way when they are our age, so let's protect them NOW, so that they have a choice and a chance to make the decision whether or not to age from the sun.
Fouladi Family
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
Bugs, Bugs, GO AWAY!
So when Cy was born, we moved into a first floor apartment - after being on 2nd/3rd floor for years - there was one thing we did NOT think about.... BUGS! Now it is a constant battle with them. SOOOO annoying! One pro to the bugs though - mama cleans a TON more ;-)
Anyway, DH and I are all about natural, healthy ways to take care of things - we do not like using too many chemicals around the house with kids and now with me pregnant - even more. Want a natural cleaner that kills germs almost as effective as bleach? (According to some research) - try Vinegar! It's amazing! So I have been switching to vinegar at times. I still love my Pine Sol smell - thanks mom ;-) But will use vinegar and have been more willing to research other remedies to get rid of problems we have around the house. For instance - vinegar is known to help with stains. Well bye bye expensive stain-remover, I'll just use cheap, 'ole vinegar ;-)
Ok, so a few things I have learned since the beginning of Spring - because bugs bother me and I like to keep them AWAY!
1. Fruit Flies - With increased purchase of fruit, I noticed an increased family of fruit flies. What did I do? I put a cup of vinegar, with saran wrap over the top and punched small holes in the top. The flies are attracted to the sweet smell of vinegar - fly inside but then cannot get out :-D Problem solved!
Picture from Here
And for an even bigger problem with the pesty things - put a piece of fruit in a tall cup, make a funnel of paper to cover the opening of the cup - getting to be very small on bottom end, and done! Flies again, fly into the funnel, to get to the fruit but then cannot get out (This is a great idea for those who don't like to kill bugs but like to release) - because you can go outside, take off the paper funnel and let them free. But I personally kill them. Sorry - they annoy me. This blog, shows a picture of what I mean.
2. Ants - for the love of my child - I hate ants! Well lately, we have been getting more of them by doors and windows. I did some research - if you know where they are coming from, putting pepper, mint, peppermint, or vaseline in their entry way will get rid of them and keep them away. If you do not know the entry way - spray vinegar on where they are coming and where they are - wipe clean. The vinegar will keep them from coming back :-) So tomorrow, I will be spraying vinegar on my windown sills and doors - keep those annoying black things out!
3. Misquitos - Cy loves to go out and rid his truck in the evenings, but we have sooooo many miquitos around, it's ridiculous! Well, I just looked up natural ways to repell miquitos tonight, I do not like the smell of Off, and often times Cy has already had a bath (We wait until daddy gets home to take a walk, so it's past bathtime). I read that Lavendar works wonders and that mosquitos hate the smell. Guess what Cy will be smelling like tomorrow?! ;-)
So ya - that is what I have learned in the last couple weeks with summer coming upon us and pesty little bugs wanting to be cozy in my house... or biting my son. :-) I recommend looking up the uses of vinegar - there are extensive uses and they are amazing! :-)
Anyway, DH and I are all about natural, healthy ways to take care of things - we do not like using too many chemicals around the house with kids and now with me pregnant - even more. Want a natural cleaner that kills germs almost as effective as bleach? (According to some research) - try Vinegar! It's amazing! So I have been switching to vinegar at times. I still love my Pine Sol smell - thanks mom ;-) But will use vinegar and have been more willing to research other remedies to get rid of problems we have around the house. For instance - vinegar is known to help with stains. Well bye bye expensive stain-remover, I'll just use cheap, 'ole vinegar ;-)
Ok, so a few things I have learned since the beginning of Spring - because bugs bother me and I like to keep them AWAY!
1. Fruit Flies - With increased purchase of fruit, I noticed an increased family of fruit flies. What did I do? I put a cup of vinegar, with saran wrap over the top and punched small holes in the top. The flies are attracted to the sweet smell of vinegar - fly inside but then cannot get out :-D Problem solved!
