Parenting

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In addition to our special Parenting articles listed below, all our cover stories and many of the Q & A's contain parenting information. 

Happy Mother’s Day!

May 2008

The other morning, on the drive to school, my son said something that proved to me I was a good mother.

“Mom, you’re sexy” he said

“What?” I was still half asleep.

“You’re Sexy” he repeated with a sheepish grin.

“And what exactly does sexy mean?” I tested.

“It means boys want to kiss you” he responded.

I almost lost control of my steering wheel. I was laughing so hard inside. But all I said to him was, “Thanks Josh. That’s a nice compliment”

I noticed a satisfied little grin on his face for the rest of the ride.

As my coffee kicked in, I started mulling around the significance of my little guy’s comment. The fact that he sees me as “sexy”, however he defines it, means he sees me as something more than a caregiver.  He also appreciates that I’m a woman, not just a mom. That’s a big concept. And it’s very important to me.

I am a role model for my son. I want him to grow up around people with self worth. If he sees me taking time to care for myself, hopefully he’ll do the same. 

I’m also helping define how he’ll perceive and treat women. When he yells out “Hey maw…where’s my favorite superhero toy?”, I yell back “Where ever you left it. I’m not your maid.” You many be appalled at my non-nurturing response, but his future wife will thank me.

There’s a lot of talk about the importance of “me-time” for moms. Aside from the obvious mental and physical benefits of parents taking time to play, exercise, be stimulated, and have social lives, the other side effect you may not realize is the healthy message you’re sending your kids.

“Guess what little guy, you’re not the only reason I exist. You’re a part of my universe, not the center.” I believe a child who is constantly doted on, whose needs are put first all the time, and gets what they want when they want it, will develop that dreaded sense of entitlement.

It’s healthy for a child to recognize the world doesn’t always revolve around them.

When my daughter was born four years ago, I felt brain-dead. Correction – thanks to post-pregnancy hormones, I was brain-dead. As fate would have it, I was invited to join a book club with a group of amazing moms. So for the last four years, on the first Tuesday of every month, twelve of us meet to discuss the book, eat, drink and get away from our responsibilities.

My son started to complain about me leaving him on those nights. There was no way I was dropping out of the book club. Instead, Josh and I started our own. We’d choose a book, read it and when we finished, we’d have a snack. It is our special time and it ends with candy – a yummy compromise.

Date nights rate high on the guilt-meter for moms. But, if you play your cards right, it’s a prime time for a little empathy building lesson.

“Dad and I are going out to a movie tonight”

“Noooo!” yells my daughter winding her little frame around my leg.

“You went to Georgia’s house for a playdate today. Well I worked all day and now it’s time for mummy to have a little fun”

“OK” she says grudgingly and tromps off to play with her forty seven dolls.

I try to remind myself that in fourteen years, little Jessie is going to be partying at the Dorm at Western University, while me and hubby will be staring at each other like strangers if we don’t keep our relationship vibrant outside the sphere of kids.

So take the time to have a little guilt free fun. You’re doing your kids a favour.

Erica Ehm

The Yummy Mummy Club is the online destination for women with children looking for some adult stimulation!  This site was created by celebrity Yummy Mummy Erica Ehm in 2007 as a playful place for moms to come to celebrate and commiserate the realities of modern motherhood, while trying to balance life as a sexy mama.

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