Family Christmas

      A friend mentioned that she loves the holiday season, because it's about family, and that's what makes it so special.  I couldn't agree more, and why I usually love Christmas as well. 

 There are a few that really stand out. 

 There are some I'd like to forget. 

   Last year we traveled across the US to be with our family and friends for the holiday.  It was pretty cool.  We got to play in the snow, and the kids had a blast.  This year, my mother in law will be visiting us.  Which is wonderful, as I miss her, and otherwise we'd be alone for the holiday.  It should be a nice, relaxing holiday.  I'm counting on it, after the year it's been.  We are an almost whole family this year.  I don't feel as broken, and last year, we almost were.  It makes me think of one of my favorite Christmas songs, "O Holy Night", and the lines, "A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."  How true it is.  How true it is.

What Children Learn

  I just wanted to share this poem today.  I'm having one of those burned out mom days, where my brain feels fried.  I read about Tetnus over coffee this morning, but the day was pretty much all kid stuff.  School, library, play, lunch, then co op.  By dinner I think we were all burned out.  And it seems everyone I know has either had a baby last month, or having one this month.  While I am happy, it also hurts. I'm having a tough time keeping things sorted out, in a way, as the holiday approaches.  But since my day was mainly about the kids, it made me think of this poem.

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Tis the season for colds

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2010

     It's cold season.  We've had a cold already.  Most people I know, treat colds in a homeopathic way, with herbs and teas.  But in the past few weeks, I've spoken to a few moms who told me they use Triaminic for their kids. One mom (and she knows better), even used it just to get her kid to sleep.  And, of course it had the opposite reaction, and caused the child to go stir crazy (one of the side effects).  What stands out about these situations, is that the children are all under 4yrs of age. Let's look at something on the Triaminic Warning. It states clearly, not to use in children under four years old, or to intentionally use to, "make the child sleepy".  Does no one read the warning labels? And how about the- side effects.  Seriously, just reading down the list of warning and side effects is enough to make me NOT want to purchase it.  One of the main ingredients, dextromethorphan,   was under investigation for the FDA to mandate a script for it.  Triaminic, seems to put the blame on teens.  Yet, parents are very much at fault. How many are giving this to children under the recommended age limit, or giving, "just because"?  Another dangerous ingredient in most cough syrups, Triaminic included, is Acetaminophen Tylenol.  And how many parents are using infant and child Tylenol for mild fevers, ear aches, teething etc?  At one time I had infant Tylenol in my house, but only used it a few times.  I did not know the dangers of it.  But it felt wrong giving it to my child, especially for a fever of all things. Fevers are needed to heal the body.  I think I only used it twice before throwing it away and learning to treat ailments naturally, so I didn't have to worry about the damage caused by these other medicines. 



  So who is to blame? The parents?  In my opinion, the parents who dish this stuff out like candy are at fault. I feel there need to be stronger warning labels on the products, if they aren't going to be mandated to need a prescription.  But, then if it comes down to needing a prescription for cough medicine, what would people do who can't afford medical care?  How many people know about homeopathic cold care?  How many pediatricians actually go over the warnings of cough medicines?  
  These are two of the things we turn to when a cold or illness hits our house.  Even my husband, who has in the past been stuck on traditional medicines and antibiotics, has come around for the most part. 
   Borion  is a fantastic homeopathic medicine. For those concerned parents who care what the FDA thinks, Borion is FDA approved.  They carry both a child and adult line.  Though, I did discover that one store had doubled the cost of the flue medicine for the adult box, even though it was the same as the child's version.  So make sure to check the boxes/doses before purchasing.   One other fantastic homeopathic remedy are the Traditional Medicinals Tea.  The cold care and kids line products are fantastic.  
    Homeopathic medicine has been around for a long time.  Herbs have been around far longer than pharmaceutical companies. There are many doctors who use homeopathic medicine in their practice, specialize in it, or use both traditional and homeopathic medicines.  Sort of combining both worlds, which is a good place for those not sure about giving up the "traditional" pain meds we are used to.  

To Declutter

   My thought tonight is cleaning out the clutter. Only because I have a bit on my mind, that's not quite composed yet. Some bits would be the benefits of breastfeeding, as it applies to proper nutrition and diseases it can help prevent, like Type 1 Diabetes.  Also how the Rotoshield vaccine is connected to it.
  So, that's one thing on my mind this week. That and the pure craziness of media that is geared toward children. I feel like all I can do is shake my head. I've realized that if kids don't watch tv, or sit in front of a computer or video game, they find other things to do,  don't buy into commercialism, and neither do the parents.  They are more relaxed, more creative, and more family oriented as well. Christmas seems to triple the amount of craziness in people.  Our culture seems to become obsessed about things. Things they probably don't even need or want.  But it's right there in your face, starting around Halloween.

This and That

 Okay, so what am I writing about? What am I sharing?
   It's only the beginning of December, yet I am asking myself that already.  I have a bit of pain and loss I am yet dealing with, and have friends dealing with the same, with whom I can share in understanding.
   As a home school  mom, finding my way, I find that I have things I want to share about our days. Just as a stay at home mom in general, I find that there is a lot to talk about.
   But I also find myself immersed in epigenetics, vaccines and medicines.
 All of those are me. I thought about trying to separate them, into different blogs, and I do have separate topic pages, but for daily thoughts, I can't really separate them. You see, everything is connected, and is our family.  Dealing with the loss of an infant, brings about our emotional health.  Not only as a family, but how it effects a marriage directly.  What we eat and what we surround ourselves with-epigenetics-can have a direct impact on our physical health, as well as our emotional health. Which leads to choices we make as a family, like vaccines, medicine and home schooling. What do we want our children surrounded by? What can we give them, or not give them? What is safe and healthy for all of us? And can we help others in the process?
  So, I suppose at this point, my blog is a mixture of things. I imagine a week will be filled with both journalism, as well as general thoughts about our family life, unless there is nothing particularly newsworthy.