This Full House Archive

Tag: mom bloggers

  • Teenagers, You Goth To Love Them!

    One of the BIGGEST fallacies you'll ever hear about parenting teenagers…IMHO, as a parent of teens, four times over, maneuvering through waves of hormonal and emotional angst for the last 9 years…both theirs AND mine…is the popular belief that parents of teens are entirely responsible for their children’s behavior.

    That is SO not true! I am mostly responsible for my teens behavior, but not entirely.

    Like adults, teenagers have their own agenda and many times (okay, mostly) it involves doing exactly the OPPOSITE of what their parents would do in almost any given situation and, well, it's a part of growing up.

    Hope: I'm going to go with Holly and pick Heather up from work!

    Unless you happen to be 13 years-old AND your 3 siblings happen to be older than you…well then…I am most assuredly responsible for her behavior…entirely.

    Me: Hang on, let me see your face!

    Something you may or may not know about me: I don't have a very good poker face and will undoubtedly be the MOST popular person at the Texas Holdem table. Also, the poorest.

    Hope: What's wrong with it?!?

    However, after 21 years of parenting, you think I would know better, right?!?

    Me: Nothing, just stay in the car and try not to scare anyone!

    Nope!!! Judging by the way her shoulders dropped as she walked away from my desk, not my best parental moment.

    I am, however, a Professional Dork and totally comfortable with calling out myself for being an asshole — except for this one time.

    Holly: Was that REALLY necessary?!?

    My oldest was more than happy to take on THAT job.

    Me: I'm not happy about her wearing THAT much makeup.

    Now this is where my middle girl would remind me about the time she went through her Goth stage and be all over me about how I was NOT helping my youngest with building her self-esteem…if my middle girl had been home when this all was going down, I mean…but Holly was kind enough to take on THAT job, as well.

    Holly: Yes, but you're not helping her confidence any.

    See what I mean?

    Glen (shivering): EEESH!!!

    My son was sitting right behind me, playing his video game and making it clear that he wanted NO part in this conversation, until the girls left the house.

    Glen: She's sooooo pretty, why does she want to hide it behind ALL that make up?!?

    And you know what? I started to brain-vomit ALL the stuff that SHOULD have been said to my 13 year-old:

    • It's hard to be the youngest
    • Feels sort of like getting lost on a crowded street
    • Standing out from the crowd
    • Finding her own identity
    • Being comfortable in her own skin
    • And if that means wearing black lipstick…so be it

    Except I was saying
    ALL of it to my 16yo son.

    Me: And now she HATES me!

    Aaaaaaaand, flashing my parental insecurities like a bead-hungry and slightly drunken reveler on Mardi Gras.

    Glen: She doesn't hate you, she just doesn't like you very much, right now.

    Did I mention my teens are WAY smarter than me?!? In fact, I think maybe I've learned more from my teens these last few years as their mom than…well…let's just say, they've been doing most of the adulting, lately.

    Soooooo, I thought to myself…SELF!!!…what would teens do?!?…WWTD?!?…I texted her an apology.

    Apology TEXTED!

    Then I sat and stared at my phone. And sat. And stared some more. 

    Me (siiiiiiiiiigh): She's not answering me.

    Aaaaaaand, then my cell phone rang.

    Hope: I just saw your text, Momma….

    I'm not at liberty to share the rest of our conversation, but suffice it to say that I am forgiven and continue to remain an example of exactly how NOT to act…to my children AND other parents…you're welcome.

    Hope Is A Little Goth

    She's a little bit Goth, I'm a bit of a Dork…okay, A LOT! #nofilter

    In fact, she agreed to a selfie and insisted that I blog the moment…you know…as a reminder…in case I forget what an ASSHOLE I can be.

    Glen: Aaaaaaand, another tender moment brought to you by HORMONES!

    Teenagers, you gotta love them…I mean…because GOTH!!!…but I love them! Seriously.

  • Life Balance, Take 17

    Holly's "Young Girl" at Art Show

    Yesterday, we attended an art show, held at a local bank, supporting art in schools, featuring two of Holly's pieces. 

