mygofer Is Teaming Up With the Joliet Jackhammers!

  www.jackhammerbaseball.com

mygofer will sponsor two firework displays, the “Show us your Sign” cam, lawn mower races and one surprise bobblehead.

“mygofer has been welcomed with open arms in the town of Joliet and we feel that we have a great home here,” said Greg Kosobudzki, mygofer store manager. “mygofer is all about connecting with its customers, and making life easier. We want to give our shoppers the opportunity to spend less time shopping and more time with their families to spend at events like the Joliet Jackhammers games.

Both partners are excited to continue to build a relationship together in the Joliet community!

Stop by mygofer and go Jackhammers!

Is "BMI" B.S.?

A few weeks ago my 5 year old had his kindergarten physical.  He was so excited to find out how much he had grown since his last visit, I tried to distract him with magazines when the nurse tried to tell me his “BMI” put him right at the edge of being at an unhealthy weight.  I didn’t want him to hear her say he is borderline “fat” when he was so excited about his growth.

For those not familiar with the BMI indicator, it is a way to determine a person’s body fat based on his weight and height.   It has been a measurement under scrutiny for years and is still so widely used as a measurement tool because it is so easy to calculate.  But it doesn’t actually measure the percentage of body fat on a person, nor does it take into account a person’s body frame or muscularity. 

Why is it that we continue to accept the BMI as a measurement tool for our children?  Does anyone else agree that since children are still growing it is an inaccurate way to determine their healthy weight? 

When you see a child who clearly looks healthy and well proportioned, how can you say he needs to lose weight?  In my son’s case, he’d look sickly if he lost any weight at all because of his body frame.

I’d expect I’m accurate in saying a professional athlete wouldn’t react well to a higher BMI rating indicating he is overweight, when he most likely has about 3% body fat.  Hence the reason the BMI would never be used on a professional athlete.

What are your thoughts?  How do you determine the appropriate weight for your children?  Do you follow the BMI guidelines or use your own measurement?

Good Deeds for Moms with Disabled Children

I find this article interesting not only because I have an autistic child but because of how many families seem to be affected today by some sort of special need or disability, not just autism. 

It is said that one out of every 95 children has an autism spectrum disorder.  Every 20 minutes, another family receives the devastating news that their child is autistic.

It is likely you know someone raising a child with some disability.  We all know raising kids can be difficult and trying at times, but the efforts required to raise a disabled child, whether physically or mentally, are immensely demanding.  And an unfortunate reality of it is that many moms are doing it alone either due to divorce or a spouse's work schedule.   

While we are all busy moms and usually can’t find enough time in our days to do our own things, make it a point sometime soon to reach out to that mom you know who is raising a child with a disability. Consider it your weekly or monthly “good deed” and offer to help out in any way you can.  Personally, I know it helps tremendously when others do it for me. 

 

Three Ways You Can Help a Mom with Autistic Children

 

Avoid Morning Chaos before School

Two weeks and counting before the new school year begins, at least for the kids in our area.  Here are a few tips that work for us to help make mornings run a little smoother:

• A few months ago I put in “day of the week” clothes organizers in my boys’ closets.  Once school starts, based on the weather forecast we will set out tentative outfits for the week on Sunday.  This seems to motivate my boys to get themselves dressed quicker and ensure they actually pick matching shirts and pants.  You can either make your own like I did by using a sweater organizer or you can find ones specifically made for children's closets with the days of the week already labeled. 

• To avoid morning chaos, I make sure all items that need to be brought back to school are in their backpacks the night before, including parent forms, homework, snacks, etc.  We then put the backpacks against the door the night before as well so there is no way we can walk out without them.  This has saved us many mornings of frustration and extra trips back up to school. 

• If lunch is being brought from home, I’ve cleared out one of the refrigerator bins to dedicate it for lunch snacks, juice pouches, etc.  So in the morning all the boys have to do is pick out their drink and snack and put it in their lunchbox while I make the sandwich.

• As soon as they get home from school, my boys are required to empty their backpacks and put everything in its spot.  Their lunchboxes are emptied and put in the cabinet, homework folders go in their "Homework" bins, and parent paperwork in the "Action" bin.  This helps eliminate all the papers constantly being shuffled from the table to the counter and vice versa. 

What tips can you share that seem to help your house hum a little better in the mornings? 

Working Out to Eat

For years after my first son was born I was able to conquer my cravings for sweet or salty foods, or just junk food in general.  I’ll admit it, deep down I’m a big snacker.  But I didn’t want to gain any of the weight I worked so hard to lose after pregnancy.  My running has helped me control my weight and motivated me to eat healthier and ignore most temptations. 

