Mother's Dictionary

AMNESIA: A condition that enables a woman
who has gone through labor to make love again.

DUMBWAITER: One who asks if the kids
would care to order dessert.

FAMILY PLANNING: The art of spacing your children
the proper distance apart to keep you on the edge of financial disaster.

FEEDBACK: The inevitable result when your baby
doesn't appreciate the strained carrots.

FULL NAME: What you call your child
when you're mad at him.

GRANDPARENTS: The people who think your children are wonderful
even though they're sure you're not raising them right.

HEARSAY: What toddlers do when anyone
mutters a dirty word.

IMPREGNABLE: A woman whose memory of labor is still vivid.

INDEPENDENT: How we want our children to be
as long as they do everything we say.

OW: The first word spoken by children with older siblings.

PUDDLE: a small body of water
that draws other small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.

SHOW OFF: a child who is more talented than yours.

STERILIZE: what you do to your first baby's pacifier
by boiling it and to your last baby's pacifier by blowing on it.

TOP BUNK: where you should never put a child
wearing Superman pajamas.

TWO MINUTE WARNING: when the baby's face turns red
and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.

VERBAL: able to whine in words.

WHODUNIT: none of the kids that live in your house...

Encouragement

You thought you were happily smiling at your child
from a hard stadium seat or a hot packed auditorium......
But your child looked at your face and saw approval of him
and joy in what he was doing.

You thought that you were just patting him
on the back or on the head, or just ruffling his hair.....
But your child cherished the warm loving touch
and his heart was brightened.

You thought you were reading a bedtime story
with all the funny and scary voices......
But your child enjoyed the fact you read every word
even though he had heard them a hundred times before.

You thought you were letting your child help paint the house
even though the paint got kind of runny and drippy in places......
But your child knew that you were working together
as a family and felt a sense of accomplishment as a family.

You thought you were singing silly songs
or counting the cows on a long boring trip......
But your child learned that it was fun
being together no matter where you were.

You thought you were spending a few minutes of your time
by throwing a ball in the back yard or baking some cookies......
But your child, who realized that your time is precious,
knew you were investing it in him.

You thought that you asked your child's opinion
about something that wasn't too important......
But your child thought you asked
because his opinions and thoughts were important.

You thought you were being a good host
by inviting your child's friends in for a cool snack
on a warm summer day......
But your child knew that his friends were important to you
and always welcome in your home.

You thought the tears in your eyes went unnoticed
when your child accomplished an important goal in his life......
But your child knew that he was deeply imbedded
in your heart and you sensed his accomplishment.

You thought that the refrigerator was as good of a place
as any for hanging all the art work and "well done"
papers that came home from school......
But your child felt important when he came home
from school each day with something to show you
and tack up in his personal hall of fame.

You thought you gave your child some simple chore
or job to do and told him, "Well done," with a smile when he did it......
But your child learned responsibility
and began to realize he could tackle even tougher things.

You thought you were helping a troubled restless child
get some sleep by fixing a cup of hot cocoa......
But your child felt that you were opening your heart around
a kitchen table and making all the problems a lot smaller.

You thought the vacation wasn't much of a success
because the fish didn't bite and the sun didn't shine......
But your child still remembers everything
that happened and he still laughs at all of the funny parts.

You thought you were just giving him a quick hug
at a special moment or "just because"......
But your child carried it with him for a long time,
because what you really said was,
"I'm proud of you!", or "I love you!"

You thought you were just giving him a little kiss
on the cheek to tell him good bye as he left for school......
But your child felt warm and loved
because he knew there would be another one
waiting for him when he got home.

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Please take the time to spend some quality time with your children. Both you and your children will be glad you did.