Moms

You’re a mom...a biological mom, step-mom, adopted mom, foster mom, or guardian. You have taken on, in my opinion, one of the most important jobs a person can have. I understand mothering’s joys and challenges. I’ve been there.

You may want to raise kids who
  • feel good about themselves and are able to make and keep friends
  • have dreams for their future and are eager to pursue them 
  • are committed to their values and beliefs, even in the face of social pressures  
  • are compassionate, fair, and honest
  • are critical thinkers and knowledge seekers 
If you are reading this, you most likely want the best for your kids.  You might be wondering why mothering is so challenging, time-consuming, and not exactly what you imagined it would be!

First, there are a lot of external pressures:
  • lots of homework; testing and placement exams; special class projects
  • finding family time amidst all the chaos
  • the increasing costs of gas, school supplies, uniforms, fees, dues, etc.
  • mandatory school fundraisers, teacher conferences, school meetings
  • sports, band, drama, and other extra curricular activities that take your time and energy

Next, there are a lot of internal pressures:
  • saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to your child and feeling guilty about it
  • losing your temper and regretting it
  • feeling like you have to keep up with the neighbors or other mothers
  • resenting your child for needing so much of your time
  • overindulging, or withholding, as a result of your own childhood experiences

Finally, there may be unresolved difficulties in the making of your family:
  • difficulty conceiving or a history of miscarriages; infertility
  • a long awaited for adoption, or failed adoptions
  • difficulty attaching/bonding with one or more of your children
  • an unplanned pregnancy; guilt about keeping or terminating a pregnancy
  • one partner wanted kids, and the other didn’t…or wasn’t sure

Any of these factors may have impacted how you’ve mothered your kids.  As a result, you may need help learning:
  • age appropriate communication (especially with kids of various ages and maturity levels)
  • the difference between modeling good behaviors versus lecturing and nagging
  • why spanking and hitting are ineffective; how to make time-outs work
  • 10 (or more) things to do instead of yelling or spanking
  • how to build your child’s self-esteem
  • the TLC’s of mothering (Teaching, Listening, and Caring)

If you are overworked, overwhelmed, or just need a boost in parenting your children, take time to call me at (909) 260-2736.  It’s not too late to be the mother your children need.