    You can't really tell from my cell phone, however the majority of this pen and ink drawing is stippled, with tiny little dots. 

    I remember, because I can still hear the, "…dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot…" of her tapping the pen well into the night.

    Holly's "Life Balance" at Art Show

    The same with this one,"…dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot…" which explains the permanent dent in the poor girl's right index finger.

    This piece, however, is still her favorite, she says, because it's the first, of many she's created (dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot, dot) taking inspiration from her own life, rather than that of another artist.

    It's her vision…of herself…and, well, my inner-17-year-old totally relates to the juggling act going on in her head.

    I mean, I am her mother.

    As her mother?

    To be honest, it made me a little sad to think, man, that still seems like A LOT of pressure, doesn't it?

    Even more sadly, I started to over-analyze stuff, in my own head, like:

    • Why is she putting bills above love?
    • She's only 17.
    • Perhaps she meant budget?
    • Great, now she won't want kids.
    • Can I blame her?
    • No, I'm her mother.
    • Should a 17 year old be thinking of this sort of stuff?
    • I never did.
    • Did I?
    • Apparently not, see first bullet.
    • Why aren't there any more foot holds?

    I did ask her about the bills thing, considering that she may (or, may not) have read my last post.

    That's when….

    Warning: you're about to enter a proud mom-type blogging moment and, if this sort of stuff makes you itch, I don't blame you.  However, considering that I am her mother, stuff like this just seems all the more amazing, you know, so indulge me this one time, okay?

    ….she quickly pointed out that the closest thing to her heart is family.

    "Read from the bottom up, not the top."

    TAKEAWAY:  Seems we're ALL well passed refrigerator art and graduating into deeper, smarter waters, now.

    [second glance]

    GAH…quick, someone throw me a dingy, PLEASE!

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

  • You Say Bribery, I Say Schmibery
    Either Way, It’s All UPPERCASE To THEM!

    Good Deeds
    My youngest loves to make lists; this one from the day after New Year's, when my husband came down with another mancold.

    Living in a houseful of girls, who insist that shoving stuff into corners and hiding dirty clothes under the bed is, you know, cleaning, I sometimes forget that we have a son.

    I don't mean, like, I forget to pick him up from school (which is a good thing, seeing as my kids go to four different schools) or, that he's not listed on our tax forms, or anything.

    It's just that, you know, boys are different.

    Although, I really DO have trouble remembering which is which. 

    Whose idea was it to pick girls names, all starting in the same letter, anyway?  Oh, wait.  that was me, never mind.

    Aaaaanyway, what was I saying?

    [watches dust bunnies dancing in the sunlight]

    Oh, yeah.  The boy's room is almost always clean and WTH is it with Ladies Rooms, anyway, RIGHT?

    [sound of crickets, chirping]

    So, raising 2 teens and 2 tweens, I seem to have also picked up the annoying habit of, you know, SPEAKING LOUDLY!

    "What's for dinner?"

    "Pork chops and apple sauce."

    [5 mins later]

    "What's for dinner?"

    [sigh]

    "Pork chops."

    [10 mins later]

    "What's for dinner?"

    [heavy sigh]

    "Pork."

    [one beat, two beats]

    "What's for…"

    "I DON'T KNOW!"

    [covers ears]

    "Ooooookay.  Why you hollerin'?"

    See, no wonder kids think parents are weird, or, maybe it's just me (shuddup!) but, I'm happy to say, that I have recently happened upon a brand new parenting tactic.

    Long story, short (I know, too late, thanks for reading and has anyone ever told you how pretty you really, are?) bribery was not involved.

    "What's wrong with Heather?"

    "She's sick."

    Then, my 17 year-old woke up with a migraine.

    "What's wrong with Holly?"

    "Sick."

    Then, my 12 year-old son got down on his knees and began to beg.

    "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeze, I've only had one sick day!"

