5 Thoughts on having a 5-Day-Old Munchkin

An Update:

We are home and with a 5-day-old!  We were released front the hospital early Friday morning and were able to pick Claire up on Friday.  Josh and I both go stir crazy in the hospital and with both of our munchkins we have asked to leave early.  We are so thankful for a healthy baby and doctors that understand us: they agreed to letting us leave as long as we came back the next day for Max’s newborn screen (it has to be done after the 48-hour mark).

We enjoyed a relaxing Friday at home which included a quick visit from Josh’s parents.  My only request for Friday night was, “a beer”, and not the Miller Light we had in the refrigerator (it is clear I had been pregnant as I am the beer snob in the house)- Josh headed to the store for some Octoberfest upon my request.

My mom came on Saturday to help for the rest of the weekend.  She cooked a delicious dinner on Saturday and helped around the house on Sunday.  We took a walk to the park and played for awhile.  It was great for Claire to have her Grammy here to give her some extra attention.

Claire is doing well with Max and loves to look at him and give him kisses on the head.  She gets most mad when we will not let her hold him and walk with him around the house.  When I am nursing Max she likes to put her babies up her shirt and pretend she is doing the same thing- quit hysterical.

Overall, we are adjusting well    There care some things I forgot, some that are harder and some that are easier.  For the most part the saying, “it gets easier with each kid,” I agree with… for right now!

My 5 thoughts:

1. Holy hunger- I completely forgot about this one!  Actually, I am pretty sure I was hungry with Claire, but never this hungry.  So hungry I feel like I can’t make it through the night, and I can’t.  In fact, I have gotten up and gone downstairs for a snack after a night time feeding.  I wake up in the morning and I can’t get downstairs fast enough to eat breakfast.  Usually a piece of fruit holds me over between breakfast and lunch- not anymore.  Eggs are becoming my best friend for those “snacks” in between meals and night time feedings.  On today’s agenda: boil a dozen eggs.

2. The first night home- Let me just say that we woke up Saturday morning wanting to jump for joy!  The first night home with Claire was abysmal: neither of us got more than an hour of sleep at a time.  Let’s just say this was not the case this time.  Last night was our third night home and I woke up feeling great.  I am a little apprehensive to give you all the details as I don’t want to jinx myself- I’ll share if it continues.

3. Just MOVE- Being able to live by my “just move” philosophy has been so much easier this time.  It has been much easier to go out for a long walk, go up and down the stairs, and just move in general.  The difference is really night and day.

4. Nursing– Another thing that is really a night and day difference this time.  Claire nursed forever; Max is quick and efficient.  I attribute this to me being much more relaxed this time and actually knowing what I am doing.  This is probably another reason I don’t feel exhausted right now.  When I do get up in the middle of the night, I am not nursing for over an hour.

5. Sleep when baby sleeps- This is one of those things that I feel like telling people, “yah, right.”  I was able to do this when I had Claire, but not this time.  Although Josh is still home right now and I could, I feel like if Max is sleeping, I need to be giving Claire attention.  I have taken naps when both babies are sleeping, and hope I can continue to have luck and have that time to nap if I need it- today I don’t.

Your turn, tell us!
What parenting advice do you have for me?
What was difficult or easy for you when you added another munchkin to your mix?

 

ADHD & Fitness

I recently came across this article on Exercise & ADHD.  As a former teacher I have very strong opinions on this.  I have taught in various settings: special education, intermediate general education, Pre-Kindergarten, and have spent time in Kindergarten through fifth grade as a literacy coach.  I am by no means an expert and I understand that there are a variety of studies out there.  I also know that some children do need medication.

As a parent, I believe in medication as a last resort after all other options have been tried.  As a teacher, I have had success with exercise in the classroom for those children that are not medicated and with those children who are not diagnosed, but struggle with concentration.  I am also a strong believer that we all have trouble concentrating when we don’t move and expend energy.  Have you ever tried to sit still for 90-minutes of reading?

Here are some ideas to help with your child with concentration both at school and at home: 

1. Before school- Just fifteen minutes of movement before school can help set up your child up for a successful day at school.  Yes, this will require getting up earlier and making sure you are prepared in the morning.  Jumping jacks, squats, windmills, and inchworms are all things your children can do at home.  You could also put on some music and have them dance.  If it is warm outside, head to the bus stop 15-20 minutes early and jog, walk, or do an obstacle course.

2. Brain breaks- Break breaks are for both parents and teachers.  If you are a parent, brain breaks are a great way to help with that lack of concentration during homework time and teachers can use them in the classroom throughout the day.  When I taught I had a jar of popsicle sticks with different exercises written on each stick.  Throughout the day we would draw a few popsicle sticks and complete the exercise or movement on the stick.  This would last anywhere from two to four minutes.  Some school administrators would say if you do this five times per day, that is a loss of 20 instructional minutes.  I feel that I gained more instructional time because my students were focused for the majority of the day because of these.

3. Incorporating movement in instruction- Whether it is at home or in school, make your child move as they learn.  Let them stand while doing homework or bounce on an exercise ball.  For teachers, step out of the box and post your questions or math problems around the room having students move after answering each question or problem.  Let students stand up, take a step forward, or do three jumping jacks when they have a correct answer.  I know this may seem like it is creating a chaotic classroom, but for me, it was less chaotic than having several students off task and not concentrating.

4. After school activity- I know many parents have their children do homework as soon as they get home and walk in the door.  Do you get home from work at night and immediately log back on and work?  Just like adults, kids need time to decompress.  Use the same approach as you do in the morning and let them burn some energy before tackling their homework.  Screen time is not burning off energy and will not help with concentration.  Make sure they are moving and increasing their heart rate during the time.

5. Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition- Nutrition seems so simple, but can be so difficult.  Is what you are feeding your child playing a role in his/ her ability to concentrate?  When we think of nutrition and concentration, we automatically think of sugar.  Sugar does play a big role.  However, the lack of nutrients found in fruits and vegetables can also play a role in a child’s (and any human, really) ability or inability to concentration.

 What has worked for you to decrease a child’s hyperactivity?
What are some success you have had to increase a child’s focus?