I Was A Really Good Mom

Today’s Mother’s Day Post was inspired by iMOM’s Expresso Minute “9 Ways to Be a Better Mom”

On the heels of becoming a mom to a 17 month old and a newborn within 2 months of each other (yes, I am one of the ones that decides to adopts and then gets pregnant – long story), I was freed from bedtime duty and I decided to spend my time at Barnes & Noble with a Starbucks to leisurely wander the aisles in the peacefulness only found among books. I ended up in the parenting section…of course. A title caught my eye - ”I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids". It jumped out at me I think because it was exactly how I felt. I forever wanted to be a mom, I loved kids, & kids loved me but there is nothing that shakes your confidence more than being a mom. With only 2 months of mommyhood under my belt, I was floored at how much I worried, felt guilty & questioned my abilities. Before kids, I used to look at the covers of magazines with the adorable cupcakes and crafts on the cover and think I couldn’t wait to one day make those with my children…now I look at them and think “yeah, right!” - which then makes me feel guilty! I do more by 9am than most people do all day but why do I feel like I get nothing done? I feel incompetent. I once was talking to an acquantaince and she shared that at least once a week, she felt like a bad mom…I said “Really!?! Only once a week!?! I feel like a bad mom just about every day - You are doing pretty good then!” We laughed…or maybe we cried, I am too tired to remember. It’s so hard NOT to be so hard on ourselves…we do have the most important job there is and that’s a lot of pressure. One way I started feeling better about the pressure was joining a mom’s club. FINALLY, a place where I could complain without judgement, ask for advice, share my advice and laugh or cry at the craziness of the day. I also finally knew I wasn’t alone in my “sometimes-I-want-to-run-screaming-from-my-house” feelings and it was OK to feel that way. In my heart-of-hearts I know I am a “good mom” despite the fact that I don’t make magazine cover-worthy cupcakes (true confession – I don’t like baking with my kids –ah! THE GUILT!), I don’t make the fun bento box lunches (although they are packed with just as much care) and at bedtime I loose my patience (but I am always up for one more monkey hug). I love my kids. You love yours. And that is enough to make us good moms. Happy Mother’s Day!

Time Flies

Ahhh, time...Time is what we want most, but what we use worst - William Penn

I love Kathy Peel, the Family Manager & iSpecialist on iMom.com. She gives great tips on time management which I thought I would share today. Sunday is my day to look ahead to the week and plan...hopefully, it pays off and I have a little less chaos during the week. My favorite tip I try so hard to remember this time of year is # 8.
The 10 Most Important Things to Remember about Time Management iMOM

Pennies for Your Piggy Bank

Even if we weren't in these economic times, Moms are all about stretching the family budget. We know how to find that dollar when we need it - even if it is for those shoes you want need. I found this great post from iMom with creative ways to make save. This weekend, pledge to try at least one of the ideas. My favorite idea..."sell it". I'll be busy this weekend decluttering! I've got the perfect place for you to get rid of your stuff too - Junk Day at the Woodstock Market & Show! Sign up to sell your stuff - garage sale items, flea market items, furniture, overstock, surplus, anything worth selling - bring it! Sign up for a booth by September 15th. Cost is $15 and you can pay over the phone, in person or by mail. What's great about Junk Day is that you don't have to spend time hanging signs all over creation only to find out they flopped over or have strangers coming to your house - you get the benefit of their marketing, you are at a central location with lots of traffic! To get the full details on Junk Day...
CLICK HERE! Happy Saving :)

Link to iMOM article: Money: 5 Great Ways to Save iMOM