Tuesday, August 26, 2014

7 ways to recharge your mom battery after a busy summer


I have this article on familyshare.com today:





7 ways to recharge your mom battery after a busy summer

After a long and busy summer, here are a few things that have worked for me to recharge my “mom battery” that might work for you, too.
Summer is coming to an end. If you're anything like me, this brings about mixed emotions. While I'm sad I won't have my kids home with me anymore, at the same time, I am breathing a sigh of relief knowing back to school means the return of routines and normalcy.
Many of us might feel a bit run down after a summer full of activities with our favorite kiddos, while juggling late nights and battling to keep them off electronics in between. After a long and busy summer, here are a few things that have worked for me to recharge my "mom battery" that might work for you, too.

1. Shoot for an earlier bedtime

As it begins getting dark earlier in the evening, we are given the natural opportunity to make this transition. Getting the kids to bed earlier gives you time to do something for yourself in the evening before you crash. Talk to your spouse without kid interruptions, read a book or watch a TV show that isn't animated. Having a little extra time at night to wind down does wonders to help us rejuvenate and be ready to happily face our favorite little people in the morning.

2. Watch baby videos of your children together

First of all, kids love seeing what they were like as babies. Plus, you get to use the videos you spent hours taking, transferred to your computer and backed up in multiple places. But mostly, I've noticed watching baby videos does two great things for me: First, it reminds me how my child was a sweet and adorable little baby (which never fails to leave me smiling). Second, it makes me remember how fast my child is growing up, and that I need to savor the moments because they go by so quickly.

3. Sneak a peek at your kids after they are asleep

A while back ago, my wise and spunky grandmother taught me a valuable lesson. (I was having a particularly trying day parenting my rambunctious young children.) She advised me to go back into my kid's rooms at night after they had fallen asleep and take a peek at them sleeping. She assured me this would make everything right again. And guess what? She was right! Just try it. Take a nice, prolonged look at your child sleeping, looking peaceful and angelic, and just see if it doesn't melt your heart a little bit.
Read the rest of the article here.  :)

Thursday, June 13, 2013

What To Expect As a First-Time Soccer Mom

Today I have an article on familyshare.com about our first experience with our kids playing soccer this spring - What to Expect as a First-Time Soccer Mom. If you haven't been to familyshare.com yet you should check it out. It's an awesome website with great resources for families.



This spring, my 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter played on soccer teams for the first time. If you haven’t had the experience of watching young children play soccer before, trust me it is entertaining and sometimes quite hilarious to watch.

Last Saturday was their final game. Following their games, it was very cute to see both children receive their Valuable Player trophies with such pride. As I watched my little ones walk back to the car, trophies and team pictures in hand, I thought I noticed a bit of newfound confidence in their steps. They were soccer players and had actually received an award for it. It was good for them to have the experience of playing on a team and feeling accomplishment from it, regardless of their skill. I chalked up our first go at soccer as a successful one.

Yes, the experience was a fun one. But of course, as in any experience, there are lessons to be learned along the way. Here are some valuable ones I learned this season which will most likely be the first of many soccer seasons to come:

Read the rest of the article here.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

Hope for peace on earth, good will to men this holiday season

Like most of you, I’ve been extremely distraught since hearing the news of the shootings in Newtown, Conn., earlier this month. I find myself getting teary-eyed over seemingly small things that pop up in unexpected moments: smiles from my children, a song on the radio, a commercial, and of course a news blip reporting something related to the tragedy.
I first heard about what had happened when my husband called me from work the morning of Dec. 14 and relayed to me the unthinkable news he had just read online. I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t want to believe it. Of course, the first thing I thought of was my own children.
I didn’t turn the TV to a news channel all day, not wanting to risk my 4- and 3-year-old children hearing about the horrific event. After awhile I pulled up the Internet on my phone and found a recap article of what had happened. Usually when something big in the news takes place I read an article online and then hop over to another, and another, trying and glean information and viewpoints from a couple different sources. But this time I couldn’t even stomach that one article. I got halfway through and felt sick. I had to stop reading.
Finally that night, after the kids were all settled down and in bed....
Read the rest of this article here on ksl.com.

Thanks for reading :).

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

The unintended consequences of using polite words

I have a story on ksl.com today - The unintended consequences of using polite wordsThis was a funny little experience I had with Luke that made me laugh and smile, and was also a little eye opening. It's funny how kids interpret things that will surprise us. 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Are you (or me) a "Mom Jean" offender?

I had this article on ksl.com yesterday - Are you (or me) a "Mom Jean" offender?

Mom Jeans...should we avoid them, or embrace them? 

It's up to you!