A couple of weeks ago Heidi Klum laughed at one of the southern contestants on Project Runway for saying, “y’all”.  I don’t blame her. Being a military wife, I’ve lived all over the country and had friends from almost every state.  I might not have my husband’s Texas drawl, or my mother-in-law’s southern lilt in my voice, but I have been accused of overusing the “y’all.”  My Minnesota friends giggle and my New York friends roll their eyes, but I just can’t give it up.  I even use it in email.  That is why this week’s Why-Not of the Week is, give “y’all” a try!

First of all, I’d like to point out that y’all is a perfectly good contraction.  It is a combination of “you” and “all” put together with an apostrophe, just like “don’t”, “haven’t”, etc.  I believe “y’all” gets a bad grammar rap because it is used incorrectly as the singular second person when making fun of uneducated southerners.  No one really refers to one person as “y’all”.

Second, it is a better alternative than other second person plural options.  While “you” is most acceptable as a second person plural, it is confusing since it is more often singular.  “You” can easily be mistaken for one of your friends instead of all.  “You guys” is not gender neutral and it makes me think of Goonies….. “Heeeey you guyyyys!”  I’ve had friends from rural Missouri say “Y’uns” (not sure at all about that spelling).  While unique, it’s just a little out there for widespread use.

And finally, “y’all” just rolls off your tongue.  Go ahead, give it a try……… see, it feels good!  Kind of like linguistic lemonade on a hot Southern afternoon.

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November is National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo for short). You, along with tons of other enthusiastic and over-caffeinated amateur novelists will be challenged to write a 50k novel in one month.  This means that there is no room for editing, rereading or dilly dallying. You have to kick your internal editor out of your head entirely for thirty days and just write. Join the forums on www.nanowrimo.org and commiserate with fellow nanowrimos, join local groups and get together to commiserate in person and have a great excuse to lock yourself away and finally sit down to create your masterpiece!  I’ve participated for the last several years, and every year I think I at least learn something about myself or improve my writing skills infinitesimally.  I also end up with a big hot mess of a story, which then takes 11 months to edit.

You know you’re interested, just take a look at the Nanowrimo site and see what all the fuss is about.  You just might get hooked!

www.nanowrimo.org

Stay tuned for more National Novel Writing Month Enthusiasum!

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Let’s face it.  Life with young children in the house can run at a frantic pace. As a work at home mom with a husband in the military I know mine sure does.  I can usually keep up the pace and get everything done with regular exercise, a daily schedule, morning coffee and occasional lifesaving visits from Nana or Grandma.  But some weeks just don’t get their share of mom-motivation.  It is a tough job, and sometimes your body needs a break, especially during those times when your little one isn’t sleeping as well as usual.  That’s why this week’s why-not is a simple one.  Nap with your little one for a week.  Give your body an extra dose of sleep for a week.  Take some time to relax during the afternoon, even if it is for just part of your baby’s nap time.  You may have to cut something out of your day, if you spend more than an hour watching TV or web surfing, this is a good thing to try and cut out.  I usually cut out laundry, but that usually backfires on me.  When I did this last, I had to cut down on my work since nap time is usually Mommy work time. Fortunately working freelance is feast or famine.  And I picked a slow week.

Taking a nap week is also a good way to help your little one get adjusted to a new nap schedule.  Dr. Sears* (without whom my child might be living wild in the backyard) recommends sharing sleep with your baby. If your little one is having trouble sleeping, sick, or just in an extra mommy-clingy stage take your naps snuggled up together. This can be especially helpful to breast feeding mommies trying to increase their milk.  Just nap after feeding using the side-laying position.  That being said, sharing sleep isn’t possible or ideal for some parents, and that is okay.  Just set up your baby monitor, put your little one down, and take a siesta of your own.

Try this why-not when your body is telling you that more rest and less chaos is needed.  Your baby will benefit from a happy, sane and well rested Mommy. Why not?

*Need some sleep advice? The Creative Mom loves Dr. Sears.  Check out The Baby Sleep Book

Need a great little book to read at bedtime?  Check out The Bedtime Book.

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This very first why-not is for the shoe lover in us all.  You know you’ve got that fabulous pair of heels tucked away in the closet.  You look at them every now and then and sigh, “I wish I had a place to wear you.”  Well, now you do.  Take those fancy shoes out, put on a cute skirt or even just a nice pair of jeans and head to…. the grocery store!  You’ll love being 3 inches (or more!) taller as you saunter through the cereal aisle. Make it a special occasion and let your little ones pick out their favorite princess slippers, cowboy boots or galoshes.  It will take a little of the hum drum out of a regular visit to the grocery store, and if you do get blisters, at least you can take them right off when you get home.  Why Not?

Learn more about the Creative Mom’s Why-Nots and learn how to submit your own!

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Some why-nots will be right up your alley, and some will be way far away in someone else’s alley.  But, don’t discount them right away.  Think about how you can make it work, or change it to inspire or give a giggle to your family.  Most of my why-nots are especially for moms, moms working at home, military families or anyone who loves to create (anything!). But, the great thing about why-nots is that anyone can try them, you just have to ask, “Why not?”

I know you’ve got great ideas, and I want to hear them! Submit your why-not idea by posting it here.  If I use it as a why-not of the week then I’ll send you a free goodie from LittonArt.com.

Check out our previous Why-Nots here.