Finding Time to Blog, Live Life, and Be a Parent

The High Desert is no different than any other part of the nation when it comes to parenting, feeling the guilt trip of not being a Super Mom, and wondering if your kids have enough social interaction. We try to make sure our kids celebrate cake and ice cream at birthday parties out of the home. We even volunteer for fieldtrips if our school can afford them.

Even in the urban regions, moms are being shamed into not offering enough entertainment and sports-building/team building activities for the enrichment of their children. I hear that piano lessons, band, soccer, ballet, and art appreciation isn’t enough for one child? When do the kids do their homework? When do you get some sleep? When can you blog?

This trend, as I am reading from Mom Blogs and feedback from other “Warrior Writer” Moms who are battling the same shame, says it feels it’s time to let go a bit. But how can you when the “Good Samaritans” are lurking around every corner to make sure you’re doing your job as a “good parent” — that Super Mom shame-game is everywhere.

Here is my 25 cents worth toward the topic of parenting:

That’s why I don’t I’ve in a city or suburb. I live remote in the desert by choice. My daughter was raised with bugs and cactus, dirt in her sandwich and drawers, bumps and lumps, and she’s come out just fine. In fact she’s working on the last week of her BA.

I sometimes place myself in that guilt trip too — having been a product of the Hippie Movement, we felt guilty if we weren’t bra-less, eating from our gardens, smoking the best green stuff, and “tuning in while tuning out”. So I think guilt comes with every generation. My mom came from The Depression Era where everything was used up, never wasted, and always shared. Talk about guilt. Do you know how many ways you can use stale bread?

So take a deep breath, stop being manipulated by commercialism and TV crap (I do love TV, I’m just immune to the diatribe) and find two things you love to do for yourself. Why two? Because one isn’t enough but 20 is too much. Then give yourself a day off each week where you decide what your schedule will be. I call mine: “Myfriday.”

Here is our ranch motto that we live by for over 30 years:

“On this ranch we raise common sense, cultivate independence, and wrangle adversity.”

Hopefully, your parenting skills can be tempered with a balance of good outdoor activities, some me-time, and fun time with the kids. It’s a balancing act for sure, but it can be done.

If you’d like to read the original post from Ms. Lamb just go to her link:

https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/parent-shaming-mom-shaming-has-our-culture-of-guilt-gotten-out-of-control/#respond

Have a great day and get some fresh air…

Rusty LaGrange

Plug-in Mania — Control Your Urge to Binge

Okay, so you’re reading the latest news on the plug-ins that will change your blogging experience for the best. You’ve made a good choice. You’ve searched the plug-ins by reputation or by title, thinking that they will be just what you want. At least that’s what the little blurb says. But what does that little piece of info really mean that is attached to your plug-in of choice? If you go to the web site link that is promoting the plug-in you might get lost in a chasm of propaganda. You know, publicity sales-y talk. Once you arrive at the web site, takes notes. Like cookie crumbs on a trail, you’ll need to read and move cautiously deeper into the explanations of what the plug-in actually does. And be able to find your way out of the forest of information.

She works hard for her plug-ins
She works hard for her plug-ins

A well-written plug-in has been crafted by a software person who also knows how to write and communicate well to laymen. Beware, not all plug-ins are created by people who can explain what the plug-in does. Take time and read through the descriptions, and take more notes.

Based on the type of plug-in you are exploring, find out if the creator or editor can be reached if you have a question. Find out how often they do updates, and if they will be automatically listed on the plug-ins menu for WordPress. Also check out the ratings that other users have given the plug-in. Five stars will define a good rating but will it actually mean that a layman can use it. Also find out if there is a cost to keep using after your first download.

Many plug-ins are useful for day-to-day behind the scenes situations. They just work for you. Other plug-ins are high-breds that do a specific thing to help with a certain problem, work-around, or enhance a feature.

Avoid having the binge to grab every plug-in that looks enticing. You can sample one-by-one and learn if they will actually help your web site. If not, back away. Plug-in mania will take over. It’s not a candy store, but you can become addicted if you don’t watch out.

Let me know what your favorite or best enhancement plug-in is for your blog, and maybe I’ll share some other plug-in “all stars” next time.

Rusty LaGrange

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www.aFlairForBlogging.com

 

www.highdesertblogging.com