What to do....

Am I the only one that can never think of anything to do with my kids? I feel so unimaginative! I want to take them out of the house and do something for free or extremely reasonably priced but there just isn’t enough variety in my head. I say “in my head” because I know there are a wide range of things to do out there… I just can’t think of them. There is the library, 2 childrens’ museums, the zoo, bowling, swimming, the park... then my mind goes blank. Oh! Another unhealthy option is to go shopping to get out of the house. It’s most difficult in the winter. It’s getting to be 30 degrees and below around here lately. Although many people are willing to bare that temperature for extended periods of time, my limit is about 15 minutes.

So if “out of the house” isn’t an option what do we do? What is wrong with me that I can’t think of something fun to d? Sometimes I’d like to throw the tv out the window. I feel like I use it as a crutch. I mean my kids aren’t glued to the tv but it’s always on at least in the background. I find myself Googling “kids activities” or some related keywords in order to find something fun to do. I suppose it’s better than not putting forth any effort in the search of activities that will entertain my kids without allowing them to veg out in front of the tv.

Is it just me? What do you do when you can’t think of anything to do with the kids?

Bedtime for little ones

Do you co-sleep?

I never thought of it as co-sleeping, but I suppose I did a bit of it. I think people that smoother their kids while co-sleeping have drugs or alcohol in their system. I rocked my first one until she would fall alseep so she wasn’t used to me not being there when she went to sleep. So when she moved to her toddler bed I would rock her and if she wasn’t sleeping yet I would lay down with her until she would fall asleep. Inevitably I would fall asleep with her and wake up two hours later to go to my own bed. Also while I was nursing much of the night was spent with my babies on the couch. I slept while they ate.

It could be just my kids' personalities but I wonder if sleep patterns early on help with the closeness you have with your child. My kids are very attached to me. In a healthy way I feel, but I appreciate that they wonder where I went two minutes after I left the room. Or that they want me to come with them when other kids would do things independently. I don't have to worry about them wandering too far off because they want to be close to me. I suppose there could be various reasons for this, but the early sleep patterns could play a role I believe.

New Beginning!

I am so excited!  My job was eliminated on November 17th!  To some this may come as devastating news.  For me, it was music to my ears.  Besides giving me the opportunity to leave a job I didn't like and was miserable in for the last 4 years, now my dream of becoming a work-at-home mom is a reality.  I simply love my new schedule.  I get to take the kids to school.  Then I come home and start working at about 9:00... feet up, tv on, jammies on, laptop on lap.  I take breaks periodically but not often since I'm doing something I love.  I work until 2 pm or so then I shower for the day, do some light cleaning and start dinner all the while my husband is picking up the kids from school.  A couple times a week I'll join him.  Granted that's only week 1 so we'll see how the schedule changes.  But the wonderful thing is that I have the flexibility to change it.