Flavour of the Day with Noora

TV Madness

How much TV is too much TV? My 7 year-old step daughter is addicted to television. She can watch for hours at a time without getting bored. And when she is done with her usual shows, she asks to watch DVDs.

I have to admit that her shows are funny and entertaining but it's just getting too much. When I suggest doing something else like arts and crafts, reading a book or even going to the market beside our house, the answer is always "I'd rather watch TV".

I remember loving TV when I was her age but I also remember turning into a couch potato soon after.

How much TV is ok? Does the "you get an hour of TV per day really work"?

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Poor Nutrition

When Yousef (now 15 months) was younger, he used to eat anything I offered; he had such a balanced diet filled with vitamins and nutrients. Now that he is a bit older and moves around independently, the only things he accepts are finger foods. Cheese sticks, fruit, vegetables, sandwiches and anything he can hold in his hand. As soon as I try feeding him home-made cooking with rice, vegetables, meat and sauce he completely refuses. He does not accept meat, chicken or eggs either. He ends up munching all day without having a descent meal. I tried holding back on the nibbles for a few hours so that he gets really hungry and eventually eats, he just takes a few bites and then stops again.

It's driving me crazy! I don't know if it is a phase or not, but I can honestly say that he is getting very poor nutrition now.

How can I deal with such a picky eater at a young age?

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Medical Ethics

As a mama, there is nothing worse than seeing your child get ill. Having a great paediatrician that you trust is crucial.

However, if the doctor of your choice is not covered by insurance, the costs of check-ups, vaccines, and medication can some up to ridiculous amounts that you start to consider alternatives. I am stuck in this dilemma.

For my baby, I have been dealing with an amazing paediatrician (without insurance) who I trust more than anyone. However, our new medical insurance company sponsors a number of "great" physicians as well. The discussion about not wasting money and making use of the monthly medical insurance expenses we pay became a heated topic between my husband and I.

I know that this shift will greatly offend my current doctor and might even result in termination of treatment (no matter how minor and occasional) from his side. Of course, that is terrible as I would like to be on this doctor's good side in case of emergencies.

Since when has medicine turned into a popularity contest that revolves around names and personal benefits rather than the patient's best interest? When matters get serious, is it fair for a mother to have to worry about her doctor's feelings and ego on top of her frantic worry over her child?

Ethically, I disagree with what medicine in some cases has turned into and I would usually try to make a point, however, this is the well being of my baby. What should I do?

Flavour of the Day with Noora

School Hunting- OMG!

I cannot believe that I am interviewing schools for Yousef.

Life has definitely changed completely, in super-fast mode. I got married in September 2009 and in September 2012, my baby will be joining preschool!

I can't wait to buy him a lunch box, see him walk to his classroom, greet his teachers, sit in circle time, and come back with stickers on his shirt.

Even though I think it will be really tough on him to be away from me since it has pretty much been just me and him until now, I'm hoping that with his outgoing personality it won't take him long to settle in.

Exciting stuff!

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Anxious Mama

No one really understands the sacrifice of being a mama. The degree of selflessness you go through every day, what it feels like to spend 90% of your time for someone else, and the responsibility of knowing that if you don't do "something" for your children, then no one else will.

Becoming a mama changes who you are, it changes your priorities and it brings out a strength in you that you never knew existed.

At some point, you have to change your lifestyle. At some point, you have to put your own plans on hold and look at the bigger picture. At some point, you have to give in to becoming a mama who is always there for her family, regardless of the circumstances.

This is all easier said than done! With my second baby on the way, I find myself feeling anxious about how our lives will change again. Will I manage with 2 babies (Yousef will still be 1.5 years-old)? Will I still be able to work from home (my only breather)? Will this baby be colic like Yousef was? A million thoughts are racing through my head.

I know I am not the first or last mama to have two babies so close in age however, I just started feeling like I am settling into motherhood. Are second babies really easier to handle?

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Mean Parents

I cannot believe that some parents threaten their kids with having the doctor give them an injection.

I haven't heard this once but several times at the doctor's office when a mother or father tells their child to sit quiet and behave or "I'll let the doctor give you an injection that hurts!"

