Oh, Well

Posted on February 3, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

As you know, today is Friday.   We usually post fun videos, informative podcasts and witty sayings to end the week and launch the weekend.  But, I must confess.  This week’s Friday post will be a bit lacking.  Somewhere between illness, appointments and other  uninvited disruptions it has gotten lost.  Instead, it has been replaced with much needed pedicures, sushi and the joy of a sick child getting a new fish.

Motherhood is like that, isn’t is?  Well thought out plans interrupted with  life necessities.  Back in the day, such instances would have been viewed as unwelcome intrusions to my schedule, causing mounting frustration and disappointment in myself for failing to get it together.

Then… I had kids.    And I breathe a bit easier letting go of expectations and finding comfort in those two liberating words every mother lives by:

Oh, well.

Have a great weekend!

 

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The Power of Do-Over

Posted on February 1, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

The Power of a Do-OverRemember when we were kids and we made a mistake playing kick ball? We’d call a “Do Over.” There was no yelling or arguing.  We all just hit the reset button and made the play again.  Nothing was so major that it was not easily forgotten or ever mentioned again.  A mistake was simply that … a mistake.  Not a big deal.  We just wanted to start over and continue the game rather than focus on the errors.

I miss those Do-Overs! What if I offered Do-Overs more freely to people on the street? Or to my kids? Or even myself?  I’d breath more peace than conflict and it sure would be a lot of fun.

Each day is a Do-Over.  Another chance to get it right.  Another chance to learn and make a difference.

Do you need a Do-Over?

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A Really Great Quote…

Posted on January 30, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect
“Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing.”
― Harriet Braiker

Recently, I came across this quote on one of the Real Simple magazine daily thoughts blogs I follow. When I first read it, I thought how applicable toward motherhood. How different would life be if I strived for excellence instead of perfection?

For me, striving for excellence means that improvement is tangible and attainable.  Big or small, I have the power to make positive changes as a woman and mother.  Excellence means I will make mistakes, learn from them and that helps me grow.  Excellence is the normal up and down roller coaster of motherhood.  It is enjoying the journey of motherhood rather without chasing after the impossible destination of perfectionism.

What do you think?

 

 

 
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Forgiveness Podcast by Two Moms Still Figuring It Out

Posted on January 27, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

Girl Talk….I love it. And one of my favorite people to talk with is Susan Douglas, MD. So incredibly smart and yet so real. Recently, we sat down to talk about forgiveness and decided to put our thoughts into a podcast. Being mothers ourselves, we kept it brief. Enjoy!

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

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Half Birthdays For Summer Babies

Posted on January 25, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

Birthdays are so much fun for kids. One of the things that makes them so special for kids is celebrating with their friends at school. However, kids born in the summer often miss out on this experience. Recently, one of my daughter’s teachers recognized this need and came up with a solution. She started celebrating “Half Birthdays” on the six month anniversary for students born in the summer. So if someone’s birthday was August 1, they had a class party on February 1. Isn’t that clever!

How fun would it be to come into class, thinking it would be an ordinary day and to be surprised with a special bag of goodies on your desk! You celebrate your birthday twice and know that someone cared enough to make sure you didn’t feel left out. Often, I am impressed with the creativity and care teachers show to our kids. They truly are rock stars.

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When They Are Sick

Posted on January 23, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

“How r u all feeling” – I texted my friend

“Fine. How are you all?” – she replied

“All sick…..How long does it take?”

“About a week.”

“Well darn. *$&$***$” I reply.

Well, the flu season is definitely here in our part of the world. In our house alone, we have experienced viruses and ear infections back to back. Ugh! Between trips to the pediatrician and the ER, it has become crystal clear that I do not like it when sickness becomes an unwelcomed guest in our home. Not only does it steal away our fun, but it is just so exhausting. I told my husband that I felt like I have been on call for two weeks. His reply: “You have.” At least, the on call pager never called my name every 10 minutes.

