TGIF Tidbit

While I can not, under any circumstances compete with Erin for "Post of the Week" here, (I mean, really, truly, I can not), I do have a link to share; a "how-to" that I am NOT GOOD AT, but am continuously working on as a mother.

Check it out.

What do you think? Is it worth even worrying about? Or am I on the right track?

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Book Review-- The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution

by Elizabeth Pantley.

When Elizabeth Pantley's "people" invited me to review her new book, The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution I thought, "AWESOME!' I absolutely recommend her books to clients whenever I get the chance. Specifically, her sleep book for toddlers and preschoolers saved Henry and my sanity. I was really certain her new book about separation anxiety would deliver.

And it did!

The book covers ages 6 months to 6 years. I felt like I was lucky to get the WHOLE spectrum since all my children fall within these age ranges and each has dealt with varying degrees of separation issues.

Elizabeth clears points out that it is HEALTHY and NORMAL for our babies and children to want to be with us. It is GOOD. It is ANNOYING sometimes, but it is right. So, she makes the important point that there is NO reason to look for reasons to force our children into separation situations just so they "get used to it." When we need and want to be away from our children, though, the tips in the book are definitely worth while.

The book is broken down by age, and also by specific separation issues. So, if your toddler is suffering at day care, then BAM, there's a section for that. It also discusses stranger anxiety and how to handle it.

The main point that I think The No-Cry Separation Anxiety Solution makes is that when separation is necessary, regardless of the length of time, if your child is suffering, then you need to help soothe it as best you can. However, just simply putting a bandaid on the wound is NOT the answer. Soothing, yes, but proactive as well. Hence why the "Magic Bracelet" idea is so fantastic. This plan is for children preschool age and older and is a special bracelet (one comes with the book) that your child only wears when they are away. It supplies children with the love of their parents when they are separated. It helps them feel brave and capable. What a great idea. It empowers your child as well as comforts them.

AWESOME!

I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who's baby cries when they get put down, or for anyone who's child is reluctant for any reason to be away. It was a great, quick read.

Pros:
Easy to read
Lots of ideas so you can apply what works and disregard what doesn't
Works within a more "gentle" mindset.
Covers a large age range

Cons:
Um, the only issue I had is that I am a hormonal pregnant woman. So, reading this book, and hearing the personal stories of little children clinging to parents' knees made me cry, this was merely because I am an idiot.

Go get it. It is a wonderful resource for parents of very young children.

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Child's Play

I recently had a conversation with The Husband about toys and kids and playing. This conversation began with an observation that  our adorable nephews seem to find string, grass and rocks endlessly facinating but lose interest in "real" toys with astonishing rapidity. The conversation moved into a discussion of our own childhood experiences and what kinds of play and learning opportunities we hope to provide for our soon-to-arrive Boy Child. I have to admit, I am mildly terrified of being overrun by noisy, plastic, mass-produced cars and trains and LeapFrog gadgets. I (and my husband) are much more drawn to toys that encourage kids to "do" rather than toys that "do stuff " for kids and so, I was very interested in the author's perspective in this article. What do you think?

I am curious: how do you encourage your children to play? Are "toys", expecially the glitzy, gadget-y toys that seem to dominate store shelves these days, overrated?

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Product Review-- Ikea's Kalas dishes

Did I mention a GIVEAWAY?

I know, please try to contain yourselves.

So, first the review.

Ikea is a fun and magical place that tends to be a bit overwhelming if you've ever set foot in one. But, if you have the time to really dig, Ikea has INCREDIBLE stuff and a lot of it is priced so astoundingly low that you'll hardly believe it.

Such is the case with the Kalas dishes collection. Now, these are "technically" for kids, but I must say that Derek and I have been known to eat lunch off the plates and ice cream out of the bowls.

Look how pretty!

From The Diet Coke Diet

From The Diet Coke Diet

From The Diet Coke Diet

From The Diet Coke Diet

The pros:
- Perfect portion sizes for kids (and adults)
-Fun colors
- Cutlery is not dangerous in the slightest and easy to hold
- Dishwasher safe
- Made of 100% BPA free plastic (and ALWAYS has been)
- Very durable
-Recyclable if you ever get tired of them

Cons:
The stupid cups don't come with lids.

Seriously, that is the ONLY thing I would improve upon these.

The Kalas dishes are a great alternative to paper plates and cups. They are small and so they don't take up the whole dishwasher, they are lightweight and durable so if a kid chucks them, they don't break. Like I mentioned, I eat off these more than my nice dishes.

I highly HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend them to anyone with small children, big children or just for anyone who wants a nice, easy cheap dish. 


FANTASTIC! 


Now, for the 


GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's right, folks, one lucky winner will be receiving an entire set of Kalas dishes. That includes plates, cups, bowls and cutlery.

THE WHOLE SHEBANG.

You are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO lucky.

How to win?

1. Leave a comment


2. Join the Facebook group (if you are already a member, then just leave a second comment saying, "Already a fan!")


3. Add a Diet Coke Button (HTML code on the side bar) to your own blog page. (If you are already a proud owner, than leave a comment stating, "Already a proud button owner!") 