Picture from Here
And for an even bigger problem with the pesty things - put a piece of fruit in a tall cup, make a funnel of paper to cover the opening of the cup - getting to be very small on bottom end, and done! Flies again, fly into the funnel, to get to the fruit but then cannot get out (This is a great idea for those who don't like to kill bugs but like to release) - because you can go outside, take off the paper funnel and let them free. But I personally kill them. Sorry - they annoy me. This blog, shows a picture of what I mean.
2. Ants - for the love of my child - I hate ants! Well lately, we have been getting more of them by doors and windows. I did some research - if you know where they are coming from, putting pepper, mint, peppermint, or vaseline in their entry way will get rid of them and keep them away. If you do not know the entry way - spray vinegar on where they are coming and where they are - wipe clean. The vinegar will keep them from coming back :-) So tomorrow, I will be spraying vinegar on my windown sills and doors - keep those annoying black things out!
3. Misquitos - Cy loves to go out and rid his truck in the evenings, but we have sooooo many miquitos around, it's ridiculous! Well, I just looked up natural ways to repell miquitos tonight, I do not like the smell of Off, and often times Cy has already had a bath (We wait until daddy gets home to take a walk, so it's past bathtime). I read that Lavendar works wonders and that mosquitos hate the smell. Guess what Cy will be smelling like tomorrow?! ;-)
So ya - that is what I have learned in the last couple weeks with summer coming upon us and pesty little bugs wanting to be cozy in my house... or biting my son. :-) I recommend looking up the uses of vinegar - there are extensive uses and they are amazing! :-)
Saturday, June 18, 2011
To playdate or not to playdate.....
As of late - playdates have WORN ME OUT! I come home exhausted, looking for the nearest seat, while throwing Cy into his bed for a much needed nap! I often get much heat about going to these playdates. Why go if it makes me tired?! Why not just stay home, sit on my tushy and relax all day?!
So, I started looking up the pros of playdates. While I understand taking it easy is very important, especially when 8 months pregnant and already having a difficult pregnancy - I also understand the absolute importance that playdates have for both baby and mommy.
For myself, it's a great way to become a better rounded mom. I get to see other's opinions and their raising techniques. While I don't have to agree with all the parenting styles - it's a great way to see new ones and to look at how mine are working or not working for myself and my child. It's also great for change of scenery! I do not get to have lunch breaks every day and change scenery for an hour. When staying home with Cy - I am in the same walls of my house that I have been in for the last 2 years - so it's nice to get out and about and change my scenery. It rejuvenates me and gives me extra energy/strength/patience to get through the rest of the time. yes, like I said - I am more tired at the end of the day, but I'm also happier mentally after seeing Cy run around and have a great time, or being able to chat inbetween chasing toddlers with other moms.
For Cy - there are far more pros! For these, I will list because he obviously can't speak for himself and well.... I don't want this to be a long blog ;-)
1. He gets social interaction - which is HUGE for kids! To learn to SHARE, sit at a table and eat together, trade, say "thank you" or "please", negotiate (there is a lot of this with toddlers ha!), respond to other adults, patience - wow! The list could go on and on! Cy has a hard time sharing and he used to have a really hard time controlling his temper. Within a week of playdates and amazing "time outs" for when he was hitting ;-) - he was 100% better and does not hit hardly AT ALL! I credit that ALL to playdates and being able to practice with other kids! (Didn't I say I was gonna just list these pros off?? oops)
2. He gets out of the house and also gets to have a change of scenery - maybe even a backyard, which he does not get here
3. Helps with independence - any of my friends can say that Cy has gone through his EXTREMELY clingy stages - and with playdates, I am giving him the strength and opportunity to play WITHOUT me - and let me tell you - it is paying off!!! He gets more and more brave with each playdate
4. He learns who his FRIENDS are and also learns from them! After playdates, I notice Cy has picked up on a new skill or a new word - this is awesome and MUCH needed for his development! I can tell he tries to communicate more and shows excitement to his friends' names :-) This = playdate SUCCESS! :-D
These are just a few pros that I found. But they are enough for me! So despite my exhaustion with the pregnancy, I will not "punish" Cy with no playdates so mommy can sit on her tushy. I'm gonna be as active as possible because it's for the best for HIM... and it helps mommy, even in the midst of exhaustion, keep what little sanity she has left during these last 5 weeks of pregnancy ;-)
So, I started looking up the pros of playdates. While I understand taking it easy is very important, especially when 8 months pregnant and already having a difficult pregnancy - I also understand the absolute importance that playdates have for both baby and mommy.
