Mom Questionnaire: Your's Truly...

I couldn't resist an opportunity to answer these questions myself.  Look for even more mom's answers in the coming Thursdays!


Stats:

Name: Beth   Age (optional): 32 (I seriously had to stop and think)  Number of kids: 2

What was the biggest surprise to you after having a child(ren)?

How much life changes!  I was so annoyed all through my pregnancy by people telling me how I would never sleep again or how I should enjoy my free time.  I just thought it all sounded so negative but now I know!  I get why people want to share so much advice bc you just aren't prepared for how much your life will change.  I thought my life would be exactly the same just add a cute little baby to it.  Ha, ha

What would you say has been your worst parenting moment?

Wow, there so many to choose from.  The time I accidentally locked my son in the car and the fire department had to come get him out.  When I forgot my diaper bag and had to change him in a puclic restroom using toilet seat covers as wipes.  When I yelled at my youngest son and my older one said, "that scared me."  Yeah, not my finer moments but the real doozy was when I was unloading groceries one day from my car and I told my son he could play in the yard.  After about 5 minutes it dawned on me that I hadn't shut the gate and we live on a very busy road!  I went flying out of the house and see that at the end of my driveway there is a car pulled over and a woman is standing there with Oliver.  She said she was driving by and saw him standing there and was worried.  Through my panic and embarrassment I said thank you and carried him up the driveway.  I made sure to shut the gate but as soon as I did the lady yelled up to me, "Hey, is this your dog too?!"  Unfortunately he hadn't made it back in either...I still cringe thinking about that day!! 

Your best?

I take the time every night to take one last peek at my kids before I go to sleep.  Seeing them so peaceful helps me sleep better and reminds me how innocent they are...that helps me start each day on a new foot.

Best parenting advice you have ever received?

I actually took this from an episode of Oprah when Toni Morrison said "does your face light up every time that your kids enter a room?"  It really made me think about how often I am caught up in the day-to-day and forget how my mood may affect my kids.  I try to put a big smile on when they come in the room now and its amazing how they notice.  My older son, Oliver usually gets up grumpy (like mother like son) but if I greet him with a big smile in the morning he immediately brightens up.  You can just tell it makes them feel special that just their presence makes you smile.

What has changed the most about your personal style since having kids?

Before kids I was forced to shower daily for work.  Now I love that I can stay in pjs until 10 am if I feel like it.  I spend most days in work out clothes whether or not I actually went to the gym or not.  But I have notcied that I am more productive if I shower and dry my hair so I try to do that as much as I can.  If I am going out with adults I take probably double the amount of time to get ready as I did in college.  It is such a treat for me to actually do my hair, put on make up, and pick a cute outfit that I lock myself in the bathroom for as long as I can!

What is your day-to-day beauty regimen? 

Face lotion with SPF, tinted moisturizer, mascara, and blush. I also cannot live without chapstick and my eyelash curler.  I wish I could rattle of some product names but honestly I have always been a drug store cosmetic girl.  I always put on perfume too bc it just makes me feel more put together. 

What is your favorite beauty product and why?

My flat iron!  No matter how crazy my hair looks after sleep I can run the iron through it and it appears as though its clean or at least just not the hair of a homeless person!

If you could have back one luxury from your pre-kids days what would it be?

Leisurely Saturdays!  My husband and I always torture ourselves on Saturdays listing off what we would be doing if we didn't have children.  Don't get me wrong I love our family time together but it was so nice to spend an entire Saturday eating out, watching tv, or strolling through the mall without kids.  No schedule.  No tantrums.

What is your favorite kid-friendly activity to do with your kids?

Taking them on a bike ride on the greenway by my house.  Its nice to get out some stress while exercising and they love the scenery.  

Your favorite thing about raising kids in Charlotte (or whatever city in which you live)?

I really love everything about Charlotte, minus the fact that it is not close to the beach!  I love that there are different little areas of the city.  I can take the kids downtown, out to Ballantyne, or the Myers Park area depending on my mood.  Imaginon is awesome, there are parks everywhere, Discovery Place is great, and you can easily find a storytime or music class somewhere near your house.

What word do you use way too much on any given day?

Stop. 

Stop whining, stop screaming, stop spilling, stop hitting, stop being loud, stop throwing, stop bugging the dog, stop touching my stuff, etc.

Celebrity mom you can most see yourself hanging out with?

Reese Witherspoon.  Her kids are older than mine so maybe she would have some tips for the next few years.  She just seems so down-to-earth and normal.  I wouldn't mind borrowing her clothes either!   

If you could have one super power that would help you be an even better mom what would it be?

The ability to have the last word.  My son is in a phase right now where everything I tell him to do he has to have the last word.  I wish I could give directions and make it impossible for my kids to talk/whine back.

Favorite part of being a mom?

Hearing the funny and sweet things they say.  Seeing two little people that are a perfect combination of my husband and I.  Realizing all that my mom went through for me!