OK, I'll admit it. I'm a vacuum 'Ho. It's not all my fault though because I live with a vacuum Pimpdaddy. He encourages the habit...he's just as much at fault for believing that somehow, someday, somewhere...we two shall find...a vacuum that brings our little Valhalla peace on earth.

He may have almost found it.

I was so skeptical, I scoffed in my superior vacummhighness. It was three weeks until I deemed it worthy to even touch. I was wrong, Mommykind...oh so very, very wrong.

Case in point, Vacuum purchase #13:
The Swivel Sweeper



I'm in no way exaggerating here. This thing is unreal. It's light. It's the perfect broom. You will whisk from room to room in joy! Kitchen, bathroom, hallway, kids rooms all a breeze! It is the perfect everyday solution for those annoying STAIRS we all hate so much. It empties easily. It holds a fantastic charge. It's SO GOOD for all Mommykind!

IF it could be made to handle wetish stuff, it would be sweeping nirvana.

But...don't get me wrong...I'm still angling for an iRobot Roomba.

I've just signed up over at The House Fairy! This is a program targeted toward moms helping kids happily keep their rooms clean and clutter free! The House Fairy says we can even start with our two year olds (Hey Jude, here comes The House Fairy.) Check it out. If you're already using The House Fairy let me know what you think!

Everyone needs a Mommy Mantra!

According to authors Bethany E. Casarjian, Ph.D., and Diane H. Dillon, Ph.D.,"Mommy Mantras are phrases you can say in your head or out loud if you need to, during those trying moments of mothering. They act to empower you, revive you, and remind you that there is always another way to see your situation. Buddhist-inspired and psychologically grounded, these snippets of wisdom derive from entertaining and universal stories of unpredictable life with children."

It's true. They are.

They also work for dealings with your overworked IT people, as well as many other head-banging-on-desk situations you may find yourself in.

Here's one to get you started, it also happens to be my favorite (you'll see why below).

"Within me there is a peacefulness that cannot be disturbed", but I like to add "by (insert here current reason for feelings of non-peace deep within...e.g. boneheads, bricks, clueless ones, that guy who coughs through the whole movie...whatever favorite label seems applicative at the time)". It works. Chant it and see. Although, I'm pretty sure my additions would be frowned upon by your average Buddhist monk.

I'm not the only one who found the Mantras useful. Just check out the praise over at the Mommy Mantras site. We've got:


“This is the book I wish that I had had as a young mother, for those five-o-clock -the witching hours- when the kids were screaming, the dinner was burning, and Hawaii was just too far away. Mommy Mantras might not calm the kids or save the dinner, but it will surely help any mother find her inner beach, that peaceful serene and centered place within her that gets lost in the mad shuffle of parenthood. Written with warmth, humor and compassion, Mommy Mantras should be required reading for anyone with children.” Elizabeth Marek, author of Beyond the Waves and The Children of Santa Clara

and...

“While an irreverent, funny description of modern mothering in the trenches, the book’s premise - that how one thinks about experiences (the mantras) affects one’s mental health and behavior (mothering) is based on solid psychological science underlying cognitive behavior therapy and the growing literature on mindfulness.” Marla Brassard, Ph.D., Assoc. Professor of Psychology & Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, author of Psychological Maltreatment of Children

as well as...

“I love this book! I repeat the mantras at the pediatrician’s office, at preschool parent- teacher conferences, and in the bathroom and closet, my two hiding places for instant meditation. Casarjian and Dillon are brilliant at weaving together ancient Buddhist wisdom and psychology with humor and poignant stories that will help even the most stressed out moms (like me). Thank you!” Terese J. Borchard, editor of The Imperfect Mom

Read it, you'll find your favorites, and maybe start to make up a few of your own.

Be There. Say "yes" as often as possible. Let them bang on pots and pans. If They're crabby, put them in water. If they're unlovable,love yourself. Realize how important it is to be a child. Go to a drive-in theater in your pajamas. Read books out loud with joy. Invent pleasures together. Remember how really small they are. Giggle a lot. Surprise them. Say "no" when necessary. Teach feelings. Heal your own inner child. Learn about parenting. Hug trees together. Make loving safe. Bake a cake and eat it with no hands. Go find elephants and kiss them. Plan to build a rocket ship. Imagine yourself magic. Make lots of forts with blankets. Let your angel fly. Reveal your own dreams. Search out the positive. Keep the gleam in your eye. Mail letters to God. Encourage silly. Plant licorice in your garden. Open up. Stop yelling. Express your love. A LOT. Speak kindly. Paint their tennis shoes. Handle with caring.

CHILDREN ARE MIRACULOUS!

~ by SARK

For years I've loved SARK and all of her fabulous, colorful, nurturing art and literture. Hurry, hurry! Go buy her "How to Love a Child" blanket throw and a few of her books and...like she says, let your angel fly!