Tag: kids

children, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

Summer Changes

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For most of us in my neighborhood, today is the first official day of summer vacation.  As the usual group of moms gathered outside the main exercise room at the gym, the stories of motherly frustration began to flow.  There were kids who refused to get up, who didn’t want to eat breakfast and who kicked and screamed all the way to the gym kid zone. 

We are all in the same boat.  Summer will be a fun change of pace but there will be some bumps in the road.

My favorite comments were from a Mom who has a grown daughter.  She said that frustration is part of being a mother.  The moms you have to watch out for are the ones who say their kids are “perfect” and everything about motherhood is “easy” and “always wonderful”.   

It’s okay to lose patience with your children as long as you don’t pretend that you never have.

bad day, children, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting, Taekwondo

Grace is a Name I Call Myself

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I took both boys to taekwondo.  It was rainy and the sky was clouded in a way that made me feel kind of doomy.  For some reason, I did not have a proper attitude.  My attitude could have stemmed from the twisted knee I sustained during last Friday’s Zumba class (yes, I clearly am highly coordinated) and it twinged with regret every time I took a step.  Or, I am starting to really, truly be over the YEAR ROUND taekwondo situation (Mad Dog, please take note).  Yes, with most activities there is a distinctive start point and end point.  Taekwondo is infinite.  Apparently, my boys can become 128th degree black belts and me?  I would like to start earning my black belt in lounging or slacking off in general.  But, alas, this will never happen.  Even if for some reason we suspend all kung-fu type activity in our home, there will be another activity or goal to replace it. 

My goal?  To try to remain gracious even when I feel completely the opposite.

How am I doing Mad Dog? 

On second thought, better not answer that.  You know with me trying to be more gracious and all.

children, humor, kids, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

School Running

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On the ride to school I tried to imagine at what age I will allow the boys to take their bikes by themselves.  I have a feeling this is a long ways off.

I asked them both what they thought. 

“I don’t know, Mom,” said Full Speed.

“I could run to school right now,” said T.Puzzle.  “I’m really fast.”

Why didn’t I think of that?

So I pulled over and let him out.

Boy, that kid can run.

Ok, not really, but it made me smile picturing my determined four year old hoofing it the two miles to school.

Think of all the gas I’d save!

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

Washed Up

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Having been away from home for several days, I was glad to get back to my boys.  There’s something about routine and familiarity that can cushion an aching soul from the ups and downs of life. 

However, I was not glad to get back to laundry.

While I was away, a strange thing happened.  Mad Dog became slightly obsessed with keeping the house clear of dirty laundry.  He even promptly threw the boys’ swim wear in the washer when they returned from their lesson. 

I don’t know how long he will continue this obsession.

My guess it will be as short-lived as my absence.

children, eyesight, gratitude, humor, life in pictures, mommyhood, motherhood, parenting

A Lesson in Swimming

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We finished soccer just in the nick of time to start swim lessons.  Apparently there is no rest for the weary in our household.

I wasn’t sure how these lessons would go.  Full Speed is old enough and adapts well so I figured he would be okay.  I was more worried about T.Puzzle especially once the instructor confirmed the boys would not be allowed to wear their glasses in the pool.  This did not sit well with me.  I know it is necessary and I’m all about deferring to the instructor.  She has been doing this for years and I have to help her establish that what she says is the law.

Everything went smoothly with Full Speed except that he was a freezing, chattering mess by the end.  T.Puzzle was a different story.  He melted down early and often.  It was hard to sit and watch.  I had to resist the urge to jump fully clothed into the pool and rescue him.  Eventually, the instructor got him calm and he slowly began to overcome his fear.  By the end of the lesson he was determined to do whatever she asked of him and do it better than his brother had.  Sibling rivalry in this instance was a beautiful thing.

Full Speed looks on as T.Puzzle practices how to get safely out of the pool.

By watching T.Puzzle work through his fear I realized something.  If T.Puzzle can conquer a pool without glasses, he is going to be ready for anything life throws at him.

Except maybe his overprotective Mom hurtling herself towards him if he ever goes anywhere near the deep end of the pool.

Being brave is tiring