Tuesday, April 22, 2008

I want to be the kind of mom who . . .

I've come across so many things on blogs lately that have really inspired me and given me some ideas about the kind of mom I want to be. I thought I'd share a few because it gives me a chance to share some great ideas and some of my favorite blogs.


I want to be the kind of mom who makes some handmade gifts for my kids birthdays and holidays that will help them use their imaginations like this darling wooden family from Gemmielou's Etsy shop. You can also buy plain wooden people there or pick some up at your local craft store. There a whole post about wooden dolls here on Design Mom's blog (one of my very favorite blogs to follow). Wouldn't every kid get a kick out their very own wooden family modeled after their real family? I want to be the kind of mom who keeps a photo booth album like Jordon Ferney does (she also has a great blog and she just happens to be Design Mom's sister). I've tried to find an old school photo booth in Columbus and alas, I have not discovered a single one. At least there are several in Utah, another thing to look forward to!


And speaking of family portraits, I want to be the kind of mom that has frequent family portraits taken that capture the spirit of our family, not stiff and posed, but just us being us. Tara Whitney is a great example of this. Larry and I both heart this family portrait. Good thing I have a professional photographer in the family. Now I just need to work on learning to use my own camera or move to CA and become Tara Whitney's best friend.I want to be the kind of mom who provides a comfortable reading nook for each member of the family. Ok, it most likely won't be as extravagant as this one spotted on Apartment Therapy (there is a round mattress with lots of pillows inside), but a want a comfortable spot for reading to be a special part of our daily life.



I'm thinking more along the lines of this cardboard rocket playhouse they used to sell at MOMA, but I think it's no longer available. Do you think I can talk my dad into helping me make one? I think this would be so cosy in Creed's room with some comfy pillows and a light inside.I want to be the kind of mom who makes every holiday special and magical and full of traditions the whole family will look forward to. I think I spotted this on Apartment therapy too, but I'm not sure. Sorry if you know better send me a link and I will fix it. This is nest of hot chocolate with a marshmellow peep in it is someones beautiful Easter morning tradition. For other great holiday tradition ideas, try checking in with the uber fabulous Kristi of Everythingispink.

I want to be the kind of mom who helps my kids come up with inventive activities and helps them find little ways to serve others and support the community. One of the best posts that I've read recently did both. Andrea of Hula Seventy gathered her daughter and friends and helped them write secret wishes/fortunes for other people and then they walked around town finding little spots to leave them for other people to discover. What a wonderful way to spend the day. I wish that I could have been there to see people discover little slips of paper with "read me" written on the outside and things like, "Don't listen to the mean things people say" or "You will always be beautiful" in a child's handwriting on the inside.
I want to be the kind of mom who encourages her kids to be original instead of following the crowd, which includes dressing them a little differently (while I still have the chance to dress them) and encouraging the idea that it's fun to be different and boring and impossible to be just like everyone else. I recently discovered the blog to two sisters-in-law who among other creative endeavors, create the most wonderful clothing for their kids that I have ever seen. Oh would I love to be the kind of mom who could just whip out any clothing that I could dream up. Sewing clothing scares me so I'll have to work on getting over that. Check out the Sugar City blog for more amazing children's clothing like this (and some cute doll clothing too!)

I want to be the kind of mom who find ways to bring fun and cheer into the details of everyday life. I don't remember where this photo came from (sorry I just saved it a while back because it made me happy), but you can bet I will be drawing faces on the fruit in Creed's lunchbox some day!So now it's your turn. What kind of a mom/wife/friend/dad do you want to be? What are your favorite blogs? And what has inspired you lately?

14 comments:

Anna said...

so many excellent ideas. I need to make a file on my computer for good parenting ideas so I'll have them collected when the time comes.

I think one of the bigger things I want to do with my kids is instill in them a sense of community by taking them to community events like the farmer's market, or the community play, or participating in a fundraiser carwash. I just want my kids to feel invested in their community so they'll grow up to be good citizens and neighbors to everyone around them --- plus, community stuff is fun.

Laura said...

stephanie - tuttle mall has a photo booth. magei and i use it all the time!

Anonymous said...

So many of these things are ones that I have clipped from blogs for my own "someday" family. In particular, I want to make reading nooks like the fabulous one from AT and the photo booth album. Those were two of my favs! But I also have a lot of things clipped from your blog for my "someday" family.

Amy said...

I have to admit, I'm a lurker of your blog. I've commented before but feel funny doing so because you don't even know me. Anyhoo, I love all of your ideas and links. They are all so inspiring. Thanks for some great posts.

Amy said...

Sorry, didn't answer the question...

I was inspired by this idea for making your own kids art table:
http://shisomama.wordpress.com/2007/09/25/how-to-kids-art-table/

And I like these two for all sorts of great ideas:

http://www.makeandtakes.com/
http://www.goodyblog.com/

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure why you want to be those kinds of Mom - you are already the best Mom ever, one who loves Creed and constantly sacrifices herself for his needs, for his fun, and so that he is the happiest baby ever. One who constantly amazes him and me with her creativity and ability to have (or make) fun. Plus one who is good lookin'.

But I'll gladly support you on your quest to be all of those Moms too, as long as I don't have to eat Peeps.

Elisa said...

Great ideas! I will have to think about what kind of mom I want to be.

We took family photo booth pictures a week or so ago at the Museum of Natural History at the U of U...something you will be able to do soon. It's free on the first Monday of every month.

lisa h. said...

i love the last one with the smiling fruit! i'm totally going to do that...evan will be like mom you are weird!

Amy said...

Steph,

Thanks for your nice comment. Will you email me? I have some questions and I'll tell you just where in Texas I reside.

nunnhamilton at gmail.com

MLH of Columbus coordinator said...

tonight i am proud to say that i am the mom that let my kids play out in the rain. Just as we were going outside, it started to rain. Instead of heading back in, we played in the rain and had a GREAT time. D/t some health issues with my son, i am trying to remember to enjoy each moment with the kids. Taking the time to enjoy those things you are not supposed to do (chocolate and play in the rain) makes for great memories.

also, you have a great husband, even if he does not put away his mail.

what kind of a name is abra said...

Love this post. You are always inspiring! You and your family. I agree with all your ideas and wanted to share a favorite of mine. I always have a cushy, comfy chair in the kitchen, it is the most coveted spot in the house. Since I spend lots of time in the kitchen, I always have company. I LOVE it when one of my boys will read out loud to me, something they think is funny or just sit and talk about their day. It is the 'hot chocolate chair' the 'cozy with a blanket chair' and recently a friend called to say she needed 'chair therapy'. Meaning she wanted it all, in my sweet kitchen chair. I love it! Thanks for always sharing your sweet spirit with the rest of the world. You are always inspriring!

Kim said...

You already are that kind of mom!

I am Laura said...

Oh you make me want to be all those thiings too. i love the reading nook idea -- never thought of that before. I want to be the kind of mom who plays with her kids and doesn't just leave it up to the dad. I want to be the kind of mom who lets my kids be kids -- they get dirty, they don't always eat and I won't force them, they like to be loud, and they like to make messes of the house. I want to be the kind of mom that is involved, but still lets my kids be who they want to be.

malia said...

YOU!!! you inspire me. :) i am going to the craft store tomorrow with those wooden people and paint on my list!
you really are a crafty queen!

and your husband's comment made me tear up. you guys are a great couple.