Ways to enjoy being a mom

Being a mom is the best thing in the world and you have to appreciate and enjoy every second you spend with your kids. They grow up so fast that when you least expect it they won’t want to spend time with you. Here are just a few ideas on how you can enjoy being a mom a build up those memories:

1.             When you're tired, hand your kids a brush, point to your head, and tell them to play beauty parlor. When you're really tired, pretend that you're Sleeping Beauty.

2.             Take a bath with your infant. Make sure your husband is around for the handoff, so you can relax until the last minute. (Don't forget to smell your baby right afterward. Heaven!)

3.             The next time you have to go to a boring kiddie activity, invite another mom-friend along. Hide wine in sippy cups for the two of you to nurse undercover.

4.             Play Freaky Friday with your husband and switch roles for a day. Enjoy his renewed appreciation for his Super Mom wife.

5.             Take your baby out to the movies at night. (Infants love the dark, and loud trailers make them snooze immediately.) Then you can sip your soda and munch your popcorn in peace.

6.             Take your kids to live music performances from very early ages. Cheap ones outdoors are great to start with in case you need to make a hasty exit (like when a diaper explodes).

7.             Use your kids as an excuse to do the things you want to do, like going to silly feel-good movies, eating mac and cheese for dinner, and jumping in the moonbounce. Use your kids as an excuse to get out of things you don't want to do, like going to a wedding or office party.

8.             Every Mother's Day, have a picture taken with your kids. Keep the photos all together - along with special cards, ticket stubs, mementos, and anything else that makes you feel good about being a mom - in a shoe box. (Of course, you must get those new shoes you love in order to do this correctly.) Every year, look through your Goddess Mom box and see how much your kids have grown.

9.             Give your kids quiet time every day. Let them learn to be by themselves with books, crayons, or blocks.

10.          Let your whole family take a day off and hang out in pj's all day long.

11.          Invent a house fairy. Give her a name, and tell your kids that she is always watching them and counting up their good deeds.

Listen for the deep, happy sighs that come after your kids play or laugh really hard. Tuck them away in your heart.