As parents, we constantly question ourselves on every decision we make. "Is this in our son's best interests?", "How will our son be affected by our decision to move?", "If we don't give him green veggies at dinner every night, will he get enough iron?", "If we bring him out for a walk and he has a sniffle, will he get sick?", "Are we spoiling him by cuddling with him to sleep?", "Should we bring him back into our bed since he loves sleeping between us?", "If we go out for a night, will he go to sleep for someone else?".... I could go on and on and on... because HE is in our EVERY thought.

Lately, as his parents we have begun questioning whether we are doing the right thing by having both of us work full time and having him in daycare full time.  This is a tough one!  Ideally, Brandon and I would love to hit it big and have millions so we could stay home with our son and not miss a single moment as well as show him the world, but that is not reality.

Reality is...... the economy kind of well SUCKS, health and life insurances are a necessity, bills are never ending, and our child's education and future must be saved for. 

As a young adult, I would often dream of the day when I finally had children!  Oh the dreams or rather fantasies.... of staying home with them, teaching them about the world, being there to witness EVERY moment.   I always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but life has other plans for me right now.  I know that my son needs health insurance and I am the parent who carries it from work.  I know that I need life insurance in case something happens, my son will be taken care of and I am the parent who carries it from work.  I know that by Brandon working full time, we have enough to live in a comfortable place.  I know that socialization from daycare is great for my son..... but the GUILT... oh the guilt. It always comes creeping in doesn't it?

There are ONLY 24 hours in a day. 24 hours a day to create memories with your child. 

Let's break it down:
        11-12 hours sleeping each night and 8 hours at daycare.... that leaves 4 hours a day that we have to spend with our child each day. 

Now let's break down a week:
    168 hours in a week, 84 hours spent sleeping at night, 40 hours spent at daycare, leaving us with 44 hours a week to spend with our son.... and not only 44 hours a week to spend with our son, but also to split up between family, friends, etc.  That means that a third of the day is the time we spend with our son!  Not even HALF!!!!  Seriously his dreams see him more than I do!

Now let's break down a year:
    8760 hours in a year, 4380 hours spent sleeping, 2080 hours spent at daycare, leaving us with 2300 hours a year with our son.
 
That amounts to 182 days a year are gone to SLEEP, 86.67 days spent at daycare and...... 

95.83 days out of 365 that we actually see and interact with our child.
That's LESS than a third!

I know that staying at home with our son would not be an easy or glamorous job because I watch my friends struggle with their own battles of that lifestyle, but I have to admit.... I'm envious of those moms who get to do it.  Come on, admit, we have all been jealous of each other!   I have heard some SAH moms say, "oh you can do it too, you just have to be careful what you spend and careful with your budget."  I don't know if it is that easy though.  The problem is that all parents have different goals and plans in mind for our families, so what works for one definitely does not work for all.  I wish there was a cookie cutter lifestyle though that did accomodate every family unit's needs, but again.... NOT REALITY. 

As I sit here today, I am somewhat melancholy about our decisions to both work full time.  Life does not give me easy decisions anymore.  That all changed 1 year ago when I was given the greatest gift and responsibility I would EVER have: my son!  I question whether I will later regret the decision to work full time as the little moments slip by us.  Is the future we are building worth the sacrifices we are making now?  

We have no way of knowing but I'm haunted by the Darius Rucker song "It Won't Be Like This For Long..... 

I'm just trying to hold on.

Join me in congratulating Ellie Dougherty on winning the Mommy Timeout Giveaway!  Ellie won both a relaxing pedicure and manicure from Nails by Sophia!  We hope you enjoy some time to yourself, but if you need to bring baby, she s baby friendly!

Thank you to everyone who participated!  Stay tuned for more giveaways coming this week where we will feature giveaways for both the lower and upper Cape.

Ellie please contact us to arrange for pickup or mailing of your gift certifcate.

