It’s beginning to look a lot like Stressmas
©Lisa Barker, 12/21/2006
It’s beginning to look a lot like Stressmas
Everywhere you tread
Take a look at the mall and shops stuffed to the high rooftops
With things that no one needs and still you get
It’s beginning to look a lot like Stressmas
Everywhere you look
But the scariest sight to see is the balance that will be
In your own check book
You max your credit card out ‘cause you want the discount
And you hope that the gifts will please
Advent you rush and your savings is slush
But you want the best for fam’ly
And then you learn that family is fighting once again!
It’s beginning to look a lot like Stressmas
Everywhere it’s sad
There’s a tree in the garbage can, forget the Eve as planned
Your mother isn’t speaking to your dad
It’s beginning to look a lot like Stressmas
Just don’t forget the “why”
For the thing that will make you smile is the true love of a child
Born upon this night...
Then it’s Christmas in your heart!
Dear readers,
This year take the time to immerse your senses in the holiday season.
Enjoy the crunching sounds from behind the Christmas tree as your toddler feverishly scarfs down candy canes still in the wrapper.
Look for the trail of cookie crumbs that your husband leaves when he samples all the baked goodies.
Embrace the heat of a crackling fire, breathe in the pine and wipe the tears from your eyes...because someone forgot to open the chimney flue.
Laugh at all the hilarious faces your son made for the serious family portrait you wanted for the Christmas cards. Someday you’ll get to show his girlfriend what a booger he was.
Really, all these goofy things that happen that weren’t planned and prepared for are the very things that add character, and later nostalgia, to your holidays.
How boring it would be if the cat didn’t tear up and down the Christmas tree and emerge with tinsel on his whiskers.
How bland the cookies would have been if the little one hadn’t added salt, maple syrup and red hots to the mixture.
Big and small these are not disasters, these are the real gifts of the season. How will you receive them? With laughter or despair?
And so it has been said, many times, many ways, Merry Christmas to you.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, the smoke detectors are ringing because I forgot to check the yams in the oven and the dog is running through the house with garland tried to his tail and two cats are chasing him…and somewhere I hear children laughing hysterically....
Jelly Mom™ is written by Lisa Barker and syndicated through Martin-Ola Press /Parent To Parent and is available for newspapers, websites, e-zines and newsletters.
Friday, December 22, 2006
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Shmushmellos
It's fun when your kiddos are small. They have their own vocabulary. The other day my son asked for some shmushmellows. Of course, he meant marshmallows, but I think his name is more appropriate, don't you think?
Today I am having a little fun watching the videos on http://www.codesandlyrics.com. Yay! They even have the Eagles!
Boo is doing well. She has a head cold now and that is the biggest worry. Otherwise, she has been eating well and gaining weight. I'm going to have to learn a new way to lift her from her chair to the bed, etc. No more simply hoisting her over my shoulder and plopping her somewhere.
Aiden is 100 times excited about Christmas than anybody. He's three and it is all new to him. So he is educating himself about every detail and informing us of all the things we need to do to prepare...although yesterday he announced that Santa wasn't coming because it hasn't snowed yet.
I told him Christmas was Jesus' birthday and he got real mad and stomped his foot, saying, "No, I get presents!" Lol!
JD might be even more excited than Aiden. He's been good this year--he's really come a long way--but that boy just can't stand waiting for things like Christmas. It's killing him...and me, too! Only a few more days to go! Woo-hoo!
Rachel and Nicole are taking it all in stride. They are in middle school and torn between hoping for new clothes or new toys.
Simon is grinchy, but a happy grinch. He always gets a bit grinchy before Christmas and then transforms into a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Hope all is well with you...
Merry Christmas!
Today I am having a little fun watching the videos on http://www.codesandlyrics.com. Yay! They even have the Eagles!
Boo is doing well. She has a head cold now and that is the biggest worry. Otherwise, she has been eating well and gaining weight. I'm going to have to learn a new way to lift her from her chair to the bed, etc. No more simply hoisting her over my shoulder and plopping her somewhere.
Aiden is 100 times excited about Christmas than anybody. He's three and it is all new to him. So he is educating himself about every detail and informing us of all the things we need to do to prepare...although yesterday he announced that Santa wasn't coming because it hasn't snowed yet.
I told him Christmas was Jesus' birthday and he got real mad and stomped his foot, saying, "No, I get presents!" Lol!