    To save time, I didn't even bother waking up the 9 year-old (you know, what's her name, kinda short, sort of looks like me, likes to make lists?) and instituted a "mental health day," at the beginning of this week, with one proviso:

    "You will have to clean your room and I mean holiday clean!"

    As Clean As It's Gonna Get!
    Aaaand, I didn't even have to use UPPERCASE!

    [cough, cough]

    "What's the matter with Glen?"

    The kids have a 4-day weekend.

    "He's sick."

    And, were all supposed to sleepover my parent's house.

    "But, we still get to sleep over, right?"

    To save time, I didn't even bother to get dressed.

    "Where's Glen."

    "Oh, he's home, watching pay-per-view, waiting for me, some chocolate donuts and a medium-sized coolata, DAMMIT!"

    My parents didn't even bother to ask why I was still wearing my pajamas.

    Morale of Story:  Why, yes, I am totally full of pork chops…AND APPLESAUCE!

    Stupid 4-day weekends.

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

    Freshly-brewed Review: Breaking the Silence of Abuse, Depression and Suicide

  • Random Acts of Zhu for the Holidays: New Jersey & Zhu, Happy Together!

    It's been a crazy, busy year — even Santa doubts my being able to finish EVERYTHING on  MY to do list in time for eggnog o'clock — then, my youngest daughter (she's 9) asked if she could practice her writing skills and wrote a wonderful post about Christmas.

    It made me realize just how GROWN UP she's getting and, sadly, Kris Kringle won't be needing my services, for much longer, after all.

    [pout]

    Good thing Hope and I got the chance to play Santa, this week!

    I am very proud to be one of bloggers chosen to participate in Cepia LLC's Random Acts of Zhu holiday giving program.

    Each of us were given 104 Zhu Zhu Pets to donate to the charity of our choice, with no compensation OR strings attached.

    Why?

    104 Zhu Zhu Pets in the House

    Hope and I were THRILLED with the prospect of being able to help families in need and perhaps make another child's holiday a little brighter, too!

    Hope Donates Zhu Zhu to Toy Drive
    Our first stop was the Herb Young Annual Toy Drive held at Hope's elementary school where we donated 7 boxes (56 Zhu Zhu pets) to the children at Spring House in Eatontown, NJ:

    "We provide services to break the barriers of homelessness and reinforce self-dignity, independence and self-awareness for women with children."

    The toys will be distributed to the families staying at Spring House, tomorrow, Christmas Eve!

    Hope at K Hovnonian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore Medical Center
    Next stop, Jersey Shore Medical Center in Neptune, NJ — they took GREAT care of my middle girl two Christmases ago (okay, me, too!) — we made an appointment to deliver the remaining 6 boxes of Zhu Zhu pets, after school on Tuesday.

    Jara Ferrante, Elizabeth and Hope behind the Zhu Zhu Pets

    We were greeted by Jara Ferrante, a Child Life Specialist and her Assistant, Elizabeth (nice name, btw, heh!) two SUPER friendly ladies with an AWESOME sense of humor (see picture above) who make it their business to help even their littlest visitors at K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital feel warm and welcome.

    Jara and Hope

    Hope was THRILLED to learn that the Zhu Zhu pets will be put into the "magic closet," so, whenever there's a birthday, or a child is having a particularly difficult time adjusting to their journey, they will be gift wrapped and, hopefully, help the children left in their care feel right at home.

    I know, Hope did!

    Thank you SO MUCH, Jara, for allowing us to bring some of that warm and fuzzy feeling home with us, along with Hope's new bff, Hopscotch (she's Dr. Bernard's bouncy buddy) too!!!

    Special thanks to Cepia LLC for allowing my family to help spread a little holiday cheer, this year!

    Why?

    Because, nice matters and being able to give a little back to our community, via This Full House of sticky floors and crunchy socks, feels REAL GOSH-DARNED GOOD, too!

    LINKY LOVE BYTES:

    Jersey Shore University Medical Center's Website

    K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital Social Media Center

    K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital on Facebook

    K. Hovnanian Children's Hospital on Twitter

    Happy Holidays, everyone!!!

