Moms Like Me

Mommy Reflections: Yes, We Were THAT Family!

2012-05-25T03:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight was one of those nights when you look around and wonder what in the world you're doing as a parent - how you got yourself into this mess - and how in the world you're going to survive. Yes, we were that family tonight. We were the ones at Kindergarten graduation with an overly tired toddler who didn't want to stay still and a 3-year-old who was grumpy with the world. No amount of bouncing, snacks, IPods, or Kindles (and yes we do break out the electronics in such cases) could make either of them happy. And, through it all, I was desperately trying for one decent picture of my graduate on stage and a few good minutes of their songs on video.

This is how I saw my evening going. We would have a wonderful family dinner (thank you Pinterest) and clean everything up before leaving. My boys would be dressed in their matching Polos and khaki shorts. Baby E would sit happily with his container of Cheerios and his cup of milk and watch Big Brother singing. Middle Brother would have educational games on the Kindle and pretzels to keep him occupied. Mom and Dad would watch proudly as their oldest son sang his songs and the kids were presented with their little Kindergarten awards...was that really too much to ask??

In reality, I ended up rushing through dinner preparations after the last of my Daycare Kids was picked up. I forgot that my husband had a meeting at the church after work. We rushed through dinner (which Big Brother didn't eat because he decided he doesn't like honey mustard glaze after all), Baby E needed a diaper right before we left, and I realized that the battery on the video camera was almost dead!! Oh, and did I mention that it was pouring down rain?? Once there, Middle Brother wanted to be anywhere but at the school, my husband ended up bouncing the baby in the back of the auditorium, and the baby behind us ended up eating his Cheerios...

Needless to say, the night was not how I imagined it, but in the end Big Brother had a great time on stage, and he was so happy to see Mom and Dad in the audience. After the boys were in their beds, I sat on the couch with my wonderful husband, trying to ignore the Legos all over the floor and the rest of the dinner dishes that still needed to be washed, and just listened to the silence. And then I realized that if it weren't for nights like tonight, I wouldn't appreciate all the nights when the boys were perfect angels - the nights when they giggle together and rush to help each other without being asked. If it weren't for nights like tonight, I might take for granted how much God has given us and how lucky we are to have our (sometimes cranky) children, our (sometimes messy) house, and our (always eventful) life. And, as I pondered all this, I heard the unmistakable footsteps of Big Brother sneaking out to tell me that they needed hugs and kisses from Mommy. Yes, I'm blessed...Legos, dirty dishes, fussy babies, and all!!

And, it's so hard to believe that this little guy just graduated from Kindergarten!!

FREE Summer Movies

2012-05-24T03:00:00.000-07:00

It's summer time again and time for FREE (and really cheap) movies.

The Berkeley Plaza in Martinsburg offers FREE movies every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 10:00am (Doors open at 9:30am). Make sure that you bring cash for any snacks because they don't take credit, check, or debit.

June 4, 5, 6

Rio

Spy Kids 4

West Side Story

June 11, 12, 13

Puss In Boots

Zookeeper

Grease

June 18, 19, 20

Diary of a Wimpy Kids: Roderick Rules

Happy Feet 2

Grease 2

June 25, 26, 27

Kung Fu Panda 2

Hugo

American Grafitti

July 2, 3, 4

Dolphin Tale

Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil

Dirty Dancing

July 9, 10, 11

The Smurfs Movie

Hop Hairspray

July 16, 17, 18

Rango

Mr. Popper's Penguins

La Bamba

July 23, 24, 25

The Spongebob Squarepants Movie

The Adventures of Tintin

Flashdance

July 30, 31 - August 1

Judy Moody and the not Bummer Summer

Mall Cop

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

August 6, 7, 8

Despicable Me

Shrek Forever After

Viva Las Vegas

August 13, 14, 15

Megamind

Alvin and the Chipmunks - "Chipwrecked"

Footloose

For those of you who aren't local, you can also check out the Regal Summer Movie Express that offers G and PG $1 movies on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings at 10am. You'll want to get there early because these fill up fast!