JD might be even more excited than Aiden. He's been good this year--he's really come a long way--but that boy just can't stand waiting for things like Christmas. It's killing him...and me, too! Only a few more days to go! Woo-hoo!
Rachel and Nicole are taking it all in stride. They are in middle school and torn between hoping for new clothes or new toys.
Simon is grinchy, but a happy grinch. He always gets a bit grinchy before Christmas and then transforms into a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Hope all is well with you...
Merry Christmas!
Shmushmellows
It's fun when your kiddos are small. They have their own vocabulary. The other day my son asked for some shmushmellows. Of course, he meant marshmallows, but I think his name is more appropriate, don't you think?
Today I am having a little fun watching the videos on http://www.codesandlyrics.com. Yay! They even have the Eagles!
Boo is doing well. She has a head cold now and that is the biggest worry. Otherwise, she has been eating well and gaining weight. I'm going to have to learn a new way to lift her from her chair to the bed, etc. No more simply hoisting her over my shoulder and plopping her somewhere.
Aiden is 100 times excited about Christmas than anybody. He's three and it is all new to him. So he is educating himself about every detail and informing us of all the things we need to do to prepare...although yesterday he announced that Santa wasn't coming because it hasn't snowed yet.
I told him Christmas was Jesus' birthday and he got real mad and stomped his foot, saying, "No, I get presents!" Lol!
JD might be even more excited than Aiden. He's been good this year--he's really come a long way--but that boy just can't stand waiting for things like Christmas. It's killing him...and me, too! Only a few more days to go! Woo-hoo!
Rachel and Nicole are taking it all in stride. They are in middle school and torn between hoping for new clothes or new toys.
Simon is grinchy, but a happy grinch. He always gets a bit grinchy before Christmas and then transforms into a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Hope all is well with you...
Merry Christmas!
Today I am having a little fun watching the videos on http://www.codesandlyrics.com. Yay! They even have the Eagles!
Boo is doing well. She has a head cold now and that is the biggest worry. Otherwise, she has been eating well and gaining weight. I'm going to have to learn a new way to lift her from her chair to the bed, etc. No more simply hoisting her over my shoulder and plopping her somewhere.
Aiden is 100 times excited about Christmas than anybody. He's three and it is all new to him. So he is educating himself about every detail and informing us of all the things we need to do to prepare...although yesterday he announced that Santa wasn't coming because it hasn't snowed yet.
I told him Christmas was Jesus' birthday and he got real mad and stomped his foot, saying, "No, I get presents!" Lol!
JD might be even more excited than Aiden. He's been good this year--he's really come a long way--but that boy just can't stand waiting for things like Christmas. It's killing him...and me, too! Only a few more days to go! Woo-hoo!
Rachel and Nicole are taking it all in stride. They are in middle school and torn between hoping for new clothes or new toys.
Simon is grinchy, but a happy grinch. He always gets a bit grinchy before Christmas and then transforms into a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Hope all is well with you...
Merry Christmas!
Shmushmellows
It's fun when your kiddos are small. They have their own vocabulary. The other day my son asked for some shmushmellows. Of course, he meant marshmallows, but I think his name is more appropriate, don't you think?
Today I am having a little fun watching the videos on http://www.codesandlyrics.com. Yay! They even have the Eagles!
Boo is doing well. She has a head cold now and that is the biggest worry. Otherwise, she has been eating well and gaining weight. I'm going to have to learn a new way to lift her from her chair to the bed, etc. No more simply hoisting her over my shoulder and plopping her somewhere.
Aiden is 100 times excited about Christmas than anybody. He's three and it is all new to him. So he is educating himself about every detail and informing us of all the things we need to do to prepare...although yesterday he announced that Santa wasn't coming because it hasn't snowed yet.
I told him Christmas was Jesus' birthday and he got real mad and stomped his foot, saying, "No, I get presents!" Lol!
JD might be even more excited than Aiden. He's been good this year--he's really come a long way--but that boy just can't stand waiting for things like Christmas. It's killing him...and me, too! Only a few more days to go! Woo-hoo!
Rachel and Nicole are taking it all in stride. They are in middle school and torn between hoping for new clothes or new toys.
Simon is grinchy, but a happy grinch. He always gets a bit grinchy before Christmas and then transforms into a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Hope all is well with you...
Merry Christmas!
Today I am having a little fun watching the videos on http://www.codesandlyrics.com. Yay! They even have the Eagles!
