Turn that Idiot Box Off!

My son is about 18 months old and in the last little while with all the going on's of the holidays and moving I've found myself resorting more and more to tv as a babysitter. Who would have thought that that could be so tempting. 

So in an attempt to change my bad mothering ways I've turned off the tube for the last 2-3 days. Actually I had to unplug the thing because he knows where the on off button is. 

For the first day it was like drug addiction rehab around here.

His first reactions came in ways of whining. A trait I loath in him. Its this awful sound that he will probably perfect into teenage - hood in order to get me to buy him stuff. 

The second reaction of the first day of no tv turned into temper-tantrums of throwing himself to the floor in detest. 

"Entertain Me!" You could almost make out as his first real sentence. Along with "turn the tv back on!".

But no, I decided. You are a toddler that I've needed to spend some time with and do something else away from a screen. His dad would come home and he'd throw himself into a tantrum. I loved that "notty spot". It kept me sane.

Finally day two showed some hope. A child who played with his toys for once. I'd sit with him (which was part of the deal I suppose) and play with toys. And when I got up to go make lunch, he didn't even cry. He just continued entertaining himself. 

Now one might say...Of course your child wants your attention and not the tv! Hello?

However, being a mom means being on a constant learning curve. I had no idea that his recent temper tantrums had anything to do with the ability to entertain himself or just have that extra time with us undistracted. 

So we're at day four now. he's not up yet but will be soon I'm sure. I suppose I based how much tv to give him by if we were watching together. If it was something we'd sit together for then great. If not, how about some other activity?

I guess I just wanted to share what a huge change this made in him. Hope its of use.

Walmart One... Mom...Suckerd in...

 

Whoever designs and sets out the selling displays and ideas at Walmart Canada, my hat goes off to you. You are a genius! And you probably don't get paid enough for what I experienced today.
Today I went to Walmart to purchase a Bissel Vaccum cleaner on sale for $88. CAN. Normally priced at $120.
Upon arrival we realized that all the vacuums of that brand/type were sold out. Figures. Just like Canadian Tire. No wonder they are always right beside each other. Probably checking out the competitions strategies for reeling us poor customers back again and again. In fact many of the items we came for that were on sale till Thurs. were sold out.
In desperation for a new vacuum I looked at the next labled Bissel priced at $89 CAN.
"Lets get this one then!" I say to my husband who is looking annoyed at the whole thing. He goes and finds a worker to see if any of the ones we came for are in the back.
"You can't just buy that one Erin." He states. "Its all just a ploy by the company to get us in here and then there is no vacuum and so we buy the next best thing which really isn't the next best because its cheaper. OR, you'll buy one at full price just to leave with a vacuum".
I had to hand it to him. He was right. Even though everything in me said I have a carpet at home screaming for some cleaning!
The employee returned saying we could order it as a rain check item and still get the sale price once the next shipment came in.
Great we won, right?
Maybe not.
For a trip that we did purchase almost everything on sale ... we still spent near $200. So now with going back for this vacuum we're sure to find things we need again and buy from there when we go back.
And on top of that being in Walmart alone finds me every three feet seeing something that I think I need. Wasn't I looking for that last month? Didn't I need a new pair of jeans? Just a simple inexpensive nightgown? Boots for my son are on sale. Ha! yeah. it was everywhere and I had to constantly ask myself....do i REALLY need this?
Touche Senior Advertiser. Or Senora Advertiser. You had me at hello...or Welcome to Walmart!

New Years

Events that have been in 2010 include for me completing my photography course, sewing a shirt, taking a photo shoot at the local laundromat, and purchasing a home. It also included the passing of my grandma Elizabeth Schindler in her 70's (I think). My son turning that great one year old and I dealing with turning 30 years old. Also we are expecting a new little one this February. 

Instead of "resolutions" i often try to just make some fun goals that are achievable. And maybe a few that are challenging. 

So here they are

My goals for 2011 are....

1.Make it through labor and have a baby. Name it. Feed it and provide the essentials of life like love.

2.Conjure up some really good surprise for my hubby that makes him know how special he is. Must include a night out and a present.

3.Take a "mom day", hire a babysitter and go to the spa or something just as enjoyable and don't feel guilty for a moment about any of it.

4.teach the dog to stay off the couch.

5.Go underbritches shopping and buy a lot so I don't have to go shopping for that again for a while. 

6.Make a cook cake for the kids birthdays.

7.buy a hot summer dress for a wedding i'm attending this summer. (not as a photographer. lol). 

8.be more committed to praying for people instead of stuff.

9.invite more people over for food. Especially people i don't know but would like to get to know more about.

10. Be more patient. Especially with my own family.