The Family Groove "Mom on The Street (January 09)"

MOM ON THE STREET
MOM-TO-MOM ADVICE ON LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT OF YOUR OWN GROOVE

Welcome to our latest monthly column, “Mom on the Street” (ya know, like “Man on the Street”).
Each month, we’ll be asking moms just like you for a slice of their sage advice, insider tips or
tried-and-true wisdom in the hopes that their unique brand of mothering inspires, assuages, calms,
strengthens and even amuses you.

This month's question:

The January issue is called “A Brand-New Day.”
What’s brand new for you this year? How do you feel about it?

Maureen Brown is the mother of five children, ages 4 to 12, and the host and producer of “Mom’s the Word!” (www.momsthewordshow.com), an Internet parenting talk show. Here’s what this Colorado mom has to say:

“With the presidential election over and the holiday rush behind us for another year, I think we can all breathe again.

My family started off the school year fresh and organized, with several household systems in place. But like any systems, they broke down after a period of time. I like to use the new year to recharge our family organization systems—that is code for calendars, closets, drawers and bins that have been getting piled up with excess during the fall months.

I feel like my family really benefits from the downtime that the cold and snowy winter months have to offer. It is a time when we naturally start fresh, clean out closets and organize. Turn this mode into a family project and have the kids get involved by cleaning out their closets and making room for new toys or clothes. Some of my favorite memories growing up were when my mom and I rearranged my room (it’s a great opportunity to get rid of dust bunnies, too).

I don’t feel inclined to go out and buy several new gadgets and gizmos to get organized (who has the time or money for that?). Just unloading the excess and using odds and ends around the house can make a big difference. Spending time with your children in this process will help. Listen to what bothers them about trying to stay neat—maybe they just need an extra hook or two in the closet for their favorite robe and sweater.

Top off the day of reorganizing fun with a winter walk and, of course, some hot cocoa and a marshmallow or two to warm up. These are the days your kids will cherish!”

Tivona Betz is a new mom—a new stay-at-home mom—living in San Diego. Here’s what she has to say:

Tivona Betz and Family

“What a great 2008! I’m sure we have all had so many new blessings in the last year that far surpass where we’re at right now in our economy—though we sometimes have to be reminded of our good fortunes.

Our newest addition, Caden James, came along blissfully last spring, as did motherhood for the first time and becoming a stay-at-home mom. Eek! As a working woman for many years, this was definitely a very new adjustment. What I expected was a little chaos and a lot of downtime—which I got. But what I didn’t expect were the many new lessons I’ve learned that pertain to daily life. For example, napping isn’t just for babies and the elderly. Caden’s naps sometimes consist of him just spending time in his Pack ’n Play cooing and exploring the colors and shapes around him—although I like to think that my baby genius is reflecting on his life lessons of the day, this is just good time for him on his own. Afterward, he is refreshed and in a better mood. How often we fail to remember the importance of setting aside some time to lie down and simply relax for a half hour (or more!) by ourselves—whether we sleep or not.

And it doesn’t stop there! Sometimes I hear the little guy sighing, and this reminds me to just take a deep breath. His curiosity that causes him to feel and examine everything reminds me to stop and smell the roses. His persistence reminds me to be determined. Then there are the notions that you must crawl before you walk, walk before you run and take baby steps (pun intended!). Though Caden is so determined to skip crawling and make that first walking step, the mechanics behind crawling first are vitally important for a great walker, and the same holds true for a runner. Each week I try to start a new small project that I’ve been putting off, and usually by Friday, I’m wrapping it up. I remind myself of these schools of thought when it comes to contributing to our savings, eating better/starting a new fitness regime and learning how to better listen or communicate with my husband. Right, honey? It’s all about the baby steps in getting to your end goal.

So what’s new for me this year? A brand-new outlook. And a new twist on looking at old concepts in a brand-new light!”

Laurie Schacht is the president of Adventure Publishing, a leading publisher of toy and licensing industry magazines. Here’s what this Woodmere, Long Island, mother of three has to say:
Laurie Schacht and Family
“As we get caught up in the pace of our everyday lives, it’s not always easy to see how fast it’s all actually going by. As my oldest has just started her first year of college and my middle daughter is beginning her prep work for the SATs, what is becoming brand new for me is balance and finding it.

When my oldest makes it home to visit, she has become my priority, and I need to set other things in life aside, including running to the office. My youngest, I realize, doesn’t get the PTA mom that my first two had, and so that has become an old priority made brand-new priority once again.

How did my family grow up so fast? Even my kids feel this quick pace of life. My baby is 13, and she tells me often how fast the week, month or even school year has gone. Something brand new for me is making my entire family stop and find time for each other, and not just because we are going on vacation, but because it’s dinnertime. Last year, I made a Sunday rule. Dinners were a family affair unless there was an important function that just couldn’t be helped. Our family eats late during the week (often 8 to 8:30) so that we can all eat together (and that still does not always happen).

Another challenge is always being able to juggle life and everyone’s schedules, working and running our home. As each child gets older and as they have more choices to make, my husband and I have brand-new decisions we need to make with and for them.

My personal brand-new priority is to work out once again. I went from working out most of the time to none of the time, as work and life kept me too busy. Is that a brand-new goal or a New Year’s resolution? Either way, I’ll let you know how I do—I hope it leads to a brand-new working-out me with balance!”

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