Challenges in Parenting

If you are a single parent, pat yourself on the back for me. 

I have friends who are just like you, and they are the hardest working and most exhausted people I know.

That’s one of the reasons I had Pam Kanaly on the show.  Her story was inspiring. Her husband left her with 2 children under the age of 3!  She knew the Lord, and learned to lean on Him for everything.

To contact Pam or get more information about her story, go to www.ariseministries.net. 

I am also sensitive to those of us who are not the best at parenting in the crazy lifestyle we live in; whether we are parenting solo or with our spouse.

So, Mary DeMuth came on the show to talk about her book, Authentic Parenting in a Post-Modern Culture.  She offered practical tips for each of us on parenting our children.  For information on Mary, go to www.relevantprose.com.

The Mundane

Now that I’m feeling better, Ben is sick.

He’s not as bad as I was; but a little bit fussy and coughing.  Not to sound bad, but there goes my Mother’s Day out just as I am finally feeling better.

I use those days to do the stuff I have a hard time getting done when the kids are home.  The annoying, irritating mundane stuff.

Like doing dishes, laundry, cleaning bathrooms.  Things that grate on me.

So today, when Ben was “home” we decided to run some errands. 

He doesn’t usually ask for stuff when we go out.  So when he asked for a donut, I found a place for him.  It was only 9:30 and he hadn’t eaten alot.

I enjoyed sitting with him while he ate his donut with sprinkles.

After he was finished he found a stool and climbed up there to watch this guy make kolaches (like large pigs in a blanket). The guy put the cheese on the dough, then the sausages, then rolled it up and set it aside.  He did this OVER and OVER. My son was fascinated.  I almost could not get him away from the window.  He kept asking questions and watching the man work.

Then, it hit me.

This man was doing the same thing, the mundane, over and over, day after day.  He still managed to do it regardless.  And my son found him fascinating. 

Why couldn’t I have the same attitude? Why should I complain about the mundane stuff in my life?  I should be thankful for my house, two healthy kids, and a husband who works hard to provide for us.

I went home with a new attitude and I spent the evening doing the pots and pans I keep putting off.

Then, my husband came home sick…..here we go again! 

But, this time, my attitude is better.  And I have an appreciation for the mundane.

The Show Must Go On!!

There are two words no one in radio/broadcasting wants to hear.

They are “You’re sick!”

Yep.  If it weren’t for this blog, I couldn’t communicate very well.  I sound like a frog.  Okay, I stand corrected, Rachel says “a cute frog!”  Either way, I still have a sinus infection and a little virus.  My cough is the worst!

We’re going to re-air a show on money and credit counseling.  It got great feedback.

So, I’m pumping the fluids and getting as much rest as the kiddos will let me.  My daughter made dinner last night (granted, she’s 8 and cheese tacos are not hard to make in the microwave), and she flipped pancakes this morning.  She might do laundry too if I press her hard enough! 

Hey!  This being sick might have some advantages!  Now, what to do with the four year old?

This morning they went outside around 7:30 and blew bubbles.  They were having a great time.  It allowed me to make coffee and take an inventory of the weekend.

Hmm.  I can’t work, so show prep is not necessary.  Looks like I have to think of other things to do. 

Let’s see.  There’s housework (still have to put things away from the trip, change sheets), and Rachel’s homework.  Oh, why did I lose my voice?  Work is sounding more appealing right now!  (can you tell I dislike housework?)

Rachel just reminded me that she’s almost out of yarn.  She has taken up needlepointing, and is getting quite good at it.

So, there’s a trip to the craft store.  And then, her history class is having a picnic today.  She is looking forward to that.

You know, when the mom is sick, there’s still no stopping the momentum.  The kids still have places to go and things to do.  People still need to eat. 

Oh! We still have tortillas and cheese; as long as we have that and peanut butter, the kids can make their own food!

The show will go on!  This Sunday Night, Abundant Life Christian Credit Counseling will be re-aired (from July).  You can’t call in, but you can listen locally to 89.3fm or go streaming at www.ksbj.org.

Meet My Family

 

This is my family.  I’m the one on the bench in the blue suit.  My sister is behind me and my mom is next to me.  My dad is standing in the middle.  My son, Ben, is a cutie, but was squirming while his dad held him on the ledge of that bench. And my daughter, Rachel, is so pretty in pink.

