I suppose it's time that I announce on my blog that I have started writing a column for the Toronto Sun.
With a focus on parenting/education issues, it is a writers dream to have people read about your (intelligent? educated? interesting?) personal thoughts on topical issues.
If you're interested, here are my columns to date:
Schooling A Culture of Mediocrity
Giving Birth to Postpartum Depression
For New Teachers- Too Little, Too Late
Hands Off My Kids' Lunch
It's Never OK to Leave Kids Alone In Cars
Canada Has a Daycare Dilemma
I am in the process of adding a 'writing' tab to the top of my blog. In the future I would love to have a website dedicated simply to my writing, as (knock on wood) the articles have been coming fast and furious. Until then I'll be linking you up on facebook (have you liked my page yet?) and on the blog:)
I love constructive criticism, I love to hear your thoughts, I love to know you're reading and what you'd like me to write about.
If you have any ideas/thoughts to share, please email at sleepingisforlosers@yahoo.ca.
Dreams come true. Really, they do.
The Happy House Challenge
Each month I have dedicated myself to a task:
January- no alcohol (done! It was easy because I don't really drink very much, but my body needed a break after all the Christmas festivities)
February- Ab Challenge (done! I liked it but I'm thinking a squat challenge is in order next)
March- run a 5K (done! Well, it was at home- not a race like I had planned originally- but I still did it and am counting it as a win)
April- zero credit card debt (done! We have a teeeeeny tiiiiiiny line of credit to pay off and we are consumer debt free!)
That brings us to:
May, June, July, August, September.
I have dedicated these months to making my home happy. I mean, fun and joyous and happy, because (full disclosure) the winter months were not always that happy.
We had a lot of fights as we tried to navigate my working from home balanced with the kids' needs and my husband's job. There was a lot of 'it's your turn now' and 'can we afford to do xyz' and 'STOP FIGHTING NOW! I AM SO SICK OF THIS! KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR BROTHER! NO YOU CAN'T WATCH TV! STOP TALKING' (all usually shouted by me, and only when the windows are open of course so the entire neighbourhood can think I'm a psychotic mother).
Balance has been a hard thing to strike, but in the past two months I have seen the lack of balance affecting my kids more and more. Thus, the Happy House challenge was born.
My challenge is to just have fun, every day. Yes, we will still fight (my feisty redhead and terrible-two year old will make sure of that) but we focus on one fun thing every day.
A tickle fight, a wrestling match, painting rocks, making a craft, hide & seek, singing songs, playing in the sprinkler, eating popsicles, riding bikes, hiking, catching minnows, making cookies, watching ants crawl, drawing the sky on our driveway in chalk, dancing, playing with our friends, visiting the zoo.
Fun.
And then we talk about our fun thing during dinner.
'What was the best part of your day?' I ask.
And then we talk and laugh and plan for the next day *usually this takes about two minutes before someone makes a poop joke because, let's face it, they're two and four year old boys. Talking isn't their most favourite thing to do unless it involves poop or toots or burps or ninjas.
But the key is fun. Even if it's 5 minutes- just some good fun once a day.
And I think it has made the 'work' part of my life easier. And I think it has made the 'kid' part of their life better.
Balance is a tricky thing. I doubt I'll ever get the hang of it, really.
But FUN? Fun I can do.
How are you making your house happier this summer?
January- no alcohol (done! It was easy because I don't really drink very much, but my body needed a break after all the Christmas festivities)
February- Ab Challenge (done! I liked it but I'm thinking a squat challenge is in order next)
March- run a 5K (done! Well, it was at home- not a race like I had planned originally- but I still did it and am counting it as a win)
April- zero credit card debt (done! We have a teeeeeny tiiiiiiny line of credit to pay off and we are consumer debt free!)
That brings us to:
May, June, July, August, September.
I have dedicated these months to making my home happy. I mean, fun and joyous and happy, because (full disclosure) the winter months were not always that happy.
We had a lot of fights as we tried to navigate my working from home balanced with the kids' needs and my husband's job. There was a lot of 'it's your turn now' and 'can we afford to do xyz' and 'STOP FIGHTING NOW! I AM SO SICK OF THIS! KEEP YOUR HANDS OFF YOUR BROTHER! NO YOU CAN'T WATCH TV! STOP TALKING' (all usually shouted by me, and only when the windows are open of course so the entire neighbourhood can think I'm a psychotic mother).
Balance has been a hard thing to strike, but in the past two months I have seen the lack of balance affecting my kids more and more. Thus, the Happy House challenge was born.
 |
| Hanging out at my parent's 'summer home' |
A tickle fight, a wrestling match, painting rocks, making a craft, hide & seek, singing songs, playing in the sprinkler, eating popsicles, riding bikes, hiking, catching minnows, making cookies, watching ants crawl, drawing the sky on our driveway in chalk, dancing, playing with our friends, visiting the zoo.
Fun.
And then we talk about our fun thing during dinner.
'What was the best part of your day?' I ask.
And then we talk and laugh and plan for the next day *usually this takes about two minutes before someone makes a poop joke because, let's face it, they're two and four year old boys. Talking isn't their most favourite thing to do unless it involves poop or toots or burps or ninjas.
But the key is fun. Even if it's 5 minutes- just some good fun once a day.
And I think it has made the 'work' part of my life easier. And I think it has made the 'kid' part of their life better.
Balance is a tricky thing. I doubt I'll ever get the hang of it, really.
But FUN? Fun I can do.
How are you making your house happier this summer?
I Love My Country
I love Canada.
The true north strong and free.
I love its freedom, I love its strength.
I love its desire to be accepting and open.
I love its opinionated people.
I love that opinions are not only permitted but valued.
I love its mountains and valleys and fields and lakes.
I love its culture- from east to west.
I love my country.
Happy Birthday Canada!
God keep our land, glorious and free.
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