This Full House Archive

Tag: parenting tips

  • I don’t need anyone to tell me what a bad mother I am.

    If you were to ask me my BIGGEST parenting struggle over the years — as a mom of 4 kids under the age of 10 vs. as a mom of teens — the answer would STILL be the same:  I am the Queen of Second-Guessing, my ownself.

    Because each and every move we make towards raising our children (good or bad) will also help to form the person they will become.

    That's a HUGE responsibility and, sure as my waking up with major bed head and killer morning breath, there is almost always someone ready to make you feel as if you are SO NOT doing it right…no matter what you are doing…right?!?

    Then again, we are our own worst critics…especially, parents…most especially, moms…check this out:

    A New Perspective For Moms from Elevation Church on Vimeo.

    [hat tip: Huffington Post, via my friend Carol's Facebook feed]

    The thing is, each of these moms were asked to simply describe themselves, each chose to focus on something negative and I really do wonder how many of us would have done the same gosh-darned thing, right?!?

    So, how about this?!?  Are you doing the best that you can?!?  EXCELLENT!!!  Then quit being so harsh on yourselves!!!

    Okay, but what about the times when you feel you are NOT doing the best that you can?!?

    Well then, MOVE OVER, ROVER…here's a blanket, a warm plate of gluten-free cookies and some tissues…let's just go ahead and watch that video, one more time, shall we?!?

    Aaaaand, then maybe we could queue up a couple of good chick-flicks or something, because I sure as heck have got plenty of tissues…YO!!!

    ©2003 – 2013 This Full House

    I'm NaBloPoMo-ing it, feel free to check out what I've NaBloPoMo-ed, so far (PHEW!) and let me know how I'm doing (I mean, 30 posts, in 30 days, really?!?) when you have time, of course!

  • Parenting Tip #93,018,833:
    Perfect Hindsight is 20-20
    Give or Take a Lifetime

    Hindsight PhotoCredit: HeatherrMarie

    I have been accused of being an emotional person upon occasion, or twenty (I know, act surprised anyway, okay?) which means that I absolutely suck at Texas Hold 'Em.

    [eyes go wide, hands begin to shake, sweat beads form on upper lip]

    I'm ALL in, before all the cards are dealt, even.

    "CALL!"

    Which, of course, also means that I cannot fake my way through a situation, even if my insurance rates depended on it.

    "Why no, officer [hands being to shake] I didn't realize [sweat beads forming on upper lip] that my taillight was [GAH!!!!] yes, yes, I'm sorry, my left headlight is out, too!"

    My husband, Garth (not his real name) on the other hand, well, he has this philosophic calm about him and the way he handles confrontation.

    Which, of course, also means that he says totally nonsensical, idiomatic stuff, like, "It is what it is," and, "Can't ask a leopard to change its spots," or, my favorite "Six to one, half a dozen to another," NOT!

    Unless, you make me cry.

    [eyes go wide, hands begin to shake, sweat beads form on upper lip]

    Then, my friend, he is not above reading the riot act, to anyone, not even the Queen herself, as quick as you can say Jack Robinson, in the 3rd person, even.

    "All persons, being assembled, shall immediately disperse and peaceably depart to their habitations or to their lawful business on the pain of being guilty of an offense for which, on conviction, they may be sentenced to death by idioms, for life."

    [blank stare]

    "All-uh-yuhs, just get off her back, will yuhs!?!"

    Morale of the Story:  May you have the hindsight to know where you've been, the foresight to know where you are going and the insight to know when you have gone too far.

    Short Version:  Don't make my husband have to go all Jersey on your sorry ass!

    God Save the King of Idioms, Garth (not his real name) thanks for having my back, yesterday!

    Love always,

    The Queen of Dorks (herself!)

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House

  • Parenting Tip #13,100,785:
    Anything Boys Can Do, Girls Can Do Better!
    Unless You Live in Our House
    Or, Happen to Play the Clarinet!

    TFH Kids Cook

    Hey, look, finally, a post that has absolutely NOTHING to do with the weather (anyone mentions anything about snow and the ground hog gets it!) however, I will say that we're each getting a little sick (and tired) of all the closeness, around here.

    "Girls go to college to get more knowledge!"

    Especially, my two youngest children.

    "But, boys go to Jupiter to get more stupider!"

    See what I mean?

    "That's not right!"

    Thank goodness, the two oldest girls have my back.

    "You mean, more stupid!"

    Sort of.

    "Keep it up and ya'll going to Jupiter!"

    Long story, short (you're welcome) at our house, the war of girls vs. boys has been going on for quite some time now and, well, if you ask me, it really doesn't matter (whether you're a boy, or girl, I mean) they're ALL driving me nucking futs, too!

    "Smart Alec said that playing the clarinet is stupid!"

    Et tu minivan? 

    "What did you say?"

    Hope's first choice was to play the flute [cringe] but, I told her maybe the clarinet would be, you know, way cooler, considering there really aren't enough female clarinet players in the world.

    "I told him maybe he should think about playing the clarinet, then!"

    [snort!]

    "How many clarinets does it take to change a light bulb?"

    Either way, it just occurred to me, that I forgot to ask what instrument Smart Alec plays.

    "Clarinets don't have light bulbs, STUPID!"

    Then again, I guess it really doesn't matter.

    "Hey, you just passed our house!"

    Lalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalalala.

    "Where are you taking us, Mom?

    [blows bangs out of eyes]

    "Next stop….JUPITER!"

    Stupid ground hog!

    © 2003 – 2011 This Full House