How Kids Can Manipulate You

  Whether you know it or not if you have kids they have somehow (maybe even unknowingly) manipulated you.  Look into my eyes.

Manipulate: 1. handle or control typically in a skillful manner.  2. control or influence cleverly, unfairly or unscrupulously.

  It starts out early when they are young, vulnerable and needy then works it's way to when you would think they were old enough to know better but for several reasons:

1. New mom
2. Outnumbered
3. Stressed out
4. Manipulated
 
  You are oblivious to the active manipulation.  It's not our fault they are sneaky.  They can't be capable of such acts. They love me.

  I am not a new mom.  Well not in the true sense.  I have 4 kids but each child is a separate child.  Each child capable of their own tactics.  Capable of manipulation.  This makes me a new mom every time as no tactic is ever repeated by any child or the same child.

  TV control.  If you turn it on the are mesmerized.  They stay content through the duration. Until... you get on the phone, need to do something or want to go somewhere without them.  You thought you had it figured out!

  Games on your phone.  All fun and games until they have called grandma, deleted your pictures or sent them to grandma, called what number or ordered a new app.  How does this happen?? Your 5 and know more of the capabilities of my phone then me.  Hey, show me how to do that!

Teeth brushing, hair brushing and "I went potty" tactics have been played multiple times too.  Some of these areas I'm sure should be mastered but how can I be sure.  Should I just risk it and let them go?  Walk away when someone is bellowing for me from the inside of the bathroom?  What's the worst that can happen?

  This list can go on forever.  One child alone could single handedly take down a grown adult.  I think the 4 of mine are circling me like vultures.  They are breaking me down.

  The other day my daughter went outside to play and Sophia the First was on tv.  I asked her if she was done with the tv.  I asked her?  She has been manipulating me (unknowingly).  I may be trained.  Excuse me, ma'am can I change the channel.

  I hope it's not too late.  I wonder if they mess with me when I sleep too?  Repeating their wants and wishes while I sleep.  I need to be more proactive and on high alert.  The kids are probably plotting right now!  No, they are not; they need me don't they?

#nablopomo

5 Tips of how to meal plan

1.  Make a plan of how many meals you want to make.  I organize all my dinners.  Lunches are usually the same routine of sandwiches.  Breakfast varies from cereal, oatmeal to hot meals.  For dinner will there be the same weekly theme.

Monday: meatless
Tuesday: tacos
Wednesday: spaghetti
Thursday: breakfast
Friday: Take out, pizza or leftovers
Saturday: leftovers
Sunday: Sunday Dinner

Skip even labeling the days if that's too stressful and just organize 5 days of meals.

  2.  Stick with what you know.  You don't need to look up recipes.  Make hotdogs and a couple sides, pancakes or soup and sandwiches.

3.  Before you go shopping look in your fridge and pantry.  You don't need to clean it out but utilize what's in there.  How long has that can of ______ been in there?  Confession:  I have some old Hamburger Helpers in mine.

4. Grocery shop with a dollar limit.  Set the limit to $xxx for the month.  This amount is strictly for food only, not pet products or household.

5.  Don't wait for the day before the week begins.  You feel stressed out.  Whenever an idea pops into your head write it down for the following week.  1 day down and keep building on it.

  I find it easy to build around the main item.  I will say chicken is once a week, meatless once a week, salmon one day and soup.  I might not even assign a specific day for the meals.  With this concept then you can focus on a recipe or meal around the chicken.  For example bbq chicken or baked chicken. Soup would be cheeseburger or potato.

  I hope some of these tips alleviate some of the presumed stress when it comes to meal planning.

  I skipped this week but I'm not stressing as we will be ok and once and awhile it's nice to take a break.

#nablopomo

Voting Day Shenanigans

  I got up early to beat the crowd.  Turns out it was a party for me as everyone was there waiting.

I decided to take the time in line to do some constructive blogging.  If my voice is to be heard today this is where my vote goes.

I vote for 7-11 prices ($1.85 PEOPLE) for my Starbucks coffee!  Never fear coffee is free here! 7-11 with you I voted sticker and the app!

