If I know anything about moms, it’s that we LOVE getting unsolicited advice. We wake up hoping that someone will tell us how to do things better.
For example, when I was pregnant with Hadley, and she was 14,657 days overdue, I dealt with the realization that I would be pregnant for the rest of my life by purchasing two sprinkled donuts and a coffee at the grocery store. Then I went home and watched Gilmore Girls. Every day. One morning as I was paying for my snack, the grocery clerk said, “That’s a lot of donuts. Are they both for you?”
I told her no, that one was for my toddler. Technically I wasn’t lying because when you’re 14,657 days overdue, you don’t give birth to a four pounder.
GET-YOUR-KIDS-READING ADVICE: Books on CD are huge hits in our home. May I suggest Lyle, Lyle Crocodile and Giant Jam Sandwich?
Another time, when the girls and I were in Target, and Hadley and Harper were swinging on the little handicapped accessible shelf that makes it easier to write checks, a woman asked, “Do you know your kids are swinging on that shelf?”
OK, technically that’s not advice. But still, VERY MUCH appreciated. Because I thought what was banging into my left hip every 3 seconds was a dog or goat. So I was thankful she brought it to my attention.
MORE READING ADVICE: Purchase Sandra Boynton's book-and-CD sets: Dog Train, Philidelphia Chickens, and Rhinoceras Tap. Songs sung by artists like Alison Kraus and Kevin Bacon. Don't listen to "Evermore" or "Dragonfire" by yourself. You will cry. The Kevin Bacon song might make you cry for different reasons.
Here’s some planning advice I got recently, which as you can imagine, I thought was extremely helpful. Those who know me well know that I have trouble planning things out. A person was wondering if I would do a favor for her and she prefaced it by saying this: “Since you’re just a stay-at-home mom, you should be able to do this.”
Not only is this helpful advice, it is a great way to motivate me to do something.
MORE READING ADVICE: Magazines like Big Backyard and Highlights are easy for Hadley to read and Harper loves looking at the pictures. Plus, there are fun games to play throughout. A sure crowd pleasure with the young'ns.
If you’re not as motivated as I was by the advice I’ve been given, perhaps you’ll instead enjoy a few reading tips I scattered throughout this post. Thank me later. Buy me a coffee and a sprinkled donut.
Way to set us straight! You’re busy enough now, and adding to that with an MFA.
FYI, I link to you in today’s Artist’s Road post.
Thanks, Patrick! I can totally do that MFA….because I’m just a stay-at-home mom. 🙂
Thanks for linking up on your post. That was above very, very, kind. I’ll stop over soon!
Ha! Yuuuuuuuup. That’s how it goes, isn’t it?
Exactly, Sarah. And unfortunately, I’m sure I’ve given unwanted advice as well. Although, I will ALWAYS say eat the donut. Always.
Fantastic! I ate nothing but Yesterdog when I was prego with Eli. He turned out okay. 🙂
Yum! Yesterdog! I’ve no doubt Eli turned out more than okay!
Great. Now I want a donut. Maybe I can catch Lisa tomorrow morning before she goes to school for a DD run. 🙂
Sigh. A DD run before a 7-2 Friday morning meeting. Those were good times.
We have Tim Hortons up here in Canada for our donut fixes. 🙂 Sometimes you “just” need that when you’re “just” a stay at home/work at home mom! (I really despise the word “just” sometimes.) Thanks for the reading tips…summer’s comin’ and that means library club time!
I LOVES me some Tim Hortons! Sometimes when we are driving back to the midwest and we go through Detroit, we stop there. Oh, who am I kidding? We ALWAYS stop there on the way! 🙂
ha! birthing a toddler. i love that image. you know what i bought at the store today? little debby donut sticks. the super sized box. no regrets either.
Go on, girl!
Book and CD sets are great. We try to get a few from the library each visit. They allow my son to listen to favorites over and over again. Currently, it’s Lion King. He’s also gone through a “Chrysanthemum” phase. “Wings: A Tale of Two Chickens” was one of my favorites.
I agree, Anita. I like listening to them too because I like how those who are reading sound different from the way I read it. Sort of gives the story new meaning, or I see something different with another reader. Thanks for stopping by!