I have to say this picture is the first family picture we have had taken in a very long time.  I wish I could say this porch was our house but it isn’t.   We actually took this picture at the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, TX.  My dad served in the Texas House Of Representatives for 10 years.  It was very cool as a kid; going to the capitol and being a page.  I loved that aspect of it. 

The part I didn’t like was not having him around the house during the times the Legislature was in session.  He had to live in Austin for several months at a time.  That put a little stress on our family life.  In retrospect, I think it made my mom’s job very hard.  She had to work at his office in town on weekdays and then come home and raise us two girls.  She sacrificed alot and did the best she could.

I suppose that is one of the reasons I only work one day a week right now.  I want to be home for my kids and give them the most attention possible.  I have a lifetime to build a career but I only get one shot at being a good mother. 

I think the main reason I do the Sunday Night Show is because it allows me to allow God to use me in a different way than He does Monday through Saturday.  I love talking; I have since I was a kid.  I get that from my dad, I guess!  I enjoy offering topics that our listeners love; like parenting, relationships, nutrition, health. There are so many great organizations doing good in Houston as well, and I love to focus on them.

How to STOP the anger

Author Karol Ladd was our guest tonight.  She gave some great tips on helping us learn how to combat anger.  Particularily, the anger we face when we are dealing with our kids.

I say anger is an emotion that is caused by unrealistic expectations.  That’s my definition.  Most of the anger we feel comes because something doesn’t happen the way we intended or expected it to….especially with our kids and our spouse. 

Karol’s book is called “Defuse: A Mom’s Survival Guide for More Love, Less Anger”

In the book she gives ideas on:

How to Recognize and Deal with Your Anger

Learn How to Respond to Anger of Others

Create an Environment Where Love Abounds

Her positive plan offers vital solutions that help us deactivate anger and strengthen love’s bonds.

In short, the plan is STOP!

S—–Step Away

T—–Take Calming Breaths

O—-Objectively look at the Situation

P—–Pray how to handle the Situation

To find out more about Karol, go to www.PositiveMom.com or her blog at www.PositiveMomS.blogspot.com

My personal story is that I tend to be the one who stuffs my anger and appear to be cool on the outside.  Inside, I’m furious and ready to snap.  Sometimes I get my feelings out by writing (constructive), sometimes by yelling (destructive).  Everyone has their default mode.  I’ve got to do more praying…..somehow I can do the STO but the P sometimes doesn’t happen, particularily with the kids.

Do you struggle with anger?  Is there a way you have learned to deal with anger toward your kids?  I think we get the most frustrated at our children because we have such high expectations of them.  What about you?

She’s Gonna Blow!!

Anger.  You know you have it.  Don’t try to deny it.

We’re gonna talk about the effects anger has on moms.  What really ticks us off and what we can do to diffuse the problems.

My guest is Karol Ladd, author of Defusing Anger.  She’s a Texas mom who has some tips on how to help us deal with anger. 

What do you get angry about?  Is it your kids, your husband, your in-laws, your job?

Maybe you don’t have an anger problem, maybe it is your child or your spouse.

Whatever it is, Karol will be able to help.

Join me tomorrow for Sunday Night, 6pm on 89.3fm KSBJ or go to www.ksbj.org to listen live on the internet.

Back to Reality

So, I thought Disney was wireless, and I would be able to write you from the ship and the resort.

I thought wrong.  On the ship they charge way too much for service (75 cents a minute, ouch!).  And at the resorts, they have ethernet only.  I don’t have ethernet capability.  Even though they provided me with a cable at the resort, I had nowhere to hook it into my laptop.

Yep, good OLD laptop.  And I do mean OLD!  It’s 10 years old. But it was free.  My dad gave it to me last year.

So, I figured it was God’s way of telling me I needed to chill and take it easy.

It would take me way too long to give you all the details of the trip, so here are just a few.

The ship was awesome!  I got sick the first night at dinner though…file that under embarrassing moment I don’t care to relive.

The private island Disney owned was so great!  I did get sunburned going snorkeling and it was worth it!  I saw fish so much clearer than previous snorkeling outings and my hubby even saw a stingray.  He went further out than I did.

