How to use this Page

While getting my two oldest girls off to school this morning, there was much groaning and dragging of feet and "do we have to's?" Usually they head off to school without a fuss. But we've all just come off a lovely holiday weekend. The weather was warm and sunny. We enjoyed the beach at the end of our street. The "big girls" spent a day up in Boston with their Auntie eating gelato in the north end and visiting the aquarium. We gardened a little, and cooked out.

It feels as though summer's already here. And then this morning, they had to get their heads back in the game for THREE MORE WEEKS OF SCHOOL! Even I was dragging my feet and groaning. We're all a little burnt out on the school year, and the taste of summer's freedom was just too sweet.

On my second cup of coffee, I realized I needed to do something to boost morale. It was time for a speech. [Insert eye-roll here.]

"We have 18 more days left a school," I said. "And we could go into these three weeks like we are now, bumming, or we could focus on the things we like about school and try to enjoy some part of each day."

No reaction. They weren't buying it. And in truth, I wasn't yet, either. But I pressed on.

"Come on, what's one thing you do enjoy about school? There has to be one thing for each of you."

"My friends," said Sofia. "Sally and Staci, Anna and Caroline."

"That's right!" I said, excited she was playing along. "And Sally will be away for the summer, so you can look at these days as the fun time you get to spend together before she leaves for vacation."

I was getting somewhere.

"And four-square!" Isabel chimed in "Yeah, I like four-square too," said Sofia. "And I have a really nice class. This is the last time we'll all be together."

"Exactly. So, when you're all outside at recess together, look around, and think about how nice a class it is, and feel glad you're there."

It was my turn: "I'll miss the moment when I get you both to the bus and I can have my coffee in the quiet. I'm going to savor that moment everyday until the end of school."

Now, I was starting to believe my own words. "It's called living in the 'present' and enjoying it."

"Like Kung Fu Panda!" said Isabel. "'Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why they call it the present.'"

(Thank you, Master Ooguay.) "That's it," I said. "You've got it."

There was no more groaning. They packed up their things and headed out the door. I won't exaggerate and say that they were excited, but they were considerably less bumming.

The lesson of staying present, of not resisting what I can't control, is one I learn and relearn again and again. But when I remember it, and live by it, my life, my writing, my family is always better for it.

So, for these last few weeks of the school year, I'm going to take my own advice (and Ooguay's) and find something to enjoy and appreciate in each day. Because as corny and cliché as it sounds...today truly is a gift.

Add a Comment

After a lovely vacation week visiting my family in the southeast, this is the official start of what I'm calling my "full-time-part-time" writing career.

I'll admit, day one (yesterday) consisted of not so much writing, but more desk-clearing and laundry. Still, it was a good first step.

This morning, as the cursor on my screen blinked in anticipation, I felt the first real wave of panic hit me since making this decision. All the usual fears invaded my brain: What if I get a massive case of writer's block? What if writing during nap-time and evenings isn't enough? What is no one pays to me to write a single word EVER AGAIN!? 

Typically, when in the throes of a good "career freak out," I head out for a walk. I'm not great at meditating in stillness, but a brisk walk often helps me quiet my mind. This morning I had two problems: First, the baby was napping, hence me, "butt-in-chair" in front of my computer. Second, it's pouring rain and chilly here in Barrington today, and I needed to be distracted -- not drenched.

So, feeling a tad desperate, I decided on another type of movement meditation: My kids' Just Dance game for X-Box 360.

I know very few people over the age of 17 who look cool doing Just Dance or any of those Wii or X-Box dance games, and I assure you, I am no exception. But this was an emergency.

So, I pulled the drapes, cranked up the volume, and just... danced. Until all I was thinking about was how to a master a move that no one looks good doing who isn't in a boy band.

I let go. And laughed at myself. And when the music stopped, and I realized I'd bested my high score in "Shake Your Groove Thing," I felt better.

My lesson for the day? Sometimes butt-in-chair isn't going to happen, until you shake off the fears (even if it's only temporary) that are holding you back.

And if a quarter turn and a hip slap is what works... then do it. Just dance.

Display Comments Add a Comment

My close writing friends tease me relentlessly because I always have several projects on the go at the same time. For me this is like my ‘glove save’ in that I’ll never run completely dry when I have something else to turn to if the mind is blank on a project at hand. But even with having different wells to dip into, I can still draw a blank when it comes to finding topics for blog posts or quick articles.

One reference tool I have for such times is my “Writing Mama List” which is my ongoing list of topics about being a writing mama. A few months ago, I shared a few blogging ideas for when you run out of ideas. Today, I’m going to give a few ideas for my fellow Write-At-Home-Mommys because let’s face it: we have an endless topic supply just in raising our kids, don’t we? The key is making it entertaining enough for anyone to want to read your article.

Here are a few ideas to start with:

1) Talk about one of those never-ending days (eg: ‘Calgon take me away’ days)

2) Review a game you played with your family, including all the antics.

3) Review a book you read, including the dialogue among everyone reading/listening.

4) Pick a craft to do with your kids and write about it.

5) Talk about something frustrating one of your kids did and finding the humor in that.

6) Interview one of your kids (THAT is ALWAYS hilarious!)

7) Discuss a serious issue going on in your family and what you’ve/your kids have learned about it.

8) Join with other writing mamas for a blog hop.

9) Interview a fellow writing mama.

10) Start an every day life sentence and have your followers complete it, using a real life experience/situation.

11) Interview/review a beloved kids’ celebrity or author.

12) Have a Mama Giveaway where you gather up some self-spoiling items as a prize.

13) Write about/give kudos to another writing mama.

14) Give some organizational tips (eg: in writing, the house, personal, etc.)

15) Share a helpful link geared to writing mamas.

16) Share a great writing tool that has helped you in your WAHM success!

17) Get one of your kids to make a blog post choosing his/her own subject (within reason, of course!)

18) Do a cooking project with your kids and write about it.

19) Write about a moment that touched your heart.

20) Write a holiday post – traditions, decorations, things you and your kids do, etc.

21) Take pictures of your kids doing an activity and use the scenario to inspire a fiction story.

22) Share some tips on taking 'Me Time'.

23) Share some tips on how to keep your kids busy while you're trying to write/conduct an interview/finish a chapter, etc.

24) Do some 'Must Have' lists--be creative!

25) Bring up a problem you're having and inquire for fellow writing mommys to brainstorm ideas.

26) Are you a mommy of special needs kids? Share some insight on that.

27) Share some couple ad

Display Comments Add a Comment

Add a Comment