Finding Your Inner “Fun” Mom

The other day my children were being…let’s say, their ages. And I was being…let’s say, a seven-time ancient-of-days mother with a newborn. After one more round of LOUD, OBNOXIOUS INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR SIBLINGS, I got the concept that they were bored and said, “Hey, let’s do a game!”
For the record, I did not feel like doing a game. But, I decided to take a dose of my own speaking-to-women medicine and do the 15-minute Jar, which is a jar filled with little ideas of fun activities we can do in 15 minutes (and hopefully draw out to an hour…or more).
I have to say, this worked like a charm. Better than a charm. Maybe even a whole charm school. Because we pulled out “Make a commercial” and it was like a lightning rod to their energy karma. I gave them some nearby props to choose from (as in a binky and a TV remote) and they went gang busters. They had 10 minutes to create the commercial and then it was filming time with my iPhone.
You would have thought an Oscar was on the line.
It was utterly hilarious, and wonderful, and a stroke of genius from somewhere because I sat on the bed nursing my not-so-little wubba now and they went at it, exhausting their hyperness at least by a degree. After rehearsal, they performed, I filmed, we reviewed and all agreed it was a total success. How can you go wrong with the Pester Zester Remote Zapper (a remote zapper for pesky younger sisters-and said sister was in agreement), and the Magic Baby Binky (magically makes the baby go to sleep). So successful were these initial runs that they pleaded (yes, pleaded) to do another one.
Knock yourselves out, said I.
So this summer, give in to your 15-minute side and encourage your kids to brainstorm some fun quick activities. At the very least, it gives you 15 minutes of peace and quiet while finding, and appearing to be, the Fun Mom once again.
Best,
Connie
P.S. Thanks to all who responded to the ARKs and the Trivia. The ARK stories were incredible, so inspiring-I’ll post their experiences this week. Winners of these great contests are Rebecca Chapman and Vanessa Villagrana.
And winner of the Summer 8-week Challenge was Melissa Osborne, great job!!