For myself, it's a great way to become a better rounded mom. I get to see other's opinions and their raising techniques. While I don't have to agree with all the parenting styles - it's a great way to see new ones and to look at how mine are working or not working for myself and my child. It's also great for change of scenery! I do not get to have lunch breaks every day and change scenery for an hour. When staying home with Cy - I am in the same walls of my house that I have been in for the last 2 years - so it's nice to get out and about and change my scenery. It rejuvenates me and gives me extra energy/strength/patience to get through the rest of the time. yes, like I said - I am more tired at the end of the day, but I'm also happier mentally after seeing Cy run around and have a great time, or being able to chat inbetween chasing toddlers with other moms.
For Cy - there are far more pros! For these, I will list because he obviously can't speak for himself and well.... I don't want this to be a long blog ;-)
1. He gets social interaction - which is HUGE for kids! To learn to SHARE, sit at a table and eat together, trade, say "thank you" or "please", negotiate (there is a lot of this with toddlers ha!), respond to other adults, patience - wow! The list could go on and on! Cy has a hard time sharing and he used to have a really hard time controlling his temper. Within a week of playdates and amazing "time outs" for when he was hitting ;-) - he was 100% better and does not hit hardly AT ALL! I credit that ALL to playdates and being able to practice with other kids! (Didn't I say I was gonna just list these pros off?? oops)
2. He gets out of the house and also gets to have a change of scenery - maybe even a backyard, which he does not get here
3. Helps with independence - any of my friends can say that Cy has gone through his EXTREMELY clingy stages - and with playdates, I am giving him the strength and opportunity to play WITHOUT me - and let me tell you - it is paying off!!! He gets more and more brave with each playdate
4. He learns who his FRIENDS are and also learns from them! After playdates, I notice Cy has picked up on a new skill or a new word - this is awesome and MUCH needed for his development! I can tell he tries to communicate more and shows excitement to his friends' names :-) This = playdate SUCCESS! :-D
These are just a few pros that I found. But they are enough for me! So despite my exhaustion with the pregnancy, I will not "punish" Cy with no playdates so mommy can sit on her tushy. I'm gonna be as active as possible because it's for the best for HIM... and it helps mommy, even in the midst of exhaustion, keep what little sanity she has left during these last 5 weeks of pregnancy ;-)
Friday, June 17, 2011
Arbonne Fundraiser for Sherer Family
Good evening! I am doing a fundraiser with Arbonne to help a family that is in need. Please read Michelle's story - and if you feel so led, anything ordered from now until the end of the month, will be helping a great cause. I am donating 100% of ALL proceeds that I get from orders to the Sherer Family - to help them in their adoption of their sweet sweet son, Jesiah, from China.
Their story is touching and they have had struggles along the way, but through it all - have kept faith, that the Lord will provide what they need, in order to bring their son home.
Never tried Arbonne but want to help? We have some great great products that are amazing and you will NOT be sorry for trying them out. I have included a list of my "favorites" - that are generic and will please ANYONE who orders them!
Below is a letter from Michelle, please read it through - they LOVE their son and just want him home with them. Along with fundraising and helping in this way, I ask that you also pray for them - that God will continue to bless their journey and will open doors when others have been closed.
Thank you SO much for your time and for your consideration. And thank you in advance for your willingness to bring a boy HOME to his family!
