Recently, I’ve been complimented on being an outstanding mom, and I really appreciate that. We all know it ain’t easy, but I’m doing the best I can, the best way I know how. I was talking with another mom about how women are in constant “mom-petition” with one another. Always trying to one-up one another over things that really have no bearing on whether or not the world is going to keep turning. The recent rash of articles on mean girls and bullying made me realize that our kids will stop pushing eachother around when we stop pushing eachother around. So, I thought I’d help out my fellow moms (or more appropriately, fellow care givers) on what it is that makes things go a bit smoother for me on a day to day.
1. I keep a stack of the girls artwork on my desk. I love to look at the wonderful crayon and pencil renderings of our family. But guess what? All of the art, all of the pieces of paper with but one swipe of magenta or one scribble of robin’s egg blue make for handy scrap paper. Need a paper for a grocery list? Bingo! Need a sheet to write yet another to-do list? Shazam! And my all time favorite? Have to dash off a note to a teacher but can’t find that Vera Wang stationery your scored from Tuesday Morning a few weeks ago? Grab that watercolor Princess and the Frog reproduction and away you go.
2. Getting the kids in their clothes before they outgrow them. My girls are fortunate enough to have a nicely stocked wardrobe. The thing is, often times, they don’t get into all of the clothes they have because they like to keep the same couple of outfits in rotation week after week. We’ve had several instances where I pull out an outfit, only to find it doesn’t fit because it hasn’t been seen since we bought it! The consignment shops were getting several sizeable bags of stuff that we’d forgotten we had. But, no more. Now, I’ve got a new plan. The girls wear their clothes. When the hamper is full, I wash the clothes and I fold them, but I DON’T put them away. You heard me right. I leave them all nicely folded in the bucket until the girls have used up (worn) the remaining clothes in their dresser and closet. When the hangers start clacking when we open the closet door and when the dresser drawer flies open because there’s nothing in it to weight it down, then I replenish. I’ve saved on time — less washing, less time spent putting stuff away, and all the outfits get worn before they’re outgrown.
3. The wardrobe struggle, part II. *Le sigh* My girls like to wear dresses. EVERY. DAY. That’s just not possible. And the thing is, even though they have lots of dresses, they want to wear the same two or three dresses over and over (see above). I’ve tried various systems — mandatory pants, pants days twice a week, alternating dress days. Nothing worked; it’s was a constant struggle. But then I was talking to a friend who has a little girl and she has a genius idea. She and her daughter pick out 5 outfits for the week, which the mom irons (um, no), and the child sets up in a visible spot her room. Every morning, the kid knows what she can wear based on the 5 pre-determined outfits. No more struggles. No more mandatory pants days! Though, I do say you have to have 2 pairs of pants on gym days. But she picks the pants, she picks the tops, and the other three outfits. When breakfast is over and I send her up to get dressed, it’s all up to her as to what she’s going to wear. No mess, no fuss.
4. Bribery. I guess this isn’t a trick, more like a tip. I got tired of making the girls beds in addition to the other slew of things that I took care of during the morning routine. And I was tired of the incessant whining that burbled out of them when I asked them to use the toilet before they came down for breakfast. Pausing in the middle of my shredded wheat to wipe some buns was getting really old. Something had to be done and here’s what went down: bribery. Plain and simple, I got a jar of change and every time they 1) use the toilet and 2) make their bed (i.e. pull up the blankets; I’m not looking for hospital corners), they get a nickel. And it’s not like they’re saving up for something. They just like idea of having some kind of currency to stick in a piggy bank. Beds are made, bladders are empty, breakfast is consumed and all is right with the world.
5. It’s okay to turn on the TV. Man, this is a big one for me. You know what an anti-tv advocate I am (well, at least for the kids). But sometimes, when I need to catch my breath or do something without a running commentary from a 5 year old, it’s okay to turn it on. Sure, turning it off my bring some tears (theirs, not mine), but Moose E. Moose and Zee can babysit my kids for 30 minutes every now and then.
So, like a said, just a few things that keep the wheels turning and the children alive over here. It’s not much, but hopefully one of these little nuggets will help your days move along a little easier. The thing is, you’re already a Superwoman.
