Read items 1-5, 6-10 and 11-15 here.
16) One good friend who has a kid that’s older than yours. You need to know what’s coming down the pipeline. When my daughter was three, Lord have mercy I was convinced that life would never get better. She was moody, grumpy and she seemed even more strong-willed than the so-called “Terrible Twos.” It was helpful to have a few friends with teenagers so they could give me some perspective. To let me know what life keeps on changing and “this too shall pass.”
17) One good friend who has a kid the same age as yours. There must have been something in the water in late 2005/early 2006, because I have a lot of friends with five/almost six-year-olds. They get it. They understand the daily meltdowns (yours) and locking yourself in the bathroom because you just want five minutes where no one is asking you for anything and you don’t have to break up any fights. They understand because they are there too.
18) One good friend who has no kids. As much as I love my “mommy friends” sometimes I don’t want to talk about my kids. I want to be reminded that yes, there is a life outside of what my two angels do all day long. Hanging out with my childless friends helps me get in touch with the woman I was before kids. I find myself trying to look more “together” than I would with a friend who has also spent all day with a kid. Shoot, I might even put on makeup.
19) Three kid-tested “no fail” recipes. I’ve written a fair amount on this blog about how to get picky eaters to eat and make dinner time less stressful. It’s hard when you’ve got stubborn kids who see a food and instantly decide they don’t like it. Sure, you can say, “Either eat what I make or starve,” but then you’ve got to actually follow through and let your kid go hungry, which is hard for a lot of moms. I’ve been guilty of giving the ultimatum and then sneaking them some dry Cheerios later on at night. SMH. Instead, find three meals that you KNOW they’ll eat and don’t be afraid to just rotate them out when you don’t feel like the hassle.
20) Library card. I wish I had taken my kids to library more when they were younger. We didn’t start going until my daughter was three but ever since there, it’s been a ton of fun. My kids sit there and do puzzles, color in the coloring books, wave to the fish in the small aquarium and of course, check out lots of books and DVDs. I, like a dummy, would go to the bookstore and buy them books, but shoot, who could afford $18 picture books with two words on each page? Not I. So now we go to the library every Tuesday and Sunday. It’s terrific.
So there’s the full list – is there anything you would add?