Bad Mom, Good Mom

Blah. I feel like that is how I've felt for too long now. And in some ways I've really turned into a bad mom. Feeling crummy is not good for the productivity of my children, and thus we have become way overly dependent on t.v. and movies for our entertainment. What can I say? It's an easy distraction for my children which means less hassle for me. (Not that my children are a hassle, because they're not! But when I don't feel good, there's not too much that I want to do.) So yes. Bad Mom #1: WAY too many movies during the week. I'm not even going to give numbers. Good Mom #1: I am careful to filter what they watch. Love PBS and all the learning shows. They are great. And I am really starting to cut out even a few Disney movies. I always think they are good, but really, just because it says Disney, does not mean it's good for your children. Especially Jacks. If a movie is too intense or has some stressful dilemma in it, I really think it gives him an anxiety overload. I'll hear him start calling out to the t.v. in sincere concern for whatever is happening. My sweet sensitive boy. He is definitely going to need some protection from the world I think. ;)

Although I've kind of been a party-pooper type of mom, I have been doing awesome at giving my little ones lots of attention. A couple weeks ago Hunter actually started asking me, "Mom, will you play with me?" "Mom, will you play trains with me?" "Will you build robots with me?" "Will you read this book to me?" And I can honestly say that I am pretty quick to drop everything and go play with him! I absolutely LOVE it when he asks me to do something with him! I think yesterday was the first day in a long time that I didn't do something with him because I really wanted to finish some other things. But I still did it about half the time. It's been so much fun! Not to mention he is so smart and can be so witty sometimes. I've also noticed a huge improvement in his attitude and actions, and his speaking ability. And I can't forget Jackson! He is doing AWESOME with words! Just in the last few weeks as well. I finally started telling him that he needs to start using his words, and bam! He's saying things left and right that he wasn't a month ago! He's a smart kid, but I am picking up that that doesn't mean that he is necessarily that assertive if he doesn't have to be. But I am proud of them both, and they are both super great boys! Good Mom #2! Go me! ;)

I think one thing that has helped recently is that I am now actually finding answers to my health, and things are finally getting done about it! I have hyperthyroidism (is that an -ism word?). And some of the medicine they've put me on is making huge improvements! I don't necessarily feel fantastic all the time, because I don't. But I have my days of awesome energy and feeling normal again! I can also tell a huge improvement in my patience and that I'm WAY less irritable and annoyed. It's so much more fun to be happy! :) So yes, a good attitude is always nice and makes things a lot easier. and good health is a key factor in having a good attitude. :)  To go along with my health, my doctor ordered me to take a break from my calling... and it has actually been really nice! I didn't realize how much time and attention it was taking until now, and it has been SO nice to feel like I can fully focus on my family again. Wow. I am definitely going to work on rebalancing my life!

anyway.... Not that I'm making a list of all my bad qualities, or bragging about all my good ones (not saying that I have good ones). But sometimes I think it's important to stand back and asses the situation and see where things can improve, and pat yourself on the back for the good things. :)

Now my question is... what do I do instead of t.v.? If I am feeling crummy, are there other activities that are easy and effortless, yet still fun and more beneficial??? What do you do?