2) It may not seem like you have time to read because the kids are little, but if you start early and make it a part of your day that for 20 minutes you will each spend time in your chairs reading (or looking at books) it will be much easier to keep that going as they get older.
3) TV is not a great tool. I highly recommend you don't get cable or anything like that until the kids are much much older...like, out of your home and on their own older. (I grew up in a home where we didn't ever have cable...we had 3 channels and a VCR years after they came out, and to this day I don't feel like I missed out on anything. Even growing up in the time of MTV's debut and all those cable channels...don't believe I missed a thing!)
4) Learning HOW to do something happens by DOING it, not by reading about it or researching it or joining an online group that talks about it. Although these things can help, the skill is honed in the doing of it. So...if you want to be a great Mom and you feel the need to read about it do it. Then put the book down, turn the computer off and get in there and interact with your child to learn how to do it.
5) Dr. Pepper (or any sugary sodas/pops)and Pregnancy really seem like a good idea...until you learn how the brain works and wish you hadn't.
6)Teach your kids how to learn from you when they're younger...even if they don't want to. If you have a strong-willed child then look for a way to train them to learn. It will be hard. It will truly REALLY stink. It will be harder than you ever thought possible. It will be worth it.
7) That child who does so well in playing by himself? It really is a great trait, but be careful not to think this means they're self-sufficient in all things. There will come an age when that trait could push them into themselves to protect a tender heart and you need to be able to be their safe place. Take the time to enter into their alone time and join them there. Don't change what they're doing, just ask if you can play with them and just BE with them. It will make those later years much easier.
8) When an older Mom tries to offer you help ~ even if it seems more like nosiness ~ smile and thank them and file it away. Moms need to be needed and our greatest desire to help someone else's life be easier. Who knows? Maybe that help you didn't want is exactly what you'll need later.
9) Laugh. Laugh a lot. Laugh some more. Delight in your children and teach them to LAUGH.... A LOT!
10) As your kids grow up give them chores to do as soon as possible. TEACH them how to clean their room when they're toddlers...model it and have them help you...gradually let them be the ones to do it and show you how to do it. Doing this will save so MANY headaches when they're teenagers and get overwhelmed because they have so much stuff.
11) Don't have so much stuff.
12) Seriously. Get rid of the stuff.
13) I can't say that enough...GET RID OF THE STUFF!!!!
I know there are so many more things, but as I'm sitting here thinking about my soon to be 13 year old and my 10 1/2 year old these things came to mind. It's true what they say...time really does fly, and what you wish you'd done today will soon be the regret you have tomorrow.
Well, unless you do it today.
So?
Do it today!
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