This is a phrase I hear at least once a day. If I take the kids out, I hear it more. From neighbors, people on the internet, strangers passing us by, and even friends – who know that I clearly am on a minute by minute basis with my parenting.
I will say, my kids put on a good show for everyone else. When they are at friend’s houses, I hear they are never a problem – sans some minor issues – and we usually have no problems taking them to restaurants, stores, or other outdoor arenas. I said usually.
So, I thought – just for fun – I would summarize how I “do” it as a guide to other mothers. When you are done reading this, do the opposite, and you will be all set!
Prioritize: Blood stumps poop. Poop stumps pee. Pee stumps snot. Snot stumps dirt.
Attention is given for good deeds first, artwork second, cleaning third, whining never.
Daily lessons are in the following order of importance: No hitting. No bitting. No bodily harm of any kind. No throwing food. No peeing, pooping, spitting on my floors, rugs, or feet… no kidding.
Manners are encouraged: We don’t say shut up – might as well take your nails down the chalk board on that one – we say thank you, please, and your welcome. And we tell our mother daily that she is the best mommy in the world no matter what… always. Hey, why have them if they can not fluff my feathers too?!
Those are my priorities.
I have to be somewhat organized. I am not. But I should be.
Things that stink get cleaned first. Things that could potentially stink in 12 hours get the next spot. Areas other people might actually see stand next in line, while areas that only we see can sit and fester for days. I consider “being picked up” to be the new clean. Except for toilets. Those have to be clean ’cause that is just gross.
Food is prepared and served at will. Until dinner. And then it is a one shot deal. I am perfectly OK with putting kids to bed hungry. Just call me the Dinner Nazi! I am not a short order cook, stopped waitressing in college, and am not a jack in the box popping up because you turned my crank.
Rest time is required every single day. Even if it is just for 15 minutes before one comes bebopping out to tell me their life story… I need that 15 minutes. I, on the rare occasion, get an hour. Those days are my best parenting days.
Other that all of the things I listed – even though I am lying through my teeth because every night I wonder what in the heck I did all day – are important for raising 3 daughters 4 and under.
And so are M&M’s. And humor. And prayer. Lots and lots of prayer!
So that is how I do it. In my head. Reality is a whole other ballgame.
I’ll add wine and diet coke to my list. I have 4 kids 6 and under, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and well all the fish died….
But you just do… because there is no other choice.
I agree!! No one is going to do this for us, are they!!! Thank you for reading and commenting and um – er… I don’t know how YOU do it! LOL
hahaha!!! We, mamas, could all hope (and pray) that a day following this plan could go so smoothly! The best laid plans!! Your list is great. With my 4 boys, you never know what they are going to through at ya! My motto (much like the boy scouts) “Be Prepared”!
We should all have that motto pasted on our foreheads! LOL
I minimized the phrases from people by not going out or just not making eye contact…worked for me…LOL
I still get that particular phrase, though. people seem to think homeschooling 3 boys must be akin to surviving the apocalypse.
(I’m back from my weekend in L.A.: http://kabersblog.blogspot.com/2011/02/orrcon.html)
LOL!!! I know! You would think with families like the Duggars in the spotlight, our 3 kids would be nuthin’ to people! LOL
Love this post! You’re so right – us moms just do it. No plans, no questions. Just jump in, head first. I have 3 boys and most days, like you, I wonder what the heck I did all day! Then I see them, smiling, laughing, breathing, and it hits me – THAT’S what we do all day! :)
And that is the truth! Raising kids is not tangibly evident! If it were, maybe we would all recognize the signs of a good job more!
You mothers are indeed the unsung heroes, but maybe I’m not being fair, as you are all singing the praises to each other here. Mothers find support and admiration from other mothers. (The dark side of this is that mothers can sometimes give each other contempt and judgment, but that’s just a reflection of the seriousness of motherhood.)
Mothers must be bold and look to the future, and that (not the mother part of it) is what I’ve explored in my post today:
http://jimbaux.com/2011/02/22/jay/
Keep up the good work.
Jimbaux
I am headed that way Jimbaux! I was anxious to see what you were writing! LOVE your photography!
I would love to have you guest post..e-mail me:doreenb8@verizon.net
LOL I am exhausted just reading about all the things you do in a day! I lie on my sofa issuing snarky comments on twitter & plotting world domination. You gals seriously work hard, I am humbled by your example!
ROFL!!!!! You made me spit out my wine!!! HAHA!! Love it.
One day, I shall be there too… oh the daydream!
Thank you for everything!