Is it just me, or does Father’s Day get short shrift?

Honestly, I am being serious. It seems like the months of April & May are dedicated to hyping up Mother’s Day:

“Don’t forget to let mom know how much you love her.”

“Take mom out to brunch and spoil her.”

“Buy mom that little something she has always wanted.”

“Give mom a day at a spa to reward her for all her hard work.”

But somehow Father’s Day just doesn’t get the same spot on the marquee. Maybe I am missing all the hype, but it seems to me that Father’s Day comes and goes and yes, it would be nice if you got good ole’ dad something to do with a barbecuing, fishing, or sports - and a card wouldn’t be bad either - but we all know dad isn’t quite as special as mom.

Wow, how sad.  Having been blessed to be married to a fantastic man that takes fatherhood very seriously, and coming from a family where my dad was practically “Mr. Mom” - I think Father’s Day is just as important as Mother’s Day, if not more. Why? Because it reminds us all that many fathers play a crucial role in raising kids and keeping all the balls in the air.  Obviously, this is not the case for many families, and that is a difficult state of affairs, but for those families that do have “dad present” - please remember that he is just as important as mom and give him a bit of attention & honor this Father’s Day.

Does being a mom make me emotional?

This really isn’t a rhetorical question.  In the last week I find myself tearing up at the littlest thing. In trying to retell the tragic tale of Kite Runner to my mom I started sobbing. When a car flew through a cross walk I was crossing with my family I started to cry. When talking to a woman who was due to give birth today I choked up.  As I posted recently, I am on holiday, so maybe I have time to indulge in thinking - and this might be what is making me more emotional.  But I don’t think so.  I think what is going on is that I am a mom (and right now I have the time to remember that). I see the world through the eyes of a woman who knows how blessed she is for having a healthy family. I see the world through the eyes of a woman who understands the fear of losing a child.  And I am a mom who now emphathizes more than ever with other moms regardless of their time, place, or circumstance.

How will I ever go back to work?

Recently I have been on what our family terms a “holiday” - i.e. I have been having time off from work. As so many moms out there know, it is such a difficult balance to achieve being a professional and being a mom. I, as many, have made what I believe are the necessary sacrifices to ensure that our bills get paid, I make use of my talents, and that I continue to love, cherish, and take care of my family. But here is the glitch, this time off confirms everything I feel deep down - I really don’t want to be at work. On my long walks outside, trips to the park, and just catching up on bills and the laundry, I can’t help thinking I am a better person when I am not working. Often, the stress of full-time work and full-time mom makes me feel in need of a “personality transplant.” While on holiday, I find I am a different person - I haven’t snapped at anyone, I talk to “strangers,” I take time to cook, and I catch up with friends and family. Even though work will inevitably call again, this time I will try my hardest to keep that “summer spirit” going.

Saturday Morning Markets

One of this mom’s favorite things to do as summer begins is take the whole family to the local farmer’s market. The one near my house is now in full swing and to me this is what life is all about. Really, this has to be one of the best family events going. Our whole family loves going stall to stall listening to the people talk, sharing recipes, and just interacting. People are friendly, no credit cards are used, and everyone gets a good deal. These sort of markets hearken back to a different time where people talked and listened to each other and where money was invested locally, not globally. These are the sort of lessons and environment this mom wants to continue to reinforce within my family - that people matter more than things. Give me this sort of shopping any day of the week (not just Saturdays!).

Shop online & save time, energy, and money

Recently someone asked why we buy so much online. I responded with three statements: it is cheaper, you save time, and you save gas. So which online stores have Mom’s Seal of Approval?

Below you will find some of MF’s Best Online Stores:

Ditch the Cell

Today I went to the park and witnessed something I have seen often, and cringe at every time - adults talking on their cell phone while vaguely watching their kids. Although I can sympathise that there might be important matters to take care of over the phone, it seems that maybe the park is not the best place to do it.  Really, I am trying not to be too judgemental, but I watched a woman talk for forty minutes on her phone while her two small children went up and down quite a steep slide by themselves.  I am the first person to say that it is important for mom not feel isolated, lonely, or disconnected and maybe she was talking to her long-lost sister, but my guess (by the tone of the conversation) is that she wasn’t.

Before cell phones were everywhere, my husband was asked if he had a cell phone and he answered “I am not important enough to have one.”  Honestly, though flippant, there is some truth there. Unless it is your long lost brother, sister, or parent, put the phone down for a bit and interact with your child.

Sermon ended. Venting done.

An Old Fashioned Birthday

Today I was talking with a friend and I asked how the two birthday parties were for her two sons. She sighed and went on to tell me all about them. She told me that one was a “dragon” party and the other was a “train party” that took place in her backyard with all the appropriate decorations, games, food, and homemade cakes. I thought this sounded great and inquired why she seemed exasperated. She told me that she thought the birthday celebrations were great, but as her friends were leaving a few of the parents said to her “oh, we think it is so nice that you had an old-fashioned birthday party for your boys.” I stared back at her - to me this is a birthday party routine - so why would this be considered old-fashioned? She went on to tell me that in the area she lives in parents rent out different venues to host their child’s birthday. I still wasn’t following. “What do you mean?” I asked. She answered Continue reading »

The Worry & Dread of Shots

We are using our day off to make a list of “to-do’s” for the week. One of the things we are in desperate need of doing, yet we all will dread, is going to the pediatrician for vaccinations. Although we trust our pediatrician, even we are a bit skeptical about how many shots are pumped into little bodies so regularly. We have tried to research all of the data around vaccinations, but it is a daunting task to know who to believe. We were happy to see Time Magazine’s recent cover on the topic and we were even happier to find some helpful information. You can read the whole article here.