I’m struggling, people! I’m on Week 2 of defending myself from the cold that attacked Jaisa and Ella, and I’m this close to letting my guard down. Trying to stay healthy can be exhausting! I’ve been popping everything that Mother Nature has to offer, from vitamin C to echinacea, vitamin D and lots of OJ. But more important than anything, I know I need my sleep…something that was not had last night on account of my youngest, Jaisa, crying in the night. Normally she’s a superb sleeper, but naturally, the one night when my defenses have been compromised to dangerously low levels, THE ONE NIGHT I REALLY NEEDED A GOOD SLEEP, Jaisa had other plans.
So today, I’m upping my game. I got some exercise in and I’m gulping down obscene amounts of water to help flush out the bad mojo. I used to be a rockstar water drinker—getting my required eight, 8-ounce glasses a day without pulling a muscle. Now it seems I can’t find the time. Sounds ridiculous, I know. How much time can it take to guzzle water? But somehow I found a way to make it difficult, and I flat out forget to drink. (Maybe I should write myself a Post-It.)
It reminds me of my morning coffee ritual that’s gone awry. I love coffee. There’s nothing better than starting my day with a nice hot cup of joe. But in my hurried state of getting both of the girls their breakfast in the morning (because once they’re seated at that table, food better not be far behind), I make a pot, pour a cup, and by noon I see that sad little cup of caffeinated goodness sitting on the counter cold, with only a few sips taken. I think I need a lesson in time management. But that’s another topic, another day…if I have time.
Today I have to kick this cold to the curb for good because it’s already inched its way into my system and left me with a scratchy throat. I know the full-blown effects won’t be far behind. There’s never a good time to get a cold, but this week REALLY is no good for me. It’s Homecoming Week at Matt’s school and he’s the teacher in charge. Every year, this week brings a little stress to my life as I put on my single-parent hat. Thank goodness I don’t have to wear this hat a lot. Those of you who do, I applaud you. Thankfully, come Sunday I get my husband back and hopefully a little R&R.
Here’s my plan of attack…
Sleep: If that means missing Glee tonight (gulp), then so be it. (Thank goodness for DVRs.) Studies show that if you get less than seven hours of sleep a night, you’re three times more likely to catch the common cold, since sleep deprivation has been shown to impair immune function. And if you sleep poorly, you’re five times more susceptible to one as well. Sandman, it’s time to help a mother out.
Hand Washing: It’s something I harp at Matt about regularly. When he gets home from work “Did you wash your hands?” Before he fixes the girls a snack, “Did you wash your hands?” And believe it or not, after he uses the bathroom, “Did you wash your hands?”
To make things easier for everyone, I now house a canister of sanitizing wipes near our kitchen sink as a reminder to keep it clean, at the very least, before we eat—no excuses.
Healthy Eating: I’ve been upping my intake of fruits and vegetables…again something I’ve been lacking lately. There’s nothing like fresh, natural sources of essential vitamins and minerals to ramp up the immune system.
Family Time: Carrying my healthier habits over to my family helps us all stay healthy and stops the vicious sickness cycle. So if it means I have to keep asking…
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
“Did you wash your hands?”
…That’s exactly what I’m going to do.
What’s your secret to keeping your superpowers intact?
The MODO ship has landed
When my husband and I finally deemed ourselves "ready" to start a family, nothing could fully prepare us for what that one little word entailed. Once our first daughter was born, I magically obtained the identity of Super Mom, trying to take on the world one temper tantrum at a time. Typical of our kind, I soon found I was putting everyone else's needs before my own.
Then came the birth of our second daughter, transforming me into a MODO (Mother of Daughters Only). Let the sagas of raising two girls begin! ...The emotional outbursts, pigtail pulling, boy drama, and catty girl cliques... It's bound to be quite an adventure, and made me realize the importance of finding a release. And so, a blog was born!
My stories are plucked straight from my personal experiences as a mother. But also as a professional writer with a background in the natural health industry, I may at times share some tidbits on healthy living simply because it's something I’ve grown passionate about.
Take it from me, a mom attempting to survive the preschool years while also tip-toeing around a testy toddler, building a solid support team can help save your sanity and your health. So leave the cape in the closet, laugh, learn and lollygag in a little "me-time."
Then came the birth of our second daughter, transforming me into a MODO (Mother of Daughters Only). Let the sagas of raising two girls begin! ...The emotional outbursts, pigtail pulling, boy drama, and catty girl cliques... It's bound to be quite an adventure, and made me realize the importance of finding a release. And so, a blog was born!
My stories are plucked straight from my personal experiences as a mother. But also as a professional writer with a background in the natural health industry, I may at times share some tidbits on healthy living simply because it's something I’ve grown passionate about.
Take it from me, a mom attempting to survive the preschool years while also tip-toeing around a testy toddler, building a solid support team can help save your sanity and your health. So leave the cape in the closet, laugh, learn and lollygag in a little "me-time."
Keep up the good battle, lady! We've had the plague since school started. I went down last weekend- ka-pow! On the couch for 2 days while the laundry piled up and the children went to school completely mismatched. Now Dan's down for the count. It's a rough year already- keep that OJ flowing!
ReplyDeleteTara
May the forces be with you, Super Mom! Glad to hear you're back in action to do the important things like laundry and making sure the kids match. Hope Dan's recovery is quick so he can help take a load or two (or three) off your hands...laundry or kids, whichever you prefer.
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