5 Mantras Every Parent Should Know

It’s no secret that parenting is hard, it’s a 24/7 job that offers little acknowledgement and no glamour. Some days, you just need a little help to get through. Over the years, I've developed (and stolen) some helpful sayings that keep me going and remind me that it's a beautiful and privileged journey:

This Too Shall Pass

Kids grow so fast, just when you think you've got it down, they flip the script and you have to learn it all over again. The good news is, that everything is a phase— they eventually sleep through the night, get dressed by themselves, and learn to use the toilet. The bad news is, everything is a phase. They’ll stop asking for a bedtime story and leave for school without a hug. This mantra is a double edged sword. It reminds us that the difficult parts don’t last forever and better days are right around the corner. It also reminds us to put things in perspective and not to take the joyful moments for granted. Sure, it’s exhausting to have a baby wake you up during the night, but those midnight snuggles are precious and fleeting.

http://www.chaimbentorah.com/2014/01/word-study-pass-2/

You have to laugh or you’ll cry

This is for the inevitable moments when your kids destroy all of your favorite things. If you are about to have a baby just take my advice, pack up anything you even remotely care about, and put it into storage for the next 18 years. Also, never buy a white rug. Even with this precaution, your cute little cherub will still manage to make trouble. This mantra reminds me that there is a choice when you see your kid’s dump out an entire bag of sugar, you can get upset, or you can laugh (and grab a camera). Laughing does not teach your kids that it’s okay to make a mess or break things, you can still make them help you clean it up, but it does show them (and reminds you) that things don’t matter in the long run, they do.

Say it with a song

When I’m late for an appointment and I need to get out the door, 

when the kids won’t eat their dinner and they throw it on the floor, 

when it’s time to clean up toys but they still want to play, 

say it with a song and the work becomes a game! 

I’m no Mary Poppins, I can’t snap my fingers to clean up the nursery (this is my “if you could have any superpower” wish), but I can make up silly songs about whatever I want the kids to do, and it really is a kind of magic. I know you feel stupid, but trust me, it works. I have to give props to Yo Gabba Gabba here, who taught me you could make up a song about anything:

treat yo self

A reminder to take care of yourself, and to celebrate little victories. Got the kids to bed on time? Treat yo self! Got all the laundry done? Treat yo self! Survive a holiday weekend with house guests and hyper kids? Girl, you better treat yo self! A bubble bath, an extra cup of coffee, a new pair of earrings...whatever revives or lights you up a little bit. My personal fave is a binge session with Netflix and my secret stash of chocolate (shhh!)

I'm alive

As wonderful as being a parent can be, and as helpful as all those other mantras and advice are, there are some days when the only thing you can be grateful for is that you are still alive, (and so are the kids!). Hey, that’s okay. Tomorrow is another day, and being alive is pretty great.

"You Have to Laugh or You'll Cry": Ep. 3

It's been awhile (surprisingly!) Since I've had one of these worthy to share. There was a food coloring incident a few weeks ago but I didn't get very good pictures. So, when Miles opened a container of left-over spaghetti, I just grabbed my camera and waited. Deliciously horrifying and hilarious. My boys never disappoint.

Meet Captain Noodle Head and his sidekick, Skylar Spaghetti!

(Pasta boy?, Noodle Nose, The Fantastic Fettuccine...)

Mama Mia!

You would think the hardest part was getting the spaghetti out of the hair...but no, it was the pasta on the floor that got all smushed up into a gooey paste. It's been awhile since I mopped the floor anyway. 

At least there was no sauce. (Marvelous Marinara!)

You have to laugh or you'll cry: episode 1

This is the first installment of what will undoubtedly be an ongoing series called, "you have to laugh or you'll cry!"

This is what happens when I leave the kids unattended in the other room for too long...you know, when I get caught up writing blog posts...

You know something is wrong when it gets too quiet. This is three rolls, or should I say "un-rolls" of paper towels.

This is what three rolls of paper towels looks like folded up:

And then 20 minutes later...

I give up! Mama will be in the bedroom hiding under the covers. Come and get me if the house is burning down.

with a little help from my friends

Today, I just want to be silly for awhile. Writing is an incredibly introspective, and solitary pursuit. Sometimes you can start to take yourself a bit too seriously. Every now and then I have to get down on the floor and build a fort with my three year old, or if I'm writing, make my characters go to a carnival or find a magic soda can that takes them back in time.

We all have responsibility, and looking around at the problems of the world, it can seem like we don't have time to play games. But that's just what makes life worth living, and what helps us carry on through the tough times. Maybe if we all laughed more and took ourselves less seriously some of the problems wouldn't be so big, or at least so daunting.

I am lucky to have many different kinds of friends in my life.

I have friends that I've known since I was four. Friends that I have only known recently but who have become just as close. Friends that listen and support me. Friends that share my love of coffee and books. I have friends who challenge me, and friends who comfort me. Friends that I don't have to put on makeup for. Mommy friends, who understand the joys and challenges of raising children, and who are always up for a play date. Artist friends, who bug me about writing my novel (love you Renee, I'm working on it I promise!), or jam with me when I want to sing. Friends that always seem to be there when I need a helping hand. Friends that are far away but never far from my thoughts.

But my best friends are the ones that make me laugh. The ones that make it so that it doesn't matter who else is around. The ones where silly is a prerequisite. The ones that know all your inside jokes. The ones, that wherever you go you know there is the possibility of an adventure. Even if you get stuck in traffic and spill mango Snapple all over the car, or break the half and half machine in the cafeteria...it will be a good day, because you'll be laughing, together.

So here's to friendship and silliness. May you have an abundance of both.