Monday, August 26, 2013

Can We Stop the Judgy Judging?!?!

As an emotionally drained, exhausted mother of two, I have a serious request. Can we PLEASE stop the judging? It seems that every blog I read has good intentions, but the comments! oh the comments! Mothers judging Mothers. It needs to end. Most mothers are just trying to NOT mess up their children, and maintain some sort of sanity during this extremely taxing process that we call 'raising children.'

None of us are perfect, by any means. I'll start with a few 'confessions'... 

Image Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Powdered-Baby-Formula
1. I formula fed my boys. I did not breastfeed. Gasp. And I don't feel guilty about it. Double gasp. Because they are both healthy, happy boys. Isn't that what is important? I actually did give it a go, both times- but decided that all the angst and drain were going to affect both myself AND the baby! 

Image Source: http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/worklife/10/08/working.moms/
2. I work full time, outside the home. My kids are in the care of someone other than myself for a majority of the week. I am still raising my children, and making the decisions that will affect them. But I also enjoy my job, and get personal satisfaction from my work. I feel that this will be a benefit to my children in the long run.

Image Source: http://www.everydaypeoplecartoons.com/cartoon/316

3. I yell at my children. I get frustrated, I get angry, and I lose it sometimes. I'm not always the understanding, caring mother that I would like to be. This goes doubly for the time that I have been a mother of two. Everything is intensified, and that's good and bad. 

Now that some of my so-called sins are out there, can't we just realize that parenting is different for everyone. AND, importantly, until you are a parent- you do not understand how you will parent! Reading other blogs, that much bigger than mine... I read the comments that people post, and I am shocked by what I read. 

People that are out there telling other mothers (or fathers) that they are 'doing it wrong' must be so insecure about their parenting! Why else would someone behave that way? Do you agree? 

Monday, August 5, 2013

Lego Birthday Party

Little J turned 5 on Saturday, and we celebrated with friends and family at Pump It Up. This was the first birthday party for either of our boys that we did at a location that wasn't a backyard or a park. I knew the kids would need to run around, and since we're 'between houses' right now... I figured a neutral location was best. 

It took a little time to J to warm up... I made this t-shirt with an iron-on decal from Clean Cut Studio (via Etsy)

I figured it would be a party that only the kids enjoyed, but I was very wrong about that! 
The 'big kids' enjoyed the party just as much as the little kids. My cousin, Mike, shown here with Mayhem

My brother, with a bucket on his head to protect himself from the crossfire.


I apologize for the 'through the net' photo, but this was hilarious. The 20-somethings enjoyed boxing each other, with oversized boxing gloves. Daddy J got in on this too, and enjoyed punching Uncle Andy.

All in all the party was a success. Little J was very happy. :) Everyone was tired, and took a wonderfully long nap in the afternoon. 

I made the cake, it was supposed to look like a lego. Don't mind the fact that it's TEAL. I highly recommend the 'easy' birthday party every once in a while, especially when you have a very active 2 year old to contend with. All we did was show up with a cake, and Pump It Up did the rest! It was so easy and the kids all had a blast. The adults enjoyed it more than they thought. 

Thanks to everyone who came out and made Little J's fifth birthday special!