Tuesday, November 26, 2013

The Inadequate Mom

Yesterday my preschooler had a Thanksgiving feast at his school. Being one of four class moms, I was on board to bring something. The other moms were bringing side dishes to a turkey dinner and a cookie craft for the kids to make and eat - sweet potatoes, cornbread, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn. I was in charge of the paper goods.

 
I admit that I hate to cook. Cooking is not something I enjoy. I don't spend time on Pinterest looking up recipes and cute ways to serve food. I pretty much dread the 4 o'clock hour when I have to decide what I'm cooking for dinner.
 
Looking at how these other moms also had more than one child (like me) and were working moms (not like me), I was feeling mighty inadequate at what they had accomplished. They were baking and cooking the night before and that morning. I was bringing paper plates in a plastic bag from the supermarket.
 
Clearly these moms were all over Pinterest with their sweet potatoes and marshmallows to get the kids to eat them, and their cute turkey cookie craft ideas. I felt such the loser, the slacker, the bad mother.
 
And then I thought, well, at least I'm here, in the classroom with my little guy. Who cares that I forgot to buy a tablecloth or bring plastic forks. One of the other supermoms had that covered with her supply of everything that could possibly be necessary for a Thanksgiving feast in her trunk.
 
After about 30 minutes, I didn't care anymore. My little guy could care less about all that food on the beautiful harvest paper plate I had purchased. I confess he did eat the marshmallows and, of course, that cute turkey cookie. He just was happy to be spending time with me. And that's what being a mom is all about.
 
 

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Gratitude

I'm thinking of starting a gratitude journal. I remember Oprah talking about it years ago, and I thought it would be a great way to help me find some positivity in my life.
I typically seek out the bad stuff and wallow in it. I can usually find the bad in just about anything. Constantly worrying is an exhausting prospect. Perhaps a journal would be a daily reminder to focus on the good.

So what am I thankful for today? I'm thankful for the little family I have. I love my two boys. Nothing makes me more proud than them. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Thanksgiving Turkey

Sometimes I don't know what I'm thinking. I've offered to host Thanksgiving for over 20 people this year - something I haven't done in about 10 years. It sounded good about 2 weeks ago, right after I put together and ran a gift auction successfully for over 200 people. Now with a week before Thanksgiving and tons of prepping to do, it doesn't sound so good anymore.
 
Did I mention I hate to cook? Here I am hosting the biggest meal of the year. Guess who's the turkey?
 

 

Saturday, November 9, 2013

6WS

Call Me Cate at Show My Face hosts Six Word Saturday. Want to play along? All that's necessary to participate is to describe your life (or something) in a phrase using just six words.
 
Same old, same old. What's new?

Friday, November 8, 2013

Friday Finds



MizB at Should Be Reading hosts Friday Finds. What great books did you find online, in the library or at the bookstore? What did you add to your TBR list? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!



"Love All" by Callie Wright
"Sea Creatures" by Susanna Daniel
"The Husband's Secret" by Liane Moriarty
"The Silent Wife" by A. S. A. Harrison
"Thursdays in the Park" by Hilary Boyd
"Stag's Leap" by Sharon Olds
"Just What Kind of Mother Are You?" by Paula Daly
"The Violet Hour" by Katherine Hill
"How to Be Alone" by Tanya Davis