My Dos and Don’ts:
- I don’t fold ANYONE’S underwear. Ever.
- I don’t freak out when I find my teenager frying live crickets in my best frying pan.
- Google Calendar
- If someone brings us cookies and there is one too many on the plate, I eat the extra one so the kids don’t fight about who gets it.
- I take deep breaths when it is cool outside.
- I make sure to clarify dinner instructions. For example, instead of saying, “Put the pizza in the oven,” I say, “Take the pizza out of the box, put it in the oven and cook it.”
- I set alarms on my phone to “notify” me a few minutes before carpool, doctor appointments, etc.; that way, I don’t forget (unless I want to–then I hit snooze).
- I let my kids sleep in my bed so they go to sleep sooner.
- I allow myself to cry at Disney movies.
- I read.
- I make faces in the elevator and at ATMs.
- When I am having a really good dream, I make a point of finishing it, even if it is an hour after I wake up.
- Sometimes I lock myself in my bathroom just to play “Settlers of Catan” on my phone.
- I paint my toenails.
- I pretend all the parenting books were written by parents with perfect children and I am actually forging a new frontier in parenting real kids.
- I get and give hugs. Lots of hugs. Daily.
- I am confident that if you embrace these habits, you too will survive motherhood!
QUESTION: What is in your bag of motherhood survival tricks?
Stephanie says
I frequently remind myself that I’m doing this best I can, and if that doesn’t look too great to anyone else, so be it.
I also have five kids, and it’s helpful because nobody else in my immediate circle has so many children. Whenever my house/hair/life looks like a disaster, I just tell myself, “Well, I have five kids. What more do you expect?”
Cheryl says
I have 5 kids too….most of the time at least something is a disaster, either me or the house, can’t have a cleaned up Mom and home right?
Cheryl says
LOVE IT! So real and down to earth! I paint my toenails too and lock myself in the bathroom to read or talk on the phone!
Tiffany says
LOVE down-to-earth mothers! What a wonderful list!!
Brooke says
Kathy- you had me laughing out loud, this was so funny! But real too, which I appreciate. I’m still working on my bag of tricks- trying to get Diet Coke OFF the list and a few other coping mechanisms on. I’m so with you on Google calendar though- it’s the best! It’s the only way I can keep track of my husband.
Thanks for the laugh and for the good ideas (love the cookie one)!
Stacy Johnson says
I laughed out loud myself as I read your post. I have done a few of those things myself. Love your blog.
Kyna S. says
I let my 4-yr old fold the laundry with me. It is never folded perfectly :), but this is often the time she is willing to share all her thoughts and feelings.
cmstudiospilates says
we spend at least 15min a day outside, no matter the weather