Top 10 Favorite things:
1. The ENTIRE RE9 anti-agining line is incredible!
2. FC5 Body Moisture - #7389
3. FC5 Hand Creme - #7388
4. BefoRE sun Self-Tanner - #975
5. The entire line of ABC Baby!!!! This is the ONLY stuff I use with Cy and it's amazing!
6. Shea Butter - #9712
7. Awaken Sea Salt Scrub - WOW! Love love love this! #7089
8. Perfecting Liquid Foundation
9. Daily Essentials (Vitamins and other health products) - absolutely life changing!!!
10. Fit Chews - amazing for decreasing appetite and increasing metabolism! #2068
Please let me know if you have ANY questions at all! And again - 100% of all profits will be given towards Jesiah's adoption!!!!!!!
http://shereradoption.blogspot.com/
http://sariahfouladi.myarbonne.com/
Letter from Michelle Sherer:
Jesiah is our son we are anxiously working to bringing home from China. As some of you know, adoption is a lengthy and costly journey. Our journey began several years ago as we knew we wanted to expand our family through adoption. We began praying that God would open the doors when He saw fit to do so. Last September, after months of research and talking to agencies, we found an agency and program that was a fantastic fit! China has a “Child of Promise” program that allows families to adopt children that have minor medical needs/conditions. Although many wonder he we were matched with a boy, boys are very common in China as well! Boys, especially those with medical needs, wait for years to be matched and although we didn‘t have a preference gender wise, we are thrilled! Jesiah has a repaired heart condition. Jesiah, like many orphans throughout the world, was abandoned as an infant. We do not have any information as to his background before he came into care at an orphanage. The total cost of our adoption will be approximately $23,000. We have raised funds to help offset the expense of this process. We are in need of raising an additional seven thousand dollars in order to accept his match and move forward with travel arrangements for the fall. Please feel free to check out our blog and follow along as we strive to bring this beautiful son of ours home!
Their story is touching and they have had struggles along the way, but through it all - have kept faith, that the Lord will provide what they need, in order to bring their son home.
Never tried Arbonne but want to help? We have some great great products that are amazing and you will NOT be sorry for trying them out. I have included a list of my "favorites" - that are generic and will please ANYONE who orders them!
Below is a letter from Michelle, please read it through - they LOVE their son and just want him home with them. Along with fundraising and helping in this way, I ask that you also pray for them - that God will continue to bless their journey and will open doors when others have been closed.
Thank you SO much for your time and for your consideration. And thank you in advance for your willingness to bring a boy HOME to his family!
Top 10 Favorite things:
1. The ENTIRE RE9 anti-agining line is incredible!
2. FC5 Body Moisture - #7389
3. FC5 Hand Creme - #7388
4. BefoRE sun Self-Tanner - #975
5. The entire line of ABC Baby!!!! This is the ONLY stuff I use with Cy and it's amazing!
6. Shea Butter - #9712
7. Awaken Sea Salt Scrub - WOW! Love love love this! #7089
8. Perfecting Liquid Foundation
9. Daily Essentials (Vitamins and other health products) - absolutely life changing!!!
10. Fit Chews - amazing for decreasing appetite and increasing metabolism! #2068
Please let me know if you have ANY questions at all! And again - 100% of all profits will be given towards Jesiah's adoption!!!!!!!
http://shereradoption.blogspot.com/
http://sariahfouladi.myarbonne.com/
Letter from Michelle Sherer:
Jesiah is our son we are anxiously working to bringing home from China. As some of you know, adoption is a lengthy and costly journey. Our journey began several years ago as we knew we wanted to expand our family through adoption. We began praying that God would open the doors when He saw fit to do so. Last September, after months of research and talking to agencies, we found an agency and program that was a fantastic fit! China has a “Child of Promise” program that allows families to adopt children that have minor medical needs/conditions. Although many wonder he we were matched with a boy, boys are very common in China as well! Boys, especially those with medical needs, wait for years to be matched and although we didn‘t have a preference gender wise, we are thrilled! Jesiah has a repaired heart condition. Jesiah, like many orphans throughout the world, was abandoned as an infant. We do not have any information as to his background before he came into care at an orphanage. The total cost of our adoption will be approximately $23,000. We have raised funds to help offset the expense of this process. We are in need of raising an additional seven thousand dollars in order to accept his match and move forward with travel arrangements for the fall. Please feel free to check out our blog and follow along as we strive to bring this beautiful son of ours home!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The SAHM's Inner Stuggles
Well, it's funny - I just finished chapter 2 of my book, "The praise of a stay-at-home mom" and it is pretty much everything I touched up on yesterday. Talk about Dr. Laura hitting it right on the head!