Founded in 1926, The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is the world's largest organization working on behalf of young children from birth through age 8. NAEYC convenes thought leaders, teachers and other practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders and sets standards of excellence for programs and teachers in early childhood education. Many of the schools on the Cape are NAEYC accredited, which consists of a rigorous collection and implementation of curriculum, leadership, health, and safety standards for young children.  I have served as a facilitator in the Falmouth Public Schools initiative towards full district accreditation and a presenter at the NAEYC annual conference.  In my opinion, finding a preschool with this accreditation would be a starting point for me.  Many of the preschools on the Cape are accredited. You may search for accredited programs in your area through the NAEYC's handy search engine. 

Also check out NAEYC Radio where you can learn about different topics each month surrounding early childhood education. This month learn "Why Boisterous Play is Essential to Learning" by clicking the Radio button.  You can also subscribe via iTunes!

Hello! I would like to introduce myself! My name is Laura Sciortino and I am a proud new Mommy of 10 month old Henry and the owner of Turning Pointe Dance Studio in Falmouth. Between business, motherhood, home and studio renovations it has been most difficult for me to find time to blog (as I am sure you all can relate to!) But as I dive into my first week back to teaching I am reminded of how much I love teaching dance and why I love it so much! The rewards to me are vast! I am so blessed to have a career that I look forward to on a daily basis. But the rewards in DANCE to my students, our children, are immeasurable! I try to instill discipline, good work ethic, a high appreciation for the arts, love, teamwork, imagination, and creative expression! Children that participate in dance class benefit by learning self-discipline, gaining self-esteem, camaraderie, musicality, flexibilty and agility, grace, spacial awareness, listening skills, calculation and good- planning! As I said the benefits are endless!! So as I get back into our school year at Turning Pointe I was reminded of this poem I stumbled upon several years ago. I did not write it but I wish I had...
That Is Why I Teach Dance
NOT because I expect you to major in Dance
NOT because I expect you to Dance all your life
NOT so you can relax and have fun
BUT so you will be human,
so you will recognize beauty,
so you will be sensitive,
so you will be closer to an infinite world,
so you will have something to cling to,
so you will have more love,
more compassion, more gentleness, more good...
in short, more life.

Of what value will it be to make a prosperous living unless you know how to live?
                                                                - Author Unknown

 Rev up your childrens imaginations as they explore all kinds of trucks and vehicles on display at the Falmouth High School Parking Lot. There will be fun activities and refreshments for purchasing. Tickets sold at WFL, 8 Cousins, and at the event.

On Saturday, Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the West Falmouth Library will present a Touch A Truck fundraising event held at the Falmouth High School parking lot. The rain date is Sunday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Children of all ages are invited to explore a variety of trucks and vehicles such as construction vehicles, safety vehicles and others. There will be fun activities and refreshments will be available for purchase.  Kids will be able to decorate a hat and purchase some yummy icecream which will also benefit West Falmouth Library!  Several local businesses are providing the trucks and the following local businesses have generously supported this family fun event: Chapman, Cole & Gleason, Clover Paving Company, C.L. Noonan and Mashpee Physical Therapy at Deer Crossing.

Admission price is $5 per family. Tickets are available until Sept. 23 at the library and at Eight Cousins children’s bookstore, 189 Main St., Falmouth. They will also be available at the event but attendees are encouraged to buy their tickets in advance.

For more information, visit westfalmouthlibrary.org or call 508-548-4709.
Please consider volunteering at this event - sign up at the library now. Your help is greatly appreciated.

I happened upon this website today via a Pinterest pin and fell in love with the idea: http://www.pintsizeproductions.com/

 I then spent my entire afternoon today designing a board book for my son.  How fantastic is it that your child can open a bok and see pictures of him/herself as well as family, friends and things they love.  As a former teacher I can say that this type of book can really help to strengthen connections a child is making.  I can remember being told in our prenatal classes that it would be a great idea to put pictures near the crib and on the walls of family so that the baby could see those people and as a parent we could practice pointing and saying their names.  This DIY tho, takes it a step further, and you can be as creative or as simple as you want to be.  I can only imagine the fascination my son will have when he opens this book and sees the people he loves with every page turn.  I am so thrilled to have stumbled upon this engaging literacy craft.

