Guest post by Jenny Reyes
Things not going your way, Mom?
We all have those moments when we’re caught in a bind:
When the precious little ones (God Bless them!) and the current errand or situation do not agree with each other.
Where does it leave us Moms?
Caught right smack in the middle.
In times like these, we pull out what no book can teach us — ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness only mothers have (and can appreciate!).
These are what I call Mom’s Make It Work Moments (MIWM), and here are some of the more common ones I’ve experienced, heard of and learned from.
Please, no criticisms. Only laughter is acceptable beyond this point. Enjoy!
Situation: Explosive child poop at the most inopportune times, such as standing in line for an hour and your turn is up. Getting out of line would mean having to line up again, possibly for hours.
MIWM#1: Smile at everyone around you, bend down, disinfect the floor area, then set the changing pad down and change your toddler right where you are in line. Smile again when you’re done and PRAY you have a plastic bag.
All you can do is smile…inspite of the poop
Situation: On a long flight the kids decide to give the other passengers a run for their hearing by crying, wailing and/or screaming.
MIWM #2: Bring along earplugs that you hand out to your neighboring passengers at the beginning of a flight in anticipation of the inevitable. It not only shows you are aware of the situation, but it also helps break the ice.
——————–
Situation: At a restaurant or a friend’s house, your child won’t sit still to eat his / her food and gets up every 5 minutes.
MIWM #3: Whip out the iPad or iPod and make them watch while eating. It’s okay to break a few rules every now and then for peace and quiet’s sake.
——————–
Situation: Need to be on time for an appointment and no one is cooperating.
MIWM #4: Get yourself ready, and drag everyone kicking and screaming into the car in their pajamas if you must. Stick them with snack cups to tide them over and then get drive-thru if you have time.
——————–
Situation: Potty-trained toddlers need to use the bathroom in a place where there is either a public bathroom that is beyond disinfecting, or there is no bathroom at all.
MIWM #5: Boys can go behind a tree. Girls, behind a rock. (With the firm explanation that this shouldn’t happen again, or happen as often as it should!)
The fact is that we aren’t raising robots.
We’re raising children, with a mind and a body clock of their own. Children who have absolutely no concept or care as to what the books say is proper or best to do when and where.
Let’s face it: We moms wouldn’t be moms either if we did everything by the book. It is enough that we try.
Okay, your turn! What are your favorite MIWMs? Do tell!
Author bio:
Jenny Reyes pens the blog, My Mommyology which is our featured blog of the month. She currently lives in Chapel Hill North Carolina, where she is a full-time student of the science of motherhood, with her two little girls as her prime teachers. She also moonlights as one of the partners in the marketing consultancy firm called Your Brand Story. Among other things, Jenny enjoys reading, traveling and scuba-diving.
Oh my these all sound like things that I have went through with my kiddies, too funny, that first picture is me every day, cleaning the house, grocery store, cook dinner, cleaning poop and pea because she missed the potty, running kids to practice and I can go on and on.. This is too funny the wonderful life of a mama.
Easy No Cook Strawberry Jam
I know right, doesn’t the picture speak volumes of our daily lives?! Glad you had a laugh. Here’s to more make-it-work moments!
Make-It-Work: Mom Solutions During the Less Than Ideal Situations
Twitter: mymommyology
Hahaha! I can imagine you juggling everything plus baking and blogging! You’re a supermom!
I think I have been in everyone of these situations. Moms are always prepared for the unexpected aren’t we. The key is to approach these situations with a sense of humor!!! There’s nothing we can do about them anyway, but forge ahead. Great post that gave me a chuckle!
~Erin
This Is The Air I Breathe
Twitter: ErinPatrick
Thanks Erin! Indeed, moms are always equipped for the unpredictable. And I think it gives us the biggest sense of humor too!
Make-It-Work: Mom Solutions During the Less Than Ideal Situations
Twitter: mymommyology
I don’t think I’ve even been in that poop situation… but I would probably be extremely embarrassed if it happened to me. Jenny handled it really well though!
Funny yet very real moments for all of us! Great post!
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Thank you! Happy Laughing Weekend to you!
Make-It-Work: Mom Solutions During the Less Than Ideal Situations
Twitter: mymommyology
Very real indeed! Jenny is funny, and apparently, handles tricky situations with poise and a smile.
I enjoyed that. Of all the bathroom situations we’ve been in, I’ve wondered what I would have done if he was a girl. Same thing I guess. If you gotta go you gotta go. I saw some poor parents the other day whose child barfed all over the mom as they were getting ready to go into a restaurant. I had to look away. Ever since morning sickness I’ve had a weak stomach. You know they cleaned up and proceeded with their evening. I guess they said, “We made it all the way here, no turning back.” I’m guessing if the dad had been the one barfed on, they would have gone back home.
Fridays with Christopherisms…
I totally agree with you! Dads won’t “enjoy” their dinner in a dirty shirt, or knowing that they’ve been thrown up on. And isn’t it funny that a majority of the MIW moments are bathroom related?
Make-It-Work: Mom Solutions During the Less Than Ideal Situations
Twitter: mymommyology
Haha, I know what you mean by if it happened to a dad, the meal would be ditched. I guess moms are so used to being cried on, puked on and peed on… am I missing anything else?
I can relate to all those situations that were mentioned above. My best MMIW moment would be when I get the kids ready for school each day. Irregardless of their whining / spilling food on the ground or any challenges they toss me I grit my teeth and make sure that we make it out of the door on time each day.
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Wow! The fact that you can get out of the door on time each day is an accomplishment! Good for you!
Make-It-Work: Mom Solutions During the Less Than Ideal Situations
Twitter: mymommyology
I have had EVERY one of those experiences plus some. I tell my self I will laugh about this later. Once my boys accidentally set the table on fire at a reception. We put out the fire, asked if we could pay for the table cloth and i went and cried in the bathroom.
Set the table on fire! Oh wow! That is one for the books. Yes, we must save all these stories for when they are grown up complaining about the mundane things their own kids are doing.
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Great post. Thanks for the solutions!
Who should NOT play Christian Grey
Twitter: momfever
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for dropping in!
7 Simple Living Tips for Moms to Stay Sane
Twitter: mymommyology
Really funny
. I can identify most with being late for an appointment. Dragging them in their PJs sounds like a good idea 
When push comes to shove, we moms always step up. We just come up with last-minute solutions at the drop of a hat- or a sippy cup! 
When Counting Sheep Doesn’t Count
Twitter: PepperTan
Glad you found them funny and hoping that you were laughing hysterically!
Yes, very often enough, that is what we’re built to do! Glad you enjoyed!
7 Simple Living Tips for Moms to Stay Sane
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