Bedroom Galaxy

Some nights, bedtime sucks.  There, I said it.  All the yelling and the pleading and the tears.  ...And that’s just from me and my wife to get our three-year-old son to bed. 

Honestly, the poor kid is just like me when I was little – always trying to avoid bedtime so as not to miss any fun that unfolds downstairs.

Then an idea came to me.  My son has a nightlight in his room that projects stars onto his ceiling.  I purchased those plastic stick-on glow-in-the-dark stars that were big in the ‘80s for kids to put on their bedroom ceilings.  After bath time, I got our son into his pajamas, turned on the nightlight and with him in my arms jumped up into “the sky” to grab him a star.  When I handed him the plastic star I had hidden up my sleeve as if I had pulled it down from the sky, he was amazed.  SO amazed, in fact, that he willingly got into bed and immediately fell asleep holding the star in his little hands.  Three weeks later and the kid is still hooked on the sky trick.  Needless to say, bed time has turned into a piece of cake.

As parents we have to be creative geniuses to get our children to do things they sometimes do not want to do.  And I have to admit, the way my son looks at me with complete amazement in his eyes as we jump into his bedroom galaxy makes me feel like a star every single night. 

Sincerely, 

As a Guest in the Stork’s Nest ~

R. Daddy

Mom-Me

I have wanted to be a Mom since I could remember.  I couldn’t wait to have a baby, hold him/her in my arms and show my beautiful baby off, all the while being a well put-together Mom (what does that mean, anyway)!  I vowed not to become the stereotypical Mom.  Here are my top ten promises to myself of how my life wouldn’t change once we welcomed a baby home: 

                1.  I would continue going out with my friends.

                2.  I would not cut my hair into a short hairstyle.

                3.  I would not let my house become over-run with toys.

                4.  I would keep up –to-date on celebrity news.

                5.  I would not talk about my children incessantly to anyone who listens.

                6.  I would do my hair and put makeup on every day.

                7.  My yard would not look like a daycare center playground.

                8.  I would continue travelling to places I love.

                9.  My dog would remain my first “baby”.

                10.  And the biggest of all……I would NOT drive a minivan.   

I am now proud to say, I have broken my vow, and have become everything that I have listed above.  Proud, you ask?  Yes, proud!  I LOVE my short hairstyle, and although I don’t love the mess of toys – I love that it makes my kids happy.  My poor dog has taken a back seat to my kids, and I have no idea who is engaged or pregnant in Hollywood.  My life is for my kids, and although I am still “me” I am a different “me”, I am a Mom-me! 

I am also not ashamed to say – My Honda Odyssey is the BEST car I have ever owned!  I never thought I would own a minivan, yet utter those words, but it is true!  I would scream it from the rooftops – but honestly, I don’t think I have to – I have “Mom” written all over me, and am proud of it!

Sincerely,

From the Stork’s Nest~

Rebecca

Take Notes!

If you’re anything like me, you have a zillion things scheduled for each week.  Whether it’s a work meeting or taking the kids’ to their doctor’s appointments or taking the car to get an oil change or arranging play dates or preschool snack duty, the calendar gets full months in advance. 

After my three-year-old son was born, I thought I could simply keep all these facts in my head.  I’ve never been one to keep a calendar, although I have tried in the past and only lasted a week or so before I fell behind and eventually gave up.  But after I missed the baby’s check-up with the doctor (and was totally blown away when they called to tell me to inform me as I didn’t even remember making the appointment let alone missing it…), I became a calendar junkie.  Got ‘em everywhere: a small one in my purse, a wipe-board calendar on my refrigerator, an electronic one on my computer.  You see where I’m going here.  They all have the same appointments written on them and allow me to know, no matter where I am, a play-by-play of what is happening for me and my family in any particular week.   

A few months ago keeping a calendar got me thinking about the importance of writing down my thoughts.  I’m sure you, like me, have thoughts throughout the day about all types of topics: remember to get the baby a gallon of milk, pick up the dry cleaning, the permission slip is due by Friday, remember to make a hair appointment, oh! – good idea for a blog, let me jot that down too, etc.  I was feeling overwhelmed with all the things I needed to remember in any given day.  So, I started carrying a small notebook in my bag.  And, I have to tell you, it’s changed my life!  Now, instead of keeping everything in my head, I make little notes throughout the day as the ideas come to me.  Not having to remember everything has given me a freedom I could never have imagined!  One of my favorite things to do every couple of days is to look back on my scribble and find that most of the thoughts are things I would have long forgotten if I didn’t write them down. 

As moms we become the administrative assistants for our families and often pressure ourselves to remember everything about everyone in the family.  I say let’s give ourselves a break and use whatever tricks work!  Taking notes is certainly it for me and I hope it helps you out, too.