Lately though, I’ve come to the realization that I now run to eat – not lose weight like I used to, but just to maintain my current status.  

Of course I am aware that my appetite is always bigger when I’m consistent with my workout schedule.  But my will power has diminished greatly, and while I still try to fight it as often as I can, I’m not winning that battle as often these days. 

In a discussion with some friends the other day, I found it interesting that we all agree on the importance of our workout routines for better health, but with growing kids who have their own growing appetites, we tend to do too much snacking on their treats, which we would have never considered a few years ago.

And while I used to bake the cookies and concoct special treats for my boys without partaking in the consumption, I’ve somewhat given up on fighting the urge to give something a try, especially when I’m getting a rewarding “compliments to the chef, mom”.

One girlfriend summed it up well for me – “…just think of all those women on the Titanic who passed up the dessert table…”

I’m curious, do you work out just so you can eat more, or are you able to still control the temptations?  And if so, HOW? 

When You're In a Funk

Sometimes no matter how rewarding life can be as a Mom, you get into a funk. 

 

Maybe it’s because you’re doing too much with the kids and are not getting any “ME” time.  Or perhaps it’s because you have to do most or all of it on your own due to your spouse’s work schedule or you are a single mom and you are feeling some “Mommy Burnout”.   

 

I have a friend going through a funk right now who needs a pick-me-up. She’s not seeming or feeling like herself at all, and feeling guilty on top of it because she is moody and irritable with her kids and husband. 

 

I saw a great comment on Facebook a while ago that I think sums up our lives as overworked, time-strapped moms pretty well.  It said “Moms have traded eyeliner for dark circles, salon hair cuts for ponytails, long showers for stubble on their legs, late nights for early mornings, and designer purses for diaper bags.”

 

Some women may read this and interpret it in a negative manner.  But when I read it, I have to laugh and feel proud because it makes me think of the better person I’ve become because of the wonderful little beings I am raising. 

 

And I’ve learned to accept that I’ve not had a professional manicure in over a year (why bother, it’s ruined in a day anyway), have to let the grays grow out a little longer than I prefer, and put many of my own priorities after my children's. 

 

I’m not saying don’t treat yourselves ladies, because if anyone deserves to, it’s all the busy moms trying to juggle the various balls of life.   But the reality is that we sometimes need to take life a little less seriously and put things in perspective. 

 

If you stress about the house, or the laundry, or that your day didn’t go as planned, seek out a hug or two from those little guys or gals in your life, and remember what is truly important. 

Preparing Myself for Homework Again

As we get just a few short weeks away from the start of a new school year, my kids aren’t the only ones dreading it.  My source of contention isn’t because I’ll miss them (although I will very much), it’s because of the exhausting homework sessions we’ll need to endure for another 9 straight months.

I know this challenge isn’t experienced by all kids and parents, although I do know many parents whose kids struggle with homework for one reason or another.  

Our difficulties lie in the fact that my oldest son has a learning disability as well as high anxiety.  So when homework is difficult, which it usually is, his anxiety gets higher, which stresses him out and makes it even more difficult for him to get the work done.

I know I’m a bit biased on this topic, and for good reason, but I really believe the amount of homework dished out at the elementary school level is extreme.  Whether it’s for a child that takes longer than most kids to complete the work due to a disability, or because he is involved in activities after school and has little time before bedtime once he gets home for the day, is so much necessary?

I know It’s a challenge for many of these kids to focus their little brains long enough to effectively make it through 6 ½ hours of school and retain it all, but to then have another hour or two (or more, depending on the grade level) of homework makes it not so fun to be a kid anymore. 

I say let’s tone down the amount of homework so we can allow kids to play sports, get involved in after school or community groups, or just have time to play and release before they get up for another full day of learning. 

After all, when you are a kid you want to be a grown up, but once you’re a grown up you wish you were a kid again.  It would be nice for these kids to have less pressure and stress and really enjoy being a kid while they can. 

What are your thoughts?  How much homework do your kids see and do you think it’s too much?

Mrs. Fix It Does It Again

I’m curious to know how much of the handiwork other busy moms do around the house, and I don’t mean the usual “mom” work, but the harder, “dad” work.

 

Before I quit my full time job, I relied on my husband for a majority of the grunt work – lawn care, light bulb changes, squeaky doors, and even spider killing.  But once I made the switch to SAHM, I felt the need to pick up added responsibilities to make it as easy as possible for him to focus on just the job (except for spider killing when he is home – all him).

