Juggling Act: Work and Family | Hybrid Mom

Juggling Act: Work and Family Hybrid Mom

Happy Mother's Day!

I saw this video and thought of all of you wonderful moms, mom-to-be's, grandmothers, stepmothers and any other moms that will be celebrating Mother's Day.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK1VAb4HXBE

You matter. Enjoy your day, and god bless you all for all the wonderful things you do!

Indianapolis Special Needs Kids Examiner: Count your blessings on Indy tax day

Indianapolis Special Needs Kids Examiner: Count your blessings on Indy tax day

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Here is an Article I was Interviewed for...

Here is a link http://parents-physically-challenged.suite101.com/article.cfm/when_baby_has_down_syndrome
to an article that I was interviewed for. It's about being a first time Mom of a child with special needs. The joys and hardships we experienced, and how having a child with special needs has brought so much joy to my life. My life is so complete because of him.

I am so proud of him and all his accomplishments. Having a child with special needs makes being a mother so much better. His love is never-ending.

I hope you enjoy this article, as much as I did interviewing for it. Please share it.

First Two Weeks of Preschool Were A Success!

Well I have successfully survived my son's first two weeks of preschool, and so has he. Here are some pictures of my little man.

He did exactly what I thought he would do the first day, he marched right in. I'm sure because it was new and he was curious, but I was glad to see that he was so comfortable. I was ok, because I knew he was ok and wasn't scared! He's such a big boy and I'm so proud of him!

I appreciate the way the teachers introduced him to the class too. That was very important. They have a "special child" speech that talks about how the child is special and a child of God, which of course Jacob is, however, I didn't want the other kids to see him as "special" and treat him differently or be scared of him. I want him to be seen as just another little boy starting school. Well when they asked the children who wanted to be Jacob's helper for the day, it was so exciting to hear that all of the children raised their hands. He was being accepted!

So they chose a little boy, who is very introverted as they thought it would be good for him to learn to help another child as he has a new baby brother. So it worked out perfectly he felt important and Jacob made a new friend. That's what life is about anyway isn't it, making someone else feel good and in the meantime you gain a friend.

The teachers give me a report after every class, and they say he's doing wonderful. He's telling them when he has to go potty, he's learning to use scissors and writing with a crayon or marker. They said he loves gym, although hasn't engaged them when they eat snack. Which is fine, he has such sensory issues with regards to food, I just want him to see other children eating and enjoying it that maybe one day he will get curious enough to try. The teachers still include him by giving him a book to read at the table, so he reads while the others eat.

Preschool has been good for me too, meeting other Moms. I just got asked to be on the Board of a local organization. Plus, the two hours really helps me to sit down and concentrate on my work. Of course, I miss my little guy being around, but when the house is quiet and I know he's happy and safe makes me feel good and hence more productive.

Just picked him up this morning and they had their Easter Party, here's a picture of my little guy's first school project.

So my preschool dreams have been answered, and I'm so thankful.

Preschool Dreams for My Little Guy

Calling all moms of preschoolers! Monday will be my son's first official day of preschool. I'm in a state of shock. How did you all handle it?

He just turned 3 last weekend and I'm still getting over that. Where does the time go? I can still remember the first day he was born. It's like it was yesterday.

I am truly amazed at how far he has come in 3 years. He surprises me everyday! From being a fragile little baby, he is growing up to be a smart, fun little boy.

But Monday will be the first day I will truly be without him and leaving him in hands of other people. Even when he was in the NICU, I was with him everyday.

I feel very blessed to be able to register him in the preschool he will be attending. I feel very confident in the teachers and I really believe that they will care for him and have his best interests in mind. I investigated a few other schools as my son will now be venturing into the special education system of the local school district.

This preschool seemed in line with what I wanted him to experience his first time in school. I wanted him to have fun and socialize and yes of course learn something, however I didn't want to push him too hard as this will all be a new venture for him I wanted it to be a pleasant one. I know my son if you push him too hard he will shut down, and I have gotten him so far. He loves to engage with other children, he's starting to talk alittle more each day and he's just an overall happy boy, I didn't want that to change by going into a preschool who wants to push for numbers instead of what's in the best interest of the child.

It has been quite an adventure already with the J.E.S.S.E. program (special education system) and I'm sure it will be even crazier as Jacob gets older. They tried to push him in school 4 days a week, in 2 different schools. I told them that was absurd. He's never been away from me, so let's just bombard him all at once with school and 2 different learning environments no less. Boy if that wouldn't confuse any child.

Well after dropping Jacob off at school on Monday, I have some time to compose myself before I need to meet with them again to change his IEP, so it states that he will only be going to one school for 2 days a week.

