Top 10 Reasons You Need Your Mom

I can't wait to see the adorable looking movie "Mars Needs Mom" staring Seth Green as Milo, a nine year old who's mom gets abducted by Martians.  Milo sets off to save his mom in the movie, since of course he misses her.  We all know just how important moms are, but what are their jobs that would be missed the most?

1. The Short Order Cook
Why does every child want an all chicken nugget diet?  You can put out your delicious home-cooked meal...don't worry...they won't starve, even when they turn their nose up at your fine work!

2. The Maid
Why is it moms seem to be the only ones who know how the dishwasher works?  And let's not even discuss the bathroom floor. (What is it all the men in the family do in there, anyway? Ick!)

3. The Laundress 
I find laundry pretty darn easy to do...why is it so hard for everyone else?  (Ok, I'm helpless at folding.  Someone...anyone...step in?  Please?)

4. The Chauffeur 
When you become a mom you have to go take the test for your Chauffeur's license right?  No?  Well, you should need one...dance classes, play groups, soccer practice.  Oh, by the way...you need to bring snacks this week, too!

5. The Nurse
Stock up the first aid kit.  Moms know best when it comes to fixing up those cuts and bumps!  (They have the best healing hugs and kisses, too!)

6. The Travel Agent
Hey, there's a long weekend coming up.  You can find something fun for the whole family to do, right?  And it can't cost too much.  Oh, and can we bring the neighbor's kid, too?

7. The Mediator
It's mine.  No, it's mine.  OK, it's yours.  I didn't want it anyway.

8. The Reader
Ok, this one's actually pretty sweet.   Who doesn't like bedtime snuggles with a good book?

9. The Groomer
I've often wondered exactly what would happen if you left children in the wild.  Would they eventually bathe themselves and brush their teeth, or would they happily roll around in the dirt indefinitely?  Somehow I think it's the latter.

10. The Hero
When everything is said and done, no matter how dirty, how messy or how fussy they might be...don't they always make it ok when you can tell they love you just as much as you love them?

And there you have it...my little countdown of a mom's top 10 jobs.  Who wouldn't miss someone with all of those skills if some pesky little aliens tried to snatch her away?

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Share a little Happiness

I'm lucky.  I come from a happy family.  We all genuinely like to be around each other, spend time together, celebrate special occasions with each other.  I never really stopped to think about where this happiness comes from.  Are we just genetically predisposition to happiness?  Or is it something we've all learned from each other?
My grandfather was an amazing man.  He loved his family and baseball.  He found a way to share the love of both by coaching little league, volunteering at the stadium of his local team and talking to anyone who would listen about his favorite sport.  He couldn't help but pass down his love of baseball to the rest of the family.  I still get a lump in my throat when I think about the night of his funeral visitation.  The stadium where he had spent so many hours volunteering and watching games was closed that night.  Yet when we drove by the field was as bright as any game night.  At the funeral home we discovered the owner did that in his honor.  I then knew what a difference he had made to so many people and how much happiness he had shared with others.
My grandmother is an amazing cook and seamstress.  She was constantly sewing clothes and toys for myself and my cousins until her health made it too difficult.   I still have a dress she made for me when I was in high school.  The style is dated and to be honest it wouldn't fit.  But it's a tangible relic of the happy times we spent working on that dress.  And even though it's difficult for her she still cooks up a storm.  You can find her famous pies at every church charity auction and family reunion I attend.
I realized looking at both of them that they shared their happiness with others by sharing what they love.  I'd like to think this is something I learned from them and have incorporated into my own passions.
So what do I love?  I love children and have made that my career.  I train and do consulting work for infant and toddler teachers and visit classrooms daily.  I love to volunteer, so I currently chair a charity walk for our local AIDS Services Organization.  I love to bake so you can always find me passing out cupcakes to coworkers, volunteers, family and friends.
What do you love?  I think that's the key.  Find what you love and find a way to share it.  That's the key to being truly happy.


I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Hershey's blogging program, for a gift card worth $25 and some product. For more information on how you can participate, click here.