I vote for breakfast.  At this point I won't be able to go back to sleep and I'm hungry!  My polling station did have complimentary coffee and donuts but, it's early and there was a small chance a green muffin treat could be all mine due to sleeping children.

I vote for a quiet day to finish reading my book.  Its been taking me forever to finish even though it's good.  I'm half way through; I know the end is near.

I vote for some fresh air and perhaps a bike ride to squeeze some miles in.  I just filled the tires and although my legs are sore from yesterday I still want to be consistent.

I vote for a nap since your asking as I did get up early to vote!

Lastly, I vote for a nice peaceful night out before a war of the worlds happens tomorrow.

  I hope you have a great and productive day.

Cheers (clanks glass of wine) to the beginning of the future of our country.

Moving forward think kindness and courtesy towards our neighbors regardless of the outcome.

#NaBloPoMo

Fall Shows Keep Them Coming

  Fall shows that I'm watching!  I won't waste my time with the shows to get rid of because obviously I'm not watching those.

Ahh, Grey's Anatomy.  Each year it's a love or hate (but still watch) relationship.  It's one relationship I will never leave though.

My reality fantasy is not very long but I'm almost always ensuring the dvr is working for the housewives!  I am passed the money and how they spend it now I'm entertained by how they act with each other.

I like Heather and wouldn't mind going out to lunch with her.  Tamra would be a nice shopping buddy.  I like Vicki but other than whooping it up I don't know where we are going and Shannon cracks me up I would just hang out with her anywhere! 

Drama, drama, drama.  I love Siggy and Dolores.  They seem like real, genuine ladies.  I'm at a loss with Jacqueline.  I'm excited to see Melissa's clothing line.  Teresa used to be my favorite.

New season is coming....  I don't even know who is on the upcoming show but, I do like most of these ladies.  Key word most.  

Getting my law enforcement fix from.      

       

  Appreciating the arts.

These are my hot most see shows.  What are you watching that you love or just entertains you?

#NaBloPoMo                                                        

                             

                         

Honesty with No Regret

  I'm going to use the prompt today for the NaBloPoMo writing challenge.  If I could be completely honest with no regret what  would I say and to whom.

  The more I say it the more that ideas pop into my head.  So without any order I will proceed with my list.  Yes, I have more than one thing to say to more than one person.

  To some boyfriends in the past......to be honest it wasn't you it was me.  I wasn't comfortable with myself.  I didn't know how to love or be loved  and sabotaged the relationships.  Pushed you away on purpose.

  To some friends in the past.......when I was mad it was far too long.  I would know I was mad and actually forget why I really was but, pride kept me from groveling back.

  I can admit as I age I mature.  With that maturity I am a better person.   I am taking one day at a time, practicing patience and trusting more people as well as taking chances and stepping out of my own box.  Thankfully I am being more honest and with less regret.

  #NaBloPoMo

Challenges

  How do you handle challenges?  Whether it is a health issue, bad habit or pertains to your kids or family?  How do you get out?  How do you ask for help or support?  Who do you have to ask or turn to?

  We handle every situation different.  Or at least I do.  I don't grab the bull by the horns in all cases.  I may become a wallflower or ignore the occurrence hoping it goes away.  Hiding in the shadows until the situation has passed.

  This doesn't solve much if any.    I need to take a more proactive approach.  A more conscious effort needs to be made.  A deliberate positive look will keep me on the right track.  What motivates or drives you?  I want to be a better role model for my kids.

  So for the next month I am going to reevaluate a few things.  Taking a minute daily to be thankful.  For this activity I would like to incorporate my family as well.  I want to stay on track with satisfying my own needs and wants as well.   It will improve my health both spiritually,  and physically if I reduce the stress, challenge myself and think differently the outcome can only be brighter.

  I have heard if you do not complain your life becomes happier, so let's see if that happens.  Stay tune for November goals and maybe some motivation.

  What do you do to relax ?  How do you diffuse a situation?  Who are you staying strong for?


#NaBloPoMo