I must say that I understand completely and totally that some moms MUST work - single moms, income providing moms! I have never been one to turn my nose up to a working mom - it is your decision. While at U of H, there was a study done that said moms are happier when they do what they want to do. If they want to stay at home, they are happier there. If they want to work, they are happier there. And that sometimes the kids will benefit more from a happy mom, than a mom that holds grudges. Now at that, I do think that staying home is most important for a child's development and if it is AT ALL possible to do so, then it's the best thing. But again, I understand and KNOW so amazing moms who CANNOT stay home and they are doing the absolute BEST thing for their child/ren too!
Anyway, Dr. Laura brought up a point that was in my heart for a while - I hear working moms complain, say how hard it is to juggle kids and career, how sad they are to miss things, and how LUCKY I am to stay home. How easy it would be to stay home. Honestly - I am very blessed to stay home. BUT - do know, I gave up a TON to stay home! Extra income, pointless shopping for things not needed but WANTED, vacations with the hubby, lunch time and coffee breaks, adult conversations at the desk, and much more. I did NOT just have staying-at-home fall into my lap! I had to cut out a TON of things, budget a lot more, and sacrifice an old life for this new life. So don't ever assume that SAHM have it "easier" just because we don't have to run out the door every morning - we run around the 4 walls of our house instead all day. It just gets to me when I hear how hard it is to be a working mom, when it is just as hard, I GUARANTEE it - to be a stay at home mom. It's just a different difficulty and there are different rewards.
I love one thing Dr. Laura said: when being a working mom, "you are visible in the world". WOW! It's so true! As a SAHM, my "work responsibilities" are within the walls of my house, where I am usually alone with kids for the majority of the day AND most projects that I focus on - never ever get done. Changing diapers, cleaning bathrooms. They are repetitive tasks that a working mom has other people do, that I do 24/7 and often without thanks and being unnoticed.
Through this chapter - it made me see that I am not alone in these feelings - that many SAHM feel lonely, underappreciated, and unseen. But there are soo many other positive, amazing rewards to those feelings. So many more milestones that I get to see - despite smelling from not showering all day, despite my puffy eyes from not sleeping well, despite my completely exhaustion from spending 4+ hours in the sun chasing a toddler - and then spending nap time doing laundry and bathrooms and preparing baby food. It's amazing. Hard. But amazing. And I only write through my journey to show that being a SAHM is totally worth the sacrifices - but that also it's HARD! It might seem easy to those who have different lives - but it is hard. Mentally, physically, emotionally - hard. Thank my LORD for those times that Cy chooses ME to hug, or call mama, or to climb on my lap to read him a book - shows me that He knows who is mama is and that I am there for him 24/7, 100% of the way - literally 100% of the time :-) And he can tell. That's all that matters at the end of a hard, tiring day :-)
I must say that I understand completely and totally that some moms MUST work - single moms, income providing moms! I have never been one to turn my nose up to a working mom - it is your decision. While at U of H, there was a study done that said moms are happier when they do what they want to do. If they want to stay at home, they are happier there. If they want to work, they are happier there. And that sometimes the kids will benefit more from a happy mom, than a mom that holds grudges. Now at that, I do think that staying home is most important for a child's development and if it is AT ALL possible to do so, then it's the best thing. But again, I understand and KNOW so amazing moms who CANNOT stay home and they are doing the absolute BEST thing for their child/ren too!
