Mommage

The Best of Both Worlds

If you're a Mommage reader, chances are you have at least one child.  Everyone always says they don't care if it's a boy or a girl as long as it's healthy, but when I was pregnant the first time, I secretly wished for a girl.  When I was growing up, I helped raise my nephews and always wanted a little boy of my own.  But when my time came, I realized I wanted a daughter.  I think the reason was because I thought I'd relate better to someone of the same sex. 

My wish came true.  My daughter was everything a mother could ever want, and more.  When I became pregnant again, I just assumed it would be another girl, and the thought of having a boy never entered my mind. Imagine my surprise when I found out my second child was a BOY!  After I got over the shock, I realized how lucky I was.  It would be wonderful for every mother to have a girl, but raising a boy opened up a whole new world to me.

You Better Watch Out!

A letter was recently sent to Subway via Planetfeedback, and as I was reading it, I was reminded of something many first time parents fail to realize.  They are so preoccupied and absorbed in everyday living, they sometimes overlook one very important aspect of raising a child.  In fact, it took me quite awhile to realize it myself, but when I did, everything changed.

In the letter, the writer explained how she left her teenage son in charge of ordering a sandwich while she ran an errand.  She returned to discover that he had ordered the wrong thing, and she asked the employee to make it right.  When the employee refused, she proceeded to make a fuss in front of her son.

What's wrong with that picture? 

The Value of a Dollar

Let me start by saying I'm cheap.  I wasn't always that way, but after my first child was born and our income was slashed in half, I was forced to view money with a whole different perspective.  I no longer saw a dollar as just another piece of paper in my pocket, instead I valued what that one dollar could buy.  It started out being depressing and stressful, but I eventually got the hang of it, and even managed to turn it into a challenging game.  I developed a system of making the most of every dollar, and it worked.  It became a habit and something I continued doing long after it was mandatory.  As a result, my kids grew up respecting money and having a sense of what it takes to run a household.  And most importantly,  when I said I couldn't afford something, they understood and never associated it with my love for them, or lack thereof.

As you will see in this letter written to Aeropostale on Planetfeedback, the parent chose to pay more than what was believed to be the price for clothing for their twelve year old daughter, so she would not be disappointed.  Every parent wants to give their kids the world, but is it really a good idea?

Hello!

I thought I might see you here today. I'm glad you stopped by. This is a good place to hang out while everyone else is glued to their television sets watching The Game.  This is the day people like us lose our spouses, partners, children and even parents.  It's the day we feel alienated and left out in the cold.  We probably won't even get to sample any event related food or view those multi billion dollar commercials because we'll be as far away from the television as we can get.  Yes, it's a lonely day for non-football lovers everywhere.

That's okay.  There's plenty to talk about here.  I'll start, if that's alright with you.

Mom is Super but not Superwoman

Michele recently wrote a letter to Sears via Planetfeedback, regarding an issue with a malfunctioning dishwasher that created a dangerous situation in the kitchen where her toddler was present.  As I was reading the responses to her letter, I realized that some people actually think it's possible for a parent to keep an eye on their child at all times. 

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Potty Training Help!

Not me!  My son.  He is not interested in potty training.  I have asked begged him to start potty training.  I have tried bribing him (SpongeBob, Batman, and Cars) with Big Boy Underwear.  I have pleaded with him and put him in pull-ups.  I am so tired of buying and changing diapers.

How can you motivate a kid that obviously is not interested?  I want to make it a good experience for all involved.  By the time my daughter was his age she was potty trained.  I remember with my daughter that I was actually surprised at how easy it was!  Are boys just different than girls when it comes to potty training?  Are they harder to train?  What gives?  Why is it so hard this time around?  My husband and I have set a date to start placing him on the potty and stop with the diapers, but I do not want my son to be resistant to it because he is not ready.  I really want to do it at his pace, but I am sick of changing diapers already, and feeling like a failure!  Anyone have any advice, or any resources they can recommend?  I used potty training for dummies the first time (and will this time also), but was wondering what the other moms out there recommend?

Contributed by Renee

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow

My daughter came home for Christmas and stayed all week.  She developed a cold at some point, but when she wasn't resting in bed, we did manage to live it up a little.   We ventured out to the crowded mall to see "Sweeney Todd".  She has always been a big Tim Burton fan, and we are both avid fans of Johnny Depp, so this movie was a must see.   We also watched "Room 1408" on my new combo TV/DVD player that she gave me for Christmas.  We share the same interest in movies and even have the same taste, so it's the one thing we always enjoy doing when we're together.  Something else we look forward to is shopping the clearance sales after Christmas.  We both love a bargain and have fun seeing which of us can find the best item at the lowest price.  She usually wins, and it makes me feel good to know I taught her well.

As the week flew by, however, I was dreading the inevitable.

Don't Underestimate Your Kids

Apparently Jonathan's son will be so disappointed when he doesn't receive a certain gift, that his Christmas will be completely ruined.  In Jonathan's letter to Eastbay on Planetfeedback, he blames the company for ruining his child's Christmas because he did not receive his order in time.  He wants to know who's going to explain this perceived tragedy to his son, and even goes as far as to ask for a handwritten apology . 

To Jonathan and all the other parents who are paranoid over not being able to give their kid what they think is the perfect gift, I say this:

Have it Your Way

If you have trouble getting your kids to talk to you, especially teenagers, I have a surefire way to make them open up and speak freely.  Take them to Burger King, McDonald's or any other fast food place, order whatever they want, sit down and let the dialogue flow.  I swear by this method.  It works for me every time.  It makes me feel like Larry King.  I ask the questions, and my son seems unaware of the honesty with which he supplies the answers,
all while being distracted by the indulgence of fries.

There's something about food that makes kids feel safe.  Now, I know what you're thinking.  Food should never be used as an incentive for anything, and normally I would agree with you.  But I also think it's crucial for parents to know what's going on in their kids' lives.  If you fire questions at them interrogation style, in the heat of the moment, they freeze up and become defensive. If you sit down together in a public place, they feel less threatened and are more likely to have a conversation.

The next time you need to have a serious talk with your teenager, and you know they're not going to cooperate, give my way a try.   Hopefully, it will work for you too, and your kid will be none the wiser.

~Contributed by {Sneaky} Venice

Easy Christmas Yummies

Besides cookies, another thing I made for my friends this holiday season was peppermint bark.  One of my friends yesterday called it "addictive" ~ and he's right. It's been a huge hit in my household and it is absolutely the simplest thing to make.  Ever.  And the best thing about it is that it brings all my family together (my son especially likes being able to crush the candy canes...with a hammer, of course).  So from my kitchen to yours:

Peppermint Bark:

Take 1 package of white chocolate melts (you can find these at Michael's or Joanne Fabrics or even Wal-Mart) and melt in the microwave.  Mix in 2 ounces of crushed peppermints (you can buy it crushed or you can crush candy canes yourself).  Spread thinly over a parchment paper lined cookie sheet.  Sprinkle about 2 ounces more crushed peppermints on top.  Chill in the refrigerator for 20 minutes.  Break apart.  Store in an airtight container at room temperature. 

Enjoy!

--Contributed by Deb