Simple Mom

I just found a great site that you have to check out: http://simplemom.net/
Be sure to check out the downloadable forms like the preschooler's chore chart. We just printed it today & put it to work. My 3 year-old eagerly helped clean up after dinner. (I haven't offered him monetary gain yet, just the joy of stickers--he likes one on his shirt & one on the chart.)
I can't wait to try out her Daily Docket and other lists and ideas!

Women, Women, Women

Why do we treat each other in such hurtful, harmful ways?
Why do we...

• Treat women without children as if they have no knowledge or understanding of children
• Judge working moms as if they hate their children, or are so bad off they HAVE to work
• Judge stay-at-home moms as if they lack ambition or intelligence
• Criticize each other's decisions, when we're all just doing the best we can
• Sabotage each other when someone might get something better than ourselves, instead of rejoicing that they won't have to go through what we suffered through
• Put down one another with passive agressive comments

We ARE better than that, we CAN do better, we MUST do better.

Guess What!?!?!

• When it comes to staying at home or working full time, the world is not black and white. You have many choices, and you can even create your own.
• You don't have to justify your decisions or reasoning to follow God and your heart to ANYONE.
• You CAN afford to stay at home, if you want. It might take a lot of time and struggle, but it CAN happen.
• I am an imperfect person, and so are you! I know it's hard to believe and hard to accept, but it's true.

Just some things I'm learning, so I thought I'd share.

What Not to Say to A Woman Who Doesn't Have Kids

1. So, when are you going to have kids?
2. Are you catching the bug/itch?
3. Don't you want to have kids?
4. Why don't you have a baby yet?
5. We weren't even trying, and we got pregnant.
6. [Insert any complaint about being pregnant or having a baby here.]
7. We had sex once and got pregnant.
8. It will happen in God's timing.
9. How many kids do you plan to have?
10. You haven't been trying for that long yet. Give it time.

Whether or not this woman is struggling with infertility, remember:

• It's none of your business.
• You don't understand what she's going through (it's different for each woman).

What you should say:

• If you need someone to listen, I will.
• Can I pray for you?

If you are struggling with infertility--this book helped me: "Moments For Couples Who Long For Children" by Ginger Garrett. Oh, and if you need someone to listen, I will. And, I am praying for you.

A New Diet

I lost four pounds yesterday. Yes, four. In one day. Pretty cool, right?

WRONG. Food poisoning. Glory be, the worst kind of sickness. I couldn't hold down water. We (yep, my husband was sick too) spent Sunday laying in bed, the couch, the floor--only getting up if we absolutely had to. Our poor kiddos spent the day in their pajamas eating Cheerios. I really don't know if we actually fed them 3 solid meals or not. Matt wasn't quite as bad off as me (he had the steak instead of the fish/seafood dish), so he did the majority of caring for the kiddos.

I was really concerned that the lack of food & water would lead to a lack in breastmilk production, and although I definitely had a decrease--we seem to be fine today. It took most of the day, but my appetite came back.

Today I met and chatted with Stephanie Hillberry. She asked to interview me for her Marketplace Mavens. Had I been more clear-headed I probably would have postponed this conversation. I know I lost my train of thought more than once, and felt like passing out a few times--should make for an interesting article. HA! Seriously, check out her website & blog--she's a smart lady with great ideas. Thanks, Stephanie!