Anyway, Dr. Laura brought up a point that was in my heart for a while - I hear working moms complain, say how hard it is to juggle kids and career, how sad they are to miss things, and how LUCKY I am to stay home. How easy it would be to stay home. Honestly - I am very blessed to stay home. BUT - do know, I gave up a TON to stay home! Extra income, pointless shopping for things not needed but WANTED, vacations with the hubby, lunch time and coffee breaks, adult conversations at the desk, and much more. I did NOT just have staying-at-home fall into my lap! I had to cut out a TON of things, budget a lot more, and sacrifice an old life for this new life. So don't ever assume that SAHM have it "easier" just because we don't have to run out the door every morning - we run around the 4 walls of our house instead all day. It just gets to me when I hear how hard it is to be a working mom, when it is just as hard, I GUARANTEE it - to be a stay at home mom. It's just a different difficulty and there are different rewards.
I love one thing Dr. Laura said: when being a working mom, "you are visible in the world". WOW! It's so true! As a SAHM, my "work responsibilities" are within the walls of my house, where I am usually alone with kids for the majority of the day AND most projects that I focus on - never ever get done. Changing diapers, cleaning bathrooms. They are repetitive tasks that a working mom has other people do, that I do 24/7 and often without thanks and being unnoticed.
Through this chapter - it made me see that I am not alone in these feelings - that many SAHM feel lonely, underappreciated, and unseen. But there are soo many other positive, amazing rewards to those feelings. So many more milestones that I get to see - despite smelling from not showering all day, despite my puffy eyes from not sleeping well, despite my completely exhaustion from spending 4+ hours in the sun chasing a toddler - and then spending nap time doing laundry and bathrooms and preparing baby food. It's amazing. Hard. But amazing. And I only write through my journey to show that being a SAHM is totally worth the sacrifices - but that also it's HARD! It might seem easy to those who have different lives - but it is hard. Mentally, physically, emotionally - hard. Thank my LORD for those times that Cy chooses ME to hug, or call mama, or to climb on my lap to read him a book - shows me that He knows who is mama is and that I am there for him 24/7, 100% of the way - literally 100% of the time :-) And he can tell. That's all that matters at the end of a hard, tiring day :-)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
In Praise of Stay-at-Home Moms
I am reading a book by Dr. Laura Schlessinger - "In Praise of Stay-at-Home moms" - I picked up this book at the library today because with the new baby coming, I am having feelings as I did when Cy was coming. The absolute, horribly STRONG longing to return back to work. Even with a nanny, we'd still come home with some money and the success and praise and connections with adults I would make at work seem soooo worth it!
It is sometimes the absolute HARDEST thing for me to be a SAHM. I've been in corporate world - I have seen the "raises" and "good jobs" and appreciation all around from a job "well done". As a stay-at-home mom, those are very very far and few between. There is no raise at the end of each year. No "bonus" for doing a great job. There are no "promotions" - all of which I long for. I strive for. I am a go-getter. I like being better than EVERYONE and succeeding! I worked at Express for 3 months and was offered a management position when Cy was 6 months old - WHY? Because I kick butt! ;-) I went into work and was determined to be the best - to stand out - to be amazing! You don't get to stand out as a SAHM. Well, not in the same ways. You don't get the same monetary rewards.
Please notice - MONETARY. I don't get cash raises or bonus at Christmas. But I do get the smiles and happiness of my children. Just to make it clear to all that I do understand what I am getting out of being a SAHM. While I notice that, I still have the strong urge and longing to be in corporate America, taking names and kicking butt ;-)
It's a very very demanding job to stay at home. Oh wait! Did I just say J.O.B??!?!! For staying HOME?! I must have been kidding myself, right? For most think staying at home is "easy"... because seriously: "What do you do all day?" when you are home, right? :-) I bet many SAHM's get that question many times a year. What makes SAHM even harder for me is the lack of RESPECT and APPRECIATION that comes from Staying at home. I recently went to my sister's amazing reward thing at school. I am educated, graduated 6 months pregnant WITH honors, while working 40+ hours a week and taking a full load - paying for EVERY THING myself - but while standing there, in the midst of business men and women - I would say "Oh I stay at home with my son", you could SEE, you could FEEL the "ooohhhh, you stay home... right... OKAY!" I stay home so I am not worth being spoken to with intelligence. I stay home so I have NO idea about business, selling, numbers, management, residual income (wow! Did I just use a business term?! But I"m a SAHM!).
