Things every Mom should know-part 2

Since Mother's Day is tomorrow, I thought I would do part 2 of the post I started a few weeks ago.  I hope all the Moms out there feel special not just tomorrow but everyday.  We probably have the hardest job on earth, but the most rewarding.  You just have no idea until you experience it yourself.  Happy Mother's Day to you all! Enjoy :)

Now on to the rest of the list:

11. Embrace their quirks.

12. Know this: That stain won't come out.  And it's ok.  (The sooner you accept this, the better.)

13. At some point it will be February.  Things will seem bleak.  You will think more about vitamins, glasses, more exercise, more sleep, more chores, less TV, more rules, fewer rules, and organic food.  Just wait.  Things will get better when the snow melts.  Know that it will happen again at the end of the summer, right before school starts.  It's the circle of life, baby.

14. Always get boys' haircuts at barber shops instead of hair salons.

15. Answer this question: What is the worst thing that can happen if your kids sleep in their clothes?

16. Never stifle a generous inclination.

17. Try to like what they like.  It kind of sucks when it's Bob the Builder, but the payoff will come when they discover Lemony Snicket.

18. Teach them to pump on the swings ASAP.

19. If your child falls asleep occasionally without brushing her teeth, don't wake her; baby teeth do eventually fall out.

20. I know you are supposed to use natural consequences to punish bad behavior, but sometimes it's hard to think of natural consequences.  In these cases try threatening your kids with clipping their toenails or some activity they dread.  I've had great success with this one, but you must find your own.

Things every Mom should know

I was recently reading through a very old Parents magazine and came across an article titled "39 Things Every Mom Should Know".  I'm going to split it up into several posts so this one isn't ridiculously long.  The top 10 are as follows...

1.  You never have to go to obnoxious kid-themed restaurants.  Ever.  I wish someone had told me that.

2.  Don't make birthday parties a huge deal.  (I don't totally agree with this one personally.  I like making b-day parties special, but I try not to spend too much money.  Not sure if that's where they were going with that.)

3.  Do your chores while kids are awake.  Using up naptime to wash dishes or clean the bathroom is truly soul-crushing. (*I struggle with this one!)

4.  Put Band-aids on everything your kids want to. Why not?

5. If the kids are awake, bite the bullet and be awake yourself.  You'll waste so many hours trying futilely to extend early-morning snoozes that it's not worth it.  If you are sick, pregnant, or it's the middle of the night, ignore this advice.

6.  Just throw away the poopy underwear.

7.  Don't beat yourself up if you have to use a bribe.

8.  Teach your kids not to pee outside unless you are camping-you'll be glad you did.  But if other people's kids do it, don't judge too harshly-it's all about karma. If you're in the midst of potty training all bets are off.  You gotta do what you've gotta do.

9.  Buy cheap shoes when kids are little.  Feet grow faster than you think.

10.  Don't forget about board games.  You'll suffer through way too much Candy Land and Chutes and Ladders, but Connect Four and Battleship aren't half bad.  And Clue rocks.

Stay tuned for more...Hope you are having a great week.