4. Follow us via Blogger or Google Friend Connect (already a follower? Leave a comment that says, "Already a follower!") 


5. Chat up The Diet Coke Diet AND the Giveaway on your own blog or Facebook. 


Then come back and leave a comment for each thing. FIVE! You can enter up to FIVE different ways.


You are so going to win!

It's okay, keep breathing. I know it's VERY  VERY exciting.

The giveaway closes on Monday, May 17th at NOON. Got that? MONDAY, MAY 17th AT NOON!

So, ENTER.

You will seriously love these dishes.

LINKS:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50096905
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10096907
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90096908
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30096906

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How to Have Lunch

*Photo by Charles C. Ebbets circa 1932

Remember when you used to work for money? Remember how you'd LIVE for your lunch break? Regardless of whether it was brown-bagged or a fancy corporate lunch, it was a break a BREAK from work.

Remember that?

Now that you've got kids, what does your lunch look like? The leftover crusts from your three year old's PB&J? A handful of lucky charms and a Diet Coke while you are wrestling your toddler for a nap?

SAD! Stay-at-home parenting is a hard HARD job. There are no government mandated breaks or lunch hours. You go from morning 'til night just trying to catch a breath most days. And lunch? Forget it, it's lost in the shuffle.

Well, I have discovered, out of pure desperation, some tips to making lunch an actual BREAK from the demands of motherhood. Now, I can't guarantee that your preschooler will leave you in peace, but at the least, you'll get a snippet of quiet time.

So, first, let's discuss MENU.

Kids like Pb&J, they like mac n' cheese out of the box, they enjoy microwaved hot dogs. Now, if these lunch items make you swoon, then by all means, please keep eating them. But, if they do not twitch your twaddle, then I strongly suggest you make other plans.

If you have a little extra in your food budget, spring for some nice artesian bread, deli meats and cheeses, if sandwiches are your thing. If you like a nice hot meal, there are actually frozen meals that taste pretty dang good. Check the freezer section, and try out some different kinds. A lot of them are pretty cheap too. (Cheaper than driving through somewhere.) Get some rolls or make some toast for on the side. If leftovers are your thing, great!  Make a nice side salad to spruce it up. Just make sure you're enjoying the food you eat.

I want you to be EXCITED that it is lunch time. I want you to look forward to that meal. And the key here is, you can't spend forever prepping it. It has to take five minutes or less. Otherwise you're wasting valuable BREAK time, cooking.You're going to have to cook dinner in a few hours anyway! Do not waste time cooking your lunch. QUICK and DELICIOUS. Whatever that means to you.

Now let's talk TIMING.


Do not eat lunch at the same time your kids do. 


Everyone's schedules will be different. Heck, daily schedules vary in the same family. You need to find an hour (YES, and HOUR) of your day when you can carve out time to have to yourself (as much as is humanly possible). I find that if I can feed the kids lunch, and then without passing go, without collecting 200 dollars, put them directly in jail, erm... bed for naps, then I have an hour of time to eat.

Unfortunately, only one of three actually nap.

So...

well...

I let the other two watch TV.

I know, right? Crazy. Revolutionary idea. But dang it all, it works.

Now, here's the deal: If you have kids who aren't in school and who don't nap, you do not get a break. Ever. Someone is ALWAYS bugging you.

ALWAYS.

So, in order to accomplish a break time, I have eliminated absolutely all TV except for that hour immediately after their lunch.

And that is my lunch time. By that point, I'm starving, and ready for a break. The baby goes down, PBS Kids comes on (or Veggie Tales or whatever is age appropriate) and my lunch is made. Yes, the kids bugs me a bit, but I'm nearby and they know it. They tend to just veg.

If your kids won't sit and watch TV, supply them with books, or paper and crayons or kick them out to the backyard with buckets and shovels. What distracts your kids the best? What keeps them happy for the longest? Use it. If that means that you plan your day differently so that TV no longer comes on first thing in the morning, or that you move the baby's nap time or you eat after you pick up your kindergartener... whatever! Just figure it out. It will take some shifting and planning.

And it will be worth it.

Finally, Lunch Time Activities For Mom
Is the Grey's Anatomy on DVR calling your name? Is that novel just sitting there begging to be read? Are your emails clogging up your inbox? Take time to do things you normally don't have time to do; things that you don't want kids around for. Do not sit on hold with the insurance company while you eat. Do not pay your utility bills. NO NO NO! Relax, and take a break. The rest of the day is waiting for all that "real life" stuff. For me personally? Lunch is where I sit, eat SLOWLY, drink an ice cold beverage and read a book. It is fantastic.

Like I stated earlier, I want you to look forward with great anticipation to your lunch break. It is SO nice to sit and relax, even if you can only squeeze 14 minutes out before someone needs something. Get foods you like, get your kids squared away and recharge for the remainder of your eternally long days.

Seriously, you'll be SO glad you did.

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