My friend Andrea put this on her blog and asked for responses. I have been horrid about blog checking lately (more about that in a later post) so thanks to Alissa, I saw this. I am so impressed by how great my friends are as mothers and even though I don't feel inadequate, it is nice to learn from their answers, so please take a minute and fill this out and email it to me... and to Andrea, too.
The last time my child made me laugh Yesterday in the car, Daisy was singing "Tomorrow" as usual, but when she got to the chorus, she shouted out "Everybody now!"
I carve out time for myself by Waking up at the crack of dawn to exercise... and occasionally putting myself in Time Out in my room
The television mom I'm most like Mama Bear from the Berenstein Bears. She is patient most of the time, but she can lose it quite nicely when called upon.
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my child Going to the beach. Kids are never cuter than when left to their own devices with endless supplies of sand and water.
The one thing I wish I had known about parenting before I became a parent There is so much that I can't control. Days are never as perfect as I imagine they will be when I wake up, and the older the girls get, the less I can control their moods.
The most important life lesson I want my child to learn How to be a strong woman without compromising femininity.
The invention I wish I could create to make my life easier Fashionable buzz cuts for girls; candy that is healthy; and a quick and inexpensive way to get out of Wisconsin to visit family.
My most embarrassing parenting moment I got up to lead the music in church and had a felt zebra from our reverence book stuck to my bottom. Having never worn animal prints, this was not a good inauguration.
The future parenting moment I fear the most What else? 4 teenage girls in the house at the same time.
My proudest moment as a parent I am embarrassed to admit this, but I think it was Lizzie's piano recital last winter. She played without being shy and it made me feel like she can do anything.
The thing about my younger self that I'd like to reclaim The time I used to spend thinking about myself. I didn't realize what a luxury it was to spend hours and hours at the piano or just going to lunch with friends sans kids. Not that lunches with friends at McDonald's isn't fun now, but it just isn't the same.
If I could change places with anyone, living or dead, it would be She'll hate this, but it would be my mother. I love calling and hearing that she's been playing bridge for 3 hours, or that she's spending the day at the cabin, or that she is going to take a nap. She always laughs about it, and I know that it is just the stage of life and that I'll be there someday, but on my hardest days, I would trade her in a heartbeat. Besides, I think she'd do a better job with my kids than I am.
The most fun thing about being a mom Stopping to notice the details that I might otherwise miss (i.e. tiny flowers growing in the grass, neat rocks, bubbles); playing Chutes and Ladders until we fall down laughing because I NEVER win, even though I really try; fixing things with Band-Aids and fruit snacks; and having someone think that I know everything!
The hardest thing about being a mom No time off, physically or emotionally.
The last time my children made me laugh Yesterday, when they were all playing together and just screaming with laughter. It makes me laugh every time.
I realized I had turned into my mother when Frankly, I wish I was more like my mother all the time. But I mostly hear her voice when I have to say things like, "If I have to ask you to close the front door one more time, I'm going to turn into a screaming meemie." I have no idea what a screaming meemie sounds like, and neither do my kids, yet, but it feels good to say it because my mother used to say it to us.
I get my children to eat fruits and vegetables by I give them their fruit before anything else at lunch. When they are that hungry, they'll eat anything! Mwah-ha-ha.
The last books I read to my children We just finished the first Harry Potter book and now I am back on Winnie-the-Pooh, but not the last chapter of the last book because it makes me cry when Christopher Robin grows up.
Before I turn off the lights at bedtime, I say to my children "Stay in your beds." And then I whisper that I love them and that they're my best girls.
The favorite traditions I share with my children When my mother was watching my kids in May, she got them started singing a funny I Love You song after family prayers. Now they insist on singing it every night while we have a family hug. Also, trips to the beach with cousins, playing tennis, daily exercise, and feeling like home is the safest place on earth. I actually still think that my parents' home is the safest place on earth.
My favorite place to take my children Home to see family, Newport Beach, Disneyland with Kelly's family, Target (at least weekly), and anywhere in the car because we have our best talks there.
Something that no one knows about me I have become much more relaxed since having kids. I don't mind missing anything, being late, or throwing my schedule out the window. That is so unlike the old me. That, and I still dream of becoming an olympic biathlete.
I hope my kids inherit Kelly's blond hair, my curly hair, my mom's refinement, and a sense of fun from Kelly and my sister Kath.
The kids' toy or game I will never understand This is my new soapbox. Why do toy manufacturers market teenage-style toys to girls from 5-8? I have banned Bratz dolls, Barbies, and other similar toys from my house. I am disgusted by the sexualization of young girls (this year I actually saw PADDED bikinis in Lizzie's size!) Also, I have never understood the game Pretty Pretty Princess. I just don't get it.
The most ingenious invention for kids Easy-on boots: last winter I loved that the girls could slip their boots on and off by themselves. Band-Aids: they make everything feel better on contact. Minivans: how do I love that sliding door and features that are designed for kids!
The kids' snack I am most likely to be caught eating Absolutely the fruit snacks. That instant panacea for hurt feelings, that bribe that never fails, the individually packaged single-serving that satisfies every juvenile craving. Love them - especially the Welch's and the Fruity-O's.
I carve out time for myself by Waking up at the crack of dawn to exercise... and occasionally putting myself in Time Out in my room
The television mom I'm most like Mama Bear from the Berenstein Bears. She is patient most of the time, but she can lose it quite nicely when called upon.
My favorite outdoor activity to do with my child Going to the beach. Kids are never cuter than when left to their own devices with endless supplies of sand and water.
