Theres a Lollipop on Your Bottom (and Other Terms of Endearment)

"I took care of Callie," my three-year-old announced.

Callie had been starting with that little whine that babies adopt to alert mothers and sisters that their new crawling tricks have them wedged behind the furniture. But the whining had stopped--rather suddenly it seems in retrospect.

"Thanks, Cassie. You are such a big help," I said. "How did you manage that?"

"I got her a beer."

Sure enough, Callie was still wedged behind the table, but now she was happily gumming the cold smooth side of a Newcastle.

Because I wanted to think that Cassie went for the beer in the fridge because she imagined how good it would feel on her teething sister's sore gums--and not because she deems it some sort of panacea--the whole thing got me laughing (after I took away the beer, of course.) Then it got me thinking about which of my friends would laugh about this story along with me. And which would sort of disapprove.

I guess that groups my mommy friends into two camps: one camp that can overhear me pleading with my kids, "Please don't lick the carpet," and they don't say a word (or better yet, they laugh). And the other camp, which thinks that's pretty gross.

For me, if a toddler gets out of a car, and she has a lollipop stuck to her bottom, I know, instantly, that her mom is a friend. And the opposite is true, too. If you've got any number of kids under the age of four and your car doesn't occasionally stink, you probably make me a little nervous.

In all of our efforts to prove our own Supermom skills, let's remember that it's sometimes rather endearing when we can't. To remember that may be to regain a lot of energy and a lot of time.

Susie Cortright is the founder of http://www.momscape.com - an online magazine devoted to helping parents celebrate life with children. She is also the creator of Momscape's Scrapbooking Playground: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking Visit her sites today to subscribe to Susie's free weekly newsletters and to learn more about her scrapbook club and her work-at-home scrapbook business.

---

Patterns For Plus Size Children

Plus size children and overweight children need patterns and clothing... Read More

The Neurology of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Part One

What is Happening in the brain of children, teens, and... Read More

Now, Theyre Bullying My Daughter In Our Home: Welcome To Cyber-Bullying

Last night Tom's daughter, Sue, came out of her room... Read More

Quality Time?

There's a phrase that's become popular over the past few... Read More

How Can I Teach My Child To Be Responsible?

Most of us when asked what we want our children... Read More

The ABCs of Raising Twins

As a mother of two sets of fraternal boy/girl twins,... Read More

5 Ways To Tell If A Preschooler Is Living In Your House

1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Truth or Lie?

Attention all parents of teen-agers. Here is an important, groundbreaking... Read More

Potty Dolls to Accelerate Potty Training Success

Sometime the most effective training tool in rapidly accelerating the... Read More

Develop Your Childs Genius - Right Brain/Left Brain Coordination

No matter how old your children are, you have an... Read More

Missing The Bus

As a step daughter and step grand daughter, I followed... Read More

Lets Protect Our Children

There are software programs that you can purchase to keep... Read More

Back to School Feng Shui

Every school year parents and students dutifully trudge through the... Read More

The Old and the New

During one "generation gap" quarrel with his parents young Michael... Read More

What the Matter Is

When my oldest boy was really young, he tickled my... Read More

Public Schools Can Waste 12 Years of Your Child?s Life

For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More

The Secret of Understanding Children

It was a day that I will forever be etched... Read More

Road Trip! Make It Fun For Your Toddler

If you had to spend 4 or 5 hours in... Read More

How To Be Your Childs Sex Educator

The debate in many towns continues throughout this country about... Read More

A New Idea For Kids Party Parties: Hiring A Caricaturist Can Make Your Kids Party A Real Blast!

There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More

6 Signs You?re A High Maintenance Parent

The children of Baby Boomers, the Echo Generation, are entering... Read More

25 Things That Matter When Relating To Our Children (Leaving A Legacy Of Love To Those We Love)

In my opinion, these things matter...1. Enjoying childlike delights before... Read More

Parenting Your Teenager: Ask Questions

Many parents seem to be more than a little confused... Read More

Classic Parenting: Encouragement, Praise, Acceptance, and Responsibility

Encouragement comes when you focus on your child's assets and... Read More

Encouraging Your Child to Write

How in the world do you get your child to... Read More

Pick Your Fights With Your Teenager Wisely

I know as a single parent or even with 2... Read More

Learning Disabilities

There are so many learning labels floating around these days... Read More

Tools to Find Family-Friendly Content

The Internet, is magnificent in its resources for families. Educational... Read More

How To Be A Bad Mother

As I sit here and reflect on the past two... Read More

Top Ten Ways to Raise Emotionally Intelligent Kids

Having a high level of emotional intelligence in your children... Read More

Back to School Success: The Parents Job and the Students Job

Q. With another school year starting, we are not sure... Read More

To Test or Not To Test - That Is the Question

Little Suzy has really been having a hard time getting... Read More

Your Child?s Self-Esteem is in The Cards

Research has shown that the present generation of children worldwide... Read More