    (Cross-posted to my review blog)

    © 2003 – 2010 This FULL House (Re)Views / This FULL House Blahg'd 

    Disclosure: No payment, or product was received for this post or for my participation in this program.

  • Have You Thanked A Mom Blogger, Lately?

    If I've learned anything, in my 7 years of blogging (besides, the
    fact it's not a good idea to change from one hosted blog site, to
    another, before backing up your archives, der!) the most important take
    away is:

    The words I write (or, choose to publish) really
    don't matter, unless I've touched someone, in a positive, or negative
    way.

    Hopefully, in a positive way, because, well, I don't know of
    anyone who blogs to feel bad about stuff, on purpose, nor would I want
    to.

    So, when my friends Cooper and Emily over at TheMotherhood.com asked me if I'd like to participate in a special blogging event, by sending a shout out to 5 mom bloggers, who have moved me in some way (1 every day, this week) I was, like, SIGN ME UP!!!

    Here are my posts:

    Day 1 – 6/21:  Thank you, Mindy Roberts (a.k.a. The Mommy Blog)

    Day 2 – 6/22:  Thank you, Donna Schwartz Mills (a.k.a Socal Mom)

    Day 3 – 6/23:  Thank you, Mir Kamin (a.k.a. Woulda Coulda Shoulda)

    Day 4 – 6/24:  Thank you, Melisa (With one S) Wells (a.k.a. Suburban Scrawl)

    Day 5 – 6/25:  Thank you, Dawn Meehan (a.k.a. Because I Said So)

    NOTE:  Meet ALL of the bloggers we're thanking, this week, by visiting the Thank You Moms Circle at TheMotherhood!

    DISCLOSURE:  Clicking on the above posts will take you to my shopping blog, since TheMotherhood.com is paying me for my time, because it's how Cooper and Emily roll!

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Hump Day: Breakfast of Champions (i.e. Holy Hannah Montana, It IS the Week From Hell, Week!)

    Breakfast of Champions

    If you have a kid graduating/promoting/stressing over her hair for the 8th grade formal/and/or, celebrating a birthday, this week…then, you know I meant the Pepto Bismol, right?

    Wake me up when Monday comes!!!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • You Know You’re From Jersey When…

    You Know You're From New Jersey

    On the 174th day of our school daze my true love sent to me…an email that had absolutely NOTHING to do with the our 10th grader's finals, 8th grader's graduation, 5th and 3rd grade promotions, or the fact that Hope is turning 9 years-old on Wednesday (i.e. my youngest's last year in single digits) oh, and the fact that my camera AND my beloved HP laptop are fubar…YO!

    [inhales deeply, exhales in total denial]

    So, how DO you know if a person (like me) is REALLy from Jersey?  Besides, the fact that I know how to order a pork roll (with cheese, duh!) I mean?  Easy…you recognize or can relate to at least 10 of these:

