Children Aren’t Gifts

~:: Lisa Longley of Wine & Glue ::~

In a world where we want to be the best at everything, is it possible to be the best parent?

And if so, how do we measure that?

Is it the parent who’s child graduates from Yale at the top of their class?

Is our success as parents measured by the success of our children and thus, is our failure measured in their shortcomings? Or is there a different way to look at it all?

ABOUT LISA: Lisa, from Wine & Glue, prides herself on being a wannabe of every kind. Chief on her wannabe lists are chef, baker, seamstress, party planner, and photographer. Well, maybe not a wannabe of every kind. She is a very real mom to two crazy and wonderful little monkies. Check out her wild wannabe adventures at Wine & Glue or follow along on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.

 

The #1 Workout for Moms: MOMSANITY

~:: Mom’s New Stage ::~

You know how it goes. You make peace with your post kid body. You proudly declare, “I’m a mom. I have children to raise and a household to run. I will not and cannot be expected to look like some carefree nineteen-year-old supermodel!” You give this misogynistic societal pressure an obscene gesture. Then, in a matter of weeks, days, or even HOURS, you open some glossy and see some celebrity mom of twelve with a belly and butt tighter than a fresh face lift. Choking back sobs, you run and jump into a vat of self loathing and despair, taking with you your dear friends Five Buck Chuck and Ben and Jerry. How can you possibly work out with all you have on your plate? It’s just not fair!!!!!!

Enter Momsanity – the brilliant and practical exercise regimen for real moms!

ABOUT KEESHA:  Keesha Beckford is a former professional dancer who is currently a master dance teacher in the Chicago area. She blogs to keep her creative juices flowing, and to explore the question “How does she do it?” for herself and other moms in the arts. Read more at Mom’s New Stage.

Follow Keesha on Facebook or Twitter.

 

Kinder Souffle: How to prep your kids for Thanksgiving

~:: Kathy Radigan of My Dishwasher’s Possessed ::~

It may be hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is right around the corner. As you start to plan and shop for your holiday meal, I would like to suggest a recipe, that although I have never seen in any cookbook is, in my opinion, the most important element in having a successful holiday meal: The careful preparation of your children.

What follows is a recipe that is almost 14 years in the making. Please feel free to adjust for your own taste and set of ingredients (or children). But remember, you can have the most perfect turkey, side dishes that accompany the dinner beautifully and a pumpkin pie that is a work of art, but if your kids are not prepared properly it won’t matter a lick because you won’t taste one bit!

Kathy Radigan is the creator of the family life blog, My Dishwasher’s Possessed!  Her first love was acting and singing which she pursued until the desire to pay her rent became stronger. She left her job as an assistant in a Venture Capital firm when she and her husband had their first child in 1998 and has been enjoying and immersed in the raising of their three children ever since.

When Kathy and Joe’s youngest child started kindergarten in the fall of 2010 their children’s schools went paperless. Kathy begrudgingly got her first email address and became a full fledged mom blogger a few months later. Her site, My Dishwasher’s Possessed, posts a weekly essay that explores the funny, messy and hectic life of a family that includes two boys with learning issues, a daughter with significant special needs and a crazed appliance.

You can find Kathy on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Evolution of a Mama Tantrum – and How to STOP One

~:: Creative with Kids ::~

My five year old is sitting by me making mouth noises when I lose it.

“squish, bleerp, swishhhh, squish.”

“OK STOP! ENOUGH with the mouth noises!! GET OUT of here!!! GO!!!” I shriek in my loudest most threatening voice (and ask anyone who knows me, I have a very loud voice.

The toddler and the five year old begin to cry and the seven year old makes a quiet retreat to his room. Realizing I am completely boiling over, I follow up with a gruff, “I’m going pee.” (Because isn’t that where most overwhelmed moms go to *try* to collect themselves?)

 

 

ABOUT ALISSA:  Alissa Marquess is a homeschooling mom to three and writes Creative With Kids. She blogs about intentional parenting and simple ways to create connection everyday through crafts, activities, and play.

Chat with her on Facebook or join her on Pinterest where she’s recently been named one of 20 Must Follow Moms!