I have to admit that my hackles went up a bit as I started reading this book. The test did it for me.  I could feel my inadequacies start to ooze from my guilt ridden pores. With all my low scores, I knew I was killing my kids!
Later that night, as I lay holding my crazy little four year old who insists that he cannot sleep without snuggles, I tried to put it all in perspective.  Here I was, getting the supreme honour of snuggling with a child who loves you unconditionally.  Here I was surrounded by kids who were happy and hail and full of energy, curiosity and humour.  I must be doing something right?
I also looked back at the complete lack of healthy food that I existed on as a child. I don’t know how I didn’t end up wit scurvy. I was full of beans like my kids.  I also did not have parents armed with books and ‘ideas’ such as ‘RealAge’ and so on. Dr. Spock was it.
Granted we now live in different times. There are good and bad advances in culture, technology and lifestyle. Therefore, books such as this can help get the brain working. It is a great jumping off point for helping shape your families lifestyle into a healthier one…physically and mentally.
If you keep it all in perspective and put the guilt in the back burner.
If you are not one of those awesome amazing mom’s who go above and beyond the Food Guide outlines, do not serve junk food, carefully monitors tv and or games, and fills their children’s days with crafts, sports and other activities.
If you are more like me – a woman who can barely remember to feed herself and goes mental at thinking up healthy food 7 days a week. If you are a mom who struggles when it comes to activities or finding balance, or has no control over their chaotic households – then this book can be an inspiration.
Put the guilt aside. Take it with a grain of salt. Take from it what stands out to you.
From tips on healthy eating, to ideas for healthy daily routines, to information about safety and self esteem, this book has ideas for it all.  And nothing too weighty or heavy. Just simple little ideas that you can adjust to fit your life.
I found myself thinking more and more on the positives that I Do accomplish rather than the negatives.
It was also a good reminder for me to deal with other issues that I had not tackled or to keep in mind down the road.
Oh and I checked out the RealAge website. I took the test. Now granted, I didn’t have all the details, but according to it, my real age is 40. Being that I am only 2.5 years shy of that age, that isn’t have bad. And not horrifyingly difficult to fix either.
Only 2.5 years, that is very good. The Wii Sports has an age test as well, the first time I did it I was eighty-freaking-eight! I think I need to exercise more.
From all I have read about you I think you are one great mom! Being that we are not super-human beings we are always as parents going to feel that we could do something better.
To all interested moms out there:
I would like to invite you to participate in a research study of parenting views and practices. Dr. Kim White-Mills and Dr. Catherine Dobris of IUPUI (both are moms) are interested in understanding what sources parents find useful in their parenting practices, how parents use different parenting information, and what views parents across the county hold regarding parenting issues.
To access this survey, go to http://www.iupui.edu/~momviews/
I’m with you on the kid thing: if they’re healthy, happy and learning then you are a good parent! I referenced you in my blog the other day, but do not know how to link…sigh. I’m afraid my RealAge is Too Old for Technology.
Man, the guilt that is heaped on us moms. I always feel like I can’t win. I remember when I had my daughter and became a stay at home mom. The guilt I felt over not bringing home a paycheck was awful (and ridiculous) even though I was doing a better thing by staying home with my daughter.
Now it’s guilt over what they eat, or if they watch too much TV or if you swat them on the butt– when will it end? According to my mom it never does. Now what?
other people’s thoughts on how to raise kids is the BIGGEST guilt trap out there
Thank you so much for taking the time to read and review Good Kids, Bad Habits – we really appreciate it!
If your readers want to check out the book themselves, they can access a ‘Book Preview’ (Chapter 2 plus charts and other goodies) by Clicking Here (pdf).
And I hope you continue to see all the wonderful things you are doing to raise such loving kids (guilt, be gone!).
Thanks!
-Danielle