Natural Moms Podcast #96
August 31, 2008 | Leave a Comment
My guest this week is Kim McDaniel, co author of Video Games & Your Kids: How Parents Stay in Control
Kim McDaniel along with her co-author Hilarie Cash present the available research on video games and their effects on your child’s health, brain development, and social skills.
Many parents have a “gut feeling” that too much time spent gaming is bad for their kids but don’t know exactly why. This book is a resource that gives parents more confidence to set limits around their child’s screen time and offers help to assess whether a child (or a parent!) is addicted to gaming.
You can read a transcript of this interview here: Video Games and Your Kids
Read my review of the book Video Games and Your Kids
Recommended Resource:
Times Up Kidz (free 30 day trial, save 5% by using CLAUTH discount code if you buy it)
I downloaded this software program that helps parents set boundaries for their kid’s computer time. As the creator of the software, Justin says: “The best part is that the computer is immune from pleas for “just a few more minutes.” It is more disciplined about enforcing the limits than most parents.”
I’ll write a longer review of the product later, but thought I would mention it for now since it’s so on topic for this week’s program!
Salad Saturday!
August 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Each Saturday I’ll post a free salad recipe from my new salad cookbook. It ha
s over 365 recipes, so you can either buy it now or just hang around here for the next 6 years. LOL!
CHICKEN AND BLACK BEAN SALAD
30 ounces Black beans; drain — rinse
3 cups Chicken; cooked — cubed
6 Green onions — sliced
1 Sweet red pepper — chop
1 Sweet yellow pepper — chop
2 Tomatoes — coarse chop
1/4 cup Coriander; chop – fresh
—–DRESSING—–
1 Jalapeno pepper — minced
1 teaspoon Grated lime rind
1/4 cup Lime juice
10 milliliters Garlic — minced
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Pepper
1/4 cup Vegetable oil
Use canned black beans (15oz (425mL) per can). In large bowl, gently stir together black beans, chicken, onions, red and yellow peppers and tomatoes.
Dressing: in small bowl, whisk together jalapeno pepper, lime rind and juice, garlic, salt and pepper; gradually whisk in oil. Pour over salad; add coriander and toss gently.
Confessions of a Baby Sling Junkie
August 28, 2008 | 1 Comment
by Lexi Rodrigo
I confess: I have owned 6 baby slings. I say “owned” because I’ve thrown away 1 and given away another, so now I have 4.
photo credit: *clairity*
Why would anybody need 6 baby slings? If you have to ask, then maybe you’ll never understand. Or maybe you just haven’t experienced the joys of babywearing.
My first ever baby sling was an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (OSBH), a gift from my sister in the States. It saved my life. My baby then would not stay asleep if you put her down. So in the sling she went and I happily went about my day with her asleep in the sling. I enjoyed taking her out shopping because she would sleep and sleep in the sling, the rocking motion of me walking keeping her in a deep slumber. The sales clerks would remark at how well my baby slept.
Then came baby #3 six years later. I’m convinced global warming is true, because this time the OSBH became much too hot for tropical weather (whereas I have a picture of baby #2 in the OSBH while we were at the beach). I could strip the baby down to his diapers but I would still be drenched in sweat. So I bought a very lightly padded, pure cotton sling. Ahh, what comfort!
And then I heard about solarveil slings. Living in a tropical country back then and making frequent trips to the pool or the beach, I just had to have one. It was wonderfully cool and dried up quickly. Plus, it gave my baby sun protection.
But when baby #3 started getting squirmy and wanted in and out of my arms frequently, I knew it was time for a pouch. I’d read that it was easy to pop baby in and out of the pouch because you didn’t have to adjust it. Besides, a pouch had less fabric than a sling and so would be even cooler and much easier to pack in a bag. I sewed my first pouch, but my baby soon outgrew it.
So I went on a hunt for an adjustable pouch. There aren’t many, but they do exist. I investigated pouches with buttons or snaps. I chose the kind with velcro. I thought it would be great for DH to be able to wear baby, too, but he preferred to simply carry the baby in his bare arms. My adjustable pouch was great for when the baby, by now a toddler, wanted my attention while I was making dinner. I would pop him in the pouch, swing the pouch behind me and have the little tyke watching over my shoulder. He’d be contented and we could eat.
