Archives > Opinion > Star Guests
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Announcing A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts--Part I
By Leslie Wilson
I've co-authored two books. A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, published by Leafwood Publishers, debuted in 2008. The second book in the series releases next week. (Mother's Day gift--hint, hint!) Here's an excerpt:
A Few of Our Favorite Things: Kids Say the Funniest Things
Karen: My son mixed his grandmother's trip to Pennsylvania with the memory verse he was trying to learn in Sunday school. "Thou shalt not take the Lord's name to Pennsylvania!"
Reese: Mom, may I please have some Skittles?
Mom: Sure. Hey, we have ice cream if you'd rather have that.
Reese: No, I like Skittles.
Mom: Are you a Skittles connoisseur?
Reese: I don't know what that is.
Mom: A connoisseur is someone who knows all about something and loves it.
Reese: I don't know about Skittles, but I'm a mommy connoisseur.
Terra: Remember how, when children are very young, they believe moms know everything? Our oldest son was six when he came home from school and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic of Richard Stans." I pointed out that it should be "for which it stands," and he insisted that the teacher knew more than me and that Richard Stans is correct. That was the beginning of the end of "mommy knows everything."
Cathy: Children sometimes use the wrong words, especially if they have similar syllables. My son confused the words cemetery and cafeteria. Hence, a few of our elderly friends were buried in cafeterias, while we often dined at the cemetery.
Trish: As a toddler, Sydney's bedtime prayers consisted of "Ad doo wada wada wok, eeda umda uda prumpy do." She said that exact phrasing every night for years, and though we never knew what it meant, we were sure God did.
Leslie View on Job Security
As a mom, I can sometimes fall into the trap of devaluing my job.
Lately, however, I've noticed a few things that could solidify my standing, my role within the family. If these items don't render me indispensable, I don't know what will.
Because . . . if I don't do these things, no one will:
* Remove lint from the dryer filter.
* Clean out the refrigerator.
* Change the bed sheets.
* Use coupons.
* Make any kind of powdered drink.
* Change the toilet paper roll.
I should never question my significance or my role in my family. I'm needed. I'm an integral part, a necessary cog. I may not keep everything moving, but I do have complete authority over a few aspects of household management.
Even if it's by default.
Mommy's Little Helps: Organizational Tips
Karen: Keep a wall calendar. Make everyone responsible for recording his or her scheduled activities on it.
Trish: Place wooden crates under your end tables or coffee table to store miscellaneous toys, books, or clutter. You can clean up in a snap, and kids have what they need in a pinch.
Leslie: Color code your kiddos: toothbrush, comb or hairbrush, towels, laundry baskets, ink color on a calendar, stickers on steps, and sticky notes to them. Mark the toes of socks with a Sharpie. They'll be able to tell what belongs to them much more easily. Added bonus: You know who's forgetting to put away their stuff. And so will they!
Terra: When you're running late because a child is moving slowly, make getting out the door a game by saying, "I bet I can put on my shirt before you put on your shirt." Most kids will run to put on their shirt. "I bet I can get ready to go and stand at the front door before you do" can motivate a child to speedy action so you will leave on time.
Cathy: If you think your home will have perfect order, engrave these words by Stephanie Pierson on the front door, and then you'll never have to make excuses for messes: "Fasten your seatbelts. We're experiencing a little turbulence."
Leslie co-authored A Scrapbook of Motherhood Firsts, which releases April 10th -- just in time for Mother's Day. Visit her website and blog at www.lesliewilson.com.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Star Guests «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
