Bonding From Generation To Generation
When I was growing up, I was fortunate to know both sets of my grandparents. My paternal grandparents were farmers and lucky to keep their farm in spite of the depression, which was no small feat. My maternal grandparents were farmers as well. Read More
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4 Ways to Simplify the Holiday Season
I vividly remember how special my parents made the Christmas season, especially Christmas Eve. We had supper, went to midnight mass and then around 1:30 in the morning, we opened presents. Somehow mom managed to keep all the gifts hidden, and while we opened presents she had a story for each one. One year, she even managed to convince my brother and I that we got a karaoke machine. Read More
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I Want My Mommy
Some children say goodbye and hop right into the classroom without a backwards glance. Others have a hard time leaving the protective arms of the parent. Sometimes, it’s the parent who has a hard time letting go. Read More
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The Final Piece of Your Bucket List
Creating a bucket list is fun! Itās great to think about and list all the things we want to do in life. What isnāt so much fun is thinking about the health care we do or donāt want during an emergency or as we near the end of life. Read More
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8 Topics Grandparents Discuss While on a European Tour
This fall, my husband John and I joined 44 other people, retirees from all over the world, on a European tour. We traveled to Spain and Portugal ā and even took a quick jaunt to Morocco. This was the first time we had taken a bus tour, and I have to admit I was a little apprehensive. Read More
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A Blog for My Husband
This blog is written for my husband. Most fathers donāt receive the credit they deserve. Well, at least mine doesnāt. When we got married nine years ago, we decided to have kids right away. We just didnāt think it would happen quite so fast. We were thrown into parenthood at the age of 24 and on our first wedding anniversary we had a one-month-old. My husband thrived as a dad. When our daughter was born we thought we had this parenting this down. And then we thought āwhy not add more to our plate!ā Read More
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Operation Cheetos
Our youngest grandchild and only grandson was asked to participate in a contest/skit during his high school pep rally. Seeing pictures of the event made me smile. I was pleased to see he actually attended the pep rally and supported the fall athletes and coaches! Remember, I’m a retired high school principal, and there were always kids who thought a pep rally was a reason to skip school.
The contest consisted of two-person teams of students, one person put on a shower cap with whipped cream on top and the other tried to throw Cheetos on top of the shower cap. When the time was up the team with the most Cheetos on the shower cap won. My grandson, who donned the shower cap, and his partner won!
Operation Finale
When I texted him to see if he would have another contest in the winter pep rally. He responded with, āhow about operation finale”. Operation finale? What did that mean? Usually, I am confident in my interpretations or translations of the grandkids’ messages, but this time I needed to follow up, āWhat does operation finale mean?ā
His reply was, āI want to see the movieĀ Operation Finale.ā I laughed out loud! I should have realized there was no connection between the pep rally and the finale. That would make too much sense. It was his way of asking us to take him to see the movie.
After I laughed at my mistake, I was thrilled. My teenage grandson was asking us to take him to the movies and even be seen in public with us. BONUS!
Lessons from the Past
Operation FinaleĀ follows the story of the Mossad post-WWII. This group of Israeli intelligence officers located and tried to extradite Adolf Eichmann, a Nazi officer and major organizer of the Holocaust, to Israel to face war crime charges. The movie was very informative and very intense. I even jumped a few times. During the movie I managed to sneak a look at my grandson from the corner of my eye and he was enthralled with the movie.
The end of the movie really brought the past and present together, as videos of the 2017 Charleston riots were replayed. The Nazis were evident in the past and still are visible in the present. We talked after the movie about history repeating itself and why we don’t always learn from our mistakes. He reminded me there are people who don’t think they are making mistakes. I’m proud he gets it, but I’m thrilled he’s still catching Cheetos on his head and winning pep rally contests. Wouldn’t the world be a better place if we all caught Cheetos on our heads?
Nancy Becker
Grandkids & Grandparents
IĀ have four grandchildren ages 14-17. In some ways, Iām a very typical grandma, always proud of everything the kids do and wanting to help support them in whatever way I can.Ā In other ways, Iām not very typical. My goal as a blogger is to share my thoughts and experiences that I think are funny and meaningful as I adventure through grandmahood.
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How Can You Stop Frustration and Share Joy?
