Note: The first few times I visited Lynn’s blog, I knew she had a gift for sharing simple, practical and effective parenting wisdom.
But please, don’t just take my word for it! Read her interview below to see this mom’s witty yet truthful perspective on motherhood.
How many kids do you have and what are their ages?
I have two little sunshines, a 9-year-old girl who is sensitive, introspective and incredibly bright and a 6-year-old boy who is energetic, charming and absolutely hilarious.
Do you stay home or work?
I work as a high school counselor in a public high school for grades 9-12.
Where do you blog?
Perspective Parenting
My most embarrassing moment with my children was when…
Hmm…that would probably be the time my son wandered off while I was talking (I have the gift of gab) at a soccer practice and wound up in a strangers car. Never feels good to be the mom who doesn’t notice these things….
A parenting topic I consider controversial is…
Time management. When you hear parents critique each other, it’s often over how they judge the use of time.
“He doesn’t spend enough time helping him with his homework,” “She spends too much time doing things for her child.” “If he worked less, and spent more time with his kids, they wouldn’t be so wild and needy.” “If she worked more, she wouldn’t spend all her time focusing on her kids and they wouldn’t act so entitled.”
We all have the same amount of time in the day and we all use it the way we deem fit. But it seems that parents continuously judge each other on how they choose to spend their time with their kids…especially if we feel uncomfortable about the way we are or are not spending the time with our own.
To keep my sanity, I…
Am a total gym rat. Exercise keeps my mental balance and physical energy strong.
The top 3 traits and / or values I want my kids to have are…
- Open mindedness – allows you to see people and ideas for who/what they really are, not what their surface may portray.
- Kindness – it feels just as good to spread as it does to receive.
- Sense of Humor – they will never make it in our house without it.
When my children have tantrums in public I…
Start to scream and stomp my feet right next to them. Eye for an eye when it comes to embarrassment I say.
(Ok, fine, that’s not true- I don’t remember what I last did during a tantrum. Knowing myself, I’m sure I was calm, cool and collected- or not…)
My kids make me smile when…
Oh my gosh- all day long. They are both so funny. I love their sense of humor and ability to make our family laugh.
When parenting becomes overwhelming, I…
First I whine to my husband and when he is done listening to me, I connect with my amazing group of supportive friends.
Truly, no one is more blessed than me with such an incredible circle of friends. They are each different and equally valuable in the diverse ways they add to my life.
My favorite parenting book is…
I actually don’t read parenting books. My experience working with kids and their families shapes the decisions I make when parenting my children and after that, it’s all trial and error.
We spend Sundays…
Depends on the season! We are either watching my daughter play soccer, obsessing over our fantasy football teams, cooking, doing laundry, napping, grocery shopping or playing in the yard. Some form of play and regroup for the upcoming week.
My favorite parenting blog is… (apart from GE&M? Haha!)
Apart from GE&M, which IS a favorite is Parenting Owl, Moms Who Drink and Swear and Just Another Tired Mommy. But there are so many fabulous blogs out there I love to read!
One tip I would give to a stressed mom is to…
Regroup, Reframe, Relax…which is why it is my motto!
Truly, the key to managing stressful situations is all in how you look at it. I spend my days reframing the most frustrating situations for myself and others. It’s not always easy, but it’s always effective. There is a silver lining and positive side to almost everything. And if you are stuck finding it, email me, I’ll find it for you!
Parenting is….
A reflection of how we see the world. We raise our kids with our viewpoints, our goals, our vision of right and wrong. When we are parenting them, we are teaching them how we want them to live, from our perspective. Which is why when they don’t follow our instructions, it’s incredibly annoying!
The hard part is not always the teaching, but the acceptance of what they take in.
Creative Common Flickr via chrisparkeruk
The hardest part about being a mom is…
Being vulnerable. The amount of love and protectiveness I have for my children is so strong and so deep, it affects every decision I make. The idea of my children being in pain throws off my normal rational thinking.
The best advice I’ve been given as a mom is…
“This too shall pass.” Every discomfort is temporary.
The most memorable Mom moment so far…
Each of the births of my children. It’s hard to know how much your heart can stretch until someone pushes you open more than you ever dreamed possible. And the fact that each day they can stretch it that much further…amazing.
Thank you, Lynn for taking the time to provide powerful and insightful posts to give us moms a better pathway to parenting. And for those of you who missed her posts – which were shared more than usual, here they are:
- Why Being an Investigator Works When Dealing With Kids’ Bad Behavior
- How Newton’s Law of Action-Reaction Can Encourage Positive Behavior
- Why It’s Good to Ignore Children (And No, I’m Not Kidding)
- Do You Have An Anxious Child? Here’s How To Turn Worries Into Smiles
What’s next? Hop on over to Lynn’s blog and stay there a while. Read, comment, follow and subscribe!
