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.