Midlife Mom

You know, years ago, back before I had children I use to think, I can't wait to be a Mom!  I loved babysitting and bossing kids around.  And I enjoyed putting every pet I owned in a small toy cradle I had in my room.  My cat Prissy didn't appreciate the comfy cradle as much as I thought she should.  Anyways,  So then I grew up and got married to the most wonderful man in the world (for me that is) and we waited a whopping 6 months before we decide to bring children into our lives.  Now I'm looking back 12 years later, and contemplating all that goes into parenting.   It has to be one of the most difficult things in the entire world!  When you become a parent you have no clue what to do and your experience comes from how your parents raised you.  And lets face it, there are probably a few things you would change. SO my question is what's the right answer??  Obviously there are MANY teachings out there on how to ...

As children we have this idealist view of what life is all about.  We spend our days dreaming of our future husbands and families all the while thinking that it will be somewhat like our barbie playhouse.  Barbie, the perfect (anatomically incorrect) figure, perfect baby and obviously perfect husband. We take Barbie and put her in her cute pink convertible and ride all around town.  Then send her home to her 2 story fully furnished house with a swimming pool in the back yard. I don't know about y'all but that's not how my life started out.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining I just wish some how I could have had a more realistic view of the world.  I can't say my Mom didn't try to warn me.  But you just can't teach real life to kids can you?? I'm thinking maybe I should have sat down with my daughter early on and made some fundamental changes to Barbie and her perfect home.  That way maybe she would see...