How to Stay Sharp

If you have an Ipod, I recommend downloading podcasts from iTunes. They're great. How to, languages, news, investing, politics, etc. You name it, it's out there.

get on netflix and look up PBS shows or documentaries. They have some amazing stuff and you can watch in 15-minute segments if you don't have much time. I just rented one about Mark Twain and it was fascinating.

My DH got me a Nintendo DS with some puzzle like games to play. I also do Sudoku online a lot (nap time is the BEST) and as for reading, other than the daily Bible devotions I do during nap time, I choose to use bath time as a time to read. I fill the tub with water and bubbles and sit by while my two play in the tub (3 yo, and 7 mo) and read a chapter at a time. By the time I finish the chapter they're ready to get rinsed off and dried and I've had a few minutes to escape into a book.

There is nothing wrong with Harry Potter. I have read each of the books at least twice or more (to catch the clues I missed when each new one came out). JK Rowling is a genius! I buy books at thrift stores. Even the Central library in VB has a Friends Book shop where books are cheap. I love mysteries and enjoy the authors about strong (and funny) women. Marsha Muller has Sharon McCone, PI. Sarah Paretsky has VI Warcharski, PI. I love the ABC books by Sue Grafton, also a PI heroine. All of these women ares strong and sassy and do things I would never dream of doing. The Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is great. Lawyer heroine books by Lisa Scatoline. Books with recipes: Diane Mott Davidson: a bit like "Murder She Wrote" in the kitchen. Also Joanne Fluke has recipes. Other great authors of mysteries: JA Jance (Sheriff Brady), Nevada Barr (US Park Service Officer), Tony Hillerman (Lt. Chee mysteries in Arizona--Native American theme) and Michael Connelly police procedural (male hero). Of course, none of these could be your style, just try reading a little every day before going to sleep to get into the habit. C.

Hi there (fellow Victoria), I know what you mean, I have 3 boys -- ages 5, 3, 2 -- sometimes you want to talk about something other than diapers, feeding, toys, naptimes!

I have a couple suggestions going to story time at the local library, you can meet other moms, maybe connect with one, and then meet her at the park or for lunch on other days. It definitely helps to have an ADULT to talk to now and then (even though us moms pretty much talk mostly about our kids).

Or joining a gym with childcare so you can work out a couple times a week, read while on the treadmill/bike to keep up with whatever you enjoy.

Also, see if you can find an online group to join, that may help too.

A lot of churches host the MOPS (mothers of preschoolers groups) which is where they have childcare (it's free) and you can talk with the other moms, they usually have guest speakers or special projects for the moms (like making christmas ornaments) while the kids are playing.

Do you live nearby? I'm in Delaplane, we could get together with our boys sometime.

Best wishes!!!
V.

I love Jennifer Chiavarini's Elm Creek Quilt Series. I think there are 14 books in the series right now. It has alot of history in them, some romance, lots of humor. I think anyone would love them. Also have you thought about mind games such as Soduko or crosswords? Either can be dropped and come back to if need be.

A few ideas for you. "The Mommy Brain" by Ellison shows how motherhood actually makes us smarter. It's been on my to read list for awhile, but haven't gotten there yet. Newsweek's July 13th issue has 50 books of "What to Read Now" - books that make sense of our times. If you liked HP, you'll probably like the Twilight series. Fun, quick and lots of pages!!! Another alternative to reading and sudoku puzzles would be Mensa activity books. They have different puzzles and mind-benders. Good for brain stimulation. I'm sure you could find them at B&N. Enjoy!

How we feel about ourselves comes from within, not from a career or degrees. However, we should stay on a journey of discovery throughout our lives. You can take this time to explore things you might have left undone, along with your children. Learn needlecrafts, painting, crotchet, a foreign language or a new sport via video or Internet and in the moments you share with your children, introduce some of those things to them, too. In Alexandria, there are Mommy-and-Me fitness classes (Lee RECenter), a Mommy-and-Me art studio is also in Alexandria (can't remember its name right offhand). There are Kindermusick programs, library storytime sessions, and nature centers that allow families to explore things together. I also picked up scrapbooking, not really to find a hobby but to find a way to declutter the house! It's fun--not my true passion, but it is stimulating. Hope this helps.

I also loved all the Harry Potter books! And I am also a SAHM. : ) You might enjoy historical fiction. I do. Its a way to learn about the people of the past in a fun and interesting way. I really love Phillipa Gregory author of "The Other Boleyn girl" and have read a dozen of her books. I like her books for their intensity and drama, not to mention the rich historical information. My favorite book of all time is Marion Zimmer Bradley's "The Mists of Avalon". It is a re-telling of the famous Arthurian legend told from the perspective of the women in his life. It is a long and beautifully written book that has the perfect mixture of fact and fiction plus alittle magic. :)I read a historical fiction book and then I do research, as and after I have read the book, to learn more facts. You can e-mail me if you would like book suggestions. good luck!!
Danielle (____@____.com)

I like first Magazine. It gives me inspiration and it has short enough articles that I can read a little at a time. Find a magazine that might interest you and get a subscription. You nver know what might spark for ideas.