So in the midst of the yuckiness, I give myself a time out and figure out some ways to survive. I make myself a cup of tea and then breathe. I remember this is temporary and soon our their fever ridden bodies will give way to endless energy and our home will once again be filled with its normal sounds and schedules. Why am I squandering the time? We can watch movies, read some books together and just enjoy some much needed downtime. How many times has the thought crossed my mind that time is fleeting with our girls and I need to savor the moment with them? Illness can be a pain, but also serve this mommy a much needed reminder.

How do you survive when your kids are sick?

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Moms Let Loose

Posted on January 20, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

Happy Friday!

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Really Anderson Cooper….Why the Mommy Wars?

Posted on January 18, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

I guess I’m a little late, but I just came across Anderson Cooper’s recent show in which a working mom referred to stay at home Moms as “Lazy.” Not to be undone, the stay at home moms then referred to the working moms as “selfish.” Really, Anderson…why the Mommy wars? It is hard enough for anyone to be a mother without inciting more drama. Motherhood may be the toughest job around and often with the most criticism.

Women make choices contingent upon the needs of others, which is the epitome of self sacrifice. In addition, often such decisions are made as a result of circumstances beyond their control. What about the mom that stays at home because she has been laid off? What about the mom that works in order to put food on the table? What about the mom that works from home? But instead of helping support mothers, you chose to use us. Instead of honoring mothers, you chose to divide us. And what’s the purpose, Anderson? Need some ratings?

Since you won’t say it, then I will:

Both stay at home and working moms are amazing.

Both stay at home moms and working moms love their children and would die for them.

Both stay at home and working moms have stressful jobs.

Both stay at home and working moms make sacrifices for their children every day.

Both stay at home and working moms are satisfied.

Both stay at home and working moms need support rather than more criticism.

and most importantly

No Mommys Perfect. (See I can say this Anderson….because I am a Mom.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.andersoncooper.com/episodes/new-mom-study-whos-happier-plus-kathie-lee-and-hoda/

 

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Thanks Mrs. Coretta Scott King

Posted on January 16, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.” ~Martin Luther King, Jr.

Today is Dr. King’s birthday. One man that dared to change the world through peaceful resistance. Yet, often sometimes lost in the shadows shines the life of Mrs. Coretta Scott King. What I find admirable about Mrs. King is that she courageously chose not to become a victim of her husband’s assassination. Rather, she determined to further his legacy becoming a civil rights activist and power player in her own right. With perseverance, Mrs. King fought for more than a decade for Dr. King’s birthday to become a national holiday. A mother of four, her life demonstrated moms can become world changers through our actions and what we teach our children.

Thanks Mrs. King.

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Helping Kids Make Friends

Posted on January 12, 2012 by No Mommy's Perfect

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. ~Douglas Pagels

All Moms want their kids to have great friendships. Like us, kids need friend to hang out with and to grow socially and physically. Without friends, many kids may
feel alone, isolated and down about themselves. We also want our kids to pick
the right friends, those that will encourage him when he is sad and accept her for all of her wonderful qualities. Yet, friendships can be challenging. How can we help our kids make solid friendships?

While it is easy to get hung up in the amount of friends our kids have, the amount
is relative. Knowing your child’s personality is significant when considering their
friends. If he is more introverted then he may be more comfortable with a few close
friends. Likewise, if she is extroverted she may prefer to have more friends. Yet,
it often works out that even amongst a lot of friends a few will tend to become her
confidantes and the rest more acquaintances. The amount of friends is not nearly as
important as the quality of those friends.

Sometimes fear stands in the way between kids and new friendships. Don’t be
afraid to make the first step in helping your kids make friends. If there is someone that your child enjoys spending time with at school, then take the initiative to connect with their friend’s parents to schedule a play date. Or consider hosting an event at your house and invite new friends only. This also creates an opportunity to get to know their parents, which is always a huge benefit.

Another great way to help your kids make a variety of friends is to center them on
their interests. If you child enjoys sports, join a team where there will be kids with
similar interests. If your child enjoys the arts, then look for some arts classes that
involve group instruction. As a counselor, I encourage kids to have different circles
of friends. When there are problems in one circle, your child will have other friends
he/she can hang out with instead of feeling stuck.

 

How about you? What way have you found helpful to help your kids make friends?

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