Sincerely, From the Stork’s Nest ~

Liz

Mommy Control

This year, for Halloween, I had decided on The Wizard of Oz theme for my kids. My boys were to be the Scarecrow and Tin man, my daughter, Dorothy and our Labrador retriever the Lion.  The kids actually bought into the theme after a well timed movie night where the feature show was, what else, The Wizard of Oz.  My list of materials to make their costumes was made, and I couldn’t wait to get started! 

We attended a birthday party a few weeks ago where the theme was Star Wars.  My boys have never seen the movie, don’t really have any Star Wars toys, but totally bought into the story.  They were given beautiful hand-sewn Jedi cloaks and Lightsabers.  They couldn’t have been more excited.  When we got home from the party, they both told me they want to be a Jedi for Halloween.  I tried, persuasively, to convince them that The Wizard of Oz was a better idea, because all their costumes would go together, and they don’t even really know what a Jedi is.  I got a big “WE ARE BEING JEDIES”. 

Now ordinarily I would push and push and push to have them carry out the plan that I had made.  I could just see the cute pictures with all of them, dressed like the cast to one of the most classic movies ever made.  I stepped back and thought about it a bit more, “why would I go and buy all the materials for these costumes, when I have most of a Jedi costume free, and why would I push them into being something they don’t want to be?” 

Parenthood comes with many sacrifices, sleep, alone time, hobbies, interests, etc.  In my opinion, the most challenging is giving up that Mommy control, for the benefit of my children. 

So, I have relented, the boys will be Jedies, and are happy as clams about it.  In the end, isn’t that all that really matters.  

Sincerely,

From the Stork’s Nest,

Rebecca

Stop in the Name of Love

I spent this afternoon at a seminar for professionals on the importance of taking our time and making sure we “stop, think, act and then review our work.”  As I sat there listening to the instructor, I realized this lesson applies to all aspects of life – not just our professional lives.  The idea of stopping, thinking about what we’re doing, completing a task and then reviewing our actions seems to be a good rule of thumb no matter what the specific situation.  I thought to myself, “Hmm…maybe this would make a good blog.”

Then I got home. 

I had a few extra minutes after the seminar before I was due to pick up my daughter, so I decided to run home to change my clothes and wash my face.  When I got there, of course, I also threw into the mix throwing in a load of laundry, eating the lunch I had missed earlier in the day and checking my email.  Before I knew it, I was running late and realized I needed to get going.  I grabbed my purse and cell phone and whizzed out the door.  Just as I was pulling the front door shut, I realized my mistake…the keys…!  But, alas, it was too late.  The door had locked and there, through the glass door, were my keys sitting on the table, almost mocking me. 

This was too ironic.  I had just left a seminar about taking my time and thinking about my actions when a mere 45 minutes later I found myself locked myself out of my house because I was not taking my time and not thinking about my actions.  The only thing I was sure of at that moment was my next thought, “Yes, Liz, this would make a great blog.”

As parents we are always multi-tasking.  Making dinner and folding laundry.  Driving the kids to school and thinking about what to wear to work.  Mixing a bottle for the baby and holding the baby and trying to eat our own breakfast.  Putting on our mascara and tying little Jimmy’s shoes.  The list goes on and on and I think every parent can relate to what I am describing.  Just how did this happen and what can we do to “make it all better” (as my three-year-old would say)? 

Being stopped dead in your tracks by the universe clearly trying to tell you to slow down gives a girl time to think.  So I took a deep breath and reviewed my actions of the last fifteen or so minutes.  I had had enough time to change and wash my face, that had been the plan.  There really was no need to check my email, that could have been done after the kids went to bed.  And why did I eat?  We always eat dinner as a family so why did I think I needed to eat quickly computer-side rather than wait a few minutes to enjoy mealtime with my family?  And the laundry?  Seriously?  There’s always laundry to do so why did I think I had to get that particular load in the wash right at that moment?  I started to laugh aloud (the neighborhood kids playing in the street officially think I’m bananas, by the way).  Right then on my stoop I promised to really take to heart what they were trying to teach at the seminar this morning: stop, think, act and review. 

But, I’m not naïve.  I know promising to stop multi-tasking is unrealistic.  But the idea of trying my absolute best to be present, move slowly and make clear decisions seems to be a great way to proceed.  To “Stop in the Name of Love” to ensure my family knows that even though I am one busy mama (like so many of you out there!) that they come first and I will always try my best to make the best, most clear decisions I can for them.  Will I always get it right?  No way – I’m sure there are more days on the stoop being locked out in my future at some point, but I’ll work my best to move slower and be more present for the decisions I make.  Making that commitment is really the best any of us can do.  I’ll be here trying to do my best.  And I wish you all the best as you try, too!

Jeez, who knew a silly set of keys could teach so much?!

Sincerely, From the Stork’s Nest~

Liz