Real Talk, Real Moms: Chores and Responsibility

       I am thrilled to be back participating in another segment of the Real Talk, Real Mom series and today, our topic focuses on chores and responsibility. How soon do you start to give your children chores? In my opinion, it's never too soon to start as long as your child is at an age where he/she comprehends simple instructions and can follow directions. Children who are given chores/responsibility tend to be more independent, responsible and go on to become self sufficient adults in the world.

        Since they were much younger(about age 3), I started encouraging my boys to complete simple chores like picking up after themselves and replacing their toys in their bins after use in the playroom. There was no reward for completing the tasks, except the knowledge that they were helping their Mama to keep the house nice and tidy. I do praise them though when they complete their chores so they know that I appreciate what they are doing. I also find that singing while completing these tasks/chores make the activity fun.

As they've grown older, more chores have been added like self care ones; brushing their teeth, preparing for school, folding clothes, making the bed, taking care of the pets, etc.

I once printed these labels and placed them on my older son's dresser when he was learning how to put away his clothes and they helped tremendously to help him to place his clothes in the correct drawer.

Nowadays, he doesn't need the labels and knows exactly where the different items of clothing go.

Giving the boys chores not only helps to keep things running smoothly in the household but also gives them a sense of pride to be contributing to the family unit. They are willing to help and in fact sometimes even compete to complete a task:-). xx

Please do check out the other Moms' thoughts on this topic: The Effortless Chic, Avestyles, HeyMama, The Lifestyled, Design for Mankind

Real Talk, Real Moms: Finding Your Confidence as a Mom

 

        I was a teacher who had been teaching for over 10 years when I became pregnant with Zion, my first child. I never lacked confidence in dealing with the many students I've taught over the years. I was very good at my job too. But,  I remember clearly the day I found out that I had to go to the hospital right away when a routine OB visit after work took a turn I wasn't expecting.  I was 36 weeks and apparently my amniotic fluid was very low. I was "leaking fluid" and didn't even know! A wave of doubt fell over me then- all the confidence I exuded in my job fell to the wayside. I burst into tears at the clinic and remember thinking, "... no, I'm not ready yet!" I felt so unprepared.

       After his birth,  Zion wouldn't latch on to my breasts and I wasn't prepared for that. I felt so overwhelmed but thank goodness for the lactation consultant at the hospital who worked one and one with me and after a few nights he was breastfeeding like a champ. One of the things I learned about myself during this time was I needed to let go of the "being a perfect mom" goal. I always strived for perfection in other areas of my life and I entered motherhood with that same attitude which definitely added to my stress level when things went array. Like so many new Moms,  I read parenting guides voraciously and tried to devour all the "enlightening information" on how to be the best mom.

     However, those parenting advice manuals  and "enlightening sources" tend to inspire expectations that new already struggling Mom may find difficult to live up to.

     I had to turn off the outside noise and learn about MY baby. He was not a great sleeper and I went against everything I read and we did the cosleep thing. In fact, I would often have to place him on my chest so that he would sleep AND so that I could also get some rest.

     I also learned to not compare myself to other Moms. Though so many portray an "I have it together," image, they actually have struggles just like I do.

    Sometimes, you have to relinquish control to get some alone time and recoup. I have to admit this was an area, I really struggled in. Even when family members offered to take care of Baby Zion so I could rest, I hesitated or said all was fine because I just didn't want to relinquish control of being his care taker.

   I am much more confident today being a Mom and I've found being happy and healthy is much better for my children than  attempting to prove I can do everything perfectly.



Be sure to check out the other lovely Mamas' thoughts on this topic:

The Effortless Chic/ Design for Mankind/A Daily Something/The Fresh Exchange/ Oh Lovely Day/ Aves Styles/ The Sweetest Occasion/Apartment 34

Real Talk / Real Moms: Morning Routine

I am thrilled to join in this Mommy series; Real Talk / Real Moms. Today's focus is morning routine. Mornings are always exciting around here. Usually, my goal is to wake up before the kiddos each morning and to leisurely enjoy my coffee in blissful quiet. Most times that doesn't happen...

Zion and Ian are early risers, so my mornings usually start off(sometime after 6 am)with the sound of their footsteps as they run to our room and make the declaration that they are hungry. I make coffee and their breakfast simultaneously and while they're having breakfast, I usually try and sip on my coffee but I'm never able to complete it and sometimes i end up reheating at least 3 times before leaving to drop them off for school.

By 7:15, they are done with breakfast and are usually running around the house being noisy while I finish packing their lunches. I usually do most of it the night prior but make their sandwiches in the morning. 

7:35/7:40 - It's brush teeth time and some mornings, this activity is uneventful and they are nice boy for their Mama and complete this activity without fuss. Other times, they are not so nice and tend to flee... 

After they brush their teeth, they get dressed(i try to have their outfits ready the night prior).School starts at 8:30 am and my goal is to usually be out of the house and on our way to school by 8:05. You're probably wondering so where is Dada? We're a military family so Dada isn't usually around but when he is we take turns with the morning routine activities and he'll drop them off at school. 

After dropping them off at school, the first thing i do when I return home is to reheat that cup of coffee for the 4th time or make a fresh cup, close my eyes and enjoy. 

Be sure to check out the other posts from the other lovely Mamas on their morning routines:

A Daily Something | Ave Styles |The Effortless Chic | HeyMama | Sugar and Charm |

Thoughts by Natalie |  The Sweetest Occasion | The Life Styled | Sarah Sherman Samuel | 

Sacramento Street | Apartment 34 | Freutcake | Design for Mankind 

P.S. We're currently in Florida for Spring break and also enjoying Easter here. I hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend! xx

images: Lea Hartman for Design Addict Mom