August 9, 2004
Category: Motherhood |
Here I am - looking at my calendar and psychologically preparing for this school year (yes, it started TODAY, shut it). I’m trying to psych myself up for Organization! Productivity! Mom-of-the-Year! type changes in my life.
The things I want to do this year:
Make it to ALL soccer practices, even if it’s the finale of Big Brother. This is why we got TiVo.
Cook dinner every night, even during soccer season. No more, “Crap - its late, I dont feel like cooking. Who wants pizza?” I’ll plan ahead for having meals that are quick, easy, AND healthy on soccer nights. (Any recipes would be greatly appreciated. Prep time less than five minutes is a plus)
Go through LilZoot’s homework every night. This will be his first year NOT going to a daycare that makes sure he gets it done BEFORE I pick him up. This year? Its up to He and I. Get the whip ready.
Go through his backpack EVERY NIGHT to make sure I dont miss any important field trip information or notes from teachers. He is very good at reminding me of this stuff, but I am the Mom, and I should be able to do it on my own.
Always have plenty of clean clothes ready for LilZoot to choose from. He is a pre-teen now, and cares greatly about his clothing choice every day. It will cause him less stress if his favorite clothes are clean. This also prevents him from trying to do laundry on his own, which usually ends up ruining MY clothes. Namely? My favorite ones.
Spend quality time at night talking about the day and the school work. Try to avoid making him listen to details of MY day, because it is boring. He knows that. I know that. Let’s just move on.
Pick up requested/needed supplies for soccer AND school several days in advance so as to avoid the “Oh SHIT! You were supposed to bring candy to school today!” panic attacks at 5am of the day the item is needed.
Um. Yeah. I don’t think I can do this. Today is the first day of soccer AND school and I’m already trying to find excuses to skip practice tonight. Why am I changing my parenting technique again? I mean - the irresponsible, flighty, space-brained Mom thing has worked for the last four years…Why mess with a good thing, right?
I say leave well enough alone…and don’t forget to order the pizza…
OH SHIT!
I need to sign the kids up for soccer.
*scrambles*
I’m so not looking forward to that… But Good Luck!
I think that going to the GAMES is the important step. I don’t remember my folks going to practce. Wait, am I deprived? Maybe that’s what I was missing all along… Nah, I think just the games are ok…
irresponsible?
I DOUBT it!
Seems a little harsh if you ask me!
My son starts kindergarten Monday. Do I have to start doing all that stuff too?
I’m right there with you Zoot! I’m the mom who NEVER volunteers for anything and returns permission slips and fee forms at the last. possible. second.
Quick or easy recipe?
Ramen Noodle Stir-Fry
Needed: 2 pkgs chicken ramen noodle
Vegetables (I use brocoli, cauliflower, and baby carrots)
Chicken
1 Tbsp Oil
Water
Directions
1- Cut Vegetables and chicken. Size depends on tastes.
2- Start cooking chicken in pan on Medium Heat (no oil yet)
3- Crush up ramen noodles (kids seem to like this part as all you do is crunch the package a lot)
4- See if chicken is semi-cooked yet.
5- Add oil and vegetables.
6- Stir a lot (or for about 1 min)
7- Mix in ramen noodles, the flavoring packets, and enough water to cover it all.
8- Cover and stir ever 5 minutes or so.
9- Eat when most of water has evaporated and chicken is fully cooked.
It usually takes no more than 15 minutes to cook and maybe 5 to 10 minutes to prepare. And most of my family loves it. Actually I don’t know anyone who hasn’t loved it. It also works with the other flavors of ramen, but if I’m using the chicken I like the chicken ramen… kinda makes a weird sort of sense… in a way….
Oh no! DOn’t become super mom! The membership numbers in the the irresponsible, flighty, space-brained Mom club are dwindling. I promise I’ll start bringing better refreshments to the meetings if you stick with our side!
Um, well, I tried to use this system to keep organized and responsible. Maybe it will work for you. http://flylady.net/
you could always use karen’s method: make your husband do the cooking & laundry. i suggest cooking a ton of pasta(shapes preferably) on some weekend night when you’re free & bagging them in dinner portions & throwing them in the fridge. saves the boil time. i also often fall back on the breakfast for dinner thing when we are rushed. breakfast meals usually don’t take too long.
i admire all of your good intentions, but we love you just the way you are, Zoot!! And LilZoot seems pretty well adjusted, so you’re doing a fine job!!
You do all of that and you’re going way beyond mom of the year. Even stay-at-home moms don’t do all that. Seriously, you’re mom of the year without going that far!! Just ask LilZoot!
Worry about making it to the games. Trying to make it to the practices will just make you nuts.
And, what everyone else said. You’re a great mom, and the fact that you can do even half of that AND have a job? I’m impressed.
Plus, Lil Z is getting older, right? Don’t be afraid to have him take some responsibility about making sure you sign things or get things for him to take in or whatnot. Let him help you out, for a sane mom is the best mom of all
*wanders back*
I found out we don’t sign up for two more weeks. And when did they switch from a dot.org to a dot.com? Somebody needs to tell me these things.
This fall: 2 kids in soccer (2 different divisions and games on different sides of town) PLUS I’m playing soccer (but only two nights a week). So look who needs to be getting all type-A? Yeah, right.
Ah, Zootster, you can do it! Go you world-class mom, you! Do it for me, because my parents never came to anything!
Very noble of you, Zootster! Three cheers!
Lil’ Zoot looks pretty happy, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it
Zoot! You are so cute! I’m with Dawnie, make it to the games and you’ll be fine (take it from a kid who’s parents never could). LilZ is obviously such a well-rounded kid (and also a babe magnet), I’m sure a little pizza and not having his mom there al the time won’t hurt! Plus? You are such a hip and “together” mom. I admire you for that!
Seems to me like you’re doing great…I saw this link on my start page and thought you might like it.
http://lifestyle.sympatico.msn.ca/Home/ContentPosting_canadianliving.aspx?contentid=aae9acd27d874a64bedc778716efd379&show=False&number=0&showbyline=True&subtitle=CanadianLiving.com%3a+Exclusive+to+Sympatico.MSN.ca&abc=abc
(sorry it’s so long!)
oh PUH-LEEZE! irresponsible, flighty, space-brained MOM? are you effing kidding? nice try mrs. zoot, but some of us know you in real life and are NOT buying