Boo is doing well. She has a head cold now and that is the biggest worry. Otherwise, she has been eating well and gaining weight. I'm going to have to learn a new way to lift her from her chair to the bed, etc. No more simply hoisting her over my shoulder and plopping her somewhere.
Aiden is 100 times excited about Christmas than anybody. He's three and it is all new to him. So he is educating himself about every detail and informing us of all the things we need to do to prepare...although yesterday he announced that Santa wasn't coming because it hasn't snowed yet.
I told him Christmas was Jesus' birthday and he got real mad and stomped his foot, saying, "No, I get presents!" Lol!
JD might be even more excited than Aiden. He's been good this year--he's really come a long way--but that boy just can't stand waiting for things like Christmas. It's killing him...and me, too! Only a few more days to go! Woo-hoo!
Rachel and Nicole are taking it all in stride. They are in middle school and torn between hoping for new clothes or new toys.
Simon is grinchy, but a happy grinch. He always gets a bit grinchy before Christmas and then transforms into a reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge on Christmas Day.
Hope all is well with you...
Merry Christmas!
Friday, December 8, 2006
Little Leaps - WOW!
Recently I had the chance to review the Little Leaps Grow-With-Me Learning System and had a lot of fun with it. The set-up wasn't too tricky and it is easy enough to start and play the games.I have a three-year old who has already mastered many of the concepts the games focus on, but this is still an appropriate system for him. He can develop eye-hand coordination and benefit from the reinforcement. Also, since the games come in four different languages, my child has the perfect opportunity to learn Spanish, French and German - which I think is one of the best features since my child is almost too old for this system.
The control is colorful and the levers are chunky - just the right size for little hands. The games (we tried all four) are each engaging. In no particular order, following are my reviews of each of the games.
Game #1 - Say it, Baby! - Your child begins to learn counting, matching, rhyming, opposites, memory skills, phonemic awareness, speech patterns, text awareness and cause and effect. For the little ones (9+ mos) much of the material is introductory. A lot of your baby's engagement will be cause and effect, ie: "What happens on television when I touch this big chunky red button?" For the older toddler, it's reinforcement of known concepts (counting to three) with an introduction to newer ones (rhyming, opposites and the building blocks for reading).
Game #2 - Leap Ahead - Letter names and sounds, word-object association, counting to 10, rhyming songs, letter sequencing and correlation of words and movement. As you can see, an older toddler may have already mastered some of these concepts, but since the games are also in Spanish, French and German there is a great opportunity to teach your child other languages.
Game #3 - First Steps - This one is mostly geared for the little ones (9+ mos) and introduces colors, shapes, counting, etc. This is a good game to start with to help the older chid familiarize himself with the control and work out how to play. Little ones will love seeing the response they get when they push the buttons and interact with the colorful and very cute critters that host each game.
Game #4 - Play & Move - Lots of opportunity for fun and play here. Learn the alphabet and some first words (for the baby - recognition of word sounds, for the toddler recognition of text words). Sing, dance, laugh, play.
What I liked most about the system is that it takes your basic children's show and lets your child interact with the characters and engage in the lessons. It's not like playing a video game, though; it's more like watching a video and having the opportunity to literally respond when prompted which I think is fantastic for babies and that is exactly whom this game system targets. Regular television shows encourage child participation, but Little Leaps is very hands on. Finally, since we live in a world of new and developing technology, this is a great way to introduce your child to it. The eye-t0-hand coordination skills he develops will easily segue to skills for computer use.
With such colorful graphics and lovable characters as well as solid lessons for each stage of baby's verbal development, I think Little Leaps has the potential to help you totally prepare your child for kindergarten. It's also another great way to spend time together.
Thursday, December 7, 2006
No Peace On Earth For Mom
No Peace On Earth For Mom
©Lisa Barker
Quick! What is the fastest way to grab your kids’ attention?
You might suggest that it’s picking up a book to read, or sneaking a bit from your chocolate stash, or even answering the telephone. Here’s one for the season.
Today I set out some Christmas lights to check the bulbs and five kids come out of nowhere and, in a twenty square foot room, all manage to converge on my little space and TROMP on the lights. Then, nine cats zeroed in on the fun and decided to tackle the twinkling, knotted mass.
“Hello! Stop standing on the lights, please!”
