Mommy Moments
Happy Mother’s Day
By Melanie Lewis
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I know I didn’t fully appreciate my mom until I had children of my own. I had no idea how difficult the job really was. So in light of Mother’s Day, I’m thinking of this day as a day of reflection or as a performance review of sorts.
I feel as though my negotiating skills are in top form. I can wheel and deal trade-off’s for good behavior with Kindle time and extra time at the playground. I stick to my guns when it comes to time out. If you did the deed, you do the time. Yes, I’ve been called “mean mom” a few times, but someone’s going to be the enforcer, and in this family I’m it. Although it hasn’t come easily, I think my kids have a pretty good idea of right from wrong.
Our “team-building” skills are at a high level as well. We work together for special adventures and projects. I can confidently take my kids solo to an amusement park and know that they’ll stick to me like glue without wandering off. They follow homework instructions and have a memory of iron. If I don’t remember where I parked the car, they will.
In the education department, I’ve fallen behind in my volunteer time in the library, classroom and art. The kids look forward to seeing me at school. I guess they like me after all! I made sure we had an educational outing during school vacation week. We went to the Science Museum. #8 of 30 Things To Do in Wellington according to HotelPlanner.com (South Florida Science Museum, West Palm Beach FL) – just 11 miles from Wellington. We also made a trek to the library to empty the entire collection of The Magic School Bus books. The boys love the stories of Miss Firzzle by Cole and Degan. We’re also killing time over spring vacation by keeping a weather log. We’re looking forward to getting a little rain since the rain gauge has been dry. I hope someone doesn’t get sneaky and fill it from the tap. There are a few jokesters in the house.
As for yelling, I do lose my patience when there are specific deadlines, such as getting to school on time. I need to utilize some of that great negotiating. Perhaps an award chart for completing the chore board without the mommy reminder. I’ll try that on Monday. They are very competitive, so I can see them wanting to collect the most stars. I don’t think I’ll win any prizes for patience, though. Please post on Facebook (on our AroundWellington.com page) your ideas to increase patience. I’m open to new ideas. Counting to 10 isn’t working anymore!
Household management was mediocre until the spring cleaning bug hit me. Of course, there’s nothing like company coming to make it more of a priority. I had my son’s Sunday school teacher over for lunch and I hosted a Silpada jewelry trunk show. As part of the whole “turn the house inside-out program,” I moved all the furniture and vacuumed under it, even in the kids’ room. You wouldn’t believe what was hiding under the beds; candy wrappers and an empty bag of pretzels. Needless to say, the boys and I had a little chat about proper food handling and storage.
Overall, I would give myself average marks. I hope the kids think well enough of me to send along their sweet notes and cards for Mother’s Day. I really do appreciate them as part of the compensation package. Breakfast in bed has been a nice touch. If you feel I deserve a raise, take me out for Pad Thai.
Happy Mother’s Day to all the Moms! You all deserve a raise!!
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Melanie Lewis is the mother of 2 boys ages 5 and 8. She is married and works part-time as Silpada representative and a weight loss consultant. She enjoys book club, and playing with her Blue-mitted Ragdoll, Percy and Golden Retriever, Rosie. She can be reached at melaniewlewis@yahoo.com.