Lately I've struggled a bit to figure out my role, or my place, within my own family. I mean duh, I'm the mom, the driver, the meal maker, the care taker, the anti-video game lady who is constantly terrified of football and online predators. Right. But I miss being the baby rocking, comfort giving, craft making, nurturing lady all the kids went to for advice and fun and hugs and kisses. I can honestly say, I totally nailed my role as mom to young kids. Not that I had all the answers and was perfect-y perfect mom all the time. I just really enjoyed the hell out of it. I felt like it was the job I was meant to have, I felt completely comfortable in that job/role.
But the mom job is evolving because woah, the kids are getting older. They are no longer impressed with my ability to make a happy face sandwich, and my silly dancing in the kitchen no longer makes them giggle. And that's OKAY. I get it, they are teenagers and this is the stuff that's supposed to happen and they are good kids, no, they are great kids and I love them madly. I'm just trying to figure out how to hold onto parts of my old position and still grow into my new position....mom of older kids.
Holidays are different with older kids. But last week I found ways to hold onto my silly traditions and include a couple of my bigger kids. It's this week's Pinterest Poser Challenge, check it out.
I don't care how old kids are, they will ALWAYS like dessert. Wade is still young enough to want to bake with me. So, he and I baked Valentine's inspired cupcakes for the older kids and their friends the other night. It was great one-on-one time with my youngest and a great way for him to not feel left out of the big kids' fun with their friends.
The kids only sometimes sit with me and make crafts anymore. Other times they ignore me and go do their own thing. And still other times they make the crafts I start on their own and that's cool. When I suggested we make a heart garland for Valentine's Day, Lucy said sure but she was going to do it while watching a movie. That worked.
I used a needle and thread to sew my hearts together while watching a movie later that night on my own. Our creation now hangs in the kitchen and I love it.
I decided to add a few inexpensive decorating touches around the house that are really geared more toward younger kids, or the young at heart. I realized I just kind of dig all these cutesy decorations and maybe I wasn't even doing them for the little kids all those years, maybe I was doing them becuase I just liked them. So I put up pink doilies I got at the Dollar Store. I wrote a message on the chalk board that I want everyone in the family to know/always remember this Valentine's Day and forever.
DIY Snowman Ornaments- click here
But the mom job is evolving because woah, the kids are getting older. They are no longer impressed with my ability to make a happy face sandwich, and my silly dancing in the kitchen no longer makes them giggle. And that's OKAY. I get it, they are teenagers and this is the stuff that's supposed to happen and they are good kids, no, they are great kids and I love them madly. I'm just trying to figure out how to hold onto parts of my old position and still grow into my new position....mom of older kids.
Holidays are different with older kids. But last week I found ways to hold onto my silly traditions and include a couple of my bigger kids. It's this week's Pinterest Poser Challenge, check it out.
*In an attempt at not being a Pinterest Poser,** every week-ish I detail a new project/idea/recipe inspired by Pinterest.
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.
**My definition of a Pinterest Poser is someone who is all pins and no substance.
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| Oh my god, isn't he so cute. He's my baby!!!! And of course there is a ball in almost every picture because there is a ball in almost every room of my house. |
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| I found these cute little cupcake toppers at Kroger for a couple dollars. Boosh! Happy Valentine's Day! |
The kids only sometimes sit with me and make crafts anymore. Other times they ignore me and go do their own thing. And still other times they make the crafts I start on their own and that's cool. When I suggested we make a heart garland for Valentine's Day, Lucy said sure but she was going to do it while watching a movie. That worked.
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| She drew the hearts on scrap book paper I had and then cut them out while watching "Jem and the Holograms." |
I used a needle and thread to sew my hearts together while watching a movie later that night on my own. Our creation now hangs in the kitchen and I love it.
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| I saw this on Pinterest somewhere years ago and made it before (click here to check it out) |
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| I know, my kitchen looks like my Pinterest Poser Challenges threw up. Lol. It's not for everyone, but I love the homemade, chaotic look. |
I decided to add a few inexpensive decorating touches around the house that are really geared more toward younger kids, or the young at heart. I realized I just kind of dig all these cutesy decorations and maybe I wasn't even doing them for the little kids all those years, maybe I was doing them becuase I just liked them. So I put up pink doilies I got at the Dollar Store. I wrote a message on the chalk board that I want everyone in the family to know/always remember this Valentine's Day and forever.
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Inspired by a million chalkboards on
Pinterest and copied from one of them.
I don't know if the big kids even notice all my dumb decorations, but I hope they know that I love them. And that I'm going to figure out my role/place/evolved job as mom to older kids but I may never stop making crafts and making dessert for Valentine's Day, the Super Bowl, birthdays, special days, anniversaries and whenever anyone needs to feel better. I'm going to keep learning and keep growing and keep worrying and keep baking and keep mothering no matter how old we all get.
Have you made anything inspired by Pinterest lately? Got any favorite holiday crafts? Let me know in the comments or over on my Facebook page.
Here are some of the Pinterest projects I've done/made/attempted:
DIY Snowman Ornaments- click here
Kale Smoothie- click here
Power Tools- click here
Painting Sticks- click here
Homemade Pesto- click here
DIY Map Craft- click here
Homemade Chalk Paint- click here
A Flower Crown- click here
The Rainbow Challenge- click here
DIY Trundle Bed- Click here
DIY Artemis Costume- click here
Taking Pictures of Your Kids- click here
Gluten Free Pretzels- click here
Cinnamon Sugar Doughballs- click here
Painted Lockers- click here
Make An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here
Happiness Notecards- click here
Nail Art-click here
Seven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here
Melted Beads- DIY Suncatcher- click here
Tissue Paper Pom Pom Garland-- click here
A Delightfully Simple Birthday Party--click hereMake An Awesome Omelet--click here
Outdoor Lights Inspired by the show Parenthood- click here
Herb Garden with Chalkboard Pots- click here
Backyard Graffiti Art with kids- click here
Gluten Free Rainbow Cake- click here
Fruit Roll-Up Fortune Cookies- click here
Make Your Own Magnets- click here
DIY Painted Clay Necklace- click here
Dixie Cup Lights- click here
DIY Ornaments-click here
Gluten Free Clay- click here
Make Your Own Stamps- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Birthday Shirt- click here
Gluten Free Pop Tarts- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Front Porch Kid Art Display- click here
Door turned into Table- click here
Summer Wish List Chalkboard-click here
Peanut Butter Nutella Cookie Sandwiches-click here
Painted Mason Jar Vases-click here
Cinco de Mayo Paper Flowers- click here
Earth Day Cupcakes- Click hereNail Art-click here
Homemade Photo Booth Fun- click here
Fake Bangs- click here
DIY Subway Art- click here
Furniture Painting and Bench/Chest Makeover- click here
Thanksgiving-y Project/Gratitude/Holiday Countdown- click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Smoothie-click here
The Free Printable Turned Artwork in a Boring Hallway- click here
The chalk board-click hereSeven Layer Dip in Individual Cups (my favorite so far!)-click here
The pumpkin address-click here
The Kitchen Dancing Sign--click here
Ivy would love to make that garland. Oh my goodness. She finished her class valentines, like, the minute I brought them home.
ReplyDeleteI know you're going to grow into a comfortable, fabulous role as a mom to big kids, because that's what you do. You're fabulous.
The garland is adorable! I think you're doing a pretty amazing job. At all of it <3
ReplyDelete