tooth & consequences

This week was a doozy. My son had his first dentist appointment, and of course me being the diligent tooth brusher that I am, thought the only thing I had to worry about was my son flailing around in the dentists chair and getting his mouth cut by those sadistic little weapons they pass off as "tools". Turns out getting a little scratch on his mouth was the last thing I needed to worry about, because my two and a half year old has a CAVITY! I could not believe my ears when the dentist told me. Of course my first inclination was to argue with him..."I brush he's teeth twice a day, dilute his juice with water, blah blah blah..." however seeing as how I detest those parents who make excuses for everything bad that happens and are content to live in denial, I backed off. So I let the weapon wielding man in the white coat explain why I am such an epic failure as a parent. He didn't use those words of course, in fact he implied that it was fairly common and nothing to get too worked up about...but in my head all I could hear was "failure". So after about a half an hour of sitting on an uncomfortable stool with my arms crossed, trying not to shoot the messenger, we left. When I got home I did what any objective, rational, normal parent would do...I completely freaked out. Emptied all the cupboards threw out any and everything with sugar, made our home a “juice free zone” and brushed my sons teeth…about 6 times. After I calmed down…and to be honest, after I realized I would have to throw away the “potty treats” I aborted my mission, sat down, and read the information packet the dentist gave me. As it turns out, purging the kitchen of all sweets would have essentially been futile; the amount of sugar that is needed to cause cavities is in EVERYTHING, including milk. So after a little moping, complaining, and reflecting on my parenting skills, I decided to just roll with the punches. Not much I can do about the cavity that’s already there (except of course obviously filling it) the only thing I can do is try and prevent any more occurrences. It’s a bit of a humbling experience, just when you think you’ve got this whole parenting thing down, you get knocked on your ass…or should I say you get your teeth knocked out?

The Potty War

When I first decided to write a blog, I was a little concerned that I may not have a lot to talk about. Being a stay at home mom with two kids isn't exactly 'life in the fast lane'. However, I have hit a point in motherhood that should give me plenty of material... POTTY TRAINING! (cue dramatic music). Admittedly this is not my first crack at potty training, about 6 months ago when my son had just turned two, I tried. And failed. I have a few mommy friends that had their kids potty trained essentially since they could walk. They say things like "oh she got the hang of it in a matter of days!" or "after a little while it just clicked". If you have had the good fortune of potty training your kids successfully and expediently at a young age. I hate you. From the fiery depths of my own inadequate soul..I hate you. It's nothing personal, I assure you its just petty jealousy, but I'm okay with that. I will most likely hold onto that hostility until I can color my face with the smugness of victory and superiority that only naturally comes with getting a two year old to 'pee pee' in the potty.

But I digress...

So after a six month hiatus, the potty has reemerged. My son took one look at the green froggy shaped potty and you would have thought he was smack in the middle of Stanley Kubrick's "A Space Odysse", glaring at the big black monolith. So I made him sit on the plastic frog and handed him a sippy cup full of half juice half water, in hopes that his bladder was not as stubborn as he was. After about 10 minutes, he started to get restless and began protesting, "up mama, please up mama", and of course having the Stanley Kubrick image still fresh in my mind, I simply responded "I'm sorry, Jake. I'm afraid I can't do that".

An hour later (yes....an hour) he finaly emptied his bladder. After over exagerated praises and a little chocolate candy, I felt no victory. For this, I realise, is not the end. I may have won a battle but I have yet to win the war, and yes that is how I look at it. I am at war with diapers. And I WILL win.

Stay tuned...

Coming out of the linen closet

Well, here we are. This being my first official post, I might as well start with why I finally decided to leap into the 21st century and start a*blog*. A few days ago I was sitting at the computer trying to get some homework done before I had to leave for class. I turned the TV on and changed it to my two year old sons favorite cartoon, and plopped my 9 month old daughter next to him in an attempt to keep her occupied. It wasn't until I was about halfway done reading about the various systems and functions of the human heart, when I turned around and looked at my kids. They were sitting quietly next to each other and staring at the television like two miniature (yet adorable) zombies. That's when it hit me, I'm one of "those" parents. You know the ones I'm talking about. The ones the "good parents" secretly judge. Those parents who let their kids watch TV, eat fast food, and climb on furniture. The parents that let their kids do things that are frowned upon by the inner circles of the playdate moms. If you've ever gotten that sneering gaze that says "I would never do that" from your local Susie 'PTA' homemaker, than you know what I'm talking about. The problem is we're all guilty. I can remember being pregnant with my first child and swearing I would never ever let my kids eat fastfood. Well, 3 years later I can say the view is a bit different down here off my high-horse. Yup. I said it. I'll say it again. I have given my kids fastfood. Does that make me a bad mom? I'm sure some might think so, I might have even thought so back when I was still basking in the naiveté of pre-motherhood pregnancy. But the fact is life is just too hectic to worry if subjecting them to the occasional happy meal will result in childhood obesity or make them grow scales and turn green, or whatever it is that fastfood does to kids. If you have the kind of patience and time and energy to make sure you live in a fastfood free, no TV household then more power too you, Honestly.I wish I could. However, being a wife, full time student,mother of two (and the many many other hats I wear) its nearly impossible to be that stringent. So when I saw my kids watching TV like a couple of zombies I knew it was time to come out of the linen closet and come terms with the kind of parent I am. "My name is Casey, and I let my kids watch TV". whew, that felt good! Anyways, back to my point. I started this because I thought a blog would be the perfect place to share my thoughts. I know Im not alone, so I wanted to creat a relaxed judgment free place were I can vent, give advice, ask advice, and just share the crazy day-to-day that is my life. Hope you enjoy!