What is it with kids and the insatiable need to step on things? You have one toy in an otherwise immaculate living room. Your child enters the room and immediately stands on the toy. Why?
Yet they can wade through a room full of wreckage and not once step on a thing. Me? I break my neck and invent five more words for a sailor’s vocabulary just trying to cross the room to kiss my cherubs goodnight.
Forget Swiffer. Santa, I want a compact, hand-held bulldozer. And I want a laser. I want to zap things into oblivion while I’m in cleaning mode.
In my commercial for such a contraption you wouldn’t see me telling my old broom that it was fired. Bzzzt! Whap! “You’re outta there!” And then I’d shove the debris aside with my extendo bulldoze feature.
I said pick up those clothes! Bzzzt! Whap! “Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t think you’ll be wearing those jeans anytime soon, Hon.”
Beep-beep-beep. Here I come with my bulldozer shoving out the front door the shoes, socks, jacket, backpack, folder and papers that my son left in a trail from the front door to the fridge.
Beep-beep-beep. “Say good-bye to the blocks littering the hallway.” Bzzzt! Whap! “Oops, sorry cat! Stop lounging around the house, then. Look alive!”
Of course, this is just a silly daydream…the kind I have over a hot mug of cocoa while the kids tackle homework and just about every crumb of food we have left in the house.
“What’s with mom?”
“She’s having ‘the dream’ again. Wait—don’t wake her!”
“Why?”
“She might hurt herself!”
“That’s for sleepwalking, dummy.”
“I’m not a dummy! Hey, Mom! She called me a dummy! Mom? Wake up, Mom!”
“Bzzzt! Bzzzt! Bzzzt!”
“Look at what you did! Now she might be psycho for life!”
It’s getting so a mom can’t even enjoy a private little daydream anymore. Which reminds me. That’s another way to grab the attention of your children. Just take a little mental break—just a bit of quiet ‘me time’—and soon enough, they’ll be at your elbow.
“Hey, Mom. You’re doing it again. You’re not giving us 100 percent of your attention!”
. . . . . . . . . . .
Jelly Mom™ is written by Lisa Barker, mother of five and author of "Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane...Doesn't Mean You Are A Bad Parent!" and is syndicated through Martin-Ola Press/Parent To Parent. To publish Jelly Mom, buy the book or leave comments, please visit http://www.jellymom.com. Sign up for the complimentary Jelly Mom™ weekly newsletter and receive a BONUS GIFT!
©Lisa Barker
Quick! What is the fastest way to grab your kids’ attention?
You might suggest that it’s picking up a book to read, or sneaking a bit from your chocolate stash, or even answering the telephone. Here’s one for the season.
Today I set out some Christmas lights to check the bulbs and five kids come out of nowhere and, in a twenty square foot room, all manage to converge on my little space and TROMP on the lights. Then, nine cats zeroed in on the fun and decided to tackle the twinkling, knotted mass.
“Hello! Stop standing on the lights, please!”
What is it with kids and the insatiable need to step on things? You have one toy in an otherwise immaculate living room. Your child enters the room and immediately stands on the toy. Why?
Yet they can wade through a room full of wreckage and not once step on a thing. Me? I break my neck and invent five more words for a sailor’s vocabulary just trying to cross the room to kiss my cherubs goodnight.
Forget Swiffer. Santa, I want a compact, hand-held bulldozer. And I want a laser. I want to zap things into oblivion while I’m in cleaning mode.
In my commercial for such a contraption you wouldn’t see me telling my old broom that it was fired. Bzzzt! Whap! “You’re outta there!” And then I’d shove the debris aside with my extendo bulldoze feature.
I said pick up those clothes! Bzzzt! Whap! “Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t think you’ll be wearing those jeans anytime soon, Hon.”
Beep-beep-beep. Here I come with my bulldozer shoving out the front door the shoes, socks, jacket, backpack, folder and papers that my son left in a trail from the front door to the fridge.
Beep-beep-beep. “Say good-bye to the blocks littering the hallway.” Bzzzt! Whap! “Oops, sorry cat! Stop lounging around the house, then. Look alive!”
Of course, this is just a silly daydream…the kind I have over a hot mug of cocoa while the kids tackle homework and just about every crumb of food we have left in the house.
“What’s with mom?”
“She’s having ‘the dream’ again. Wait—don’t wake her!”
“Why?”
“She might hurt herself!”
“That’s for sleepwalking, dummy.”
