Sleep-deprivation isn't just for parents of newborns, I'm still waiting for my 5 year old, Oliver to sleep through the night, every night. Really.
Both he and Alexander are light sleepers like their Mama and both will usually wake up at least once a night if not more. Good times.
...And it's not just us who are suffering, the majority of parents I've asked recently, seem to be too. It appears we are all relentlessly searching for the holy grail of consistent sleep-argh remember the full 8 hours pre-kids. It's but a distant memory for myself and so many.
My kids, Oliver (4 nearly 5 and Alexander, 2) have never been the greatest of sleepers (they take after me) but sleep patterns seemed to have gotten worse towards the end of the summer with a serious lack of structure, outbreaks of tonsillitis for my toddler and a period of nightmares (my eldest and I to be honest) pre-school starting!
We were all shattered!
Fast forward to Oliver starting and settling in at school (he's so happy), a more structured routine and a few dietary changes and the boys are sleeping better than ever. So, I wanted to share what has worked for us.
Ok I realise it's a a BIG Hollywood-worthy TITLE, a grand old statement but it's the truth, really-changing my diet has changed my life!
I know, I know, I've written about my relationship and complete and utter love affair with food a lot here (along with sharing my recipes) but hear me out (again) recently I've had an epiphany, a change of heart somewhat, a shake up in my fridge and life.
I'm not the greatest sleeper, I never have been really and in the words of my mother my, "energy has always been boundless". My kids seemed to have taken after me (which is good and bad).
We all get stressed out at times and it's inevitable isn't it, with the constant juggling of kids, work and life. The endless pursuit of finding balance along with precious time out is stressful in itself-I need a lie down just reflecting on it all!
...Some days I want to high five myself for achieving all of the above and other times, I feel like I'm failing miserably.
The last few months in particular though have seen me making some small changes to my life that have made a HUGE difference-I feel calmer, happier and more in control than ever before so here's my list:
So for those that avidly read this blog (thanks Big Fat Greek Family), you'll know that I've followed a low-carb (sometimes no-carb when super strict) diet for a while to help get me back to my pre-'babies' body and it's worked, really well in fact and quickly (a matter of months)... as to be honest having PCOS means my body dislikes sugar anyway and white carbs (thanks insulin resistance) and I have to work REALLY HARD to lose weight although let's face it white carbs are no good for anyone...
I've recently become addicted to yoga, a healthy addiction naturally but an addiction all the same, I feel like yoga is a secret everyone should know, I want to scream, "Do yoga it will change your life" from the roof tops people-a bit like when Cameron Diaz informed me to drink more water in her cute but slightly patronising and highly repetitive 'The Body Book' yoga and drinking water equals happiness (pretty much).
PMT is of course the aptly named tense period before your ERM actual period.
Lasting for anything from a day (lucky lady) to actual weeks (really) it is truly a pain in the ass (or uterus in this case) for many. Yes some see few pre menstrual symptoms while others have a horrendous old time waiting for Aunt Flipping Flo to arrive.
Women have C-sections for all kinds of reasons, be it emergencies or electives to help ensure mother and baby are safe as well as for example if a women feared birth greatly. We are lucky that in the UK we now have the choice to request a section. It is our right.
