Parenting Wisdom

Once I became a parent my outlook on teaching really started to evolve and transform, and I saw my profession from a whole new perspective. The following things are just a sampling of the ways I've grown as both a teacher and a parent.

So, at my twins’ first birthday party, I asked the guests (mostly our family) to write them each a letter. Each piece of letter paper I gave out had a different birthday starting at age 5. Just about every birthday from age 5-30 was included, with mostly every other year of their twenties. The idea was that my daughters would read the letters on that particular birthday. So, on their 10th birthday, they would read the letter for that year (one letter from one person for each of my daughters per birthday).

Every year it seems we all aim for the same things… finally lose that baby weight, purge/simplify, be more “present,” stop judging others, and the list goes on! I don’t need a new year to tell me I need to work on those. Those are all part of our never-ending list of #momgoals. This year, I have a few new ideas.

It’s never too early to teach your children about giving back to the community, Mueller says, Ringing bells as a family will “provide an opportunity for parents to show their children how to give and become a donor. It is a rare occasion for a child to pass a kettle without begging his or her parent for change to drop in the kettle,” he adds. “Bell ringing really matters. It matters because we can all participate in something bigger than ourselves and teach our children to do the same.”

Your efforts, while more scarce, were thwarted by my excuses and busy schedule. Now, six months into being a mom to two, my hindsight has allowed me to realize that I unknowingly became my own worst enemy in the fight to maintain my friendships. I’ve grown to be the “flakey” friend and while you might not yet be able to relate or fully understand, I owe you an explanation.

There are so many it(s) that I have left to experience.  I'm sure I will find the right time to use the phrase "life's not fair" and I will understand why grand kids are better than my own kids.  But until then, if you see a cartoon-like light bulb above my head, don't worry.  It's just me getting it.

With three young children, it already feels like we have SO many things in our house for them to play with. Books, toys, stuffed animals, Legos, play kitchen, ride on toys, you name it. While I know play is so important, I get overwhelmed seeing the amount of toys we have. Especially since they are usually ALL over the living room (kitchen, bedrooms, etc.). I think my kids get overwhelmed with all the stuff some days too. While I do try to do a toy rotation at times, it never happens as often as I would like.

Sometimes I wish I lived many years ago, when times were just simpler (or at least they appeared to be).  When life had a slower pace and the ways of the world were a bit different.  Call  me old-fashioned if you want to… 

“I can’t believe you’re being so MEAN!” our 11-year-old daughter told my husband and me. “You guys are the Fun-Killers!” Yep. That’s us. Mr. & Mrs. Fun-Killer.

It's been six months since I worked outside the home.  In many ways it feels like just yesterday that I was pulling into work.  In other ways, it feels as though I haven't worked for years.  I am, by-no-means, an expert at being a stay-at-home mom.  But, the following are some commandments that I am vowing to keep to make myself feel fulfilled and to make this the best experience for my girls.