“I’m not a dummy! Hey, Mom! She called me a dummy! Mom? Wake up, Mom!”
“Bzzzt! Bzzzt! Bzzzt!”
“Look at what you did! Now she might be psycho for life!”
It’s getting so a mom can’t even enjoy a private little daydream anymore. Which reminds me. That’s another way to grab the attention of your children. Just take a little mental break—just a bit of quiet ‘me time’—and soon enough, they’ll be at your elbow.
“Hey, Mom. You’re doing it again. You’re not giving us 100 percent of your attention!”
. . . . . . . . . . .
Jelly Mom™ is written by Lisa Barker, mother of five and author of "Just Because Your Kids Drive You Insane...Doesn't Mean You Are A Bad Parent!" and is syndicated through Martin-Ola Press/Parent To Parent. To publish Jelly Mom, buy the book or leave comments, please visit http://www.jellymom.com. Sign up for the complimentary Jelly Mom™ weekly newsletter and receive a BONUS GIFT!
Monday, December 4, 2006
Life behind the column
Well, as you can see, life at home has been quite busy...it keeps me away from my blog!
Everyone is doing fine. Bec is full of energy and eating really well. I think she has even gained a few pounds. It can be tricky bathing her since she can't stand or sit very well, but we got the job done today and she is just as bubbly and happy as ever. I love it when she's like this; I worry much less.
Aiden is excited as can be about Christmas. This is his 3rd one and it's all still very new to him. We have the tree up (no lights or decorations yet) and he can barely contain himself because he knows presents are supposed to go under the tree. Waiting a whole months seems like an eternity...for all of us. :) :)
JD is doing very well now that his medicine has been re-adjusted. One of the medications we had stopped has come out as a new slow release form, so he's back on it and doing very well. Just to give you an idea, when his meds are not where they are supposed to be he can be homicidal, suicidal and will run away...which is all that was going on a month back.
Nicole and Rachel are doing well this school year as seventh graders. Everyone seems to be handling Becca's illness a lot better this year. And I am on STRICT orders. I cannot publish any columns about my middle-schoolers UNLESS it meets their approval first. Rats!
Simon, my wonderful dear husband, has been promoted at work. He loves the new tasks and I'm so glad for him because he needs the mental stimulation. You can see the change in him at home. He looks a lot more relaxed and happy. Not that he was miserable before, but it's hard getting up every morning to go to a job that has lost the pizazz. It's good that they found more challenges for him.
And I'm doing great myself. I'm managing my time online a LITTLE better and getting more things done at home. No laundry today, though, because the cats have taken the dryer vent/hose/thingy apart. I was sooooooooo disappointed that I couldn't do laundry today. Yeah, right. :)
Hope everything is well with you and yours during this busy season.
Happy Holidays!
Everyone is doing fine. Bec is full of energy and eating really well. I think she has even gained a few pounds. It can be tricky bathing her since she can't stand or sit very well, but we got the job done today and she is just as bubbly and happy as ever. I love it when she's like this; I worry much less.
Aiden is excited as can be about Christmas. This is his 3rd one and it's all still very new to him. We have the tree up (no lights or decorations yet) and he can barely contain himself because he knows presents are supposed to go under the tree. Waiting a whole months seems like an eternity...for all of us. :) :)
JD is doing very well now that his medicine has been re-adjusted. One of the medications we had stopped has come out as a new slow release form, so he's back on it and doing very well. Just to give you an idea, when his meds are not where they are supposed to be he can be homicidal, suicidal and will run away...which is all that was going on a month back.
Nicole and Rachel are doing well this school year as seventh graders. Everyone seems to be handling Becca's illness a lot better this year. And I am on STRICT orders. I cannot publish any columns about my middle-schoolers UNLESS it meets their approval first. Rats!
Simon, my wonderful dear husband, has been promoted at work. He loves the new tasks and I'm so glad for him because he needs the mental stimulation. You can see the change in him at home. He looks a lot more relaxed and happy. Not that he was miserable before, but it's hard getting up every morning to go to a job that has lost the pizazz. It's good that they found more challenges for him.
And I'm doing great myself. I'm managing my time online a LITTLE better and getting more things done at home. No laundry today, though, because the cats have taken the dryer vent/hose/thingy apart. I was sooooooooo disappointed that I couldn't do laundry today. Yeah, right. :)
Hope everything is well with you and yours during this busy season.
Happy Holidays!
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