The Rule Book

When desperately asking a friend and fellow mom about what I should do with my preteen daughter's constant questioning of why she had to do whatever I told her to do, she quipped "Just tell her it's in The Mother's Rule Book. Follow it with a random page number and paragraph or line. The end." That was just the beginning and there is no end. There is, however, change.

Now that my daughters are grown and I have just become a grandmother for the first time, I figured the new mommy could use this mysterious guide to child-rearing. Only wouldn't you know it, I can't find my copy anywhere. Okay honestly, I never had a hard copy. In fact, my eldest brought to my attention a few years after I began spouting passages from it, that the paragraph and page number I was quoting was different than the last time she had asked about the same thing. Whoops! Who knew she had such a gift for remembering numbers? That inspired me to make it official and give other mothers this invaluable resource, especially my daughter as she embarks on her new journey of motherhood. I won't promise that they will be in numerical order or any order for that matter, but each one will have a reference number for quotation purposes.

Disclaimer: Reference numbers may change as needed. Highlight this and show it to your kids, just in case they are number savants.

Rule #1 Breathe!

a. Whether laboring during delivery or over dinner.

b. Whether crying tears of sadness or joy.

c. Whether running after your kids or out of toilet paper.

When laughing so hard you pee your pants and definitely when fear grips your heart and won't let go, breathing makes it better. It is the antidote to anxiety, our very own easy button. You have the right to take the time to stop and breathe a few deep inhales and relaxing exhales. By the way, sighs and yawns count too. Remember, they are watching. If you're consciously taking a moment to relax, regroup and breathe, they will learn to do the same.