9.29.2010

Trending now: All natural

In the latest news, Ben and Jerry's is taking "all natural" off of their label and Log Cabin maple syrup is taking out their caramel coloring since they claim they are all natural. I'm not sure "all natural" is classified by the FDA yet - as I've seen some processed crap and the all natural claim on the same item. Similar to the "whole grain," now "all natural" seems to be the trend. I think it's best to just stick with the fruit, veggies, grains, nuts.. things you know are all natural!

So far this week has been going well with some sacrifices involved. Even though I came up with my set schedule, I kind of had been doing that anyway - the challenge is putting in times for it and making sure I have help to come through with it. Already, I had penciled in swimming for MWF, running for TR and one weekend day with flex workouts in between. Now it is a matter of making sure I have a set time plan for each day. Monday's Jillian kettleballs (which I happened to find on demand) was a great workout - I am still sore!! I used a weight for it. Yesterday I managed 6+ miles in the morning and thought maybe I could get in a couple more to make it to 8 miles - but that was not to be had - basically I get one chance to get in my workout - morning- unless I make it to the gym/daycare.

This morning I gambled and hoped Kara wouldn't wake up while I went swimming and asked Bill to give her a bottle if she did. The only problem is if she woke up between 6:30-7 that is when he gets ready for work. By the time I got up, pumped and got in the car, I was late to swimming and only swam 45 minutes. It was better than nothing and I'll do some kind of strength/abs later (I hope!) Kara ended up waking up at 7, so it would have worked out for me to finish the workout but she isn't on a set schedule yet - when she is, it will be easier.

I've been thinking often about what I will do when it is time to decide about going back to work for the next school year or in 2 years (not sure what I'm allowed to do). In some ways, I think work is easier than this. However, I think of work as work without kids. Work with kids - you work, then come home to kids that you missed all day. I always brought work home and got my tests back the next day or asap. I feel like I would not be happy with my teaching, and feel guilty that I was leaving my kids. I think about this all the time. I miss teaching and haven't been able to find part time work. I worked hard to get the job that I have in a great district. Do I want to give up my job and start over again when the kids are in school? It makes me sick thinking about it. Then when would I fit in the workouts? 5am? Prep periods? I feel like at school I'd have to use every minute so that I didn't have to bring work home. I feel like I could not work 5 days/week and miss my kids - but teaching is also a great job for moms/dads - great hours and summers off. Back and forth... What is the point of life? Work? Family? Kids? Happiness...

13 comments:

  1. the all natural labels really bother me! people think they are getting something good for them and companies know that's not the case.

    way to go on getting in the swim, you know lots of folks just don't get out the door at all!

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  2. i'm with you...i ignore the labels and just eat healthy. the stuff that doesn't need a label!

    sorry about the work thing still upsetting you. what a tough situation. i'm a firm believer in doing what makes you happy, although some times it's just not possible to make that happen. I hope you figure out what's best for you soon.

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  3. I'm a teacher with two kids, and every Spring, I'm looking forward to summer so I can spend more time with my kids, and by fall, I'm ready to go back to school so I can have a break from my own kids. Sometimes I think it's actually easier for me to fit everything in while I'm teaching because I know I'm on a tighter schedule and therefore work harder to make things work.

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  4. Do you have to work? If you really don't, then I'd stay home with your kids, at least until they are school-age. They are little for such a short time, even though when you're in the midst of it, it can seem like forever, I know! :) Plus you would have the added stress of fitting in your exercise - obviously you can see which way I'd go...but I'm not you. Hope the decision (and some peace) comes to you soon!

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  5. It is tough trying to make those decisions about work and family, and there are rewards and drawbacks to each decision. Neither is the "perfect" decision, and you just have to make the choices that you feel work best for you.

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  6. Nice work on getting the workouts in - I know it's tough!

    I am not a parent - yet. This is simply my opinon and what I've observed. We have a lot of techers in our family. Including my mom, aunts and a cousin who is currently teaching. My mom stayed home with all of us until we went to kindergarden. Same with my aunts. My cousin right now, is back to work and she has a 3rd grader and a pre-schooler. It's hard on the preschooler. He gets in trouble all the time and their days are long. They don't get home until well after 5:30 and they are always trying to figure out ways to balance it. It's getting to the point where my cousin is probably going to quit next year and stay home with the boys. Teaching is demanding. You guys give so much. It's hard to balance it. I almost think it's easier to go back when the kiddo's are pretty independent so that no one suffers - the family or your class.
    It's a hard choice. You'll know the right decision when you get there. And remember, nothing is forever and everything can be changed. No decision needs to be permanent. Big hug to you!

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  7. Oh gosh it's so tough squeezing it all in. I well remember those pumping before workout days. Kudos to you!

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  8. Oh it's horrid, horrid, horrid. I truly feel your dilemma. It is such a demanding job. I know I couldn't teach full time and be a half decent mum or teacher - 12 hour days - oh I'm coming out in a rash just thinking about it - it's one of the reason's I started my business - so I could teach kids in a quality fashion and have time for a family once I wanted one. I could make more money by opening up more days, but I want to be at home as much as poss and so should get 2 full days at home. Even that makes me sad as I realised - funnily enough today - that I won't be at home to put my baby to bed and unless Al gets to work from home a couple of days, nor will he - what am I going to do?!!! Sorry I'm not helping you except to say I know how tricky it is - perhaps you could negotiate a job share? Do you have to go back? Could you hold off until the babbas are in nursery or school? Great advice from Katie A - no decision needs to be permanent. Do you teach exam years? I found that very hard this year whilst preggers and tired - I really felt the pressure on me for my exam students' performances particularly.

    Would doing a pro and con list help - probably best done in a coffee shop on own with time to think things through.

    well done on the workouts. I've heard kettle bell workouts are good.

    Kaz.

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  9. wow--those are all good questions! i have no idea what i'd choose if i were you. It must be incredibly hard to balance raising a family and a career. I hope you're able to make the best decision that works for you.

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  10. Just a thought, I know one year when I was in school I had two teachers that would switch out weeks. Mrs G would teach one week while the other had off and then they would trade. If you know someone who would be good to team teach with or someone who also had a baby maybe this could work for you? I know its hard to think about doing both, but on a side note I was raised by stay at home mom and I know that she loved me, but for a few years there she was miserable and I could feel it. She had no energy for it and it was a very unproductive time for both of us as well as my siblings, because we spent so much time being entertained by T.V. Once she got her part time job and was able to come home to her kids she had more energy to play with us and really engage. We were no longer her job, we were her family.

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  11. Well I can easily say that SAHM have the hardest jobs. I work part-time and the days that I work in the office are the easier days. The days that I am home are much harder. And don't beat yourself up - 45 minutes of swimming is a great workout. With 2 small children, I would aim to work out 30-60 minutes and that is it. You won't have time to get anymore in, especially with a newborn. You are doing great!

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  12. This post really resonates with me because I'm struggling with going back to work. I had planned on going back full time but now am looking for something part time. I truly don't know how moms work full time, take care of their kids, the household and manage to get any time at all to do things for themselves, like working out. To me, family is the most important thing and we're just having to rearrange some priorities to allow me to stay home more.

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  13. I can totally understand how you are agonizing over these decisions, especially if there is a time period in which you must return to work in your old district. This is exactly how I felt after Elena was born when I took a leave of absence for a year. Then we moved to PA when my leave of absence was up, so the decision was made for me. No right choice, just do what will make you the happiest. There are sacrifices that come with both decisions, I guess it comes down to which sacrifices you are most willing to live with.

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