Well at least I have the weekend to enjoy every moment with him before he goes off to school and be a big boy. I'm very proud of him and I know he will be fine, the question is will Mommy!

Please Vote: Startup Nation for Mom Entrepreurs

I have just enteredhttp://www.startupnation.com/leading-moms-2009/contestant/5399/index.php.

Please vote for me, I would very much appreciate your support.

Thanks, Marla

Car Seat Emergency Card

Good Afternoon Moms, hope you are already for the weekend.

I just wanted to take this time to share with all of you something that was brought to my attention by a nurse when my little guy was born, and that is a "car seat emergency card". If you visit this website: http://www.mypreciouskid.com you can find all different kinds of safety items to keep your child safe. You will find a child car seat id safety card and pouch that can be taped to your child's car seat, in the event you are unable to speak for your child the EMT's will know how to take care of them. For instance, I have my son's blood type, medical condition, medicines with dosage amounts and time of day he gets them and pediatrician information on mine.

Also I'm sure all of you do this already, but keep an index card in your wallet of your child's medical conditions, medicines with dosage amounts, surgeries and any other ER visits. If you have to go to the ER, all you have to do is hand that card to the nurse instead of trying to remember everything.

I was also told my last visit to the ER, that if my child is on any medication, to just bring that to the hospital, so you don't have to wait for the pharmacy to fill it.

I brought this information to my Down Syndrom Support Group, and every one of the parents thought it was a fanstatic idea, and admitted they never really thought about doing that before.

Hope this information was helpful. Would love to hear any of your suggestions of things you do.

How To Teach our Young Children to Be Financially Responsible

I am currently a Project Manager for a Financial Stability Committee through our local United Way, and I have done alot of research on financial literacy. One of the topics that keeps coming up is being able to teach our children at an early age to be financially stable or financially smart with their money.


In doing the research it was staggering to see how much debt our children are in before they even own a car. In the Midwest alone, 82% of the undergraduate students have credit cards, and on average they have about 4 credit cards and the average credit card debt is about $2,500.


What was more alarming was the report card that came from the National Jump$tart Coalition that showed Indiana high school students are not passing the financial literacy test being given. Six in ten failed (Networks Financial Institute. 2005 Jump$tart report card quantitive research. Data provided by NFI).


What do we need to do as parents especially in such a time of economic "crisis" to be able to help our children understand how to manage their money.


Well start young. As you can see by this video teach them at a young age about saving, and giving back to the community. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctHsdu40JKM

Go to your local bank and help your children open up a Junior Savings account. Alot of banks are sponsoring classes or programs teaching financial literacy to our youth.

Help them to understand their "wants" and "needs". When they really want that cd they can use their own money, but then show them now that they withdrew that money they have less money. So ask them was the cd really worth it? Engage them and help them to understand the value of money and what happens when you use your credit card too much.

Don't be afraid to use the current economic situation to teach your kids about savings. They don't have to know all the financial details of your families economic status, but let them know why you are telling them no to a puppy or the Abercombie jeans.

There are alot of useful websites to go to help you with this task.

Safety Swimming for Toddlers

I know the groundhog saw his shadow, so we are in for 6 more weeks of winter, however, some park and rec facilities are already advertising for swimming classes. I think every child should have some sort of swimming lessons or survival swimming. Even though you may not have a swimming pool in your backyard, you just never know. Spring break is right around the corner and some parents may take their children to a warm destination or it may even be a day or weekend trip to the water park. But preparing your child for that one moment you may not be watching is like a security blanket then not having one at all.



We have a swimming pool in our backyard and I wanted to start my little guy early with swimming lessons, because he is just fearless when it comes to the water. So, when our support group was advertising swim lessons with the coach from the girls Notre Dame swim team who also was teaching blind swimmers to swim that were on the team, I figured that was my opportunity to sign him up. Having someone who already is teaching a person with some sort of a special need, and the fact that it was going through our support group we were able to apply for a grant to cover the cost it was perfect timing.



Here is a video of my little guy learning "survival swimming", meaning he is being taught without swimmies, or a life vest how to turn him self over and float.













Here is a website talking about survival swimming for infants, that you need to check out: http://www.infantswim.com/home.html

First time Author and Mom, publishes book about her son with special needs

Good Morning Moms, I wanted to share with all of you an exciting event that took place. Yes it took place last year, but since my blog is so new I figured I would share it with all of you now.

I became a first time author. I published my first book (not sure when there will be a second), but anyway. My book is entitled: "Jacob's Journal - My Journey Home" http://jacobsbirthjournalbook.com/.