Here's the line-up for the Martinsburg Regal Cinemas

6/12-6/13 (10am)

JOURNEY 2

KIT KITTREDGE: AMER GIRL

6/19-6/20 (10am)

DOLPHIN TALE

HAPPY FEET TWO

6/26-6/27 (10am)

LEGEND OF THE GUARDIANS

YOGI BEAR

7/3-7/4 (10am)

CATS & DOGS: REVENGE

HUGO

7/10-7/11 (10am)

ADVENTURES OF TIN TIN

PUSS IN BOOTS

7/17-7/18 (10am)

KUNG FU PANDA 2

RANGO

7/24-7/25 (10am)

RIO

SPY KIDS: ALL THE TIME

7/31-8/1 (10am)

CHIMPANZEE

HOODWINKED TOO

8/7-8/8 (10am)

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS

SMURFS

**As with all things, please make sure that any movie you plan to take your kids to is suitable for your kids. I've found Plugged In to be a wonderful resource for our family when we're deciding what movies would be appropriate for family viewing.

Is Giving Your Child Everything Destroying Your Family?

2012-05-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

Last week, I shared how Big Brother started soccer for the first time and all the great things about his sports. He likes going to practice and wearing his jersey for games. He's having fun with his new friends and he's learning lots of great skills. I have to say that I'm also thrilled with the extra devotional time in the middle of each game, but it hasn't all been fun and games (no pun intended)...

As our family has just started this venture into organized sports, I'm much more aware of the things we've been giving up and the compromises that everyone has made. I have to admit that if Big Brother decides he doesn't want to play next season, that would be okay with us. We were adamant from the beginning that this be a fun learning experience for Big Brother. We wanted him to learn the rules of the game without a whole lot of stress. His coach has been great about this, but there are some parents (you all know the ones I'm talking about) who are already shouting at their 5-year-olds to make them run harder, kick farther, and be more aggressive. Encouragement is one thing - critiquing your child's performance mid-game is another!!

The more we've listened to the conversations around us, the more certain I am that many of these well-meaning parents are missing the point of organized sports and activities. In general, I don't think there's anything wrong with sports, music lessons, or organized activities for kids. I only worry that, as a society, we're pushing our children too hard too fast and losing sight of what kids really need to be successful in life. They don't need dance lessons at three or golf clubs at two. Our children need more time with us as a family - more time to learn just by being a kid. Here are some of the warning signs I've seen from the parents I've worked with in the past.

1. Loss of Family Time - If you find yourself skipping family meals, grabbing food to-go, and rushing off to the field every night, it may be time to re-think your priorities. There's tons of research about the importance of family dinners, but yet they seem to be the first thing to go when you think about practice schedules and lessons. Also, take into account how many times you have to say "I'm sorry, we can't ________________, we have a game". You may find that your kids would rather have the chance to go to the water parks, zoos, museums, and other free festivals that are being taken away because of their busy schedules.

2. Financial Stress - Sports and activities are expensive. On top of the fees for leagues and lessons, there is always equipment to purchase, special clothes to buy, snacks and water bottles to donate. Not to mention the cost to repair instruments, participate in fundraisers, and order pictures. If you find that you're putting other expenses on credit cards so your kids can play t-ball, take piano lessons, and participate in 4-H, it's time to cut back.

3. Marital Stress - The most important relationship in the family is that of the husband and wife. If your hectic schedule is adding stress to your marriage - whether it's the stress of getting everyone to the game on time, financial pressures, or just the reduced time that you get to spend together; it's time to put your family first.

A few weeks ago, I was bagging groceries at Aldi while two women had a conversation about this very topic - well, sort of... They spent ten minutes comparing schedules to see who was busier. One woman complained that she hadn't seen her husband in a week because they'd had practices every night. The other woman had no idea how she was going to get her two kids to all the activities they had planned for that weekend. And the refrain that I heard over and over was, "Why do we do this to ourselves?". By the time my groceries were packed I wanted to ask them myself, "Why are you doing this to yourselves?" - seriously!! If you haven't seen your husband in a week, if you don't know how you're going to afford new cleats, and if you are so stressed that you're snapping at your children, it's time to let something go! Just don't let that "something" be your family!!