We met all different characters on the ship and at the parks.  My son meeting Buzz Lightyear and Mr. Incredible was priceless.  My daughter lucked out and met Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable at MGM.  (that’s a rare thing, I’m told) 

High School Musical Pep Rally was dark and my daughter was ultra bummed out.  Until we got VIP passes for the Extreme Stunt Car Show; that became the coolest thing ever!  What a great show!

We visited every park (except the water ones) and rode every ride we wanted to ride.  We really loved Test Track and Soaring at Epcot. 

There were so many magical moments it is hard to pick them all.  If I have to pick the funniest it would be the last thing we did; Splash Mountain.

There’s one thing about me that you gotta understand.  I am not a roller coaster kind of person.  But water rides; man, that is my favorite thing.  And Splash Mountain is THE water ride.  No question.  There’s nothing better.  Dry is not an option!

So we rode it–all four of us.  There is a picture of us.  In the last drop, Ben looks over at Rachel and is screaming.  Rachel is smiling, my husband and I are smiling and screaming at the same time.  It is the funniest picture!  

My son didn’t like that ride.  Oh, well.  He might change his mind when he’s older.

   

Leaving for another World–DISNEY!

Picture this:

Me, with hubby and two kids on a DISNEY Cruise ship.  The kids at the “Oceaneers Club” and us at the “Quiet Cove” pool, sipping on ice tea.  I’ll be the one in the shade ’cause I burn like a rock lobster.  My husband will be in the sun, dark as the Coppertone Man.  I’ll be reading a book for one of my upcoming shows.  My husband will be sleeping or swimming.  Sometimes we’ll get the kids out and swim with them too. 

We’ll have all our meals with the kids.  I won’t have to cook or clean up! 

And we will have one night at Palo, the adults only restaurant. I won’t have to cut anyone’s food or eat my food cold unless it is salad or dessert!

That’s going to be my life for at least three days.

Then, it’s off to the parks.  Yep, my very detailed hubby has scheduled them all.  (except for the waterpark)  I think I might not get off the boat!

Don’t get me wrong, I do love Splash Mountain!  It’s just that vacationing with children can be a little bit of a challenge.  I truly enjoy my children, and the fact that I stay home with them Mon-Sat. is evidence of that.

But a mom occassionally needs a break! 

So, in fairness to you, my “dear reader” (to quote Dear Abby), I’ll try to let you know what mischeif I’m up to….I do intend to take my laptop, just to keep connected.

Don’t worry, you’ll enjoy this Sunday night’s show.  You just won’t be able to call in. 

I’ll be talking to you again soon. Pray for our safety during our travel, please.

Caffeinated Potato Chips!

Now I have seen it all!  They’ve just announced a new potato chip is coming onto the market—it’s laced with caffeine!

Okay, call me crazy but I am not so sure this is a great idea!  What are food manufacturers thinking?  Are we so stressed out and lack so much energy that we are reaching for more caffeine?  And is it not enough that we have energy drinks, and tea and coffee?  Now we have to have chips with caffeine too?

Take a look at this article, and tell me what you think!http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/health/5103121.html

About a month ago my dad and I were talking about a new orange juice with glucosamine added to it.  The company’s commercial for this juice was so positive, painting a picture of why not drink this oj because you need that mineral in your body anyway.  What people fail to realize is that glucosamine is made from scraping the oyster shells, and anyone who has an allergy to iodine or shellfish (like my dad) could become seriously ill by using this product.

Oh!  And in the grocery store the other day, I saw Diet Coke with Vitamins!  As if drinking vitamins in your Diet Coke is going to make you healthier!

Can you tell that my opinion is so strong on this one?  I feel like the food companies need to stick to as close to natural ingredients as possible and leave the added vitamins and minerals out.  If you need vitamins and minerals, get educated and take what you need with your food.  But don’t drug up the food!  It only leads to more problems.

Okay, enough with my soap box.  It’s lunch time.  And, no, I’m not having potato chips or Diet Coke! 

Sex And The City Uncovered

My guest tonight was Marian Jordan, author of the new book, “Sex and The City Uncovered.”  We talked about the pain that hooking up causes in people’s lives and how to solve the problem of having a hole in your soul.  We also had some great callers tonight!

To purchase Marian’s book, go to your local Barnes and Noble or Christian Bookstore.

To find out more about her ministry to women, go to www.redeemedgirl.org