BPA and birthday

A local reporter (with a very nice blog that I follow) recently posted information about the BPA controversy. I think most believe that BPA is harmful. I don't consider myself an alarmist (if a dog licks my kid, the kids doesn't immediately get a bath, etc.) but BPA concerns me.

I always heated Ty's cereal in plastic containers. He had BPA-free bottles (I found that out after I used them, I was just lucky) and let him chew on an assortment of plastic whatevers. To an extent, I let Za as well. 

My concern (even though I think compared to other children they had low exposure) is that their brains were altered. It makes me mad at myself for not doing more research. It makes me ticked off at "the big companies" who allow BPA in children dishes and toys. The whole situation irritates me, just like it does other parents. I believe people are responsible for their behaviors, but what if BPA affects people differently? I think back to my students and wonder how many struggled because of brain alterations. Could some have poisoned bodies? Then I think about what history teaches us. How have humans poisoned their bodies years ago? Cocaine? Lead? What for--beauty, comfort, ease? The BPA controversy isn't going away and it makes so many more questions. 

On a side note, my princess turned one yesterday. She had a very nice party, teddy-bear-themed, and received wonderful gifts from wonderful people. To the left is her "bouquet" that I made with a friend's cricut. A picture of her made-from-scratch-cake, decorated by mommy is below. Happy first birthday princess Za! 

Brain-Based Learning: Core Principle 5

The fifth principle of brain-based learning is:

Emotions are critical to patterning.

Brain-based learning contends that the search for meaning comes through patterning. These patterns are best formed (or remembered by your child/student) when emotions are involved. This makes sense: think about something you really, really remember in life. It might be finding out someone died, getting engaged, or seeing something really surprising happen. Whatever it is, emotions will be attached to it. 

Teachers try to activate this way of learning by having students journal when they read something. (What would you do if you were in character X's position?) How can we do it as parents?

Use simple ideas. If you are discussing the color green, relate it to something your child likes, such as a toy car or the green beans from last night. When you read a book, ask what the characters are doing from the pictures. (Why is he happy? Have you ever gotten a present and were happy?) Any other ideas, about connecting learning, patterning to emotions?

Published Article

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One of my articles graces the opening page of Everything Mom. Click here to read my published article.

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mothering w one hand

in an environmental effort, i was cutting the plastic rings off jugs to recycle them and the scissors slipped. i cut my left hand on the fleshy part. blood spouted up out of my hand (look at all those prepositions) and i grabbed a towel and sat down. ty thought i was joking around w him so he started laughing and saying, mommy! mommy! while giggling. za climbed all over me while i sat on the floor and of course augie was disgusting and i'm sure you can guess what he was doing. anyway, kind of funny now. anyway, b came home and took me to a prompt care and the dr thought i cut my tendons bc i can't move my fingers very well.

after that, i went to the hand surgeon and he doesn't think i severed them like the first dr said. he thinks i nicked them, they re just swollen and i don't need surgery. i got 4 stitches and the hand is swollen so i cant bend it. it's my left so that's good. i go back in 2 weeks and he'll decide then but it doesn't look like i need surgery now, so yay! i have meds and unless i bump it i am ok.

changing diapers with one hand--really hard. making food, getting za out of he high chair, and being on pain meds--all very hard. my house is destroyed. has anyone ever read that email forward where the dad comes home to a trashed house and finds the mom reading a magazine? when he asks her what happened she says, well, you know how you ask me what i do everyday when you come home? today i didn't do it. that is how i felt yesterday after i picked up nothing. poor hubby.

so that's the story! sorry--it's hard to type w one hand.

Wonder Why Wednesday: Naming Them

My monthly update from Baby Center told me this today about Miss Za: Your baby understands more than he says, and he's aware that everything around him has a name. Help satisfy this curiosity by pointing at familiar objects and naming them.

I always try to do this with my children--especially when we go through the long teething months and nothing but walking will help. I point out the window and talk about snow, vehicles, trees, animals and the sky. This might relate to later in life, when teachers and bosses explain new rules or concepts. Does this make children more observant? My dad always opens cabinet doors and lets kids look at all the colors. Does it matter what we tell our children about? 

Ty was not an early talker. He wasn't behind either, but did this exercise help him? Za repeats almost anything I say. I pointed at a rug the other day and she said it. Is this one of those exercises--not one fits all? Or does it help, just because children like the sounds of their parents? 

SAHM Struggle: 2

My two year old, the sweetest and cutest little guy, has taken to biting his sissy. I firmly believe responding with more violence will irritate him. Time out does nothing, talking to him does nothing, explaining does nothing. I'm out of ideas. I even cracked open a baby book, and got, nothing.

Any advice would be so welcome. He yells at her for brushing by him when she crawls. I thought spending some one on one time with him while she slept would help, but no. 

Two is hard! I really compare it to a a teenager. Both groups look older than they are emotionally or mentally. Maybe even intellectually. Both groups want freedom one minute, and then help the next. Both are hard, hard ages. I just don't remember being two.

50th Post

This is my 50th post!  I am impressed, mostly because when I started this, I figured I'd be among the majority who had blogs and had about 2 posts or only post once a month. I have so much to say about being a SAHM and my former job as an educator and the crossover I see.

Sure, I don't have a lot of followers, like 3, but I like them all! I hope I don't bore them! I am enjoying my blog and this exploration.

I feel like I should have a cake, like when tv shows have their 100th episode or something. Anyway, another first.. I am watching a movie with my husband. On a date! Alone! On our couch! With only our dog! Excitement.