It makes me so angry to see parents resort to this kind of discipline, what a way to get your child comfortable with going to the doctor!

Forget that they are literally creating a fear of doctors, injections and pain, they are also telling their child that "unless you do exactly what I tell you, I will resort to something painful that scares you."

To me, it sounds ridiculous to put your child through that rather than teaching proper manners in the first place. And in the end, all they are doing is positioning the doctor as an evil scary person that does painful things rather than someone who will make them feel better. It is all a bit ironic don't you think?

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Yuck!

I have been finding random insects around the house, mostly small in size. My husband kept on assuring me that it is because I leave the windows open. To make sure nothing creeps into Yousef's toys, I fumigated the drains around the house and boy was I in for a huge surprise. Within an hour, my house was infested with cockroaches!

Needless to say, it is one of the most disgusting things you can imagine happening in your house. Anyways, I called a pest-control company that came and sprayed everything.

Being pregnant and having Yousef who can reach every corner in the house, I am now obsessing about how I can clean and get rid of any toxins. I am literally pouring boiling water, soap and antiseptic everywhere. I really mean everywhere; counter tops, the floor, the windows, Yousef's toys, his high chair, and anything else I can think of.

I know I might be taking matters too far but do you think I should leave the house for a few days? The pest-control company assured me that it will not be necessary however, as a mama, I am worried! What would you do?

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Finally!

At 14 months, Yousef finally started walking yesterday.

My husband and I were sitting watching TV and the last we knew, Yousef was on the floor playing with a car. Suddenly, out of nowhere this tiny creature is walking our way with his tongue out and hands up for balance!

It was so exciting! He of course, loved the attention and kept on walking around for more praise and compliments and we surely gave it to him.

It really is true when people say a baby only does things on his own pace. He has been going back and forth with the idea of walking for almost a month now and the more we pushed it, the more he pulled back.

I'm so excited to buy our first pair of shoes. I have to say, walking is the most exciting milestone of them all :)

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Tiny Things Make a Huge Difference

It's funny how adding the smallest thing around the house can make a huge difference. Although I have been living in my house for 2 years now, I am still not completely settled in. My husband and I decided that we will take our time in completing the house so that we end up with an arrangement we love rather than rush matters for the sake of finishing early.

Now, every couple of months I buy one or two items that are carefully thought out. Each time I buy something, no matter how small or big, I just feel great for weeks to come. I pass by it, admire it, polish it and really appreciate it. Every time, it feels like I added a jewel to my house. My husband laughs at me for being this emotional about it however, if I don't make this house a cozy home for my family, who will? Wow, now I really sound like a mama!

So, my advice is this, every time you feel bored or need a change, buy a few small items or rearrange your existing setting, it really does go a long way.

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Starting to Have Fun

I'm really starting to enjoy Yousef's (14 months) company. I always prayed for my baby to turn out naughty with some tricks up his sleeve and this is what I got.

Today I found out that he hides his pacifiers. I was losing my mind trying to figure our where I misplaced them until I finally gave up and thought that I had lost them in some of our outings. I bought new ones every week and they kept on disappearing. However, today he came crawling to me with a really old one I had not seen in weeks. It turns out that he hides them deep in his toy box and goes back for them whenever he wants!

He is also starting to do things just to make me laugh: pretending to hide, making funny faces and even trying to scare me. When he hears people laugh, he joins in on the conversation and starts to laugh too as if he knows what is going on. Adorable. This side of him only surfaced two weeks ago and I hope it lasts, it is very amusing. I think I have hugged him and kissed him in the past couple of weeks more than the entire past year!

Flavour of the Day with Noora

Cry Baby

Yousef, 14 months, wakes up crying about 3-4 times a night for no reason. As soon as I give him his pacifier he is sound asleep. I thought that it was always related to wanting his pacifier however, in many cases lately, he is even crying while it is already in his mouth!

It is becoming exhausting night after night and I am ending up spending half the night in my bed and half on a mattress in his room.

Are his constant cries developing into a habit? How can I get passed this tiring phase?