It's hard! It really is! Because I hold myself to much higher esteem. I know I'm well educated and I know that going into any job, I would be promoted and successful at a drop of a dime.... but others don't. Others contribute staying home to "lazy", "boring", or "non-demanding". It's hard to face business people who feel this way and still how them that I AM WORTH SOMETHING.
I am not writing this to get a : "OH sariah - You are a wonderful mom" or "Cyrus is sooooo lucky you stay home" or "we appreciate you". Nothing like that. I am writing this as a preface to my thoughts for the next few days as I read this book. As I find myself - as a SAHM who is secure and happy in her decision and her SACRIFICES! I give up money - sorry, can't go to the movies with you this weekend, I don't have extra income. I give up freedom - Sorry, I can't do lunch with you today, I have a kid and no sitter. I give up last-minute-plans - sorry, tomorrow is too short notice, I have a kid and cannot find a sitter. I give up a TON. Most of which people judge me for. "Oh - you can't go to a freaking movie?! It costs like NOTHING" .... well to be honest - I COULD go to a movie if I decided to work and leave my kid with strangers BUT I decided instead, to stay home, love on him, see all his ups and downs, and pinch pennies :-) Thank you :-)
So more to come! It's an awesome book and I'm excited to share it with everyone. The pros.... and cons to staying home. That staying home isn't all rainbows and flowers. Staying home is hard and takes a TON of sacrifice from mommy... as well as daddy ;-) We'll get to that :-)
It is sometimes the absolute HARDEST thing for me to be a SAHM. I've been in corporate world - I have seen the "raises" and "good jobs" and appreciation all around from a job "well done". As a stay-at-home mom, those are very very far and few between. There is no raise at the end of each year. No "bonus" for doing a great job. There are no "promotions" - all of which I long for. I strive for. I am a go-getter. I like being better than EVERYONE and succeeding! I worked at Express for 3 months and was offered a management position when Cy was 6 months old - WHY? Because I kick butt! ;-) I went into work and was determined to be the best - to stand out - to be amazing! You don't get to stand out as a SAHM. Well, not in the same ways. You don't get the same monetary rewards.
Please notice - MONETARY. I don't get cash raises or bonus at Christmas. But I do get the smiles and happiness of my children. Just to make it clear to all that I do understand what I am getting out of being a SAHM. While I notice that, I still have the strong urge and longing to be in corporate America, taking names and kicking butt ;-)
It's a very very demanding job to stay at home. Oh wait! Did I just say J.O.B??!?!! For staying HOME?! I must have been kidding myself, right? For most think staying at home is "easy"... because seriously: "What do you do all day?" when you are home, right? :-) I bet many SAHM's get that question many times a year. What makes SAHM even harder for me is the lack of RESPECT and APPRECIATION that comes from Staying at home. I recently went to my sister's amazing reward thing at school. I am educated, graduated 6 months pregnant WITH honors, while working 40+ hours a week and taking a full load - paying for EVERY THING myself - but while standing there, in the midst of business men and women - I would say "Oh I stay at home with my son", you could SEE, you could FEEL the "ooohhhh, you stay home... right... OKAY!" I stay home so I am not worth being spoken to with intelligence. I stay home so I have NO idea about business, selling, numbers, management, residual income (wow! Did I just use a business term?! But I"m a SAHM!).
It's hard! It really is! Because I hold myself to much higher esteem. I know I'm well educated and I know that going into any job, I would be promoted and successful at a drop of a dime.... but others don't. Others contribute staying home to "lazy", "boring", or "non-demanding". It's hard to face business people who feel this way and still how them that I AM WORTH SOMETHING.