I'll tell you alittle about the reasoning behind the book. When I got married (I got married alittle later in life), so when we decided to get pregnant I was about 38. Of course, we had our problems getting pregnant, which I'm sure alot had to do with my age. So I went down the infertility treatment road. Well after a year of shots, pokes for blood, unsuccessful IVF, I told my husband I needed a break. It took it's toll on me emotionally and physically. I figured I would take a break and regroup before we started again. Well don't you know it a month after I went off all the medicine. I got pregnant.


Wow, how exciting. Well while I was in my 4 month I found out that my child had a congenital heart defect (Tetralogy of Fallot and AV Canal). It's amazing how advanced technology is nowadays. Well of course with that diagnosis came the possibility that my child will have Down Syndrome. How much scary and disappointing news can a family get? Of course the doctors offered me the amniocentsis test to confirm the DS, but by then who cared. Yes it would be difficult to deal with at first if my child would be born with Down Syndrome, but with all I have been through to get pregnant, I viewed this miracle as a sign from God. And he truly is that a fantastic and wonderful miracle that we have been blessed with.



So as a normal first time mom, I brought the journal to jot down my feelings and experiences as a first time mom, and after Jacob's birth there was alot of emotions flying around. We determined he did have DS and he was having some difficulty, so we were in the NICU for about 16 days before he got transferred to have surgery. Well by then alot was being told to us by doctors and nurses, so I started writing things down to keep things straight and told my husband I need to write a book about all of this. He chuckled of course, but I was serious. I wanted to share with others that may be in a similar situation, our experiences, emotions, medical information, but also to celebrate my son's life and how happy we were that he was ours.



So here it is "Jacob's Journal - My Journey Home". For all of those moms and dads, who may get the scary news that your child may have special needs, read my book and know that all will be okay in the end. Have faith! In each other and your child. They really are blessings from God.

Hello Everyone!

I have just created my first blog entitled "Moms Tidbits".

The hope will be to blog information that will be informative, funny, educational and engaging for moms.

I hope to share in my stories, experiences and would love to hear back from you on how I am doing.

Thank you for your support.

Rewarding our Children with Stickers for Good Behavior

Have you ever had one of those "ah ha" moments when the lightbulb turns on? Well I had one of those the other day. I was playing with my 34 month old. We were putting the magnetized alphabets on the board, and playing nicely when all of a sudden the letter goes flying in the air. Jacob has a very bad issue with throwing things and at times it could be at you. I'm not sure why this is, it's not like he's frustrated or anything.


So my normal reaction would have been to get frustrated with him and tell him "no throwing" or "that's not nice" all negative comments. Then I would put the game away and at times he may even go into time out. But that day I realized that I never have shown him the "proper" way to hand things to people and I thought well let me give it a try. Ok I know this is like in every Parenting 101 book, but it never clicked in until that moment.


So I decided to take his hand and show him how to nicely and slowly place the alphabet in my hand. It was amazing, from that moment until we finished playing the game, he nicely handed me the alphabets. Well as usual when Jacob does good, he gets a sticker. I normally only use this reward system for potty training, but figured let me try it when he listens and demonstrates good behavior. I'm hoping this will help him get over these bad tendencies for when he enters school.


I read about a reward system for potty training and figured I would try it. So, when I came across this potty training chart with stickers http://www.allaboardtoys.com/sesame-street-potty-training-rewards-kit.aspx in a store, I brought it. So now when Jacob goes potty, we go through the whole process of flushing the toilet, washing our hands and then he gets a sticker, which is always followed with positive affirmations. This has worked wonders because he is doing fantastic on his potty training. So when we finished cleaning up our game, I handed him a sticker and told him "he was a good boy for handing the letters to Mommy nicely".


The next day I was shopping in Walgreens and I always walk down the aisle where the toys are and stopped right in my tracks in front the books. Because there in front of me where Barney stickers. Life couldn't be better. Everything is Barney for my little guy, so I figured how great will it by giving him Barney stickers when he does good. He gets something he loves, and realizes he did good. Win-win for everyone!


It's been a few days and knock on wood things are going nicely with the throwing. I hope we are starting to break this bad habit of his, as I would hate to get a note sent home from the teacher that Jacob threw something at someone.



Now there are some moms who do not believe in rewarding their children for good behavior. And this is just a personal preference. But for me and my situation it works. You see, Jacob has Down Syndrome and although he is an incredibly smart child it takes him alittle longer to figure things out and this process of rewarding him for potty training has worked fabuously for me, and my thought is if it's working - stick with it!


So there you go moms, my "ah ha" moment. Nothing big, but it's amazing how in those little moments you see yourself shaping your child. I guess we all need them from time to time.



Visit http://www.jacobsbirthjournalbook.com/. As a first time mom of a child with special needs I decided to publish my first book. This book is a celebration of Jacob's first six months of life.