Media time and your kids

Do you set limits on your kids tv and computer time? I find that during nap time for my youngest, it’s typically easiest to let the older boys watch tv or play the wii so the house is quiet. But I worry that this is getting out of hand.

Do you set limits in your house for how much media time your kids get? How do you enforce it or manage it?

How much tv and computer/video game time do you allow your kids to have in your house? Please include their ages in your answer.

-Sally

 

Time Capsule

So I have this memory from when I was in high school.  We looked outside and there were all these Kindergardeners standing around the flagpole.  I inquired what they were doing and found out they were burying a time capsule because they were the class of 2000.  I remember thinking that the year 2000 was so very far away.  Hard to believe the year 2000 came and went 10 years ago!

This brings me to a conversation I had with my friendly neighborhood Safeway checker.  She was looking at Finley (who is almost 2) and telling me how fast the years go by.  She then proceeded to tell me about how her son will be graduating from high school this year.  When he was in Kindergarden his teacher had them do a special project at home.  She thought it was incredibly lame at the time but now is so grateful for it.  She said they were to take a box and put things inside it that were special to the child.  To ask the child questions about their life complete with some writing samples.  The next step in the project was to gift wrap the box and put it in the top shelf in the closet… not to be opened until the child’s 18th birthday (or graduation).  Now she can hardly wait to open the time capsule as through the years, she can’t even recall what’s in it!

So this bring us to our discussion topic for the week.

If you were to have your child complete a time capsule, what would you put in it?  What questions would you ask your child.  Anything else you want to add?

I am really curious for these responses as I would love to do this tradition with my children.

-Sally

 

Where do you grocery shop?

This question was submitted by one of our readers.

Where do you grocery shop and why?

Do you participate in a co-op or produce delivery program?

Do you shop conventional or organic?

-Sally

Feel free to submit question ideas by commenting below!  We love knowing what our readers want to talk about!

 

What is your favorite part of YOUR body?

We often agonize over our bodies. I think as women we tend to be very critical. So tell us, what is your favorite part of your body and why?

 

Sugar, white flour and processed foods

Discussion Topic:

Could you eliminate refined sugar, white flour and processed foods from your diet?

Background:

Today I went to see a new doctor to discus my migraines and a few other health concerns (check out Miles Hassell).  He recommended that I eliminate sugar, white flour and processed foods from my diet.  He wants me to eliminate it from my diet for the next 4-6 weeks and then after that eat it only on special occasions.  YIKES!!!  Can I really do it?  I tried it once before about 8 years ago and it was SOOO HARD.  I was so envious of people eating cookies, ice cream, even ketchup.  I am committed to trying it to see if it is just what I need to help relieve me of my thorn in my side.  I am going to slowly wean my kids off goldfish crackers, processed cookies and cereal.  Wish me luck.

Thanks,

Sarah

P.S. – Please pass along the information for our new Talkin’ Tuesday blog to someone you know today.

 

Happy New Year

Discussion Topic:

What is one thing (most important) this year that you want to accomplish?

• How are you going to make it happen?
• What steps are you going to take?
• Who is going to keep you accountable?
• Is it a realistic expectation?
• How much time is it going to take?  Do you need to break it into smaller goals?

Ideas taken from the blog of Michael Hyatt

Background:

My youngest child is going to be 5 this February (insert…OH MY WORD).  I truly can’t even believe how fast time has gone by.  One thing that has happened over time is that I have not been living a healthy lifestyle.  I eat whatever I want, I don’t exercise on a regular basis and I am starting to get worried.  I turned 35 this year (again insert….OH MY WORD) and for the first time in my life I FEEL OLD.  I am 4 pounds away from weighing what I weighed when I was 9 month pregnant with both my kids and I don’t like it.

Here is my Goal:   I am going to lose 20 pounds this year.

1. I am going to start water aerobics tomorrow 2x’s a week
2. I am going to stay positive even when I have a headache and I feel like it has thrown me back into the crazy cycle of feeling sick, eating crap, not sleeping, gaining  more weight.
3. I am going to go see a Dr about my foot (I sprained my ankle in May and it still hurts every day).  I am going to make an apt tomorrow!!!  Once I see the Dr I hope to add more cardio and weight training to my routine.
4. I added Sparkle People on my iPhone so I can keep track of how many calories I am eating.
5. Lots of fruit, veggies and water.
6. I have a great bunch of girlfriends who are helping keep me accountable.

Sarah

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

Sorry for the late post…I promise I will be better in the new year

Discussion Topic:

What health insurance company do you have?  What do you like and not like about it?   Would you rather pay more each month out of pocket and have a lower deductible or pay less each month and have a higher deductible.

Background:

We currently have Kaiser Insurance and are wanting to make a change.  We have been frustrated when making appointments and unable to see a Dr when WE feel like we need to see a Dr.  One advice nurse actually told my husband that she didn’t think he was sick enough for a same day apt, but that he could come in in 3 days.  He has asthma and was having trouble breathing….go figure.

I miss seeing the Dr that I’ve had for the last 15 years.

Thanks,

Sarah

P.S. – Please pass along the information for our new Talkin’ Tuesday blog to someone you know today.

 

Porn

Discussion Topic:

What would your reaction be if you walked in on someone, or even your boss, looking at Internet porn on a computer?

Background:

Last week I went to collect a check from one of my cleaning accounts I was shocked to find the owner of the business sitting at his computer watching porn on the Internet. He did not shut it down right away and started to engage me in conversation. I decided that I needed to leave and told him I was in a hurry and had people waiting in the car for me. It was a horrible experience. I was afraid and disgusted!

Thanks,

Sarah

P.S. – Please pass along the information for our new Talkin’ Tuesday blog to someone you know today.

 

Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Discussion Topic:

 

What is your favorite Thanksgiving recipe?

Background:

This year, we will be spending Thanksgiving Dinner at our close friends’ home and I only have to make one or two dishes for the evening. I need your help in knowing what to make, so let’s share our favorite recipes for Thanksgiving!

Thanks,

Sarah

P.S. – Please pass along the information for our new Talkin’ Tuesday blog to someone you know today.

 

The Diet vs. The Holidays!

Discussion Topic:

As the holidays approach what will you be doing to make sure you stick with your diet/healthy eating habits?

Background:

Today I tried extra hard to stay within my calorie limit and find myself starving! I reached out to a few friends and they encouraged me and helped me through the day! Thanks Sally for the Coke Zero. With the holidays approaching I’m looking for ideas on how to stay disciplined and eat right. I look forward to our discussion.

Thanks,

Sarah