If you think someone else will benefit from Lynn’s “What is parenting” interview, send this her way by using one of the share buttons below.
About Anne Mercado
A Super interview–I enjoy popping in at perspective parenting–I never knew her kids are about the same age as mine–maybe thats the connection I feel reading her blog.
I really like her answer to the tantrum question—funny enough I HAVE stomped and moaned back at them (my kids never were screamers) we might have looked like a couple of ZOMBIES–but when they saw how SILLY I looked coping them it would turn sadness into laughter.
Happiness is…..{{CLAY MAKING}}
Twitter: ReviewsSheROTE
I love Lynn’s blog
And yeah, I bet some of us has acted the same way our children have just so they see how silly having a meltdown in the mall is.
Great interview! I think she’s witty and fun. I like her perspective on parenting..it’s practical. Regroup when stressed, don’t judge other moms, enjoy your kids and have fun. She’s real, she’s had embarrassing moments, clearly, she’s had rough days and has learned from them.
Twitter: lemonsforlulu
Yes, agree with you there, Tanya! Lynn is witty and funny. Welcome to Green Eggs & Moms and hope to see you more!
I LOVE that you scream and kick right along with your kids when they throw a tantrum! My grandmother used to do that to me when I was little or when I would whine about wanting something she would do the same. Funny enough, I would stop what I was doing!
Blue Monster Booster Smoothie
Twitter: cleansediva
You’re grandmother sounds real cool, Jacqueline!
How fun! As I read this post, my daughter was “playing” piano in the background. How true it is to have fun with our kids… and remember that, good or bad, this too shall pass.
Parenting tip via A. W. Tozer
Twitter: karen_dawkins
Aww, what a nice way to be reading something! Do you recall what song your daughter was playing? Love the effect!!
Lynn, thanks for the great “perspective”. I really liked your quote about this too shall pass. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the moment of parenting and get overwhelmed.
Speaking of perspective, have you read “The Noticer” by Andy Andrews? It’s all about perspective. I bet you would dig it!
Twitter: shanmilholland
It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the moment of parenting and get overwhelmed. —> This is so right, and we’re all guilty of this. It’s always worth it to step back, take a breath and know that a full-blown temper tantrum will eventually go away.
That was great! What wonderful insight there, I never knew this about Lynn
Give Me Lobster Or Give Me Death…I Mean It!
Twitter: http://sharon-moms-madhouse.com/
Glad you learned something new (about Lynn), Sharon.
Been waiting for this interview! Nice! Great insight on Time Management. It is so so true! And as for regrouping, reframing and relaxing… I will keep that in mind from now on! Thank you Lynn! I learned a lot!
A Brave Date with My Brave (Big) Little Girl
Twitter: mymommyology
Glad you learned from this, Jenny!
I loved reading this! I especially connected with the fact the parents judge how other parents use their time and that’s it’s really all about priority and what we see as most important. I think it’s a learning experience on being the best parent you can and not judging others for what kind of parent they choose to be. great job!
Finding Fourth of July Traditions.
Twitter: thedft
I suppose it’s in our nature to judge. The thing to keep in mind, though, is that it’s just really different for everybody. What’s best for family A isn’t necessarily best for family B — I think this is where the “righteous” folks get caught up in. Some people feel everyone should do what they are doing.
Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn! Hope you have a great weekend!
Thanks for all the wonderful comments! And thank you Anne for allowing me to share on GE&M this past month. Such an honor to be on your respected site with great feedback and readers!! I really appreciate it.
To Work or Not to Work? That is the Question
Awww, thanks for that. But really, more than anything, THANK YOU for agreeing to be featured. I know you how busy you were while being featured so I really appreciate the time you took to sit down and write. Hugs to you, Lynn!
Great interview! I love her perspective on parenting. You also hit the nail on the head saying that it’s important to remember that “This too shall pass”. It’s hard to remember that in our crazy lives sometimes but it’s the truth!
Twitter: HezziD
Glad you enjoyed this, Hezzi-D!
Really love this “Parenting is….
A reflection of how we see the world.” So very true. I really enjoyed reading your interview Lynn! And its great coming buy to see you Anne! XO Courtney
Red, White & YOU+Swag Giveaway
Twitter: baxtronlife
I never thought of parenting that way, Courtney, but it does make sense! So thrilled you enjoyed reading Lynn’s interview, and wonderful to have you drop by – as always!
Wonderful interview! Thanks for all your information. Wonderful being a mama!
Guest Post ~ Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
Glad you enjoyed it, Pamela!
How’d you baking weekend go?
Went awesome last week, I will be in the kitchen Sunday baking I have 3 new things to do a coconut challenge which I am excited about! Thanks so much for asking lovely lady
Heavenly Treats Sunday Link Party #7
A really heartwarming interview. I can really relate to what she says in this post about motherhood.
A Visit to King Sejong Exhibition
Twitter: dominiquegoh
Glad you liked it, Dominique!