Smart Cookie Parents

It’s 2011, for those of you who’ve slept through the last several months, everyone is making promises for their health, wellness, and whatever else they can think of that will make their lives much more interesting and productive.
For over a year now, I’ve tinkered with this site and not totally or seriously committed to it, but after doing a lot of research and soul searching, I thought I’d better sink or swim.
With my years of experience as a pediatric trauma nurse and adult critical care nurse as well as my mom role, I find that I’ve got a pretty unique perspective on the life of a parent. I’ve got the best of both worlds (not to quote Miley Cyrus), but I do and I should absolutely share my knowledge with those out there trying to figure it out. I’m not out to “convert” anyone or tell any parent how to raise their child. My goal is to give you good, solid resources in the areas of health, parenting, medicine, entertainment (although we know this can change minute to minute), books, movies,
and simply the world around us. This was brought on by seeing so much crap when it came to mom sites out there. I’m not going to specify anything, because I think every site has their strengths and weaknesses, but when I keep seeing articles on how to keep your post-baby butt from sagging and commentary on why vaccines are the bain of all exsistence, I had to stand up and say something.
Parenting is far more than saggy butts and I think parents are smarter than only wanting fluff and perpetuating falsehoods. Parenting is hard, complicated, and honestly, there is no true manual out there for it. We all rely on family, friends, and our medical professionals to help us navigate the choppy (and sometimes) calm waters that we sail each and everyday. But people are flawed and fearful. More times than I could count have I heard complete crap from well intentioned friends and family when it came to things women should and shouldn’t do when pregant, when breastfeeding, when caring for their child. What’s normal, what’s not, when you should worry and when you’re just being “crazy”. Dads are often left out, pushed aside, or simply expected to know what to do. Many are just as confused as the mothers and many times have fears and frustrations that aren’t acknowledged.
So my goal for this site is to help alleviate some fears and hopefully offer good sources from which you can pull.
I do want to say that I do not have all the answers. Despite my ability to string together a good sentence, I am absolutely not the all knowing when it comes to kids. There are many parenting topics with which I have trouble, just like many of you. I don’t have all the answers and I’m not perfect (nor do I want to be), but I am smart about what I read and how  I apply my knowledge. When I don’t know, I ask, I research, and I make decisions. Then I keep my ears open for other avenues I may not have known about or traveled.
One thing I did discover being a parent, it doesn’t matter how many degrees you have or how smart you are (or think you are), everyone starts off at ground zero when that little one arrives in your life. Some of us are better prepared more than others, but we all start at the same place of fear, stress, sleep deprivation, etc and simply work from there. Consider parenting as compared to the story the Tortoise and the Hare. Some days you’re in the slow lane and others in the fast. Some days you have every confidence in the world and don’t even have to think about it and others you’ll need a tad more time to take it all in. And just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, something happens and it starts the process all over again. I’ve done this more times than I’d like to admit.
Despite me working in the busiest pediatric Level 1 ER in the country and being a charge nurse in general ER, I am frazzled with parenting. Again, somedays I’ve got it all together and others it’s as though I’ll never catch up. You would think I’d be right on top of things, ready and prepared everyday for the task of watching over kids simply because I can multitask well (hence why I did well in nursing), but it’s different when I’m so emotionally involved. I stop more often, give hugs and kisses, break up fights, clean up dirty clothes in the middle of the living room, walk the dogs, do dishes, laundry, and try to get in writing time (my job).
So to all of you discovering my site, please be patient with me as I get things up and rolling. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. I’ll do my best to help.

Think Bob Greene doesn’t know what it’s like to balance family, work, and exercise? Think again. One of Oprah’s best friends, the author of The Best Life and his more recent release The Best Life Diabetes Program, is the proud father of two children and one of the fittest guys in America. Now, he talked to us about how to help so many other busy parents find the time to get in a good day’s workout.

