Every once in awhile, I find some twisted pleasure in proving to myself that I still have SOME level of control over my children. It’s so wrong, I know. I’ll start saving for therapy!

Call it bribery, call it brain washing… I don’t really care! I call it getting my kids to do what I want, especially if they think they’re going to get what THEY want!! Mua-ha-ha-ha-haaaa (insert evil laugh)!

This morning I was up and working before the sun was up, as is my usual routine most mornings. Usually, once the kids get up, I set my work aside for the day (or for a few hours, anyway) and do “kid stuff”.

This morning, I was on SUCH a productive roll with my creative content production that is was actually painful to push it aside! I made a big, healthy breakfast for the kids, sat down with them for circle time and chatted about the plan for the day.

I kept thinking, “Man, I could REALLY use another hour and a half or so to finish up my project!”

Low and behold, my kids decided – on their own! – that they’d tidy up everywhere and THEN politely ask me if they could possibly watch a kids’ show.

Well, well, well… isn’t this a convenient little twist of fate?!

You must understand that in our house, “kids’ shows” are a rarity…. they are not the norm. The kids get REALLY excited whenever mom and dad actually allow a little cartoon time.

So, like any good, crafty mother, I took full advantage of this opportunity! I said, “Sure…. you can watch kids’ shows IF you’ve totally cleaned your room. ”

“We already did, mommy!”

Whoa.

“Did you neatly make your beds?”

“Yes, we did!”

Well all righty then. This is looking good!

I have a funny little routine I follow whenver the kids DO watch anything – whether it’s a kids’ show, a movie or “So You Think You Can Dance” with their mom and dad!

They are required to MOVE. They can’t just sit like blobs. I tell them that sitting for too long makes mushy bodies and mushy brains. (Actually, it’s scientifically accurate… it’s just that scientist-type folks don’t usually use those words!)

So, we have a rule: anytime music is played, get up and dance! If there’s not been music for 5-10 minutes, get up and move anyway.

It’s hilarious to see two little people doing jumping jacks, push-ups, calisthenics and shakin’ their groove things in front of the television while still totally engaged in what’s going on!

My other rule is: if you’re going to watch kids’ shows “which take away from your brain’s health”, according to their mother, then you must fuel your brain first with the best nutrition possible – FISH OIL! You’ve never seen two children guzzle back fish oil so happily in your life!

I’m so cruel! Actually, I prefer to go with “creative”.

In all seriousness, condoning sedentary habits, like sitting in front of the television, computer or playing video games for extended periods of time is a dangerous mindset to pass on to children. Motion is life! Our brains REQUIRE motion in order to function properly… especially normal motion of the spine.

Also, it’s TRUE that, generally speaking, television is not good for a child’s developing brain. So mommy is right on the money with filling them up with fish oil (omega-3′s) to support optimal brain health.

Let’s see how long my kids allow me to get away with this!

What are they doing now? They got kicked out of the house and sent to the trampoline… swimming is soon to come!

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