Wednesday, October 30, 2013

A letter to the mom on Marilyn Denis...


This is a letter to the mom on Marilyn Denis yesterday.  I happened to catch this portion of the show while at the gym.   She commented on feeling overwhelmed with two kids and a house that showed fingerprints, having to wipe the counter numerous times in an hour.  She also mentioned putting the 3 year old down in front of the TV to give her time to tend to her infant.  When it was uncovered that her husband left early for the gym, the advice was to ask Dad to stay home and help.  


I have alternate advice for this pleading mother...


I think it is so important that your husband gets this gym time.  I am sure that this time that he takes for himself helps him to prepare for the day ahead.  Now, I’m just a mother of one, and a new mother at that.  And I feel like I should be careful here, I don’t mean to sound like I am placing judgement.  I am not.  But I have made the gym an important part of my day, and I realize the importance of this in my life.  They have a daycare, where for $32 a month, my daughter can stay for 2 hours a day.  I get a workout, and most importantly a shower.  I heard a quote once, and I want to share it with you.  “If you take care of yourself first, then you have the strength to take care of your family.”  I think that you need to find some ‘me’ time in your day.  It took me months to figure this out.  I threw my back out a couple of times and I couldn’t walk for 5 days.  Being back to the gym has made me stronger.


As for your morning routine, I encourage you to take a different approach.  Try putting on the spa channel and not the TV.  Make a play space with toys that will engage your 3 year old while you take care of your baby.   Stop and say three things out loud that you are grateful for.   Have fun with your day.  Get on the floor and play with your kids.  And take half an hour somewhere later in the day to wipe up the mess.  Smile and remember how crazy it got at times, these are the little things.  

I hope this helps you find more peace in your day.


Sandy Jamieson

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Being a Mom rocks!

My baby girl is now 9 months old and I have to say, being a mom totally rocks.  I knew I would love this.  Reese is as fiery and passionate as her name describes.  I didn't know this kind of love existed.  I feel very, very lucky.  

What I wanted to share with you, well, is my book...Zaida Baby - My First Keepsake.  I published this book 6 years ago now, and JUST had my first child.  The love letter that you get to read was from my heart many years ago and I now get to share that with my own baby.  The reason I say that I wanted to share this with you, is that I have learned a new way to use this book.  And that's from memory.  When I am nursing my baby girl, I recite this love letter to her.  It's not just for her, but for mommy too.  A reminder of why we became parents in the first place.  A reminder to slow down and trust that everything is unfolding the way that it should.  If you have this book, please share it with your child tonight.  (If you don't you can get started with the words below).  Regardless of their age, they will remember this love letter that you shared with them in the womb. 

You may remember, it starts...

Thank you for coming into my life...
and for letting me love you wholeheartedly.  
I promise to nurture you...
And to teach you things about life that have inspired me.
I will encourage you to be an amazing person...
and to be proud of who are you are.


Enjoy, and happy parenting.


Sandy Jamieson