24/7 MOMS

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Are You A Dog Tired Mom?

Sometimes as a mom we just get DOG TIRED - with our busy mom world.  Here is a fun story that maybe you relate to and possibly need to even be reminded to take time to REST as a mom.

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep an hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap.'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come along with him tomorrow?'

Do you ever feel that way?

Labels:

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Breathe MOM Breathe

Do you ever feel this way? You need to stop and take a HUGE and I mean HUGE breath as a mom.

I do and TODAY is one of those TAKE a huge breath days - I keep thinking isn't this mommy journey supposed to get easier the older they get?

The older my 5 kids have become it only seems to have created a longer to do list, a messier house, deeper guilt, an emotional roller coaster of worry, fear, more worry and more fear of am I doing it right, are they gonna survive me or am I going to survive them?

The other day I told one of my  girlfriends that I was going to write a book called Out of the crib - into the real world of parenting (mommyhood).

This book would reveal to real moms like myself that the words we had heard and  counted on "it gets easier the older they get" was just a HOAX.  I'm thinking that these words were told to us so that we did not act upon our threats of running away, dropping our children off and never returning to pick them up, or calling the police and explaining how these children were left on your door step and you have no idea who they are but they keep calling you MOM - in hope that they will come take them away.

My Out of the crib - into the real world of parenting (mommyhood) book would reveal to us moms the truth about this mothering beyond the pre-school days when we were still in control. Today their lives seem to control my to do list, my schedule, my thinking time, my free time, my emotions, my clean now messie house, my meal planning, even what I read (raising kid books). Who is in control now?

Don't get me wrong I love being a mom or I wouldn't have chosen the mom career path. I just think it is time to be real and let the truth be known - That each and every season of raising our children has its own set of challenges and blessings.

Sure there may be easy days and even days we feel back in control. But I promise you will have days you think this is NOT easier then when they were little pre-schoolers.

Yes,  I get to sleep all night - if my teenagers have all arrived home safely that is, Yes, I no longer have to carry a diaper bag I now get to carry backpacks, swim bags and football equipment bags and make sure they are fully packed with enough items to last a week not just an outing to the mall. Yes,  I no longer have to be the milk wagon to a starving baby I get to pack lunches, bring snack to hungry athletes,  plan dinner around various kids schedules. Yes,  I no longer have to push a stroller around town I now have teenagers driving me around town while I  hold my breath. Yes,  I have more time in my day without kids at home but I now get phone calls and emails  from multiple schools and organizations asking for help, kids needing forgotten items, and the list goes on and on.

Seriously I'm not whining here about my career or life I just think someone should tell the truth about those words "it gets easier the older they get" - those words need to be changed to " Each and every season of raising our children has its own set of challenges and blessings".   Then our expectations of the easier life won't be a let down instead we will be armed and ready for the next set of challenges.

So, moms take a huge breath, put on your seat belt and get ready for the the most amazing roller coaster you will ever ride Mommyhood  -  you will laugh, scream and even loose your stomach once in a while - just Breathe and enjoy the ride there truly are great blessing today and everyday being a mom.

What challenges have you faced as a mom that you were not expecting? 

What blessings have you had being a mom?







Labels: , , ,

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Today's Mom Question

 How do you record memories of your kids?
 Leave a comment and share your answer with us
Click here to read what the moms on the 24/7 MOMS  Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Stay-at-Home Moms: Taking Care of Yourself

By Leslie Pleasants

Where to begin....  If you are a stay-home-mom you know exactly how I feel.  You get up at the crack of dawn to demanding kids.  When all you want is that first sip of coffee and peace and quiet for just 5 minutes.  You try to take a shower as kids keep coming in the bathroom to tattle on one another.  The running around, attempting to put on makeup as you have half a face on while you are making breakfast.  Kids are telling you that you look funny.  The crying, whining, "I want", "but mom", "NO!".  All of this and its not even 8am yet.   Where is the husband you might ask??  Oh, he had a peaceful shower and now he is on his way to work by HIMSELF where he will spend the next 8 hours sitting in a quiet office alone and making money. 
I will not complain about my life at all.  Right?  Right!  I do love my children and my husband (even though I can get just a smidge jealous of him sometimes).... but I do have a wonderful life.  Wouldn't change it for anything.  Ok... maybe a maid once a week.   But the truth and sad thing is that my "alone" time... my "mommy" time...  is going to the grocery store after my husband comes home from work.   How exciting is that?  I do love to shop though... but how did going to Fred Meyers become my peaceful time of my day?   Hmmm.....
Stay-at-Home Moms is a 24/7 job.  You cook, clean, shop, teach, love, laugh and the most important live. Because you make everything happen.  You are the core to the family.   Sometimes I feel like I am just doing nothing with my life.   I feel like I am just cleaning house all day long.... and it still isn't clean.  When I really need to look at the bigger picture and see that what I am doing is more then just cleaning.  I am providing a stable, healthy, loving family atmosphere.  That I am there for my children and husband.  
I do realize though that you can't just keep going and doing the same thing over and over and over every day.  You will put yourself in a unhappy place.  You need to take care of yourself.  Just like if you were in an airplane and the Flight Attendant tells you to put the air mask on you first then your children.  You need to take care of yourself first in order for you to take care of your family. 

