Motherhood Lessons #2
October 6, 2008 by Christina Lemmey
This post was written by Guest Blogger Barbara Winters, host of Journeys to Motherhood.
When I think back to Motherhood Lessons from my childhood, I remember some of the things my mother would incorporate into her daily chores that would include me. These ‘things’ would actually transform a typically boring domestic activity into one of learning and fun…a game, if you will.
For example, the folding of laundry becomes a game of picking out all of the reds, all of the blues, all of the greens, etc… a way to get your laundry folded while teaching your child their colors. Also, when my mother washed clothes, she would help me wash some of my doll clothes. She would then hang her laundry on the ‘big girl line’ and had a lower line for me to hang my doll’s clothes, which was, of course, the ‘little girl line’. I have photographs of hanging laundry with my mother that are priceless! I look just like her “minnie me”!
Now that I have my own 2 1/2+ year old daughter, those charming memories are even more profound in my heart. Though I have done the ‘color game’ with Hailey Rose, we have yet to do the ‘laundry hanging duet’. This mama doesn’t hang laundry…just puts it in the dryer. (Maybe I should re-think my laundry rituals!)
However, I’ve taken it a step further, the primary reason being that Hailey Rose is so intrigued by the kitchen. She, of course, has HER own kitchen, but always wants to watch mummy cook. So whenever I am preparing a simple recipe, she sits on the counter (with my left arm wrapped securely around her) while I stir with the right. We talk about the ingredients I’m using, (she may be the only toddler that has been acquainted with cumin!), she helps pour them into the bowl, and she helps stir. She finds this to be quite fun, and though it becomes difficult at times to prepare dishes with one hand, I’ve become fairly good at it!
At Hailey Rose’s ripe age of 32 months, I can honestly say she knows how to make scrambled eggs, omelets, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (a particularly tricky one to do with one hand!), and various casseroles. Every once in a while she will say, “Mummy, can’t we cook something in your kitchen?” And then we usually do.
I have to agree with Christina when she said that those little day-to-day memories are the most precious, and probably the most remembered once our children grow up. I think if we try to incorporate daily life with fun and learning, we are not only creating memories, but strong little minds. I only hope that I can give Hailey Rose lessons in life on a daily basis in the loving and memorable way my mother gave them to me.
I’m tagging some friends at Mom’s Talk Radio to continue this meme!
Chele from Moms Love Shopping
Tara from Army Wife Talk Radio
Annette Yen from Snuggles Podcast
If any other moms want to participate on their blogs, simply share your favorite lesson you learned either from your own mother or about motherhood in general. Be sure to leave a comment here so we can come visit your blog and learn a lesson from you 
About the Author: Barbara Winters is the host of the Journeys to Motherhood internet radio show. For two years Barbara has shared her own infertility struggle with other women around the world. She has interviewed other women as well as experts, all in an effort to support and ease the pain that plagues so many fellow sisters.
Other Great Posts You Might Enjoy:
Comments