    • You've been seriously injured at Action Park. [Banged my head on a waterslide!]
    • You know that the only people who call it "Joisey" are from New York (usually The Bronx) or Texas.  [waves to Jenn!]
    • You don't think of citrus when people mention "The Oranges." [Nope.]
    • You've ordered a hard roll with butter for breakfast. [Not in a while, but, YUM!]
    • You've known the way to Seaside Heights since you were seven. [My kids do, too!]
    • You've eaten at a diner, when you were stoned or drunk, at 3 am. [No, NOT this mommy…um…but, ask me again at BlogHer!]
    • Whenever you park, there's a Camaro within three spots of you. [Nah, I live in a minivan world, my friend.]
    • You remember that the "Two Guys" were from Harrison. [Ohhhhh, yeah *snicker* nevermind!]
    • You know that the state isn't one big oil refinery. [Yep, been blogging it for years!]
    • At least three people in your family still love Bruce Springsteen, and you know what town Jon Bon Jovi is from. [Yep, I even showed Dana his house…okay…the front gate, but close enough, right?]
    • You know what a "jug handle" is. [Yeah, and they're STOOPID!]
    • You know that a WaWa is a convenience store. [Aaaaand, they make THE BEST coffee, or cawfee, if you're from Jersey!]
    • You know that the state isn't all farmland. [Not if they keep building those McMansions…dangit!]
    • You know that there are no "beaches" in New Jersey – there's "The Shore," and you don't go "to the shore," you go "down the shore." and when you are there, you're not "at the shore," you are "down the shore."  [I'm down with dat!]
    • You know that "Piney" isn't referring to a tree. [Well, sort of.]
    • Even your school cafeteria made good Italian subs, and, you call it a "sub" not a "submarine sandwich" or worse yet, a "hoagy" or a "hero." [We can be heeeeeeeroooooes, just for one day, we can beeeeeeeeeee…sorry, teenagers are on a Moulin Rouge kick, lately!]
    • You know how to properly negotiate a Circle. [Yes, see jungle handle.]
    • You knew that the last question had to do with driving. [Yep, also STOOPID!]
    • You know that this is the only "New…" state that doesn't require "New" to identify it (like, try …Mexico, …York, …Hampshire (doesn't work, does it?). [See title of post!]
    • You only go to New York City for day trips, and you only call it "The City." [Unless, you're attending BlogHer, like me, WHOOT, then I'll see you in the "cit-tay!"]
    • You know that a "White Castle" is the name of BOTH a fast food chain AND a fast food sandwich. [a.k.a. rat burgers and/or sliders!]
    • You consider a corned beef sandwich with lettuce and mayo a sacrilege. [Mustard and sauerkraut, baby!]
    • You don't think "What exit" (do you live near?) is very funny. [Still, the easiest way to explain where you live…in Jersey.]
    • You know that people from 609 area code are "a little different." [Yeah, got a few relatives that live there, too :)]
    • The Jets-Giants game has started fights at your school or local bar. [Stoopid, Jets…psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
    • You can see the Manhattan skyline from some part of your town. [waves to NYCityMama!]
    • You refer to all highways and interstates by their numbers. [Take 36 to 35 to 440 to 9 to 139 to 78 to get to Mom-101's house, I think!]
    • Every year, you had at least one kid in your class named Tony. [Yo, Tone, so, how you doin'?]
    • You know where every "clip" shown in the Sopranos opening credits is. [Yeah, but I would NEVER drive there…especially, at night….psych!…just kidding…mostly!]
    • You've gotten on the wrong highway trying to get out of Willowbrook Mall. [Stoopid, jughandles!]
    • You have a favorite Atlantic City casino. [Specifically, the Blue Mercury Spa at the Tropicana would make a GREAT 20th Anniversary getaway — hint, hint, GARTH (not his real name) are you listening?!? ]
    • You start planning for Memorial Day weekend in February. [January would be better, just sayin'!]
    • And finally… You've never pumped your own gas. [Not in Jersey….anyways!]

    Wake me up when September comes…YO!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • The Boy Who Lived, Without
    A Bedroom Door?

    Barnes & Noble Gnome

    Hopey's puppet of a mean principal that's supposed to be a clown (says, she was told to think out of the box) displayed at the coffee counter (or, caw-fee, if you're from Jersey)

    Last week (I think) our school district held a book fair at our local Barnes & Noble and my two youngest children were invited to read their persuasive writing pieces.

    "So, what's yours about?"

    My almost-9-year-old daughter wrote about being tall enough (FINALLY!) to experience her first ride on "a real roller coaster" during a visit to Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ last June.

    "Aaaand, what did you pick?"

    My 11 year-old son's piece was a little closer to home.  

    "Mine is about convincing you and dad to give me a door!"

    We have doors.  Lots of them.  There's the front door, the back door, the bathroom door.

    [takes breath]

    There's the door that leads to the girls' bedroom and the h…e…double…hockey…sticks that is [gulp] their bathroom!

    "Because, you know, everyone ELSE has a door."

    My son's bedroom is upstairs, like mine, but his is at the top of the stairs and, well, long story short (you're welcome!) no, he doesn't have door.

