Your own agenda and other jokes

Being a mom means that you often have to change your plans quickly. Shopping and running other errands may have to be rescheduled due to problems including, but certainly not limited to, a sudden melt down or illness of one of the kids, unexpected company, a malfunctioning appliance, car problem, mess made by the pet…… 

The list goes on and on, but mom can usually take it all in slightly flustered stride and still manage to get the important details dealt with.

Once the child starts school, though, the kid might start wanting to make plans of his own and expect you to come up with a workable way to manage. Face it. You baby is growing up and is now aware that there are exciting things happening that aren't confined to his own back yard. He has met interesting people that he wants to spend time with.

Mom, get ready for play dates, parties, and outings that your newly social youngster wants to attend to have a fulfilling social life.

Sorry, mom. Junior isn't going to outgrow this. Right now you may have a house full of kids to entertain, or spending your time taking your child to his friends’ home for that mother to cope with. In the future you’ll be juggling car pools for every sports event, music and dance recital, or school function he and his peer group are involved in.

You’re going to need a big calendar.

And lots of passenger and cargo space.

No longer a toddler - Preschool

It’s lucky that there are preschools who will accept your young child at just the time that he starts asking questions that are a bit beyond you. Some of the questions inquiring minds want answers to can seem amazing. For instance, the child who just yesterday sought his own answer to the question of how many toy cars could be shoved into the tube of the paper towels, today wants to know what other things are invisible besides air. For the mom who has her hands full taking care of her home and family, it may be easier to give a funny answer rather than sit down and help the child find out.

Don’t start second-guessing yourself as a good mom if you’re not prepared to answer the questions put forth by the preschooler. Your child has an amazing mind, and the things that he wonders about can be varied as well as complex. Take pride at the intelligence this curiosity shows.

Toddlers are a physical challenge. Once the child grows out of this stage, parenting becomes a mental challenge. Many moms are amazed at how quickly the change happens. When they look back, over half of the moms who have kids in school say that preschool years are easier than toddler years. It just takes a little bit of adjustment to the change.

And, there are a lot of changes. Not only will you have to face the decisions on whether your child is ready for preschool, you’ll have to face that dreadful of leaving your child in the school, wondering if he’ll get along with the other kids, if he’ll be well cared for, and if he will pick up any serious germs from the teachers and other students. You’re not alone in your doubts.

Relax. When you pick your child up from the first day of preschool, chances are that the child will be happy and full of a feeling of self-importance. In the rare instance that he isn't, discuss his concerns and if needed, have a discussion with the teachers.

You’ll soon be thankful for the hours that your child is away, leaving you time to deal with your other important duties without those challenging questions.

Will a pet improve your family life?

Mom has a lot of responsibilities and maybe she doesn't feel up to the added tasks of taking care of a new pet. But, maybe a cat or a dog would make life a little easier.

A loving pet in the home has been shown to improve the physical and emotional health of its human companions. A cat or dog can bring the family together in joyful periods of fun and activity, providing exercise and stress relief.

The responsibility of caring for your four pawed friend gives a sense of capability to people of all ages. The very young and the elderly can reinforce their perception of their abilities, giving self-confidence a real boost.

Loneliness, depression, high triglycerides, high blood pressure, lack of activity, and stress can all put a strain on your health. Studies have been conducted that suggest that people with a dog or cat in the home have a better chance of avoiding health risks than those in homes without pets. Research also suggests that heart attack victims have improved survival is they are pet owners. Many hospitals now allow pets to visit patients to help their mood and reduce stress.

Your pet loves you unconditionally. If you’re lonely your dog or cat provides companionship. A dog, more than a cat, is always available to listen to your problems and provide social support.  Of course, choosing the right pet for your lifestyle is important if you don’t want to add stress to your life by adopting an animal who will be a burden.

How will the animal be cared for when you travel? Are you prepared to deal with shedding and muddy paw prints? Will the dog be able to be walked in all kinds of weather? For most animal lovers, these are minor inconveniences, but the state of your health may make it hard to properly care for a pet.

But think of how nice it would be if the next time the kid is bored you can just tell him to take the dog outside and teach him to fetch.

Accidental germs for the kids

We know you're a good mom. Your home may not always be ready for the camera, but you keep it clean as one of the many things you do to keep your family safe. Just look at your shiny kitchen counters. The only thing out of place there is the purse that you set down when you came in.

Whoops. What germs did you drag into your home with your pocketbook? According to a study done in the UK, your handbag is probably more germ ridden than your toilet. It may look clean, but just think of the places you set that bag down.

You may have set in on the floor of the public restroom while you were helping your toddler avoid a messy accident. Imagine what the bottom of the purse is picking up there and thrive during the trip home.

You probably used one of the hand wipes available in grocery stores to clean the child seat before you placed her in the shopping cart. Did you put your purse into the basket that has been accumulating the juices from raw meat and who knows what other toxic brews?

You can't help picking up germs when you are out and about. That's why you wash your hand so often. Do the same with your purse. Remember to use a disinfectant wipe to kill the germs on your bag that could make for kids sick. Pay special attention to the bottom of the bag, since this is the area that is subject to most bacteria.