Grocery Shopping

October 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

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Ahhh, everyone has been in the grocery store when the good ole’ marketing folks have thrown your happy well behaved toddler into a hit the floor fit.

First off, EVERYONE HAS BEEN THERE! Don’t worry about the people that are giving you “the look”, don’t feel that it is a reflection of poor parenting or become self concious- instead focus on your child and what needs to happen. How you handle your child depends on many factors but no matter what take a deep breath. The more worked up you get, the less you can be objective.

Second, don’t give in! Now, this is purely your call, but if you give in now they will remember next time. I simply ignore the tantrum or state we will discuss it when they calm down. If the tantrum continues, and I have done this, I go to the front of the store and place my cart at the customer service and let them know I am leaving but will be back. I take my child to the car and we strap into our car seats- yes, still kicking and screaming- and we sit until they can calm down enough to speak with then we discuss the situation and return to the store. If they don’t calm down (they always have in a matter of 5-10 minutes) then go home and try again later after everyone has calmed down and you discussed the situation with your child. Of course, the best tactic is to avoid the situation all together. See my next post on keeping your child involved during shopping.

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Tips & Advice

“THE” question… how do you???

October 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

“Are they all yours??” “You don’t look old enough to have two kids, never mind four” These questions have been haunting me from strangers for the last two months and while I do good at smiling and giving a little laugh or a witty reply- depending on what state the kids are in- I also get the question “how do you XYZ” from other moms. SOO that’s what this area of the blog is about, suggestions and tips that have worked for my family and see if anything will fit for your family.

Have your own suggestions? I would love to hear them! We all can use help!

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Tips & Advice

Pack and Play

October 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Another find that took me four kids to get is the Graco Pack and Play. Now, I have a pack and play from my first baby and for whatever reason I didn’t want to spend money on the bells and whistles and it has done just fine for the last eight years but it was well… plain. Plain that is was simply a play pen.

With the new baby arriving and taking stock of space and the need of a new bassinett I went with the Graco Pack and Play and it’s been great. It has the bassinett and the folding changing table with storage. The music and night light are just extras that are nice. The canopy leaves something to be desired, poor design and it doesn’t stay up but I think that’s mostly for show anyway. The “Devon” style I chose is pretty so I enjoy looking at it in my bedroom.

Another great find for a new mom that needs compact storage or doesn’t need a full set of furniture for nap, changing and play.

The picture shows a sample, not the exact, of the pack and play we enjoy.

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Cool Finds

Graco Snap & Go

October 13, 2007 | Leave a Comment

Why didn’t I have one of these for the other kids? While being discharged from the hospital with baby number 4 this summer the nurse walked in pushing a stroller frame - the Graco Snap & Go- for the car seat. Remember- you’re not supposed to be carrying anything heavy!

Well, I fell in love with it on our short walk to the car and thought it would be perfect for our trip to a wedding in Marthas Vinyard in a few weeks instead of lugging the “big” stroller. I was disappointed in the price tag of over $50.00 when I looked into buying one but was elated when I found one on Craigs List for $10.00 near by. After all, I didn’t want to pay that much for a stroller that’s only as good as long as the baby is in the car seat.

I have to say, I LOVE this stroller! It is super light and was easy to pick up and carry up the steps on the ferry boat. It handles great when I am steering with one hand and it is has a roomy basket for the diaper bag and extras and of course, the cup holders are icing on the cake! I highly recommend this stroller and the simplicity it brings.

I only have a few months then I’ll post it back on Craigs List to let the next lucky mom have her turn!

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Cool Finds

Overscheduled Kids?

October 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment

We are back in the swing of school and all the activities that go with it. Back to the soccer fields and Girl Scout meetings and listening to moms complain that they are so busy and how much time they spend in the car transporting kids from one activity to another.

Now, I admit- we are busy, my kids have their activities and after school playdates but between listening to mothers who are REALLY complaining about all the driving and how much money they spend on kids activities, listening to the news report on the cost of gas and other related topics- I have to say it has all turned into a bit of a pet peeve for me.

Why do parents think kids need to be in gymnastics, soccer, karate and piano lessons week after week? I talk to moms that run from school to one activity to the next then not get home until 7 p.m. to eat dinner and try to do home work then get ready for bed and do it all again the next day? They are exhausted, the kids are cranking out and when I ask they say “the kids like to do it”…. huh??? Is it the kids or the parents that think they need all these structured activities to become “well rounded”?? How much gas and money would be saved by limiting kids activities- what if you could spend that extra time just being family time?

We have a rule that kids get to pick one sport per season and Girl Scouts is one meeting every other week. Every family has it’s own method of madness, however, we believe in the good of UN-structured activities and free time. I’ve witnessed kids that simply can’t entertain themselves anymore, they want you (or the T.V., video games…) do it for them. They can’t think of games to play or simply make up their own.

After doing a google search on overscheduled kids I was surprised by the number of reports and information there is on the topic and to know that I”m not the black sheep of “over-enrichment”. Check out an article written by an author who wrote a whole book on hyper-parenting - http://www.hyper-parenting.com/sioux.htm.

I would love feedback and thoughts on the topic to see what others think!

Like my Post? Maybe you would like to Buy Mama A Java! It will help to keep me reading, writing and scooping out the info

Posted by Kristen | Filed Under Chaos of Life

October 11, 2007 | Leave a Comment