Then the toddler started getting too heavy for me. I have a bad back to begin with. I read that a wrap carrier and Asian-style baby slings were good for Moms with bad backs because they distributed the child’s weight evenly across both shoulders. Of course, I had to have one, too. To cut down on costs, I sewed it myself, following instructions I found on the Internet. I made a hybrid mei-tai carrier with long straps like a wrap.
It was comfortable on my back, but it was extremely difficult to put on and take off. It took me several minutes to tie all the straps together. If I wanted to carry baby on my back, I needed another person to make sure I didn’t drop the baby. I’ve seen videos of women doing this all by themselves, so I know it can be done. However, I didn’t trust myself. And then when the baby wanted down, I fumbled for a long time with the knots I had tied so well to keep baby secure. What’s more, it was hot! I gave that carrier away.
Now I’m left with 4 baby slings. With baby #3 turning 2 soon, I hardly ever carry him for extended periods any more. He has truly gotten much too heavy. I’m packing away the slings. No, I’ll probably donate them or sell them on Ebay, because I don’t think there will be a baby #4.
It’s been a sweet time, my babywearing days.
To grab your free natural parenting newsletter and receive more babywearing information, visit http://www.natural-moms.com.
Unlikely Unschooling Advocate
August 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This is fascinating, but not terribly surprising to homeschooling parents!
(And by the way, if you haven’t discovered Ted, you must check out the site. The videos are interesting and wonderful to share with your kids to stimulate thinking and discussion on a lot of meaningful topics.
This particular video I had to tell you about because it beautifully illustrates how children are capable of teaching themselves without any adult assistance.
According to the site:
“Sugata Mitra’s “Hole in the Wall” experiments have shown that, in the absence of supervision or formal teaching, children can teach themselves and each other, if they’re motivated by curiosity and peer interest.”
Sugata repeated the experiment over and over, and found similarly remarkable results each time. In one, a 13 year old boy spent 8 minutes browsing the internet and using the computer (he had never used a computer in his life), yet by the end of the day, 60 kids had been taught by him to do the same.
In another city, a group of kids taught themselves not only how to use the computer and programs, but had learned 200 English words! None of them spoke English previously. They had to learn in order to understand the computer. Amazing. 
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/sugata_mitra_shows_how_kids_teach_themselves.html
The concluding message?
“Education does not have to be imposed.”
From Ted.com: “Young kids in this project figured out how to use a PC on their own — and then taught other kids. He asks, what else can children teach themselves?”
Healthy Slow Cooker Recipes
August 27, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Slow cookers can be mom’s best friend.
Throw everything in during the morning time (when everyone is busy and happy and not cranky and underfoot), and have a hot, delicious meal ready for you by dinnertime.
Here are a few healthy slow cooker recipes that feature whole foods. Enjoy!
- Slow cooker Asian chicken
- Slow cooker Beef with Squash Stew
- Slow cooker Nine Bean Soup
- Slow cooker Split Pea Stew
- Slow cooker Lentil Taco Stew
I Guess It’s Better Than Not Being Nominated for ANYthing…
August 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This is more than a little embarrassing, but the folks over at Hot Blogger Calendar have nominated yours truly. I’ve had honorable mentions before, but never been nominated for anything that would get me (fully clothed of course!) in a blogger calendar!
Please Vote for Me!
Hey, a mom’s gotta do what a mom’s gotta do. I’ll use anything for a little free publicity
I was especially hot in this picture, since it was taken at the Atlanta Zoo two years ago, and it was about 95 out and muggy enough that my hair didn’t dry all day long. Plus, I’m sitting in a bird’s nest.
I Heart Ready Made Magazine
August 26, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I heart Ready Made magazine
Have you read this magazine?
It’s a Do It Yourselfer/Crafter/Recycler/Reuser’s dream.
It’s Martha Stewart, but urban, hip and cool. And without the full time staff.
I’m actually not a handy or crafty person at all. But this magazine really inspires me.
Do you love Ready Made too?
Homeschooling: What Will Be Different This Year?
August 25, 2008 | 1 Comment
If you’re a homeschooling veteran, you could meet the new year with either excitement or a sense of dread.
How can you make sure that homeschooling keeps on meeting your child’s needs and brings you joy too?
Maybe you need to make some changes in how you do things.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, and your children will feed off of your emotions. If you’re bored and frustrated, they will be too.
What can you do about this situation? Any suggestions?
What will you do differently this year with your homeschoolers?