I am not writing this to get a : "OH sariah - You are a wonderful mom" or "Cyrus is sooooo lucky you stay home" or "we appreciate you". Nothing like that. I am writing this as a preface to my thoughts for the next few days as I read this book. As I find myself - as a SAHM who is secure and happy in her decision and her SACRIFICES! I give up money - sorry, can't go to the movies with you this weekend, I don't have extra income. I give up freedom - Sorry, I can't do lunch with you today, I have a kid and no sitter. I give up last-minute-plans - sorry, tomorrow is too short notice, I have a kid and cannot find a sitter. I give up a TON. Most of which people judge me for. "Oh - you can't go to a freaking movie?! It costs like NOTHING" .... well to be honest - I COULD go to a movie if I decided to work and leave my kid with strangers BUT I decided instead, to stay home, love on him, see all his ups and downs, and pinch pennies :-) Thank you :-)
So more to come! It's an awesome book and I'm excited to share it with everyone. The pros.... and cons to staying home. That staying home isn't all rainbows and flowers. Staying home is hard and takes a TON of sacrifice from mommy... as well as daddy ;-) We'll get to that :-)
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Cutting out things
I am sitting here pouting... like a 2 year old (I have great experience, now watching Cy pout 24/7 - I have it down PAT!). I just took out my SIM from my iPhone - what a beautiful phone that is! lol. And put it in an old, non-smart phone. And let me tell you - there is NOTHING "smart" about this phone :-) I have BUTTONS again for crying out loud! In the process of getting used to being without my map ap, facebook/gmail/games/calendar/notes.... the list of APs goes on. But I'm ok. I will survive! ..... Maybe ;-)
With a 2nd kid on the way, while we could afford the data plan on our phone and everything else - we decided NOT to. It was either, keep living how we WANT to live, get a full-time job, and go on with life. OR cut out a TON of things, stay home with the kids, and enjoy life in a different way. Who needs an iPhone - when you have a beautiful, though CRAZY 2 year old to chase around while 7 months pregnant?! HA! My data plan was $40/month - craziness, I tell ya!
ON to next thing - cable and internet :-) We cut out cable completely. Our TV went out a little while ago and instead of buying a new one, we now have a tv-less living room. I love it! Cy doesn't watch TV at all except in our room for brief times during the week, and we don't have the constant pull of the TV. :-) We are saving over $70/month! Get some netflix and HULU on XBOX to old TV in room and we are good to go! :-)
Simplifying life is my new moto. LIving without the extras... enjoying free things. I am loving it too! It's hard when I cut out the iPhone and i"ll be pouting for a few more days while figuring out how the non-smart phone freaking WORKS but it's worth it! We are adding that much more into our savings accounts and I am able to stay home that much more with my beautiful boy and soon to be ADORABLE baby girl. Priorities :-)
OK just had to pout a little bit...it helps. And to get more perspective while typing it all out. There is an end to this - and I will do anything to be debt free and living the life! Live like no one else now, so I can LIVE like no one else later :-)
With a 2nd kid on the way, while we could afford the data plan on our phone and everything else - we decided NOT to. It was either, keep living how we WANT to live, get a full-time job, and go on with life. OR cut out a TON of things, stay home with the kids, and enjoy life in a different way. Who needs an iPhone - when you have a beautiful, though CRAZY 2 year old to chase around while 7 months pregnant?! HA! My data plan was $40/month - craziness, I tell ya!
ON to next thing - cable and internet :-) We cut out cable completely. Our TV went out a little while ago and instead of buying a new one, we now have a tv-less living room. I love it! Cy doesn't watch TV at all except in our room for brief times during the week, and we don't have the constant pull of the TV. :-) We are saving over $70/month! Get some netflix and HULU on XBOX to old TV in room and we are good to go! :-)
Simplifying life is my new moto. LIving without the extras... enjoying free things. I am loving it too! It's hard when I cut out the iPhone and i"ll be pouting for a few more days while figuring out how the non-smart phone freaking WORKS but it's worth it! We are adding that much more into our savings accounts and I am able to stay home that much more with my beautiful boy and soon to be ADORABLE baby girl. Priorities :-)
OK just had to pout a little bit...it helps. And to get more perspective while typing it all out. There is an end to this - and I will do anything to be debt free and living the life! Live like no one else now, so I can LIVE like no one else later :-)
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