I’m typically seen as a positive person. My life word is ‘joy’ for a reason. I have a quote hanging in my classroom, āAttack the day with kindness.ā I actually share this mantra each day with my own kids before they head off to school. Yet, even though my mission is to share joy, there are days where this mission seems worlds away.
Frustration Wins the Day
For example, last week frustration, anger and resentment got the best of me. I was mentally exhausted from problem-solving. I was annoyed by the fact my children were being lazy. I was frustrated that my husband was still in an arm sling and angry that I couldn’t call my mom just to talk to her. Frustration, anger and resentment weaved into my mind, my heart, every single bone. Yes…I was completely frustrated…everyone could see it on my face. I am pretty sure I was called crabby or worse more times than I would have liked in a 24-hour span.
All of these emotions had me so wrapped up in what I couldnāt control that it affected my personality and behaviors. As I let anger weave its way into my mind, I started to doubt my purpose. Frustration dominated my conversations and won the day. I gave in to all of the negativity and I let those emotions steal my joy.
Learning to Slow Down
When I reflect on this day I realize that I was thinking about my to-do list and focusing on future tasks. The frustration built up and, really, all I needed to do was step away. This is my goal for the year ā to be still.
But how can we remember to “be still” when frustration starts to creep in? Here are a few steps we can all take to slow down:
ā Focus on breathing. I need to take one to two minutes, close my eyes and breathe.
ā Appreciate the positives.
ā Focus on what I can accomplish at this moment.
Here are some ways we can stop frustration, resentment and irritation from controlling our thoughts, minds and hearts:
ā Share joy.
ā Extend grace to others and to myself.
ā Be curious and keep absorbing new ideas.
ā Be thankful.
ā Find a balance between my career, my home and my schedule.
Frustration doesn’t have to control my days. There will be frustrating days and days I’ll be irritated; however, realizing how incredibly blessed I am, sharing the joy with others, extending grace each day and pausing will ultimately overshadow those frustrations.
Shelly Mowinkel
K-12 & Teens
My husband and I have three kids. Our oldest is a freshman in high school, and our youngest is in second grade. Most days, I feel like we are a ātag-team chauffeuringā service, yet I wouldnāt have our life any other way. Not only I am a business/technology teacher at Milford, I am also the district technology integration specialist. I love teaching because I get the opportunity to make those around me better. My hope is that, through my blogging, I am able to inspire, encourage, and share with you my adventures of being a wife, mother, and professional.
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Am I Pushing My Kids Too Hard?
We all want whatās best for our children. But our idea of what’s best for them might not always be what they want. Recently, I’ve noticed myself giving my children little nudges towards the decision I think is correct and what they should make. Now Iām trying to find that delicate balance between encouraging and pushing too hard.
When my son was younger, we made the decision to wait until he was in kindergarten to enroll him in any kind of sports or activities. Now, he’s in second grade and continues to play soccer, and loves it. However, my daughter wanted to take gymnastics. She’s 4 years old and just started preschool. We enrolled her this summer and she seemed to enjoy it and was actually pretty good (thatās not just a mom being proud of her daughter, she was actually good for her age). But now she doesnāt want to do gymnastics, she wants to dance. Iām torn because I want her to stay in gymnastics, but sheās only 4…how big of push should I give her?
I believe getting my kids to do things that are challenging for them will teach them grit and flexibility while also widening their worldview; whether itās participating in sports, trying out for a play or engaging in any new social situation. But, you always hear famous athletes, singers, dancers say theyāve been doing this talent since they could walk. I see talent in both my children. Shouldnāt I push them to see their potential? My fear is that pushing my children too far can cause them to retreat inward, become resentful or develop even greater anxiety about trying new things.
Is it in their best interest if I push?
I push Cohen academically, urging him to study harder in school. I also push him to try new things and meet new people. I think it gives Cohen a sense of confidence and accomplishment when getting through something fun but challenging. I realized that the most important factor is knowing when and how much to push by thinking about their personality. If I’m met with resistance, then it might be time to examine how my motivations for pushing him in a certain direction. Cohen is older and more outgoing than my daughter Collyns. She is more reserved and I’m worried about pushing her too hard.
So should I push her more?
I donāt want her to make the same mistakes I made. When I was younger I participated in clogging, baton twirling, basketball, volleyball, track, swimming, gymnastics…I did it all! I want her to find something she loves and sticks with it. But how can she find something she wants to do unless I enroll her in all the different activities? But again, sheās only 4!
