Lent '11: Letting Go of Judgment, Challenge 5

I am amazed at how much I'm growing as a result of this Lenten challenge. On the one hand, it's upsetting to realize how often I let judgmental thoughts take hold in my mind. On the other, it is freeing to acknowledge that fact and then work to just let go.

Even though I realize that I will likely always make snap judgments based on my own opinions and ideals, it is real progress for me to be more accepting, loving, and open-minded as a result of this journey.

Have you participated in any of these challenges? I know I'm not alone in wanting to overcome being judgmental... many of you have shared your own desires with me!

Time truly flies and we're up to our Week 5 Challenge? Here it is:

Seek out information on an opposing viewpoint. Research a little. Find out what others think that makes them reach a different conclusion.

Are you confident that forgoing vaccines is the way to go? See what you can find out about those who choose to vaccinate. Can you not imagine teaching your child at home? Talk to some homeschoolers! Have you ever talked to someone who chose to bottle feed? No? Go for it.

I look forward to learning even more with this challenge and I hope you do too!

Please come back to see me next Wednesday so we can talk about it and get a new challenge, okay?

Button design by the spectacular Sidnie

Lent '11: Letting Go of Judgment, Challenge 4 RESULTS

One of the beauties of this life we are given is that our opinions are fluid. What a blessing it is that, as we are able to learn and explore, we are also allowed to change our minds! When I compare the "me" that set out on this parenting journey six years ago with the "me" that stands before you today, I am almost shocked at some of the changes I've undergone. This is also something I need to keep ever-in-mind as I observe others. While I may not agree with how she is doing something, there is always the chance that she will change over time... or even that I may come around to her way of thinking.

In case any of you have forgotten (or if you're new here- welcome!):

Week 4's challenge was this:

Initiate a conversation with a friend/neighbor/relative/fellow parishioner about a past choice you made that you now have reason to doubt. (Alternatively, you could write a post about it!) Share the learning experience.

Here's how this played out for me...

My friend married later than I. Not surprisingly then, she started having babies later too. In fact, I had three babies before she gave birth to her first. When she took her sweet baby girl to see the pediatrician at four months, she was given the go-ahead to start cereals. Here's what I had to say:

"I've had different pediatricians with each of my babies and we've always been given the same guidance. With my first, I have to admit I was just so excited to try something new that I came up with a detailed plan of introduction and worked my way through all cereals, fruits, and veggies before he hit six months. I totally get it if you want to try giving her something. I will say this... the more I read and learn, the less convinced I am that there's any "nutrition value" in giving babies solid food at this point. It's just "practice eating." And, really, in our case, it was more work for us at that point. By the time I had G. (my 3rd), I was so much more low-key and just waited until she reached for things and seemed eager. She was around six months. By eight months, she ate normal table food with us. For us, it was just SO much easier. Do with that what you will."

And that was that!

No need to argue about the merits of waiting until six months or beyond to introduce solid foods. If she wanted more info on that, I could have provided it. But, in this instance, what I really wanted to offer was the value of experience. Sharing what I've tried and what I've learned may hold more significance than sharing what I've read or what I've heard.


Did you participate this week? I'd love to read about what happened! Link up below or tell me about it in the comments:

To The Dog Owners

Some background info first:

• I do not own a dog.
• I do not hate dogs.
• I am not afraid of dogs.

Now that we've established that, here are ten things I'd love to say to many dog owners around me:

1. Your dog is cuter to you than he is to me.
2. Brushing off "jumping" as "playfulness" does not make it better for me.
3. Ditto for "sniffing" as "curiosity".
4. I would never, in a million years, consider leaving a dirty diaper in your home or yard. Please clean up after your best friend.
5. I'd like to go to the ball fields to watch baseball, not navigate a mine field of droppings.
6. While I'm not saying all pit bulls are bad dogs, I'd prefer we not test the theory with my small children.
7. On that topic, yelling "Pick up your son!!!" at me as your pit bull "puppy" charges my driveway will not endear him to me.
8. Um... I don't actually want to pet your dog, thanks.
9. It skeeves me out when you let your dog lick your mouth. Just sayin'. (And don't give me that jazz about dog mouths being cleaner than human mouths and blah, blah, blah. Quite frankly, I don't want to watch your husband lick your mouth either.)
10. I really DO love your pooch... over there.
    

How about you? What would like to say to the dog owners (or cat owners, if you'd like!) around you?

Linked to:
Top Ten {Tuesday}

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Half-Day vs. Full-Day Kindergarten

I have a kindergartener now and I'm sending another off to kindergarten next year! People have TONS of varying opinions on half-day vs. full-day programs. I'm talking about the topic over at Life as MOM! Head over here to read my thoughts... and lots more in the comments.

Menu Plan: 4/3 - The "Cooking Without a Kitchen" Plan

Oh me, oh my, I'm all up in a tizzy. Okay, not exactly, but floundering would not be an exaggeration of how I'm feeling. You see, we're making some big changes in our kitchen. And, while that's exciting, it also throws little ol' me (who truly LOVES cooking 3 meals most days!) off-kilter. Ah, well. I've had to look over my next 4 weeks of meal plans and cull out the ones I think I can pull off with just a microwave and a 2 qt slow cooker...

