Mother Inferior

Welcome to my blog. My name is Dena Dyer and I'm a mommy, wife, writer, speaker and performer from Texas. I'm so glad you stopped by!

Have you ever thought to yourself, "I love my kids more than life itself, but I wonder if I'll ever have a life myself?" I sure have. Some days, I feel like I just don't measure up--so I'm glad I have a God who more than makes up for my forgetfulness, foibles and foolishness! Did you know He delights in us, and doesn't require us to be perfect? That's because HE's the only Perfect Parent. (Relieved Sigh.)

If you're a ragamuffin mom like me, I hope you'll find encouragement, hope and lots of laughter ('cuz humor heals!) here. If you're really desperate <g>, you can hear a recent interview with me on Sirius radio where I talk about depression, being overwhelmed, and where and how to find help (search by "May 5, 2008" or "Dena Dyer").

Whatever brings you to "Mother Inferior," I hope you'll kick your shoes off, stay awhile--and come back often. You're welcome here--and you never know just what you'll find!

Taking a Break

I'm taking a small break from blogging to spend time with the kiddos this summer. I'll be back in late August or September.

Have a great summer, and stay cool! :)

The Coolest Test--Ever!

Missouri City, TX--If your child had vision problems, you’d be able to tell, wouldn’t you?  Maybe not, says Karen Urbani, M.D., pediatrician at Kahn, Gmoser, Atlas & Urbanu. “Parents assume that if their child can’t see properly, they’d know it for sure, however, children are very adaptable and learn to cope with vision deficits,” says Dr. Urbani. “This allows many childhood vision problems to go undetected, which can lead to learning issues and behavioral problems.”

And here's a staggering thought: approximately 200,000 children are born each year with vision deficits, making vision problems one of the most common pediatric health issues. However, until a child can accurately respond verbally to the letters on a standard eye chart (typically around school age), it is often difficult, even for doctors, to determine if a child is seeing properly.

But—and this is sooo- cool!--a new, child-friendly test being offered by Dr. Urbani’s practice is providing parents with objective information about the development and function of their children’s vision system. The Enfant™ Pediatric VEP Testing System gives Dr. Urbani a unique diagnostic tool to assess patients as young as six months of age. The test utilizes a flat panel screen that features fun, child-friendly characters and graphics accompanied by music. It can be completed in five to seven minutes, during a standard well check-up, and is reimbursable by most insurance carriers.

So if you’re in the

Houston

area, you may want to call and find out more information or schedule a vision test. You can contact Kahn, Gmoser, Atlas & Urbani Pediatrics at (281) 499-6300. Or to find out if a doctor in your area has this new test, go to Enfant Vision's website.

Full disclosure statement: I was compensated by a gift card for this ad/review.

Guest Post: 9 Summer-Saving Tips and Tricks for Busy Moms

Saved By the Bell  A Summer to Remember Sharon Lovejoy Autry The final bell rang. The kids screamed for joy. Mom sits in the carpool line wondering, "What in the world are we going to do all summer?!"  Maybe as summer has begun, you've found yourself resentful and angry because your children constantly "interrupt" your schedule. If that's how you're feeling, you're normal. But, wait. We wanted these kids, right? Are they really interruptions or blessings in disguise? How can we move from simply surviving the summer to making it a summer to remember? Here are a few ideas to get you out of the summer survival rut: 1. Realize they won't be this way forever. What is it about your kids that you won't have in two years? If you are a parent of: Preschoolers: Look at their hands and notice how tiny they are. Enjoy that. Elementary children: When you're away from home, call them. Their voices sound small on the phone. That always reminds me to enjoy their innocence rather than expecting them to act like little grown-ups. Tweens: Laugh at and enjoy their giggles (usually girls) and the fascination they have with being gross (usually boys)! Hopefully that won't last forever! Teens: Even if they are driving you crazy, make your home the safe place. I still remember the fun place our parents created at home. It was our refuge. Let kids feel safe in your home by cutting down on the criticism and looking for ways to build them up. Mom and Dad's secret was a ping-pong table. We spent hours there.     2. Say "no" with a smile. It makes you and your child feel better. They know you have some regret at having to say no. You are on their team. 3. Play music. Anger and music don't usually dance. Movie soundtracks, praise songs, music from my teen years or even classical stations. I rarely find myself upset with my kids when we have music playing in the background. 4. Go outside. Sometimes taking a walk or bike ride with the kids can do wonders to change everyone's perspective. 5. Things aren't always as they seem. Remember that the way you are seeing things at this moment is probably not how it will look in a couple of hours. Frustrations can build and dissolve quickly when you have kids. 6. Offer them 30 minutes of your time. After they have helped pick up around the house let them pick what the two of you will do together and watch their eyes light up! For older kids, offer them the day off after helping for an hour. 7. Ask your kids what they think is fun. You might be surprised to find that their idea of fun often doesn't cost any money. My sister was amazed to find that her 7-year-old son's idea of "fun" was playing tag in the front yard with dad, mom and his little sister. 8. Slow down. Successful parenting doesn't mean you have your children involved in every possible extra-curricular activity. Successful parenting means you are there for them. If you've been running all year, it takes "practice" to enjoy staying home. Don't give up. Turn off the computer, TV, cell phone, etc. and read or play games (no matter what the age of your children). 9. Pray. When you are at your wit's end, ask God to help you remember what to do with your kids. On our own, it's hard to enjoy the moments because "life happens." But God has a way of giving us perspective that will slow us down and help us see our families the way He sees them: with love and compassion. The next time you blow your top or realize you're just surviving your kids instead of enjoying their clumsy feet, silliness, or their constant desire to talk on the phone, stop and think, "one day I'll miss this!" The funny thing is, tomorrow we'll be longing for today. If we choose to think like that long enough, the kids won't be the only ones sad to hear the school bell ring this fall.

Sharon (Lovejoy) Autry, a mom of 3, co-authored Mom and Loving It, Finding Contentment in REAL Life with her sister, Laurie (Lovejoy) Hilliard, mom of 4.  http://www.momandlovingit.org/

If Your Toddler Picks a Boogie (Parody)

 

 

 

(based on If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff)

 

If your toddler picks a boogie,

he’s going to ask for a tissue.

When you give him the box of tissues,

he’ll probably take all of them out.

When he’s finished, he’ll take off his diaper.

Then he’ll want to run around the house,

laughing as you chase him.

When you finally wrestle a new diaper on him,

he’ll call you “poopyhead”

so he’ll have to get a time-out.

While he’s in time-out,

You’ll notice he’s getting sleepy.

You’ll have to give him his blankey,

a sippy cup, and turn on the music for him.

He’ll lay down, take a few sips of apple juice,

and ask for a story.

so you’ll read to him,

While you’re thinking about the nap you want to take…

and the dishes in the sink…

and the laundry in the hamper…

and you fall asleep on the floor.

When your toddler wakes up,

he shouts, “Nap’s over, mommy!”

After your heart returns to its normal pace,

you pick him up and notice how

warm his little breath is…

and how he looks with sleep in his eyes…

and for some strange reason,

you’re probably going to need a tissue.