Mommy Ideas

I had a friend of mine tell me that I must be wonder mom. I completely dismissed her and even gave her the "are you serious" look because I knew full well what I have not been able to do as a mother. I have had a few things that I have learned really well (and plenty of others that I am still learning) and thought I should share them just in case there were mothers out there that had not heard of these bits before.

1) clothes are replaceable - don't stress over keeping them "nice" because you will make yourself and the child unhappy. Let the darn kids play and have fun, those are the memories you want them to have, not some clothes that will be out dated for their kids anyway.

2) it is okay to tell your kids no and stick to it - I have taught at schools where the kids don't get told "no" enough as little kids or they did but mom and dad finally broke down, those kids were the hardest kids to be around. You are not supposed to be their friends, you are training little adults!

3) a cheap pizza cutter doesn't work for pizza but is GREAT on pancakes and waffles - this is not an original, stole it from another mother somewhere that learned this lesson before me. I am almost to the point of taking one with us next time we head to IHOP! :)

Those are just a few things I feel that I have pretty good control over and that I "know" what I am doing. (Trust me the list isn't much longer than that, and I can't always explain how to make #1 and #2 work, but I have #3 nailed!)

Things I don't have under control or feel like I know what I am doing all the time.

1) How to keep the kids from fighting with one another - sibling stuff I understand but there are some things that I think are just plain mean and I don't understand how to get this one of my children to stop being ultra mean to one of the other siblings. :\

2) Giving my children regular baths - I read something while pregnant that said that children under the age of hormone influx do not require a bath every day and that it will make it harder for their bodies to figure out how to properly adjust to the environment and oil production. I took this to heart a little too well. I sometimes can't remember the last time they had a bath (mostly with the babies, the bigger ones are starting to carry a smell if it is too long). I just don't enjoy the 1.5 - 2 hours it takes to get them all washed. Should finish the second bathroom with the tub so that this chore won't be such a chore. ;)

3) Clipping the kids finger nails - I used to be really good at this one. I would sit down with the kids once a week with my little bath basket with the clippers, combs, detangler, etc. and we would clip once a week. I didn't have so much on my plate then and I only had 4 kids instead of 5 but this one even bugs me! Their nails get soooo nasty! Making a point to fix this one, for them, me and others! :)

Okay, so there are a few confessions, advice, ramblings, whatever you want to think of them. Praying that this finds everyone in a great place in their lives! Or maybe just makes you appreciate the point you are in better because "at least I am not in her place"! :D God bless!

Note and Schedule Making

I have always been a list maker. I found an old diary from my youth and it even had a list of how to clean my room. Adam has poked fun at me for making them and sometimes even leaves a funny little addition to my list of stuff to do. I have decided that I would stop trying to keep my list hidden (mostly because I am a bad speller and frequently find Adam's marks from editing), and start using my list making talents for the whole family and to make a routine in the house so that daily stuff stops being a chore and feeling forced to what is expected from everyone in black and white. I know from watching all of the bad movies and tv shows that you are not supposed to have a routine that was predictable so that a killer can't find you easily but I am throwing caution to the wind and praying that Lubbock/Slaton are safe enough for my growing family to form a daily routine. :) Some of the posted list are as follows, what has to be done to play the new Wii, what you need to take to school, what to ask the kids when coming home from school (where is your lunch box, jacket, homework, etc.), what it means to get ready for bed, what it means to get ready for the day, and so on. I have many more for the kids and myself. I am hoping that this will help me with some of my new years resolutions and help my kids to fully understand what I expect of them. Here's praying for the positive! :D

Side note. - I have added baskets and buckets to the family closet. I now have 2 baskets for each kid (one color for tops, another for bottoms), and the bucket for the undies and socks. I even had them label them so that they know which basket is for them and also to help daddy out on those days when mommy is not available. :) A bit messed up on the folding jobs but overall a great addition to this little house!