Natural Moms Podcast #95
August 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment
This week we are joined by Connie Pope and Heather Schoenrock of Jack’s Harvest, an Atlanta based frozen organic baby food company.
Heather and Connie believe that baby food shouldn’t have to be boring! So, they set out to create fresh, tasty organic baby food that will please your little one’s palate.
They offer local delivery and nationwide shipping, as well as a referral program and gift certificates.
Visit their site at Jack’s Harvest to see what flavors they’re offering!
Your Four, Six and Seven Year Old
August 24, 2008 | Leave a Comment
One of the more important principles of gentle discipline and attachment parenting are understanding a child’s developmental stages.
How can you know how to discipline a child if you don’t know what you can reasonably to expect of them? For example, we don’t expect newborns to sleep through the night, and we don’t expect two year olds to sit still for long periods. It’s unreasonable of us to ask things of them that they’re unable to do.
If you don’t get that your four year old may very well lie or “steal” and not truly understand why those actions are wrong, then you may overreact when your four year old takes gum from your purse repeatedly. And then denies it. No, she’s not going to grow up to be a kleptomaniac.
That’s why I love the “Your _ Year Old” series of books by Louise Bates Ames, PhD. and Frances L. Ilg, M.D.
They tell you what to expect from your kids during their various ages and stages. I grabbed three of these books from my shelves so you can see what I mean.
Your Four-Year-Old: Wild and Wonderful
I already mentioned an aspect of four year old development that is extremely common. Lying is very common among four year olds. They can’t really be expected to understand what a lie is at this age, even though they may be able to verbalize what a lie is (they’ve been told this by adults but can’t really understand such an abstract notion yet).
Also common among four year olds is swearing. I remember when my second child start making up little cuss words at this age (he didn’t know any real cuss words and therefore didn’t have any in his vocabulary but he didn’t let that stop him!). I thought it was funny and knew not to overreact, but reading that this is normal for kids his age was a bit of a relief.
Your Six-Year-Old: Loving and Defiant
Six year olds tend to be a bit oppositional. While five is often a peaceful age, things can change at six and a parent can find themselves with a child who suddenly defies them, screams or pitches fits.
Six year olds frequently switch their numbers and letters. If your six year old does this, don’t assume they are dyslexic. It’s common at this age.
Another interesting thing about six year olds is that they blame everything – good and bad – on mother. I was having a conversation with another mom about this very thing. It’s quite common for six year olds to become extremely upset, angry even, at mom when something goes wrong in their lives.
I remember experiencing this with my son a year ago and sometimes it would hurt my feelings a little. Then when I read it was a common phenomenon among kids his age, I stopped worrying about it. That’s how these books can be so powerful. They allow you to separate your emotions from your parenting.
Your Seven-Year-Old: Life in a Minor Key
The title alone gives you lots of information about common behavior among seven year olds. Compared to the drama of six, seven year olds often become rather withdrawn into themselves. Sevens also discover that “it’s not fair!” and believe that others have it in for them.
Seven year olds often have more worries and fears than other ages. Seven year olds can be a bit perfectionistic, wearing themselves out trying to do this or that perfectly.
Each of the “Your _ Year Old” books has the same qualifying statement, that it’s impossible to say what ALL kids are doing at any age, and that these are just a guide to common behaviors of the stage.
These books introduced me to the concept of “equilibrium/disequilibrium” that I recognize in my kids. Things can go very smoothly for several months and then bam! you hardly recognize your child because a “good eater” is suddenly surviving on spit and air, or a “good sleeper” is suddenly refusing to go to bed, or an obedient child is suddenly defiant, etc.
It’s not so much that your kids are trying to drive you crazy, they’re just in equilibrium or disequilibrium!
Each of these volumes contains information on the tensional outlets common to the age, sleep and eating habits, how the child is likely to interact with parents, teachers and siblings, even how best to throw a party for each age. They even have toy and book recommendations that kids will enjoy at different stages.
Each book is small and can be read in a sitting, but they have proven to be some of the best investments I’ve made in parenting books. I also like that the books recommend a very gentle discipline style. There are frequent references to Dr. Haim Ginott (another of his devotees are the authors of the How to Talk so Your Child Will Listen books).
You can browse all the Your _ Year Old
If you really want to understand both what your child is going through and how you can best help him, grab one for each of your kids ages.