 

I’m quite proud of myself lately and think I’ve shocked him a bit as well in terms of the challenges I’ve confronted without even asking for his guidance. 

 

First, I looked into the problem I’ve been having in my car air conditioner by finding the information on where and how to find the air filter to see if it’s in need of cleaning for better air flow.  He didn’t even know my car had an air filter – HA!  (I didn’t either but that is expected).

 

And this evening I fixed our completely dead and clogged garbage disposal – thank goodness, because I would not have waited for him to have time to check it before I would have been calling a plumber.  This involved several attempts, including finding and using an Allen wrench. But after some patience and time, the problem was solved.

 

I can’t say I’d be capable (or necessarily willing) to take care of every fix that needs tending to, but it definitely makes things run more smoothly around the house when I can do some of it myself, and eases up on the Honey-Do list. 

 

What household triumphs can you share that you have gotten a “wow” response on from your hubby?   

Why Kids Lie - Age by Age

Earlier this year when my son was still in preschool, I was worried for a while about the increased number of fibs he was starting to tell.  Yes, I should say “lies”, but being that he was only 4, I had a hard time accepting these elaborate fabrications he was sharing and that he told them with such confidence as if they were absolutely real. 

For example, as I pulled into the parking lot to pick him up from school one day, both his teachers ran over to the car to ask how my arm was and if I was feeling better.  Turns out he not only told them I fell and broke my arm but that I was still in the hospital.  No wonder they looked at me so oddly when I pulled up. 

I was at a loss as to how to really handle this situation.  I mean, at such a young age, what would his motivation be to come up with these stories?  Most of his other stories haven’t been as bizarre as my broken arm, but nevertheless, I felt the need to do my own research so I could confront this issue in the most effective manner. 

Here is a good article I came across that helped me not overreact to the situation.  As any other parent, I want to raise children with strong values so it’s something I want  to take seriously, but I don’t want to respond so drastically that it makes matters worse.  

Why Kids Lie -- Age by Age - Parenting.com.

Helping Kids Manage Anger

The other day I was walking through the grocery store watching a child throw a fit over something his mother wouldn’t buy him.  I smiled at her, saying “no worries, it happens to the best of us”, as she felt the need to apologize.  My heart went out for her.

Years ago, before I had my own children, I would have most likely thought this type of behavior was the result of poor parenting.  And then I had to endure the same challenges with my own son, to the point where I was afraid to bring him out in public.  Little did I know at the time that both ADHD and Autism would be the culprits behind his low frustration tolerance and a slew of other difficulties he still currently faces.

But emotions are very difficult for all young children to self regulate, especially anger, because they haven't fully developed the mental maturity to do so. 

I’ve been learning a number of strategies over the last couple of years that help both my sons diffuse their frustrations and learn to respond to certain events appropriately.  Attached is an article with some of those effective strategies.

One thing that I remind myself of again and again, especially on those days I may be a little more sleepy or on edge is that I can’t ever expect my kids to use these strategies or control their emotions if I don’t do so myself.  Being a role model and showing how these strategies can work is the first and most important step in making progress to change.  So I have to laugh when I hear “Mom, take a few deep breaths”.

Helping Kids Manage Anger

Why Wouldn't You Get Them Swim Lessons?

Yesterday was my second time this summer at one of our local water parks.   It was also the second day where I witnessed multiple children needing to be saved by the lifeguards because they couldn’t get themselves to the side of the pool.

I was a lifeguard when I was in college, and while it was a small pool, I did have to save a little boy one time.  He had ventured out a little too far where the water current started to pull him to the deep end and he couldn’t get himself back.  He was fine, but after that experience his parents had me give him swim lessons so it couldn’t happen again.

The environment at a water park is so chaotic.  There are hundreds of people, mostly children, running from one thing to the next.  Most kids are so excited to be there they may not think about whether they are strong enough swimmers to get back to the surface quickly enough after going off the diving board or down the swirly slide.

So I question if all parents give enough thought to whether their children are competent enough in the water to partake in all activities at a facility such as this.  Regardless of whether they meet the height requirements, it doesn’t necessary mean they should be allowed on all the activities.

If your kids like to swim, make sure they have lessons, whether you teach them yourself or can take them to group or private lessons.  Whether they have the opportunity to swim often or not, it’s such an important skill to master so they can get themselves from one end of a pool to the other and back to the surface from a deeper area.  It will also ensure they not only enjoy the water more, it will give them confidence and give you the comfort of knowing they can better care for themselves in the water.

Have you gotten your kids lessons?  If so, at what age?