Sometimes it’s hard to love any minute of motherhood. I realized that my problem with this lately basically comes down to being burnt out, despite trying to make time for myself.
Which means it’s time to pull out the “big guns”: those almost fail-safe activities that we all enjoy. Working together usually helps to decrease contention and bickering
A few of ours:
- Getting out of the house
- Television (or turning it off)
- Art projects
- Tickling
- Reading
- Baking
Guess which one we did today.
What are your “big guns”?
8 replies on “Baking it till you make it”
So cute! My ‘big guns’ are getting the kids out of the house to burn off energy, crafts, and doing a project around the house (as long as I say “can you guys help mom on this super cool project” or something like that).
Hey Jordan,
It’s Erin (your sister). I need your assistance. I’m visiting friends in Maine for Christmas this year and I’m not sure what to buy for my friend who is also a mother to four young girls, ages 7, 5, 3, and 1 (minus ten days). It’s easy to buy for little girls, dress up clothes, books, ponies. And her husband should be easy to shop for as well. He’s an avid reader and loves John Piper, although it may be hard to find a book he hasn’t already read. But I really want to do something special for my friend. She just went back to work this year as a full time nurse so that her husband could return to school and prepare for seminary so she’s carrying a LOT on her shoulders. I know a gift is never a cure all but I immediately thought of you and wanted to know what YOU would appreciate as a gift from someone who really doesn’t “get it” but still wants to send a message of love and friendship and support.
Oh and to any mom’s out there reading this — feel free to post your own thoughts in the comments section. I’m not going shopping until Thursday (yeah, yeah, yeah…but at least I’m not leaving it until Christmas Eve) so there’s PLENTY of time!
And Jordan, if I were rich (or spending Christmas with you and your family) I’d totally buy you an awesome gift, too. Merry Christmas!
Not mom’s. Just moms.
I thought the last one says barking. Interesting. I didn’t remember a lot of barking at the house.
@Erin—ooh, that’s a good question. Here are a few ideas:
Something to help her take time for herself. Moms are notoriously bad at putting ourselves first even when we know we can’t be as good at mothering (and all of our other responsibilities) without that ‘me time.’ This might be a spa day or a good book & cocoa or a mani/pedi—you probably know what your friend would like most in this area. (This would also take a little explanation, because, while always thoughtful, it might look a little frivolous until you explain how it does show that you “get it.”)
Something to help her take time for her marriage. Gift certificates for dinner and a movie or a fun activity nearby for a date night. If you have any mutual friends around, maybe arrange for babysitting.
A mom emergency kit (or maybe a dad emergency kit, if he’ll be home with them a lot): an educational DVD (of more than 30 minutes!), kid-friendly snacks, something to help keep the kids occupied/out of trouble/not fighting/not requiring Mom’s attention or Dad to call Mom for help (maybe to go with option #1, so she can take that me-time).
And then, of course, there’s whatever you’d get her normally, to show her that you remember she’s an individual, and not totally defined by her responsibilities and roles.
Good luck!
Your cookie ideas in the photos were very creative! Thanks for posting the pictures. It’s fun to come across unusual Christmas cookies.
Thanks, Donna! They’re actually cakes (and they’re not what we made that day; they’re just what I already had uploaded pictures of).
The big guns….the pool. And if we can’t go to the pool we’re going to a wide open space where boys can run like hooligans.
I know this is way late but I think a great gift for moms can be a gift that makes them feel like a super-mom. Someone once gave me a load of slice and bake cookies for the freezer. I was able to have a warm home-made snack for my kids on demand and I felt like I was really a super-mom if only for a silly moment.
Same for freezer meals – man, the gift of time. A warm meal on the table that I didn’t have to cook is the best gift ev-ah!! A gift certificate to one of those supper-works places would rock (although they are expensive).