Homemade "Pedialyte" Mix Recipe

There's something going around my kids' schools...  Whatever it is, it sucks.  The kids don't think they're sick then out of nowhere, lots of vomit.  Sorry for the detail, but it is what it is.

Anyway, two of my three kids are sick, and the third says she feels nauseated when she stands up.  Oh, my husband is home sick today too...  I, on the other hand, feel fine (if not entirely exhausted from taking care of everyone).

Needless to say, electrolyte drinks are highly valued at times like these.  It's just so expensive...  and nearly impossible to run to the store when everyone but me is sick.  So, the last time one of my kids was sick, I tried making some from [the first of three recipes that I found on] this website (via Pinterest, of course).

She loved it.

She said it was better than the store-bought stuff.

So, when I needed to make more today, I figured that I might as well make as much as I can so I have it on hand when I need it.

I made a double batch of the drink to

hold us over until the kids feel better.

To make the dry mix, you will need:

• 2 Tbsp plus 2 tsp salt
• 2 1/3 c sugar
• 1/3 c (one 3 oz. box) flavored gelatin (I used pineapple Jello)

Mix the ingredients well and store in an airtight jar. I used a one quart mason jar.

To prepare electrolyte drink, you will need:

• 3 Tbsp dry mix
• 1/2 c hot water
• 3 1/2 cups cold water

 Combine dry mix and hot water, stir to dissolve.  Top with cold water and serve.

I hope everyone in your family is staying healthy!

Crazy-mood-swing-momma is no fun in the morning...

"What is going on with my mood swings today?"  ....I wondered to myself...  But I just checked my "P tracker" app (which proudly displayed a single-digit number) and I know full well what my problem is today (well, that and the fact that I still haven't had any coffee this morning).  I just wish I'd realized what was going on before my girls left for school.

When I woke up and came upstairs, the girls were so well behaved-  dressed for school, willing to help get breakfast ready and even clean up.  I started off the day in a great mood.

Then it happened.........

I became mean Mommy.

It must've happened when I looked at the clock and realized that, if they didn't start moving a little faster, the girls were going to be late for school.  I started rushing them, which eventually turned into yelling, which turned into swearing- not so much *at* them, but more of a general cursing of everything that was going wrong around me.  It want until they left for school that I realized that *I* was what was going wrong.

My urgency to get them out the door on time, but lack of a want to help them get ready.  My wanting for them to get along, yet yelling at them for talking during breakfast because they "didn't have time" (god forbid they not finish their apples). 

......I guess I should see it as a good thing that I realize this is going on, so I can take steps to change it, but now I just feel like a shitty mother.  I don't want to be mean, or scare my kids into behaving.  I don't expect every morning to go by smoothly, but I need to let things happen without flipping out over things that don't necessarily matter.

I love my kids and I want them to remember me as a loving mother, not as some crazy bitch who freaked out every time something went wrong.

So, herein lies the question:  What can I do to change this behavior?

• I can make sure I'm well rested....  I'm no longer in my early twenties, bedtime shouldn't be after midnight anymore.
• I can make sure the kids are prepared ahead of time...  Making sure they have what they need to get ready doesn't mean I'm taking away their independence.
• I can make sure *I'm* prepared ahead of time...  I have sooo many breakfast recipes pinned on Pinterest, I have no excuse to not be at least a little better prepared most days.  Hello, breakfast cookies that I can make a few days ahead of time.

.........I'm sure, no, I *know* that there are so many other things that I can change to improve myself and my attitude, but changes are easier in small doses.