June 4, 2012

the good life

I was reading someone's blog the other day about how their almost two-year-old had never watched television before. As I read that I felt . . . shame, was it? Yes, shame. And also guilt. And also bewilderment. I definitely don't just plop my child down in front of the Sesame Street all day long but I really appreciate the gift of having something to occupy his time while I put the baby down for a nap or take a shower.
I was looking through pictures of when we first brought Frederick home from the hospital and came across this picture around Easter. I was laying on the couch (my frequent spot) and dozing off when William approached me with an Easter egg full of candy. I laughed as he put jelly bean after jelly bean into my mouth until the egg was empty. It probably wasn't the greatest diet for my postpartum belly but it sure made me smile and it reminded me how far I've come from the last few weeks of my pregnancy to now. Now I'm not laying on the couch during the day anymore while William pushes his cars along my legs. Instead I'm sitting on the couch, nursing the baby in one arm and reading stories to William in the other so he doesn't feel neglected. Ha!

I guess what I'm trying to say is, some days I'm a good mom and make games and crafts for William during the day. I make pretty healthy food, give lots of kisses, read stories and make sure my children are safe and clean while trying to teach a few valuable lessons along the way. If I turn on the TV during the day to give myself time to do something for myself, does that make me a bad mom? I don't think so.

Having two children has been an adjustment that is really joyful but also really exhausting. I thought I was tired with one . . . oh, how I miss that level of exhaustion! Most days are really good and I can confidently say that I think I'm a pretty dang good mom. I read a great quote the other day that said,

"Don't let a bad day make you think you have a bad life."

Wise words.

14 comments:

  1. This is the first time I hav come across your blog, and this post makes me glad I did!!

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  2. Amen to everything you just said in this blog post! You are an amazing mother! Keep doing what you are doing. Love you Liz!

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  3. First visit to your blog - it's lovely. Let the guilt roll off your back, love and interaction with your children outweighs TV time. My adult children NEVER watch Tv even though they certainly did as kids, so I guess they survived all those hours of Veggie Tales alright.

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  4. I don't have children yet, but am from a large family and nannied for over 15 years all ages from newborn to 8 years old.

    I do not think TV in moderation is bad. The families I watched some allowed none some allowed little viewing. Somedays more somedays less. I will say the kids that never watched tv did not have better parents, to be honest their parents were a lot more high strung and so were those kids. However the kids that watched tv their imaginations worked just as well as the kids that did not watch tv. Whatever works for your family works. It looks like you and your boys are doing just fine. Keep doing what you are doing.

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  5. I don't have children yet, but am from a large family and nannied for over 15 years all ages from newborn to 8 years old.

    I do not think TV in moderation is bad. The families I watched some allowed none some allowed little viewing. Somedays more somedays less. I will say the kids that never watched tv did not have better parents, to be honest their parents were a lot more high strung and so were those kids. However the kids that watched tv their imaginations worked just as well as the kids that did not watch tv. Whatever works for your family works. It looks like you and your boys are doing just fine. Keep doing what you are doing.

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  6. a.men. i had this same moment too. the tv thing is just one of those things... and ps, we all do it. in fact, it is funny the things you let go of as your kids get older and you turn into survival mode. i have a friend who still doesn't let her {almost3 year old} eat anything with sugar in it. really? what's it going to do...? i tried that for a while and then realized it's not worth the hassle. so what if my kid wants to watch tv for a while sometimes, and eat a cookie every once in a while!

    ps. i think you are a bomb mom. my mom and i were talking about that after we saw you. you are so cute with your kids and really do a lot! i'm glad you don't let those things get to you either. ;)

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  7. wise words indeed. And if letting your child watch TV makes you a bad mom than I'm right along with ya sista'! Personally, I don't think it makes us bad AT ALL. If Sage wants Minnie, I let her watch Minnie dangit.

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  8. I have one lovely little 8mo boy and sometimes I feel like I am not doing enough of the "right" things but then I realize he is happy and healthy and while I am not the best at reciting abc's or reading to him everyday, we have fun playing and he is happy. You seem like an excellent mother and your boys are beautiful!

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  9. You're the best mom EVER!!! I'm sure most moms would admit they aren't always perfect. I'm pretty sure my kids have eaten food off the floor and had gogurt for dinner. Top that!!

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  10. Sometimes I struggle with the same guilt over letting my son watch DVDs. But on the other hand, without it my life would be so difficult with a newborn too. Sometimes I wonder how women use to get anything done without that resource!

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  11. Thanks for this post. I let my 16 month old watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse sometimes while I make dinner or get ready in the morning and feel guilty about it too! But a 30 minute break to get something done is really what I need sometimes! And I tell myself him having a happy, sane Mom is probably the best thing for him... Also that is a great quote!

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  12. I don't have kids (though I really want to) but you have no idea how much this post resonated with me today. 'Don't let a bad day make you think you have a bad life' might just go up on my wall. (Also, you seem to be a brilliant Mum - I only hope I'll be half as good one day :))

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  13. This is a really beautiful post - well said!!

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