When it came to gymnastics practice, I repeatedly asked Collyns if she wanted to go and her response was NO every time. So, even though we paid for the month, we didnāt make her go. I felt she might be feeling too pressured, and it was important for me to take a step back. I didnāt want her to feel overwhelmed. I praised her for trying something new and told her how successful she was at gymnastics. I guess itās on to dance class!
I donāt want either of my kids to feel pressured, especially from me, but I do want them to realize that if they commit to something they should at least try. My goal is to motivate them and help them along the way, even if itās with a little push.
Mallory Connelly
Babies & Toddlers
In addition to the time I devote to being a mom, I also work full-time outside the home, which means my day is hardly ever as simple as nine to five. With an all-too-established schedule, as soon as I walk through the door, my day doesnāt end, but rather just begins. Itās a balancing act, especially with two children, but being a mom is one full-time job that I never want to quit!
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The #1 Deadly Condition Treated in the Hospital May Surprise You
Itās unknown to most people but serious and life threatening.
Being an ICU nurse, I have seen it all. Iāve seen young children come in struggling to breathe due to an asthma attack. Iāve seen elderly people come in after having CPR to restart their heart. Iāve helped bring people back to life. But, the thing that I have seen most in the hospital might surprise you. When you think of what the number one cause of death in the United States would be, what comes to mind? Cancer? Heart disease? While those are prevalent throughout the United States, it might surprise you to know that sepsis is the leading cause of death in United States hospitals.
So, What in the World is Sepsis?
With September being Sepsis Awareness Month, I feel it is important for you to know what sepsis is and how to prevent/detect sepsis in yourself or your loved ones. So, what in the world is sepsis? In general, it is the bodyās overwhelming response to an infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, amputations, and even death.
You may have never even heard of sepsis. Most people havenāt. Yet, it is the number one killer with people coming to the ER when they are already in organ failure. Like a heart attack or stroke, time is of the essence when treating sepsis. This is necessary to protect your organs from going into failure.
Do You Know the Warning Signs and Importance of Immediate Treatment?
Here are some facts that may surprise you:
- Less than 1% of the population can name the signs and symptoms of sepsis
- Death from sepsis increases by as much as 8% for every hour that treatment is delayed
- Most cases of sepsis begin at home (up to 87% of sepsis cases) and not in the hospital
- As many as 80% of sepsis deaths could be prevented with rapid diagnosis and treatment
Most people either donāt know about sepsis or they assume it only happens to a vulnerable population. The truth is, sepsis knows no age discrimination, it doesnāt affect men more than women, and it doesnāt affect the older generation more than young children.
What are the Warning Signs?
Sepsis can start with something as simple as a small cut or a toothache that can develop into an infection. Now, not every cut or toothache develops into sepsis, but it is important to know what to look for as a possible indication of sepsis. So you may be asking, what are the signs and symptoms?
Think SEPSIS
SĀ ā Shivering, fever, or very cold
EĀ ā Extreme pain or general discomfort (āworst everā)
PĀ ā Pale or discolored skin
SĀ ā Sleepy, difficult to rouse, confused
IĀ ā āI feel like I might dieā
SĀ ā Shortness of breath
Take ACTION
If you see a combination of these symptoms and suspect sepsis, see a medical professionalĀ IMMEDIATELY.Ā The sooner treatment gets started, the better chance you or your loved one has at surviving and making a full recovery.
When caught early, immediate administration of IV antibiotics and fluids can be all you need to make a full recovery. However, if organ failure has already started by the time someone comes to the hospital, they may need to come see me in the ICU. You may need medications to raise your blood pressure or have a breathing tube hooked up to a ventilator to help provide the oxygen you need. The longer someone delays getting treatment for sepsis, the greater the likelihood that the person will have severe complications such as kidney failure requiring dialysis or problems taking care of themselves (such as walking by yourself, bathing, brushing your teeth, etc.). It can even lead to death.
Be Informed, Tell Others ā Letās Raise Awareness and Save Lives
As a nurse, I have made it my job to tell all my friends and loved ones about the signs and symptoms of sepsis, and ways to prevent it.
Prevention starts with something as simple as washing your hands and cleaning any cut/injury. A lot of people donāt realize that bacteria naturally lives on your skin and given the right circumstances can grow into an infection from something as little as a cut or burn.