Hi Victoria-
I am a SAHM aswell...I too needed intellectual stimulation! Some of the Authors I read include:
1.Frank E. Peretti-Christian/ Action/suspence/fiction/love him!!!
2.Francine Rivers-Christian Drama/fiction/love her!!!
3.Louis L'Amour-Western adventure/fiction/very ingaging writer!
4.Tim LaHaye-The Left Behind/Christian Series/Fiction/Awsome!!!!!!!
5.William P. Young-interesting/fiction

I also will listen to talk radio either in car or kitchen.
I have a night that I leave at 5 and am off the clock to attend a support group. My meeting begins at 7 and I use the extra time to spend by myself or meet a friend for dinner.
I wish you well....it's great your taking good care of your self! Your Kids will love you for it!...And they just think your a groovy mom!

I found myself feeling the same as you described. I bought a book of crossword puzzles, and I play Sudoku. After I'm done with my crossword book, I'm going to pick up one of the ones that has several different games. They're all supposed to help stimulate brain function, if that's what you're looking for. Also, my husband and I started playing Scrabble. We have some other games we really like: Oxford Dilema is one of them. You can find games like that for two players that you can look through the cards by yourself if you don't play with another person. We're not really competitive-we try to beat our previous score rather than each other, and we just enjoy learning. Whatever you try, good luck!

Don't feel ashamed about reading the Harry Potter books. They are absolutely some of the best fiction out there. To keep your mind sharp, try crossword puzzels. You can do them on-line or go to the bookstore and get whole books of them. Start with the easy crosswords and work your way up to harder ones. This is an activity that can be done quickly (when you don't have much time) and really improves your vocabulary. Research also suggests that working puzzels like crosswords helps your mind stay sharp in later years. I do at least one every day and I love it.

I have the same issue! Reading isn't enough! When you do read, I strongly suggest having a few educational books (like non-fiction history or even a book about science) along with your "fun" fiction... Learning new things keeps your brain active.

AND You need to be challenged. Problem solve... maybe a workbook (math or one of those fun "brainbuster" books that are geared toward keeping you busy while traveling) to keep in the bathroom for long stays, or just whenever free time occurs.

I'll tell you... My IQ has actually dropped since having kids (and out of college) it went from 144 to 130... But I did have 4 kids in less that 5 years, and I was pregnant while taking the last IQ test so maybe I'm ok:)

Great question, though! Good Luck!

I really enjoyed the recent Pulitzer Prize winner Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. The chapters are like short stories so it is easy to read.

I would suggest that you read more non-fiction. If you enjoy learning about people then read biographies. I am currently reading a book about Lincoln by Doris Kerns Goodwin. She is very easy to read, and I get some history thrown in as well. I also have made myself read classics, like Dickens. I alternate between a novel and a work of non-fiction. That way I reward my non-fiction with a light read. If you have any interest in politics there are a slew of books to choose from. And finally try the Merriam-Webster website for a host of great word games that change daily.

About Me: SAHM of 5 ages 22-15, just finished homeschooling the 3rd one!

I sneak in crossword puzzles as often as possible-not a sudoko worker, but know people who are addicted:-)

Hi, Victoria, For great reading, you may want to log on to "Good Reads"; online site for readers to share their ideas for good books. For me, starting a business has been really great. I feel like I'm using my brain again for the first time in eons! Doing something totally new and different has been very rewarding. I work with lots of SAHM's; happy to share. Good luck! N.

I usually buy the giant Variety Puzzle books from the crossword puzzle section on the magazine rack. They really help and they are fun plus its easy to just pick it up from the coffee table when you get a short break. I also found on Facebook a fun game called Who Has The Biggest Brain? and its surely an exercise. Plus you get to compete with your friends.

Watching Jeopardy for 1/2 hour helps me.

What about a book club gathering with like-minded moms?

There is a Mother's Enrichment Group that meets at my church the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of the month. This has been a lifesaver by keeping my head in the game. We have fellowship/support time, but also do a Bible Study of some sort. If your church doesn't have something like this, consider starting one or look at other churches in your community. These moms have really been a great source of support through the years. I also agree with the others about playing games like Sudoku or crossword puzzles. Good luck to you!

I read a lot, the library is my favorite place, not just because they also have some nice kid's areas. I do sudoku and crosswords. But my big thing is blogging. You'd be absolutely amazed at the community of bloggers our there. There's a whole world of mommybloggers that provide a forum for meeting people. If you're at all interested, I can point you in the direction to get started. It's absolutely free and can take as much or as little time as you want.