What are board books you may ask?  You probably have one in your home right now, especially if you have a Sandra Boynton book in your home!  Board books are very durable and great for small children to use and play with so that they can start very early learning their ABC's, colors and numbers and of course begin their love and appreciation for books that will hopefully last for the rest of their lives.

I really like the idea of creating my own via this site.  The one I created today has pictures of his family!  I loved that I had not only options of templates from which to pick from, but I could also make a blank one and start from scratch.  The blank board books will make a fantastic option in the future as my son grows and we can make one together using all sorts of crafty supplies!

One lucky Cape Cod Mommies member will receive a “Mommy Pampering Package”, which will include a Manicure and Pedicure!  I am sure 100% of you have felt at times that you needed to just hide in a corner or in your room. Maybe crawl up in the bed and pull the covers over your head and hope that no one finds you for a little while!  Well it is time to take a Mommy Time Out and reward yourself.  We think you are fabulous and you are doing the most important job in the world-so some YOU time is really important!

Check Out Our Contest Details To Enter Now!

This contest is all about fun and getting to know each other a little more!

To enter your chance to win the follow these simple steps (you can choose do as many or as few as you wish, but you will have a better chance if you do more! You can only do each thing once so at most you have 3 entries unless you refer multiple friends to our FB page):

1.  Post on Cape Cod Mommies Facebook Page or comment on this blog, telling us what your favorite Mommy Time Activity is!  For example: “My favorite mommy activity is enjoying my coffee early in the morning, when the house is absolutely still, and watching the sky lighten outside the sunroom windows.”

2. Refer a friend to our FB page who LIKES our page. - 1 entry  This friend once they LIKE our page will need to comment on the FB page that you referred them for you to get your entry credit as we have no other way of tracking who referred who.

3.  Post in our discussion board on Cape Cod Mommies - 1 Entry



Contest Rules

1. All participants must follow the guidelines from contest. 

    Please email info@ccmommies.com  if you need help.

2. No purchase necessary.

3. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

4. Eligibility is limited to 1 prize per household.

5. All prizes must be claimed within thirty (30) days unless otherwise stipulated during the contest

6. Winners may be required to pick up prizes during business hours.

7. Failure to claim prizes within allotted time may result in forfeiture of prize(s).

8. Prizes not redeemable for cash or their merchandise.

9. Winners consent to the use of their name/picture/likeness without compensation for advertising or publicity purposes.

10. Cape Cod Mommies organizer is not eligible.

11. Sponsors accept no responsibility or liability in connection with any injuries, losses or damages arising from the prize(s) awarded in this contest.

12. Additional restrictions may apply depending upon prizes being awarded, or contest sponsor rules.

13. All federal, state and/or local laws and regulations apply.

14. All Decisions are final.

Please note: Contest ends at 11:59 PM EST October 1, 2011. One winner will be randomly selected by random.org. The winner will be notified via our FB page, our website and via email if possible. The contest winner will have 48 hours to respond, if no response is received, then another winner will be selected.

Contest Sponsored by: Cape Cod Mommies

One of our Cape Cod Mommies members shared this with me today and I asked if I could post to share with all of you.

We are sitting at lunch when my daughter casually mentions that she and her husband are thinking of "starting a family." "We're taking a survey," she says, half-joking. "Do you think I should have a baby?"

"It will change your life," I say, carefully keeping my tone neutral. "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends, no more spontaneous vacations." But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my daughter, trying to decide what to tell her.

I want her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes. I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child bearing will heal, but that becoming a mother will leave her with an emotional wound so raw that she will forever be vulnerable.