I urge you to tell everyone you know about the signs and symptoms as well as the ways to prevent sepsis. With your help, we can increase awareness of sepsis so people will seek treatment sooner, and lives will be saved.
Learn More About Sepsis
To learn more about Sepsis, listen to our latest Bryan Health podcast. Bill Johnson, MD, Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties shares how you can spot this condition, and emphasizes how early diagnosis and treatment can be lifesaving.
Paige Fellers
RN, ICU
Paige Fellers is a registered nurse in the ICU at Bryan Health.
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Talking About the #MeToo Movement with My Grandkids
The list of famous men accused of sexual harassment these past few months seems endless. At first, because of their fame and presence on our screens, the *#MeToo movement almost felt like it was happening in another world. But it wasnāt. Local marches and discussions, even in Lincoln, Nebraska, showed us that itās everywhere. No one knows if this is part of a revolution or if the #MeToo movement will pass. Despite that, I think it was important to talk about it with my grandkids.
Donāt Worry Grandma
Recently, I met up with my grandkids for lunch for one last gathering before the new school year and their days fill up with class, clubs, sports and other new challenges. I was curious to learn if my granddaughters knew about the #MeToo movement and if they knew how they would respond to sexual harassment. Would they confront the person? Would they share their story with a friend or adult? Would they feel comfortable sharing it with their parents? I also wondered about my grandson. Is he prepared to act if he encounters harassment or assault either towards himself or another person?
I also wanted to share my thoughts and feelings about the #MeToo movement and tell them the story of Tarana Burke, whoās 2006 story of sexual assault and advocacy started the #MeToo movement. After listening to a young woman share her sexual assault story, Tarana, a sexual assault survivor herself, didnāt know what to say. Later, she wished she would have said, āme, too.ā This is how the #MeToo movement began.
When I brought up the #MeToo movement during lunch that day my oldest granddaughter said, āDonāt worry about it grandma. Weāve got it figured out.ā They wanted to share their excitement over the new school year, laughing and teasing each other, not talk about sexual violence. I get it. This wasnāt the time for grandmaās serious talk. So, I let it go.
What Was In It for Me?
Maybe I wanted to have this discussion because of my life as an educator. My eagerness to make sure all students are safe and taken care of is important to me. But mostly I care about having a plan to help young people deal with sexual harassment and assault. The plan canāt always be carried out exactly as planned, but I feel better when there’s something we can look to in a time of crisis. Unfortunately, I didnāt get to this with my grandkids that day, but thatās okay.
Or, maybe I wanted to have this discussion because Iām a nosy grandma? I really was curious to hear where my grandkidās minds were on this topic.
Lastly, maybe I wanted to have this discussion because itās on my mind. I donāt want it to be lost in the never-ending news cycle.
It’s Out of My Control
Whatās funny is, I used to worry about my grandkids falling off bicycles or climbing too high on the playground equipment. I still worry about them every day, but what Iām worried about has changed. Iām not in control when it comes to their response to the #MeToo movement. Iām confident that their parents have helped them prepare for the future, but itās not up to me. I have to take a deep breath and trust that they will do their best, just as theyāve always done.
Itās always been my belief that change doesnāt happen until thereās a crisis. Society needs to shift in order to disrupt the narrative around sexual violence to make the changes we need. Tarana Burke said, āIf in this country, we had an outbreak of some communicable disease that 12 million people got in a 24-hour period, we would be focused solely on the cure. Thatās the difference in how people think about the disease of sexual violence.ā
*Please note, I may not have used the correct way to address the movement, #MeToo. Sorry, I donāt have any idea what a hashtag stands for or means. Guess Iāll need to ask my grandkids!
If you or a loved one needs help after a serious trauma such as sexual assault, the Bryan Medical Center emergency department offers specially trained, discrete sexual assault nurse examiners who can help. The Bryan Counseling Center also offers compassionate counselors who work specifically with those who have endured serious trauma or abuse.
To schedule an appointment with the Bryan Counseling Center, call 402-481-5991.
Nancy Becker
Grandkids & Grandparents
IĀ have four grandchildren ages 14-17. In some ways, Iām a very typical grandma, always proud of everything the kids do and wanting to help support them in whatever way I can.Ā In other ways, Iām not very typical. My goal as a blogger is to share my thoughts and experiences that I think are funny and meaningful as I adventure through grandmahood.