[Thriving Despite Us] Mommy Do's....and Don'ts

[Kate]

Back in the day, Glamour magazine used to feature Fashion Do’s and Fashion Don’ts. Since I barely have time to brush my teeth these days, I no longer kick back with a Frappacino and flip through a Glamour magazine while waiting for my newly manicured nails to dry. So, I don’t know if they still have this feature. I do remember more often than not falling into the Fashion Don’t category (and according to my friend Jennifer I still do, since I have fallen in love with old lady velour sweatpants and wear them everywhere these days. I am unapologetic about that by the way - they are so comfortable…..)

It occurred to me that just as there are Fashion Do’s and Don’ts; there are Mommy Do’s and Don’ts. I often have Mommy Do moments…those proud parenting moments where you should win the Dr. Spock parenting award. But, more often, I probably have Mommy Don’t moments…those embarrassing parenting moments that you know are going to be the subject of one of what will be many future therapy sessions your adult child will be attending (either voluntarily or court ordered).

I thought I’d share some of my Mommy Dos and Don’ts from the past week:

Mommy Dos:

1. Each child received a Shutterfly album on Valentine’s Day which chronicled their 2011 (in a way this was a Mommy Don’t because it was originally going to be a Christmas present but at least they got it before we rang in 2013!). This has become a yearly tradition where each child has their own chronicle of the past year. These hard back photo albums will be with the kids for years.
2. I attended James’ science fair and appropriately oooooood and ahhhhhhd without embarrassing him too dramatically.
3. I went to Will’s LAX game to watch in the freezing cold, rainy weather while I was fighting a losing battle with the flu. I spent most of my time in the car watching, but I was there and had a great view of the field while I was hallucinating.
4. I let Rosie help make lemon squares even though it meant I was going to spend the following 1/2 hour picking eggshells out of the mix. She was ecstatic at helping me and proud of the final product, as crunchy as they were.
5. I stopped watching the violent and creepy crime shows on the ID network when my kids are at home. This has been on my list of lifestyle changes for a few weeks. I love the narrator’s voices on the shows on this new-to-me network, but the gory crimes they detail are not good for children!

I had a Mommy So/So:
1. I made the kids my traditional red dinner for Valentine’s Day – Pasta with Red Sauce, Red Jello and cookies with pink frosting and red sprinkles. I made them a fun Valentine’s Day meal (Do) but did not stick around to eat with them (Don’t). Instead went on a much needed date with my husband for Valentine’s Day. The Date was a good time for Jeff and I to reconnect (definitely a Wife Do – but that is another post…). All told Valentine’s Day was a Mommy So-So.

Mommy Don’ts:
1. I let Elyse do most of James Science Fair poster. He did the experiment and recorded his observations, but she did all the gluing on the poster board. He was just so tired and crabby and it had to be done. Elyse loves to cut and glue and be crafty and……it was just so much easier to not fight with James.
2. I drove the kids to school in my flannel hello kitty pajamas on a day when we were running very late.
3. I overslept and the shorties missed Sat morning Tae Kwon Do….Even worse: (1) they were up and full of energy while I was not, (2) Will (who rarely wakes before noon when he is left to his own accord) was up and out to his Lacrosse game at 7:40am – I did not even stir when Jeff kissed me to leave with Will and (3) I was still asleep when Jeff texted at 10:00am to provide results from Will’s game!
4. I refused to pick up an under the weather Will from school despite his constant texting to me all day about how badly he felt. It was very inconvenient for me to come and get him so I made him stick it out.

And the all time worst Mommy Don’t of the week!

5. I was informed of Rosie’s seriously infected middle finger by Elyse. Elyse was helping Rosie do her school Valentines cards when Elyse yells, “OMG, Rosie what is wrong with your finger.” I had not noticed any problem but the girl’s finger was an unnatural purple color up to her first knuckle and was oozing yellow goo! …..see...



My neighbor the PA suggested we go immediately to urgent care but it was the night of the science fair. ….

I don’t think it got significantly worse by the Pediatrician’s visit the next day. After 10 days of antibiotics and twice daily Epsom salt soakings Rosie will be just fine. Besides Rosie has been enjoying sticking up her nasty middle finger at anyone who will take a look.

How did you do this week; thumb up, thumb down or hang loose (so-so)? Any Mommy Dos and/or Donts you want to share?

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Posted By Kate to Thriving Despite Us at 2/18/2012 11:51:00 AM