Diagnosis: Children

Every mom has at one point or another has had days like the one depicted in the comic above. Maybe you didn't sleep well, perhaps you are fighting a headache or a cold or have lots of stress from work and the kids have been, screaming, fighting, whining, climbing, talking back etc. and basically making you wonder if you are losing your mind.  Days like this make it very difficult to feel like the calm rational person you usually are.  We have all been there.  

On days like this I find that my patience runs thin and I have a tendency to be grouchy and yell a lot.   It feels like a constant downward spiral.  But how do you get it to stop?  For me, I find that no matter what is going on around me I need to give my self at least a 5 minute breather from it all.  More would be nice but not always practical or feasible.  So as long as the kids are safe,  I step outside by myself for a few minutes of quiet so that I can finally hear myself think.  It gives me a chance to regroup and plan a strategy on how to deal with things.  

Kids, just like adults, often get irritable when tired or hungry.  Kids need to eat at fairly regular times so if it is between meals I try offering them a healthy snack and make a mental note to send them to bed a little earlier that evening.  I have also found that no matter how whiny the kids are or how much fighting they are doing, if I change their location things calm down for a while,  so I take the kids for a walk outside or drive to the store with them.  Giving the kids art projects to work on  or a job in the house to help you out with are other great ways to put a stop to the madness.  It gives them something else to focus on other than each other.  Anything to put a stop to the out of control momentum that is ruining the day.  

Another important way to break this cycle is to be sure to be taking care of yourself too.  Eat regularly, try to get a decent amount of sleep and exercise.  I'm sure we all love our kids but without any time to ourselves we are just not good parents.  We all need "me" time.  It is how we regain perspective on our lives and recharge our energies.  So be sure to schedule time just for yourself where you can be kid free even for 1/2 an hour although more would be ideal.  If you don't have someone to help pitch in and babysit for a while then at least get up early or stay up a little later after the kids go to sleep to have some much needed "me" time.  Read a book,  do your nails,  work on a hobby, watch some TV ... what ever helps you recharge your batteries so that you can be a better parent.  You deserve it and so do your kids.  

So what do you do? How do you recharge yourself?  What helps you gain that much needed centering amid all the chaos our wonderful  kids bring to our lives? 

Natural Cures

Many Americans are relying more on home remedies or OTC drugs to save money on doctors’ visits, according to a Kaiser Health Tracking poll. While you should always see the doctor for serious ailments, you may be able to soothe minor complaints with these inexpensive products many of which you may already have at home.

Stress and Relaxation

Stress has been known to lead to all sorts of health problems. Drinking chamomile tea, lemon balm tea or a glass of warm milk will help you relax and unwind after a long stressful day.  Milk contains the amino acid tryptophan, which can bring on relaxation.

Stomach Problems

Is lunch or dinner making you feel bloated and gassy?  Steep some crushed fennel seeds in boiling water and drink the tea.  Fennel is a natural anti-gas and will help you feel better quickly.  If you have stomach cramps as well steep them along with a bag of peppermint tea since peppermint is a natural antispasmodic.  Chewing fennel seeds after meals is a remedy for acid reflux.  Another great stomach remedy is Ginger root.  It’s great for relieving just about any gastrointestinal illness, including motion sickness and pregnancy morning sickness. To make a tea, steep a tablespoon of ground fresh ginger in hot water for 10 minutes, then strain.  Diarrhea can be treated by eating dried blueberries.

Common Cold

Zinc and echinacea when taken at the onset of a cold can help minimize its duration and severity.  Chicken soup is a awesome way to fight  your cold.  This is not just an old wives tale.  If you are congested the hot steam from the soup will help open your sinuses.  Most people make chicken soup with garlic and onion in it.  These are natural antibiotics and help your body fight off the cold.  The broth helps keep you hydrated and the vegetables give your body sorely needed nutrients since your appetite is probably fairly low when sick.  You can also fight the common cold with Elderberry Syrup (sold in health food stores by its Latin name Sambucus).  Elderberry is high in anti-viral properties and is  used in many countries to fight flu.  After our family started taking it daily over the winter months we discovered that we had not needed to see the family doctors as often as we had before!  

Urinary Tract Infections

Prevent Urinary Tract infections by drinking cranberry juice and eating yogurt on a regular basis.  Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice during a UTI helps keep bacteria from adhering to the bladder walls.  Increasing fluid intake and using the bathroom regularly to empty your bladder will help flush the bacteria from your system.

Chronic Joint Pain

Do you suffer from pain from  such conditions as psoriasis, fibromyalgia, shingles, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?   Cayenne contains a substance known as capsaicin. Capsaicin has pain-relieving characteristics that works temporarily by effecting the nerves that are responsible for transmitting pain. When applied topically in a cream, capsaicin can be helpful in relieving pain. 

Chapped Lips

Do you often get chapped lips?  You could be dehydrated.  Dehydration is the main cause of dry or chapped lips, it is recommended to drink 8 glasses  of water daily. Also, on dry winter days, try to use a humidifier in your home to keep the air moist.  Aloe Vera is an amazing treatment for chapped lips apply a small amount daily.   

Sprains and Bruises

Arnica (Arnica montana) has been used for medicinal purposes since the 1500s.  Applied to the skin as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture (available in many health food stores), arnica has been used to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. It is commonly used for injuries such as sprains and bruises.  It should however, not be used in instances where the skin has been broken.  

These alternative medicine (herbal home remedies) should only be tried for a short period of time. If you find that there is no relief from symptoms, please see your doctor to determine if additional treatment is needed. The alternative medicines can in most cases still be taken as complementary adjuvant's, but with the consent of the specialist. 

Taking Time for Yourself

Have you ever watched a young child doing arts and crafts? They are so peaceful and focused putting their "all" into their project. They don't worry about what others will think or say. Nor do they worry about what other things they need to accomplish that day. They are wiser than we give them credit for.

I am a very strong believer that everyone needs some sort of creative outlet in their lives. It gives your mind a chance to relax and just "be". The more hectic life gets the more you need your own "space" and time for yourself. Whether you create something of your own or share in the creativity of others (reading a book, watching movies, going to museums, etc.) you need to take time at least once a week to do so. When you have that downtime in your life, big problems you face at work or at home become easier to manage. You feel less overhwelmed. Stay-at-Home-Parents tend to do this less often than they should and many times feel harried by day to day life. One little hour a week can do wonders to your health and sanity! Whether you take it all at once or split it up really doesn't matter. Just find time for yourself! You are a much better person and are much more productive the rest of the time. You are no good to your family or boss if you don't.