    [gulp]

    "You didn't write anything that would, you know, embarrass mom, or dad, right?"

    Because, heaven knows, I sure as heck wouldn't (ahem!) and, well, everyone knows that karma is a witch, right?

    Riiiiiiight.

    Even longer story, shorter (seriously, you should be thanking me!) oh yes, there was lots of lamenting about stuff, like:

    (a) Being the only boy, stinks.

    (b) Having a bedroom without a door, stinks even more.

    (c) Having the litter box…in his room…you guessed it…stinks, BIGTIME.

    (d) His sisters are barging in all the time.

    (e) Refer to (a) above.

    In hindsight, I should be glad that their readings were held in the cafe.

    "What did he just say?"

    Aaaand, that the blender was really, really loud.

    "He can't keep the girls out of his bedroom!"

    [eyes go wide]

    "No, I don't think he means regular girls…dear."

    [one beat, two beats]

    "Oh, well, no wonder his parents won't give him a door!"

    Not for nothing, but you gotta love senior citizens (they were sisters, I think) but, I don't believe a hearing aide would have made a difference, either way and I shudder to think what the sweet old lady meant by "un-regular" girls.

    "What is your boy's name?"

    [bites lower lip]

    "Harry…Harry Potter."

    Aaaand, he's moving…to the closet…under the stairs…next week!

    "Oh, that's nice dear."


    The Closet Under the Stairs
    I mean, it DOES have a door (sort of!)

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • Secretly, Secret Vlog

    Secretly, Secret Vlog from Liz Thompson on Vimeo.

    This is what happens, when you go to work and one of your kids "accidentally" finds your Flip camera and attempts to video tape one of her sisters "not on purpose," of course!

    [snort]

    Such drama, eh?  Love that she mentions my blog:

    "Do you think I survived, or do you think I died (i.e. she got busted and her sister killed her) leave your answer on ThisFullHouse.com!"

    Can't wait to see what happens during their summer break, if it EVER gets here, I mean!

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature 

    © 2010 This Full House Blog

  • No Business 4 Boyz

    Hope Wears Oprah Swag

    My 8 year-old is SUCH a free spirit and, unlike her sisters, is a bit of a Tomboy, as well (she gets that from me) and, well, being the youngest of 4, the survival instinct is strong with this one.

    "I wanna do the Lip Sync show, again!"

    Last year, her older sisters helped choreograph Hope and her friends in performing, "We Got the Beat" by the GoGos and, more importantly, I didn't have to do a gosh-darned thing, other than, you know, drive them to and from the show.

    "Am I picking your daughters up at school, or your house?"

    This year, however, I did even less.

    "I dunno?"

    Lip-sync-related stuff, I mean.

    "What time do we have to be there?"

    My father was scheduled for major surgery and, well, if you were to ask me a week ago, at this EXACT time, exactly what was on my mind, I would have said…uh…I dunno, what day is it, again?

    "The show starts at 7 o'clock!"

    However, by Friday they had kicked my dad out of the hospital (thank you for ALL the good thoughts, btw, they worked) and he's recovering, quite well.

    "Can't wait to see the show!"

    I was so ready for the week to be over, but had no clue what to expect, other than their act was based on the Risky Business dance scene, this Heidi Klum Guitar Hero commercial and one of my favorite episodes of The Nanny (you know, Fran Drescher…she tawks funny) and they called themselves, No Business 4 Boyz!

    They did a FABULOUS job, right (Hope is the cutey on the left) so, who's the boy?

    "What a good big brother you are!"

    Apparently, my oldest daughter bribed my 11 year-old son to play the part of the "boss man" (for the latest issue of his favorite wrestling magazine, I think) and extortion sorta runs in the family…here in Jersey, anyways.

    "I had to sit in a room full of screaming girls!"

    I'm sorta glad it's over, too.

    "I almost threw up."

    Aaaaand, I'm grateful that, as they get older, my kids really seem to enjoy helping each other out.

    "But, I just swallowed it and walked on stage."

    Mostly.

    Liz@thisfullhouse signature

    © 2010 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.