I want that! I want that!

Ah, music to a mother’s ears because most of us have heard this song before. It is something new to us and we are finding creative ways to play along to this tune. I thought I would share them with you. We have given our child a small wallet to put “his money” in when we go shopping. We give him fifty cents each time he takes the scoop and fills the dog’s food dish. Then we place the money in a jar on our counter till such a shopping trip. Then the money is converted to dollars, by the trusty coin machine at the local grocery, and put into his wallet for use at the store. This gives him some control on his money and limits the constant nagging for items. We explain to him that he has a certain amount to spend, if he would like, or he could save it to put towards a larger item in the future. This may not always stop the “I want song” completely but it allows us to teach a good lesson while we are out shopping. Another tactic we use is to avoid the certain areas of the store that we know will encourage this behavior. We all know these aisles all too well. The last thing we do is to inform him that if one toy comes home, one must be donated. This helps to lessen the accumulation of toys around the house. We have not always been good about this last one, but are now reinforcing this term. We feel that we are being swallowed by the plastic toy tornado that has hit our living space. Happy shopping readers, and don’t be discouraged from taking the little one’s along.

Mother's Day

This Mother’s Day finds me reflecting on what it means for me to be a Mom. I can no longer remember what it was like to be without that soft voice calling for me constantly or laughing beside me. The funny thing is I wouldn’t want to remember that time. He adds so much to my world. My heart was full when I met my husband, but it poured over when my little guy was born. Now that I have the perspective of the 24/7 lifestyle of motherhood, I truly appreciate my own mother that much more. She is amazing to me in so many ways. As gruesome as it may sound, I was saving these things to say at a time when I would be recalling her life. However, I feel like it is more important to say them now when she can hear them and know this is how I love her. Driving across country with two young girls, a hamster and two goldfish, she started a new life that required her to do it all on her own. I watched her struggle working two jobs so that we would never want for anything. I respect her so much for the sacrifices she has made so that I may have a better life. Now, it makes me happy to see her enjoy her time with my own little guy. Mother is not just a title, it is unfailing love and it transcends all boundaries. There are so many types of Moms. There are biological mom’s, adopted mom’s, birth mothers, mother figures, grandma’s, foster mom’s, and surrogate mom’s. No matter the title they all share a common bond, love. So, take some time on Sunday to spread the love to all Moms. I know I will. Happy Mother’s Day to you all and Mom I love you.