If only we were all rich and could all go get pedicures together.  Wouldn't that be nice!!  But once in awhile we can splurge.  I get my hair colored and cut (every few months)... but other then that I don't spend very much on myself.  I would rather spend money on the kids or house.  

The thing is... you don't have to spend money to take care of yourself.  It could be as simple as grabbing a book and driving down to a lake.  Sitting in your car and reading a book.   Or taking a girlfriend to a movie(ok that one cost money).  How about the husband taking the kids out and you enjoying yourself at home and you can scrapbook by yourself.  We all like different things so whatever you enjoy doing....   DO IT!! Once a month(or more!)...  put it in the calendar.   MOMMY TIME!

Here are some groups or websites to help you find groups if you don't belong to one already or get your girlfriends together and start your own group.   Start a Bunco group or once a month go out for coffee.  Just make sure you make time for yourself. 






Labels: ,

Mommy Cards

Mommy Cards are the newest and hipest way to get your contact information out there.   Take them wherever you go.  Have you ever been to the park and met a mom there... wanted to exchange phone numbers but you didn't bring your purse with you.  Put some of these in your camera case, diaper bag, purse, jacket, etc...  Next time you meet a mom or your child meets a new friend you can hand these out!  Add a special touch by adding your childs picture on them and you can even add your own so the receiver can remember who you are.  

There is so many companies that I found that makes these.  Here is what I found and the prices.
Click on the company to direct you to their sites.
 





or





Each company had very different designs.   Where the Vistaprint getting 250 free looks real nice they do only have limited designs to choose from.  Also, do you need 250 of them?  Check out the sites and see what fits you!  There is so many cute designs. 

Labels: ,

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Flying With Kids



What is your best travel tip when flying with kids?
Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Friday, March 18, 2011

MOM Question of the day :



What would you like your kids to experience that you never had an opportunity to ?
Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Thursday, March 3, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Meal Planning


Do you plan your meals daily, weekly or monthly?
Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Monday, January 24, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Valentines Day Fun


Do you have a fun Valentine Celebration idea, craft you create or even a yummy treat you make - share your Valentine ideas


Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Are you an Etsy Shopper?


Are you an Etsy shopper? What is your favorite Etsy store?


Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"Mom, we really aren't related to dad are we?"

"Mom, we really aren't related to dad are we?" were the words that came out of Nate-no's mouth while eating at the Olive Garden on our recent date night. Nate-no and I had been chatting about various topics, he is always full of stories, questions and lots of laughs.
Just about the time the waitress was delivering our bill he began informing me that he and his siblings really were not related to their dad. First, I was surprised by his comment wondering who on earth did Nate-no think his dad really was? Then he continued on telling me that since he grew inside of me and not the man he calls dad that meant he was related to me and not his dad. Which is why his siblings also are not related.

I had to keep myself from completely loosing it as I was not only listening to him telling me this bit of news but I also observed our waitress listening in on this conversation. I was thinking at first the waitress was probably wondering if this child had just discovered that the man he had been calling dad since birth was really not his biological dad . Until Nate-no went on to tell me it was all because he did not grow inside of his dad. WHEW! Glad to know there is not some impostor telling Nate-no that the man we call dad in our home really is not the dad.

Don't you love how kids minds think? No, I did not give in and tell Nate-no all about the birds and the bees. That is the Dad's job to break it to him of why he really is related to him even if he did not grow inside of him.

Labels: , ,

Friday, January 14, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Weekend Fun


What is your favorite weekend family activity?

Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Thursday, January 13, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Kids Allowance

Do you give your kids an allowance? Why or why not?

Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Pickey Eater


Do you have a pickey eater? Do you have a tip on getting them to try things?


Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

MOM Question of the day: Slow Cooking

What is your favorite family meal to cook in your slow cooker / crock pot?

Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Monday, January 10, 2011

MOM Question of the day :Birthday Party Fun


What is your kids favorite Birthday party that they have had? ( Theme, Activity etc.)


Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Sunday, January 9, 2011

MOM Question of the day :Where Did You Hear......


Where did you hear about 24/7 MOMS for the first time?


Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Saturday, January 8, 2011

MOM Question of the day :11 Things In 2011

What 11 things do you want to do in 2011?


Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Friday, January 7, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Children's Activities


Do you think we over schedule our Children? to many activities and commitments.

Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

Labels: ,

Thursday, January 6, 2011

MOM Question of the day : Personalized License Plate

If you could have a personalized or vanity license plate (or do have one already) what would it read? (Remember, you can only use 7 characters at most.)



Click here to read what the moms on Facebook are saying about this question.

The Novotny mom taxi says 5Gr8KDS ( 5 Great Kids)

Labels: ,