Blast From the Past: Mother is the Word for God

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My senior yearbook quote went something like this: “Mother is the word for God on the hearts and lips of all little children.”  At the time, I thought it was just a cool line from the movie ‘The Crow.’  Then, in doing research for this post, I found out the phrase is actually a famous quote by William Makepeace Thackeray (famous English novelist from the 19th century – thanks Wikipedia!).  And the closer I get to having a little nugget, the more I realize how much I believe in those fifteen words.My mother’s advice when it comes to raising children is gospel. There is no one whom I trust more. I know I am lucky. Some people have been forced to say goodbye to their moms way too early. This makes me unbelievably sad and ridiculously attached to my mother.We don’t live close. She is in the Sunshine State, I live where the sun don’t shine (at least it didn’t this summer). This distance makes our relationship tricky. We are very good on the phone; speaking a few times a week about grandmother (and her cat), the weather (it’s great there, sucks here), my brother and his family (a trio of kids under age 6 – yikes!), anti-aging miracles (flax seed, fish oil, Greek yogurt) and whatever sporting adventure she’s up to lately (also an anti-aging miracle).In person though, we need a warm-up period.  I’m still trying to figure out why that is.  Perhaps it’s distance.  Maybe it’s that we are both adults with our own opinions, methodologies and beliefs.  Or it could just be that our mother-daughter dynamic has altered with age.

Monday, November 22, 2010 – 2 days before CC was born

But there is one area where we always mesh – raising children.  The reason is simple.  She is the best mother I’ve ever seen (and, obviously, known).  And that is why her advice trumps all others.So here, in no particular order, is the best mothering advice I’ve gotten (so far) from my mum:*Babies always need to wear socks (unless it’s wicked hot out)I can’t say I’ve stuck to this one very well. CC has had her feet in the Gulf of Mexico, Detroit Lake, many swimming pools, lots of patches of grass and in the sand. Now that winter is whipping its way back into our lives though, chances are CC will only see her feet during tubby time.

*Kids need structure and a set routine

So do mummies. I tried to establish a routine for CC starting at 2 weeks old. It was as much for her as it was for me. Best advice mum ever gave me. Coralynn is nearing 1 year old and she still is on a routine. Her daily pattern has certainly changed and adjusted the older she’s gotten, but no matter what, there is a routine to her day. CC knows what to expect and takes comfort in this fact. 
*Naps are a must – everyday

Naps make CC happy. And they give me time to work from home. Godsend.
*If you don’t like a food, your kid won’t either (even if the nugget has never tried it)

In certain instances. I don’t like mushrooms but still serve them to Coralynn. She devours them. But I’m REALLY not a fan of clams or oysters so the chances of me serving them to CC are slim to none. Therefore, I’m not sure if she’ll like them because I’m not sure when she’d get the chance to try them.
*Breastfeed (if possible)

I have SO MUCH to say on this topic but I’ll save it for a rainy day.
*Sleep when your baby sleeps (screw the housework)

Easier said than done.
*Babies need to go to bed early and that means they will wake up early – Deal with it

TRUE! Until Coralynn was 7 months old, she went to bed at 7 pm. She’s up until 8 pm now – party girl!!!! I’m still a huge believer in this piece of mum’s advice. And I will resolutely refuse an invitation to do something if it means messing with CC’s bedtime routine. I’ve missed out on parties and plays but guess what? I get to put my (very happy) baby to bed and enjoy those last quiet moments of her day with her. Priceless. 
*No overnight pull-ups

Not there yet.
*Use a pack-and-play

For travel. Haven’t had a need, yet, for it during the day at home.
*Babies and toddlers must have the fat of whole milk

We’ll be buying organic, whole milk for CC when she transitions. I think SMC and I should switch to organic full-time, too.
*Have a sit-down family dinner as often as possible when the kids are old enough

Not there yet.
*Cut the end off the pacifier when you don’t want them to use one anymore

She doesn’t care for her binker very much. So we don’t have to worry about it.
*Have a cartoon character “steal” their blanket when it’s time to grow out of it

She doesn’t have a ‘lovey’ either. She’s an equal opportunity player.
*Take trips just for mom and dad – Leave the kids with the g-rent’s

Yeah, right. Mum lives in FL so this does not happen.
*When breastfeeding at night, sit in a rocking chair with the lights off – Just be there in the quiet together

I’m not deluded enough (yet?) to think that I’ll be able to follow all of these things to the letter.  But if my mum says that’s the way to go, then I trust her.Now, if only I could believe her when she tells me that labor does not hurt…..

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