Here's what's hittin' our table:

Sunday:

B-Cereal, Yogurt, Juice

L-Scrambled Eggs w/ Diced Ham, Toast, Oranges
D-Chicken & Noodles (WITHOUT the mashed potatoes... there's no one out there who is going to convince me that it makes a lick of sense to put noodles on top of potatoes.)

Monday:

B-Oatmeal w/ Strawberry Jelly Hearts, Milk

L-Cheese Quesadillas, Apple Slices, Water

D-Beef Fajitas

Tuesday:

B-Cinnamon Muffins (these are in the freezer, thankfully!), Berries, Milk
L-Parmesan Rice w/ Carrots, Juice
D-Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Baked Beans

Wednesday:

B-Cinnamon Muffins, Yogurt, Juice

L-PB Raisin Smiley Toasts, Apples, Water
D-Crockpot Ravioli, Broccoli

Thursday:

B-PB Toast, Oranges, Milk

L-Egg & Cheese Burritos, Berries, Water

D-Souped Up Tomato Soup, Cheese Sandwiches

Friday:

B-Smoothies, Toast

L-Cheesy Beans & Rice, Water

D-I'm really hoping to have use of my oven so we can have our usual pizza night! If so, I'm making a Cheddar & Rotel Pizza*

Saturday:

B-Zoo Keeper Breakfast (We're member of our local zoo and were invited to a special breakfast with the zookeepers and a "unique animal encounter"... looking forward to it!)

L-We'll likely be on the road...
D-Mac 'n Cheese w/ Hot Dogs, Carrot Sticks

*All pizzas on our menu plans from now until Easter will be MEATLESS in keeping with our Catholic tradition.

I am not "jumping up and down" excited about this menu plan. But it'll do. And it means we won't be falling back on a bunch of takeout to get us through this messy time. Meal planning, even without a functional kitchen definitely saves money!

So tell me... what's your favorite meal to toss together with no oven or stove? (Oh, and a rinky dink crockpot? ;))

This post is linked to Menu Plan Menu.

April Fools' Day

I hate being made to look like a fool...

Does anyone really like it? Or are some of you just better sports than I am and you don't mind giving the obligatory har-dee-har-har chuckle?

Yes, yes, some of those silly food pranks you can pull on your kids look clever and fun. Beyond that? I really don't like it.

I think some of it comes from the fact that I can be trusting and gullible at times and then I feel deceived. I can get caught up or genuinely worried and then people pull the rug out and-- ha, ha, ha-- wasn't that hysterical? You TOTALLY fell for it, JessieLeigh!

Well, yes, yes I did. And this emotional roller coaster is not one bit fun.

So... I guess what I'm getting at is this.

Please, I beg of you, please, for the love, know your audience. Is it good-natured fun that all will enjoy? Are you both pranksters who enjoy one-upping each other? Go to it.

But, much like Halloween, could we just leave trusting ol' JessieLeigh out of it?

Much appreciated.

"I Had to Separate Your Children"

They are not words I looked forward to hearing. I expected a child of mine to be older before a teacher broke the news to me:

"We had to separate your child from her peer."

I figured, eventually, maybe one of them would get in a fight. Or be bullied. Perhaps a child of mine might be too chatty or pass notes. Maybe he or she would giggle too much with a good buddy. Or they'd conspire to throw spitballs. Who knew? But it wouldn't have surprised me to learn that someday, eventually, my child would have to separated from another.

I didn't expect it to happen when she was five.

But, alas, at parent teacher conferences, we were given the news. Our little C had to be separated from her good buddy Jay.

The speech therapist is actually the one who had to do it.

Why, you might ask? Were they naughty? Were they disruptive? Did they, *gasp*, cheat?

No.

They had to separate them because...

"Jay is too nurturing to C. They've been together a long time and he just can't help but try to take care of and protect her. But she CAN do these things on her own and I want to see her have those opportunities."

Yep, our little girl can't sit by her friend because he looks out for her too much. It's really kind of precious, isn't it? You may recall that, back around her birthday, I described C. this way:

" The best way I can describe her is that she's the kind of girl that people instinctively want to look out for, to take care of..."

It is completely true. Tiny-featured, high-voiced, delicate-boned C... wherever we go, people are happy to help her.

As an infant and toddler, she wanted nothing to do with this help. Feisty and independent, she wanted to take on any and all challenges all on her own. Now? She doesn't really seem to mind taking a helping hand and, well, being doted upon.

It all makes me wonder how she'll feel when she's older. When my little girl reaches her full size (currently predicted at 5'1" and 102 lb), will she fight to stand on her own two feet or be grateful for all those willing to cherish and protect her? Will she find a happy medium?

I watch my little girl who dreams of being a princess (Correction: She actually insists she already IS a princess.) and I wonder what her future holds...

I hope there are always those who want to protect her. I hope she is always so treasured and enjoyed. Most of all, I hope she is happy and loved.