MomSquad

Friday, August 15, 2008

Vacation

I had great intentions of reading my notes and peoples questionnaires and getting some writing done on vacation. I also had great intentions of exercising (brought my sneakers), and eating well (brought my protein shakes). Needless to say, the questionnaires remained in the closet, the sneakers in my bag...and the shakes stayed in the fridge.
I did what all moms do on vacation...chase after children on the beach, apply and reapply sunscreen, eat bad food (while apologizing in restaurants for Mayas blood curdling screams...a new trick), read trashy magazines (thank God for naps) and ate more bad food.
But I did come back more charged than ever to write. Decided I want to make lots of money and move to one of the beautiful homes on the water in Rye (with my new nanny, personal trainer and chef). Sorry...Im daydreaming again...happens when your brain is full of clam chowder.

Monday, July 28, 2008

MOMS ROCK!!!!

1st time Triathletes (Ross, me and Nikki). If I could do this (I am an anti-athlete) without drowning (came close) I can write a book...right?????
started a new blog for those thinking of doing a triathlon next year...you can do it...
http://momsquadtriathletes.blogspot.com/

The Questionnaire

Taking care of women in my practice for 9 years and sharing humorous parenting stories with my friends inspires me. Being a mom is the most wonderful and stressful job imaginable. I dont feel there are any great books out there that adress the real feelings and concerns we have as moms.I keep putting off writing ..."I'll get to it when life settles down". Well it has finally dawned on me that it never will.I want to write a book that helps women with the difficulties of transitioning from person to parent. Something light that helps us laugh at ourselves. I need help to do this. I am sending this to some of the moms I know and love. Many of you have shared some great stories and advice with me through the years...I just want you to write it down....I know Im asking a lot...you are busy ladies.I have had about 50 sent back.
My goal is to collect 500 before I start writing.If interested, I can email this to you or you can copy/paste into an email and send to me at vicblight@comcast.net

This is so very appreciated......

Mom Squad questionnaire
Name: Email address:
Educational background/marital status/# yrs in relationship:

Ages/sex of children:

Working and or At home mom:

Personality type (clean house or chaos)

Please list the topics about children you struggled with the most/had the most questions about. Also list what you learned that helped you deal with that challenge.

Tell as many “confession” stories as you can. Confessions are the things/”mistakes” we make as parents that we don’t tell people….we confess them. We ALL have these stories. They are funny to reflect on and help the rest of us feel better.

What support do you have?

What is hardest about being a parent?

What is most rewarding?

How do you juggle it all?

Do you take care of yourself? How?

If you could have had a childcare guide that had “all the answers”, what questions or topics would it cover?

Weigh in on the “mommy wars” (stay at home vs working). I will pass on my personal opinion. Stop the wars, we all work hard, support each other!!

List the single best piece of advice you have as a parent for a new Mommy.

I am going to list the topics I hope to cover. If you have nothing to add, feel free to skip it. Otherwise please list any struggles you had with this topic, what you tried, what worked and who helped you most (a good book, friend, wine etc).

Pregnancy: topic of your choice, biggest struggle

Did you have a birth plan? Did birth go anything like your birth plan?

Post partum blues?

Expectations vs reality of the 1st few weeks home with new baby

Did you have a “parenting style” in mind ? ie attachment parenting? Have you stuck with it?

How did you choose a health care provider for your child? Are you still there?

Breast or bottle? Any struggles?

If back to work, how was the adjustment?

Parenting books: friend or foe? List any which helped.

Toileting issues (potty training, constipation etc)

feeding issues: food struggles

vaccines (hot topic)

tantrums

sleep issues (I think everyone will weigh in on this one)

comfort items (getting rid of binkies, blankies and bottles)

Disciplineworries about development (comparing to other children)

If applicable divorce/separation/marital problems/step children

preschool/daycare /extracurricular activities (and overscheduling)

special needs/acute or chronic illness

adding a sibling/transition

dealing with your own issues (embarrassment at childs behavior, body image or food issues)

Babysitters: who and how often?

Keeping kids in a bubble today (all the safety precautions).

If working: biggest struggles

If home: biggest struggles with your transition

Guilt: daily struggle? What about and how to cope.

Changes in your relationship with your partner? What do you do to keep it healthy?

Balance at home: is it 50/50 (your and partners roles)

Body changes after baby?

Sex after baby?

Self care? Be honest

Barriers to self care:

Grandparents roles?