Health and Safety

This could be a 4 day rant. But I will keep this one simple and branch out at other times.

I will preface by saying I am a scrunchy mom. Did my kid get her important vaccines, yes. Do we try to eat healthy, organic food from the farmer’s market, yes. Do we also eat ice cream from the grocery… yes. Do I still have nonstick pans, yes. I am trying, I am working, it’s a journey. BUT that being said, her health and safety are my utmost priorities. She’s two, so I am still trying to find the balance with it though. And this post is not here to tell you have to live a healthy life or how to take care of your little family. It’s just here to show you my journey and where I am at on my journey. You’re journey will most definitely look a little different, because we are different people with different families, probably living in different areas.

First and foremost I make sure that when and if she gets sick she is taken care of and comfortable. I am not going to make my two year old suffer through pain, so yes, she takes Motrin and Tylenol. Other than that she gets honey cough medicine and tea and all. She doesn’t like taking medicine anyway, but if it seems necessary we are both ok with it. She does have her vaccines and she does go for all her check-ups at the doctor. Is it overkill and money for the doctor and insurance company, yes, but that’s a whole nother conversation. Anyway, maybe it’s just me, but I feel mom’s have this sense with their kids. Like I know when she is sick sick and I know when it’s something that will blow over. I know when she is in pain and when she’s being a stinker. I know, but there’s ALWAYS that moment of panic each time, whether it’s nothing, something, or something huge. I always panic for a moment, but I breathe and I stay calm for her, an her dad and just take care of her.

Second, I try to use all natural soaps, shampoos, bath additives, etc. But it gets hard. So sometimes, yes, she has shit bath additives because she finds them extremely fun, but not very often. I use natural lotions. I am looking for some more natural hair care stuff (detangling) since her hair is getting longer. Though, does she have “makeup” from the store, yes. Sometimes her grandparents get her things and instead of arguing, I let her use it a couple times, then I throw it out. I let her have some fun with it, unless it irritates her skin. It is also hard because the information we are fed is ever changing and contradicting. The information we are told as people and it’s worse for the information we are told as parents. It’s so hard to keep up and so hard to know what is the most recent, what has been proven, and what is silly. I usually just go with my gut and try to do the best I can with as much research I can do. But if you’re doing the best you can and the best you know how, you’re doing good momma!

Third, we try to eat healthy. Does she at superman ice cream, yes, not often though, because I have noticed the differences in her behavior when she eats the shit and when she doesn’t. Does she eat cheeze-its, yes, because I feel like I never have time to make them from scratch. But I am trying. I am trying to prioritize time on the weekends to make them. It’s hard. It’s hard to work full time, take care of a two year old, clean the house, cook, take care of three animals, and try to make a lot of food from scratch here and there. I have to stop buying these things though, and that’s on me. Again, like this morning making her eggs, I panic, when I use the nonstick pans. I usually use the cast iron but they need re-seasoned and all and I was trying to be quick so I used the nonstick, that I keep around for backup and I panicked. But I take a deep breath and I tell myself this one time is not going to hurt anyone, I don’t use it everyday and I just get through the morning. Someday I will get to the point where I have all cast iron, it’s ok, I am just not there yet. I am getting there.

Fourth, I let her get hurt sometimes. Meaning she is not covered in bubble wrap and my house is not covered in bubble wrap. Kids are resilient and they’re never going to learn if they don’t experience things. She needs to experience what happens when she walks around the house with a blanket over her head. Did I tell her what would happen, yes. Did she believe me, no. Did she believe me after she ran into the wall, yes. Learning sticks more when it’s hands on, physical, first hand. When you fall you learn what not to do real quick. When you’re told what to do to not fall or kept from falling, when you finally fall you’ll freak out and you will probably fall more. Have I ever let her break a bone, no! Have I ever let her get cut or very hurt, no! I make sure she doesn’t get intensely hurt, because that’s not ok. But a little hurt, a couple small bumps and bruises, yeah. Kids need experience to learn.

So, I know this post didn’t go into much detail and each of these paragraphs could be a whole post, which they probably will be someday, but I just wanted to put it out there, I am not perfect. I am far from it. But I am working on being the best mom I can be. I do what I can with what I have. I believe my child is happy and healthy and that is all that matters to me. Happy AND HEALTHY, being the key words. I do my best and I think she knows, and when she gets older and understands (because I will teach her) then she will be grateful. I am getting there, I am getting to a healthier space and it’s starting to feel better and I just hope if I haven’t saved myself health wise, I can at least help her be healthy as she grows up.

You don’t have to be on this same journey either. Maybe you’re fine with no doctor, or doctor every month. It’s whatever you believe is best for you and your family. As long as you all are on your way to happy and healthy you’ve got it! It’s ok if you aren’t there yet, either, as long as you keep trying and keep going and do the best you can with what you have. As long as you are happy with where you are or where you are going. You’re doing an amazing job. Keep it up!