Think Living In Hawaii Is Paradise.. Think Again.

Okay sure, we have the gorgeous beaches, endless summers and Mai-Tai's that will kick your a**. We have breathtaking waterfalls, amazing flora and seafood to die for. We have a lot to be thankful for on these rocks, but living here and being immersed in the island life is not for everyone- I assure you.

I think my entire family and friends wonder why I don't spend every day at the beach and are confused as to why I don't have a gorgeous island tan or know how to surf. So, I put together a few reasons why living on the island of Oahu is a completely different experience than what mainlanders may envision.

Prices:
Think paying 9 dollars for a gallon of milk. This should be the end of this article...  but for your enjoyment I will continue. Everything is expensive, and when I say everything, I truly mean EVERYTHING. Want to go out for dinner? Plan to spend 60+ bucks and that's without drinks. Want to go out for dinner in Waikiki? Plan to pay an additional $25 for parking. It's astronomical. From groceries to entertainment... be prepared to drop a small fortune just to live month to month.

Traffic:
Ohau is rated among the top three worst cities for traffic in America. Once my husband and I spent 2 hours trying to get to a Christmas party that was only 10 miles away. Here's a little fun fact: We don't talk in miles on Oahu. We talk in minutes. For example, Waikiki is 15 minutes away from where I live- on a good day (Technically it's only about 5 miles). When you live here, you avoid traffic like a pack of zombies wanting to rip your face off. Rush hour- forget about it, and rush-hour starts from 630am-9am and 2pm-6pm. Traffic is what keeps me at home binge watching Netflix with my daughter- seriously.

Parking:
Let me enlighten you about parking and trying to do anything in Waikiki. Since this little gem of an island is so filled with tourist, parking for residents is virtually impossible. Fortunately, we found a secret hidden parking lot downtown. And no... I'm not going to tell you where it is either. If it wasn't for this parking lot, I would never ever visit Waikiki.

Isolation:
Listen, you can only go around this island so many times. To go anywhere else requires a plane. It's a hard pill to swallow. No road trips, no short flights to family and definitely no cheap options to go explore and have some fun beyond the North Shore... which I've seen about a dozen times. Unless you are a self proclaimed gazillionaire, you are very limited as what you can do and where you can go.

Playing Tour Guide: 
We love it when friends and family come to visit and especially the ones who have never visited the islands before. Until we realize we have to play tour guide, yet again. Once you've been forced to attend your 15th Luau, you sorta wish you came down with something completely debilitating just to get out of it.

Of course, in the end, anywhere you live is what you make of it. The island life is perfect for a lot of people and I know several families who just can't get enough of this state. However, in my humble opinion, feel free to visit.... and then go home. Believe me, it's not quite worth it for the perpetual sunny days and turquoise waters. It's a great place to spend a week or two, or heck, even three, but trust that living here is much more than sunshine and sand.


Please feel free to comment below and let me know about your stay in Hawaii. Did you visit? Do you live here? I want to know!

10 Things Completely Acceptable For Parents To Do

Being a parent is the hardest job I have ever had- and that's saying a lot since I've had my fair share of difficult jobs. As your child reaches the ever-so-special toddler stage (full-on sarcasm here), mommies and daddies sort of transform into creative, deceitful and manipulative creatures. This, I truly believe, is a coping mechanism in order to stay sane. Otherwise, we would all be committed to the padded room where sharp objects are not allowed. 

Here is my top-ten list of perfectly acceptable parenting behaviors: 

1. Eating candy, cookies or any other treat while locked in the bathroom. I have done this on several occasions and I'm not ashamed to admit it either. 

2. Lying to your child. I lie to my darling little bundle of joy practically every day. The kid, "I want McDonalds!!!!" The parent, "Sorry Honey, McDonalds is close for the rest of the week." Completely acceptable.

3. Cooking your kid a kid meal for dinner. Listen, I was one of those parents who (before having my daughter) bragged about how MY kid was going to eat what I put in front of her. Guess who's the dummy now? 

Sometimes my husband and I want to eat super spicy Thai food, or lots of veggies or anything else I know my child would throw a complete fit about, not to mention I don't want to burn her face off. So instead of fighting, I simply make her a meal I know she will enjoy and save the tantrum for something truly important- You know, like leaving the playground or not being able to watch her favorite tv show. 

Side note: Hide healthy food in kid friendly meals. I do it all the time and she never notices! 

4. Laughing uncontrollably after putting your child in timeout. I do this almost every time and can't help myself. I try to wait until she can no longer see me as I don't want to send mixed signals. However, kids are funny. When my daughter is mad and tries to bargain with me then holds her breath while turning beet-red- it's pretty damn hilarious. 

5. Offer candy or a treat in order to get something done. Okay Mommy Nazi's, I don't want to hear it. A piece of chocolate in exchange for picking up toys- I'm all for that. Some gummy treats after behaving well in public- sign me up! It's perfectly acceptable to bargain your way through the twos.. and threes... and fours........ 

6. Put on a movie to get some frickin' peace! Yup, I'm THAT mom. Sometime I need to get stuff done, sometimes I just need some quiet time and other times I want to be left alone. The only way is to plop my kid in front of the tv with some snacks. In my book, this is perfectly acceptable. Especially after the much loved nap-time is no longer a part of the day. 

7. Scaring the living crap out of your child. I love doing this! Actually, I live for it. Sneaking up stairs in the morning when I hear her stirring and then jumping into her room with a loud, "Raaawwwrrrrr" makes my day. 

8. Making you kid do things simply for the sheer enjoyment you receive. Ask you child to dance and make silly faces. Turn them upside down and tickle them until they hiccup. Hold them down and let the dog lick their face. I love it and they actually love it too! A rare win-win situation. 

9. Get and cherish the scared-to-death Santa picture. Don't be the parent who needs the perfect shot every year. 

This is my daughter's 2014 Santa picture and it is the BEST one ever!

10. On a more serious note, take time for yourself. It is vitally important. I didn't do this for the first 2 years of my child's life and I was warn out, edgy and a bit resentful. The only alone time I received was grocery shopping and I cherished it. I think that is when I realized there was a problem. 

When I finally asked my husband for some me time, I became a better person. Read that book you've been meaning to open, go on a walk, spend some time at the mall- alone, go to the gym... anything that is completely about taking care of you and not your family. 

Remember to laugh and be silly. Remember to stay sane in a very insane environment.

Although parenting is tough, it is soooooo rewarding. 

Please feel free to comment. I love hearing from readers!