Lisa P's comments

The Violence to Young Children Continues

25 Feb 2007 07:28 AM

You know, I would have thought that the legal ability to abort would be an "out" for people who don't want to be parents or just aren't ready for the responsibility. Apparently, there are still plenty of people who don't want children having them - and keeping them instead of giving them up for adoption! I think this says something about generations of parents in our society...

It seems acceptable now to have as many children as you can just for the benefits. Are people seeing children as an income source? WIC, food stamps, welfare anyone?

For quite some time, my husband and I knew that we weren't ready to be parents and we made a conscious decision not to be parents yet. But that took thought, deep reflection and a great deal of soul searching. (Some things that many parents are forgetting about before they conceive.) When we decided we were ready to have children, we also decided that everything else in our lives would have to take a back seat to any child or children we brought into this world.

I assumed that everybody did this before having kids. Call me stupid.

Authentic Turkish Tava

25 Feb 2007 07:14 AM

This stuff is to die for!

The Truth About Television

25 Feb 2007 07:09 AM

Good article and great points. I'd like to add a two very small points and a confession though -

1. For those parents who use television as a tool, it can be very effective. For instance, I'm teaching my son (age 2) French as he learns English. (I grew up speaking French.) I find that a good tool for this purpose is the Muzzy program in French. It is broken up into short 30 minute segments. We watch one 30 minute segment together every day and practice the vocabulary it introduces together.

2. For some reason the Baby Mozart DVD always seems to calm my child when he has a tantrum that lasts too long because he is overtired and can't settle down enough to sleep. Mozart has always had a positive effect on him that way.

3. I'm guilty of using a few select Disney movies to distract my son when I need to get work done. Luckily, my job is changing soon and I won't have to put in nearly as many hours as I used to.

Weight Loss for Breastfeeding Moms: Home Exercise Equipment

24 Feb 2007 03:36 PM

I started walking on a treadmill after my son was born. I had a baby carrier (front), would put him in it and then walk. Within five minutes he was always asleep. It worked well for both of us :-)

Reached a Plateau? Nine Tips For You

24 Feb 2007 03:34 PM

Every one a great point! Good blog. Thanks!

Getting my Mind Right: What Now?

23 Feb 2007 08:26 AM

Thanks so much for sharing, Ed! Checking our progress against our goals with a mind to long term maintenance is so important!

Sleep Longer to Lose Weight

23 Feb 2007 08:24 AM

This is so true! Thanks for bringing attention to this very serious issue! No matter what I do for diet and exercise, if I don't get 8 hours of sleep per night, I just won't lose any weight.

Now, on the other hand, if I eat right, exercise and actually get a full night's sleep - the number on the scale is guaranteed to drop! Great blog!

Momma's on a Diet: Weight Watchers Points System

23 Feb 2007 08:21 AM

I too wish fruit were a free food. Sadly, it is loaded with natural sugars. Thanks for sharing your story!

"You're Not Still Nursing Her, Are You?"

22 Feb 2007 01:56 PM

Nursing didn't work out for us, but I had every intention of nursing to at least a year - if not more. My two-year-old still drinks from a bottle - Mostly just for his comfort (and my convenience, he pours anything that will pour) but I don't see anything wrong with it. Eventually, he'll find comfort in other things and move on when he's ready. If anybody has a problem with it, oh well!

My standard answer to anyone who thinks I'm doing something incorrectly:

"I'm the Mommy and I know my baby best."

Until an instruction book comes out with the placenta, Mommys RULE.

You nurse your baby as long as she wants!

Momma's Can Be Wrong!

22 Feb 2007 11:31 AM

Our favorite Christmas movie will stay on the DVD shelf all year long. We've watched it hundreds of times already but there is something about The Polar Express that makes it a year-round movie for us.

I think it's nice to have a little Christmas cheer between Christmases.