 (1)   Quit making excuses. If you truly want to get a workout in, you’ll find the time. If you have no intention of working out, the excuses pile up quickly.  One excuse in particular, Bob doesn’t tolerate. “I don’t have time is no longer an excuse.” Not only is it essential for parents to take care of themselves, “it’s important for kids to see their parents active.” Incorporating exercise in the daily routine sets a good example. Even those with diabetes, it’s essential to exercise in order to better control blood sugar levels and live a much better quality of life.

(2)   Don’t under estimate the value of workout DVD’s.  No where is it written that workouts can only be done at a gym and for many, the cost of joining can discourage exercising right there. But know help can be right at your fingertips, or really within arms length of your DVD player. “The DVD market has some great workouts,” explains Bob. “They used to be a little light, but now there are plenty to choose from.” Bob should know, his new EA Sports Bob Green Wii Workout and his Total Body Makeover DVD are both hot items and have shown to bring about great results. The beauty of a DVD is there are so many to choose from. Yoga for weight loss, cardio dance, martial arts, the list is endless. If cost of a gym memberships are no longer a factor when evaluating if workouts are truly worth it in every way.

(3)   Go outside. Unless you live in Antarctica, there is outdoor weather that is perfect for a good walk, race walk, jog, or run. “When the weather works, I love to be outside,” Bob tells us. He takes his kids in the stroller and off they go! Outdoor activities are not only great ways to exercise, but it can be a family friendly activity. Walk to and in the park, ride bikes, go hiking/exploring in your neighborhood, take the family dog and find new routes to a routine.

(4)   Be adventurous. If you’ve ever wanted to try a yoga class, go! If you’d like to know what it’s like to rock climb, find a place that has an indoor wall. Don’t think because you’re not “in shape” you can’t. You can and maybe the first time will be a total disaster, but so what? You tried and you can try again and who knows, you might find something that you really love to do and it keeps you in shape and healthy.

(5)   Add weights. No matter the form either free weights, your own body weight, lift something other than candy to your mouth.  Bob admits, buying free weights “can get expensive, so fill up two half-gallon milk jugs with water and lift those.” Strength training not only helps build muscle, but increases strength and creates beautiful muscle tone and pumps up more than your body. When you have more muscle, you burn more calories doing everything you normally do. Bob says he prefers dumbbells, but resistance bands can also be a good way to get strength training. 

(6)   A little bit here, a little there. Ideally, we’d all like to get a thirty to forty-five minute workout in and be done with it. Well, really I’d like to think about exercise and have it count, but that’s another topic. Many run into the problem of a thirty-minute workout actually taking longer.  What only takes half an hour on the treadmill has to also include drive time and juggling the kids. Many parents don’t feel they’ve got that kind of time or patience, so Bob suggests five minutes of exercise throughout the day. “When you’re in your kitchen, do push-ups off the counter, do a set of squats when you’ve got five minutes, simple stretches, do something,” Small, intermittent sets of exercises do add up and will get results.

(7)   Journal Time. Once an exercise routine has been decided, the next obstacle to getting healthy is tackling the nutrition. One of Bob’s main goals is to get to the root of why someone is unhealthy and usually it’s a simple answer to a complex problem. “Emotional eating is the number one reason people over eat,” Bob states, “so journaling helps.” Understand a food journal isn’t only about food, in fact, food might be an afterthought. Telling yourself what you are feeling when you want to eat a chili-dog and large tots from Sonic may help you avoid the drive through. “Writing down what you’re feeling, your emotions can help you get through difficult times.” Emotions can destroy a well-intentioned nutrition plan and it’s essential for short and long term success.
Not only can the journal help you through rough patches, but documents your successes. For those with other health problems such as asthma and diabetes, the journal can also proved an accurate account of your symptoms and blood sugars.

(8)   Find an exercise that fits. Find things that are appealing. Don’t just go to an exercise class because that’s what everyone else is doing. If the thought of a spin class causes distress, find another exercise. “I can’t workout with a trainer. I can’t stand if someone is in my face,” explains Bob. “If you like a group class, go. If you need a trainer, get one, find what fits for you and do it.”

For more tips or recipes or information on how to manage your diabetes, go to Bob Greene’s The Best Life, visit www.thebestlife.com.

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