I consider warning her that she will never again read a newspaper without asking "What if that had been MY child?" That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt her. That when she sees pictures of starving children, she will wonder if anything could be worse than watching your child die.

I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation. I feel I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be professionally derailed by Motherhood.

She might arrange for childcare, but one day she will be going into an important business meeting and she will think of her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of her discipline to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all right.

I want my daughter to know that everyday decisions will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity will be weighed against the prospect that a child molester may be lurking in that restroom.

However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I want to assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself. That her life, now so important, will be of less value to her once she has a child. That she would give it up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years -- not to accomplish her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.

I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will change, but not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates to play with his child. I think she should know that she will fall in love with him again for reasons she would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter could sense the bond she will feel with women throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving. I hope she will understand why I can think rationally about most issues, but become temporarily insane when I discuss the threat of nuclear war to my children's future.

I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is touching the soft fur of a dog or a cat for the first time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real, it actually hurts.

My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret it," I finally say. Then I reach across the table, squeeze my daughter's hand and offer a silent prayer for her, and for me, and for all of the mere mortal women who stumble their way into this most wonderful of callings. This blessed gift. . . that of being a Mother.

Klub Kidz Fall Classes with Ms. Lori Dutra  start TODAY at The Fitness Company for Women in Mashpee on Rte 130!

Creative Movement Playgroup 11:30-12:30 ages Toddler to Preschool 

Afternoon Kid Fit 1:30-3:00 ages Preschool - Up!

Remember - September is "TRY A CLASS FOR FREE" month for all Cape Cod Mommies members who have never been to this class!

Check out Klub Kidz!

Our Fall Session of childrens programming starts on Tue. Sept. 13. MGOL will be held on Tues. & Fri. at both 10:15 & 11:15. Story Boat will be at 10:15 on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Please Note: There will not be any children's programs on Friday, October 7; Friday, November 11; the week of Thanksgiving, Nov. 22 and Nov. 25 and Friday, Dec. 9.

Mother Goose on the Loose is a drop-in program, lead by staff member,
Amy Sellers. This Fall, MGOL will meet 4 times during the week. “Mother Goose on the Loose” is free and open to all area families, pre-registration is not required at this time, however our goal is to have no more than 15 children and their care-givers in one session. Please choose one MGOL session a week to attend. “Mother Goose on the Loose” is a thirty-minute literacy program designed for children from birth to age three and their caregivers. The program was developed by Dr. Betsy Diamant-Cohen, and combines principles of successful library “lapsit” programs and elements from Barbara Cass-Beggs successful music enrichment programs entitled, “Your Baby Needs Music” and “Your Child Needs Music”.

“Mother Goose on the Loose” incorporates findings in child development and brain research with activities and methods that promote early literacy and school readiness skills. Each session follows a script that uses repetition; and tactile, rhyme, rhythm, listening, and movement activities. Typical sessions begin with the poem “Old Mother Goose” followed by finger plays, flannel board activities, puppet shows, stories, songs, movement activities, playing with scarves, bells, and drums, and interactive play. Each session ends with a lullaby, a quiet poem, and a signature good-bye.

The program’s design and implementation carefully considers aspects of brain development in babies and young children. Research shows that the development of intellectual, emotional, and social intelligence in babies and children is most affected by experiences that are frequent, regular and predictable; experiences that occur in the context of a warm and supportive environment; experiences that are associated with positive emotion and play; and experiences that encourage a child’s curiosity and initiative.

Story Boat, a preschool story time for ages 2.9-5 years will be on Tuesdays and Fridays at 10:15 a.m. downstairs in the Sunshine Room. We invite MGOL parents with pre-school aged children to choose the Friday sessions as we offer early literacy programs for both ages. We welcome new staff member, Rosemary Modic who will lead Story Boat. Story Boat provides a developmentally appropriate story time with a craft.