kids – Page 48 – Writes for all Mommies

gratitude, happiness, kids, marriage, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, self-discovery

2, 4, 6, 8 Who Do I Appreciate?

15/01/2011 WFAM

Do you ever wonder if your partner understands how hard you work to make everything seem easy?

How when he may (or may not) reach for clothes for the kids, they are clean, neatly organized and always at hand? This goes for karate uniforms, too.

Or, when he walks in the door, the kids are playing with each other in a respectful manner (someone had to teach them this and they need almost daily reminders of how to continue to do so), the house is clean (relatively speaking) and dinner is cared for (most nights).

And, what about all the learning these kids need to do that you have to help them with? Eye appointments and doctors visits, too?

Believe me, I’m just getting started here.

Now, before you stop reading in protest Mad Dog, let me flip it around.

Do you ever feel like your partner understands how hard you work to provide for her and the kids?

How about all the long hours spent alone in an office (with no windows, mind you!) on endless phone calls trying to accomplish seemingly impossible business feats and doing so while making it all look easy?

What about trying to manage a team that is scattered across the nation that looks to you for leadership and expects nothing but excellence from you?

Or the myriad of calamities and unexpected projects that pile up on your already overtaxed work schedule?

And what about the time spent away from your boys? You know they are incredible and they grow by leaps and bounds every day, and you have to miss some of the really important and downright cool stuff.

You are handling all these things and doing it well even at great personal cost. Does your partner get this?

Really?

I don’t know that I do.

Sometimes I’m so focused on feeling underappreciated in my own corner of the world that it begins to feel like a part-time job.

Are life and relationships ever going to be exactly how you want them to be?

Nope.

What can I do today to take care of myself, give myself the recognition I desire and honor and appreciate my partner in the process?

I love you, Mad Dog and appreciate you!

I guess that’s a start.

children, gratitude, health, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, self care (or lack thereof)

Help Me!

11/01/2011 WFAM

It’s not easy to ask for help, is it?

I’m trying to let go of control a little more and give my babysitter more responsibility. I know this will get easier with time and my life might even feel more manageable. Imagine that!

First up, I gave her a litany of instructions and let her pick up Full Speed from school. This way I could go get my monthly allergy shots which are available at the most inconvenient times.

She picked him up without a hitch and I survived my three shots of lord knows what and all was good.

Once I returned home, I picked her and Full Speed up and we headed to T.Puzzle’s school. I added her to my child pick-up list and showed her the ropes.

Again, smooth sailing. I was so proud of myself. Look at me, everyone! I’m letting someone help me.

It was liberating.

We get in the car and my boys were being, well…., boys.

They were chatty and loud. They were fighting and hugging. They were boisterous and sassy.

The babysitter looks at me.

“Well, now I know why you stopped at two,” she joked.

Smart girl.

children, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, tantrums

Soccer, Sunshine & the Stinky Face

09/01/2011 WFAM

Disney Sports Soccer — Image via Wikipedia

Yesterday, the four of us hopped on our bikes and headed to the soccer fields. The mail lady commented on how she wished she could join us in the sunshine as we whizzed by.

Full Speed rode his big boy bike. No training wheels, no how.

We were golden. We did some drills (all according to Mad Dog’s direction–my soccer knowledge consists of ‘kick the ball’ and ‘don’t use your hands’).

The best part was when Mad Dog played ‘keep away’ from the me and the boys. It took all three of us, intense concentration and sometimes we caught a break to occasionally knock the ball from Mad Dog’s skilled feet. The boys loved this game.

Then, Mad Dog tried to have Full Speed run a ‘dribbling’ drill. Apparently this means doing something with your feet and has nothing to do with the fine motor control of retaining saliva in your mouth. Since Full Speed wasn’t good at controlling the ball in this manner; he pouted, cried and acted like a very spoiled two year old.

The bike ride home was drama-filled and drawn out. Full Speed refused to pedal (he’s not so great at riding without training wheels yet either).

At least the weather was lovely.

Eventually, Mad Dog had to coax Full Speed home on foot and I had to carry his bike while balancing mine with my free hand. It was a long walk home.

I’m so thankful for second chances and new days.

So far so good.

I guess sometimes you need to go to the brink of bad behavior before you can return to the land of the well-behaved.

Soccer Drills for Individuals (brighthub.com)

children, gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

The Movies (Again!)

04/01/201104/01/2011 WFAM

Image via Wikipedia

The holidays went by at the speed of light.

We capped off our family vacation with an outing to see the movie ‘Tron’.

At first we were unsure if it was appropriate for T.Puzzle. He had mentioned being scared about going to see it.

On the morning of, we pulled him aside and asked him if he wanted to go.

“I do. I’m all growed up now. I want to see Tron.”

His only request was that he wanted to sit by his brother in case he got scared.

Apparently, Full Speed has become quite a protector.

As we pulled into the theater parking lot, it started to drizzle.

T.Puzzle wanted to race to the entrance. “Hurry! Hurry or we might melt!”

Full Speed said, “Are you made of sugar or are you a Wicked Witch?”

“No,” replied T.Puzzle.

“Then you won’t melt!”

Me?

I ran like crazy being 100% sugar and all.

gratitude, happiness, humor, kids, life in pictures, marriage, mommy cliques, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, self care (or lack thereof), self-discovery

Happy 2011, Everyone!

01/01/201101/01/2011 WFAM

Resolutions for 2011 are as follows–

T.Puzzle: To be Superman when I grow up!

That’s super, man.

Full Speed: I promise to be the bestest boy in all the land.

Considering his initial behavior at our New Year’s lunch out by the ocean, this goal may be slightly on the lofty side.

Mad Dog: To get fit and have more patience with my boys.

First of all, I think he looks fantastic as is and secondly, I’m thinking he wanted to add ‘and more patience with my wife’. Since he was speaking this goal directly to me, he was wise to leave that part out.

Me: To have more gratitude for what I already have.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA — Case in point...

That’s the great thing about motherhood, it gives you many reasons to be grateful. I’m serious, mostly…, and no, I haven’t fallen and hit my head (at least not badly).

These are some of the lessons I learned throughout 2010.

1. No matter how much you dream it or wish it, you are not in control of your life or your children. It seems the more I try to micromanage Full Speed’s and T.Puzzle’s behavior, the more likely I am to fail and be miserable in the process. Sometimes you have to let go and let them be who they are, even if that means they act wild sometimes, forget their manners and generally drive you and your spouse nuts.

2. On good days, motherhood is about the balance between caring for the needs of your kids and caring for your own needs. On bad days, motherhood is about survival. All you can do is survive until your children’s bedtime, chalk it up to a bad day and start the adventure anew the next day.

3. When the bad stuff happens, it’s your best opportunity to learn.

4. I am extremely lucky to have someone like Mad Dog as my children’s father. Kids love to emulate what they see, and fortunately for me, this means they see love, respect and generosity as a way of life.

5. Frustration doesn’t get you very far. Acceptance, an action plan and forgiveness go a whole lot further in this world.

6. Having kids allows you to remember your own sense of fun. It’s also a great excuse to wear silly hats when you ring in the new year.

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