The one thing I wish I had known about parenting before I became a parent There is so much that I can't control. Days are never as perfect as I imagine they will be when I wake up, and the older the girls get, the less I can control their moods.
The most important life lesson I want my child to learn How to be a strong woman without compromising femininity.
The invention I wish I could create to make my life easier Fashionable buzz cuts for girls; candy that is healthy; and a quick and inexpensive way to get out of Wisconsin to visit family.
My most embarrassing parenting moment I got up to lead the music in church and had a felt zebra from our reverence book stuck to my bottom. Having never worn animal prints, this was not a good inauguration.
The future parenting moment I fear the most What else? 4 teenage girls in the house at the same time.
My proudest moment as a parent I am embarrassed to admit this, but I think it was Lizzie's piano recital last winter. She played without being shy and it made me feel like she can do anything.
The thing about my younger self that I'd like to reclaim The time I used to spend thinking about myself. I didn't realize what a luxury it was to spend hours and hours at the piano or just going to lunch with friends sans kids. Not that lunches with friends at McDonald's isn't fun now, but it just isn't the same.
If I could change places with anyone, living or dead, it would be She'll hate this, but it would be my mother. I love calling and hearing that she's been playing bridge for 3 hours, or that she's spending the day at the cabin, or that she is going to take a nap. She always laughs about it, and I know that it is just the stage of life and that I'll be there someday, but on my hardest days, I would trade her in a heartbeat. Besides, I think she'd do a better job with my kids than I am.
The most fun thing about being a mom Stopping to notice the details that I might otherwise miss (i.e. tiny flowers growing in the grass, neat rocks, bubbles); playing Chutes and Ladders until we fall down laughing because I NEVER win, even though I really try; fixing things with Band-Aids and fruit snacks; and having someone think that I know everything!
The hardest thing about being a mom No time off, physically or emotionally.
The last time my children made me laugh Yesterday, when they were all playing together and just screaming with laughter. It makes me laugh every time.
I realized I had turned into my mother when Frankly, I wish I was more like my mother all the time. But I mostly hear her voice when I have to say things like, "If I have to ask you to close the front door one more time, I'm going to turn into a screaming meemie." I have no idea what a screaming meemie sounds like, and neither do my kids, yet, but it feels good to say it because my mother used to say it to us.
I get my children to eat fruits and vegetables by I give them their fruit before anything else at lunch. When they are that hungry, they'll eat anything! Mwah-ha-ha.
The last books I read to my children We just finished the first Harry Potter book and now I am back on Winnie-the-Pooh, but not the last chapter of the last book because it makes me cry when Christopher Robin grows up.
Before I turn off the lights at bedtime, I say to my children "Stay in your beds." And then I whisper that I love them and that they're my best girls.
The favorite traditions I share with my children When my mother was watching my kids in May, she got them started singing a funny I Love You song after family prayers. Now they insist on singing it every night while we have a family hug. Also, trips to the beach with cousins, playing tennis, daily exercise, and feeling like home is the safest place on earth. I actually still think that my parents' home is the safest place on earth.
My favorite place to take my children Home to see family, Newport Beach, Disneyland with Kelly's family, Target (at least weekly), and anywhere in the car because we have our best talks there.
Something that no one knows about me I have become much more relaxed since having kids. I don't mind missing anything, being late, or throwing my schedule out the window. That is so unlike the old me. That, and I still dream of becoming an olympic biathlete.
I hope my kids inherit Kelly's blond hair, my curly hair, my mom's refinement, and a sense of fun from Kelly and my sister Kath.
The kids' toy or game I will never understand This is my new soapbox. Why do toy manufacturers market teenage-style toys to girls from 5-8? I have banned Bratz dolls, Barbies, and other similar toys from my house. I am disgusted by the sexualization of young girls (this year I actually saw PADDED bikinis in Lizzie's size!) Also, I have never understood the game Pretty Pretty Princess. I just don't get it.
The most ingenious invention for kids Easy-on boots: last winter I loved that the girls could slip their boots on and off by themselves. Band-Aids: they make everything feel better on contact. Minivans: how do I love that sliding door and features that are designed for kids!
The kids' snack I am most likely to be caught eating Absolutely the fruit snacks. That instant panacea for hurt feelings, that bribe that never fails, the individually packaged single-serving that satisfies every juvenile craving. Love them - especially the Welch's and the Fruity-O's.
If I had an "I'd rather be.." bumper sticker on my car, it would say "Elevated." The one thing about Wisconsin that makes me crazy is the total lack of elevation. I didn't realize how nice it is to locate yourself by looking up or down at the landscape and getting your bearings. Plus, when there are mountains, there is less wind.
Now that you've seen mine, go ahead and answer yourself and please send your responses to me.
8 comments:
Oh Honey--Do you picture me playing bridge and napping all the time? How embarrassing!!! Actually, I think I know what you're saying: it's that I have the option to do those things on occasion, where a young mother does not. Back to the salt mines--XOXOXO
Amy- Loved it! Thanks for sharing. You're a great mama! And I have witnessed your patience, ie: at the pool the other day. Your girls are darling and fun. I'm still hoping Daisy will sing 'Tomorrow' for me in person.
I love that! You are such a great mommy. Wear those zebra prints proudly!
You nailed it. What wonderfully inspiring answers! Wish you were here playing tennis!
I did it Amy. It was really fun. I hope your email is still the same.
It was so much fun to read your answers and to imagine my life with little girls! You're a wonderful example to me Amy!
What an insightful and fun-to-read post! I feel like I know you better. What a neat person you are. I'm glad to call you my friend.
You are hilarious! I still maintain that you should consider writing a book. You have a great writing style.
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