Momager Dopeness | How to Raise an Adult

I love reading while on vacation so when the opportunity to review the new book, "How to Raise an Adult"  by Julie Lythcott-Haims, was offered to me it was like a Steph Curry 3 point shot -- Perfect!  After all a gifted advance copy puts me in VIP status and what girl doesn't just love that?

Now when I saw the title and read the description I thought to myself the book must be about helicopter parenting.  You know those parents that cut the crust from their kids PB & J or that volunteer so much at school people think they work there.  I wasn't too far off base but what I wasn't expecting is how much Kris Jennering (yes I made up that term) I was actually doing with my own heartbeats.  I mean if there was a definition in the encyclopedia for "over parenting" you'd see me waving in a picture next to it.  What I love about the author however is that she admits to being a little bit guilty of it too.  She admits to a time that she was over anxious waiting on her young son to walk home alone after dark one evening.  The walk was less than 10 minutes from home.  So even though I was flipping the pages cringing about my single mama parental mistakes I knew I wasn't alone but still could use some knowledge being dropped in this book.

I broke down what I learned from the book like this:

The Deal:  I am a true Momager when it comes to the court.  Yelling at refs, having "little" chats with coaches and after game talks with The Phenom are part of the routine around here.  But it just doesn't end with him, The Mogul just had to have the customized lei for her....8th grade graduation.  It was so heavy it annoyed her the entire night.

The Rationale:  About 5 years ago my brood and I moved from big city Detroit to small town Bakersfield with no family in town.  After a divorce, becoming a single mom and being in a new city drew me closer to my kids.  I was the only dotting parent and I took that role pretty seriously.  This isn't an excuse just the reality.

The Realization:  So after reading the book I was able to look at our situation and make some evaluations.
Fact 1.  If The Phenom was hungry he'd rather hear the noise from his stomach instead of making cereal.
Fact 2.  The Mogul is helpful but has lately been wanting On-Demand attention.
Fact 3.  I was going to be leaving them on vacation with my parents and was concerned I'd be exposed for the overbearing parent I had turned in to.  Well maybe I have been one all along.

The Game Plan:   Knowing that its time for me to Raise Adults and possibly let The Phenom look for his own summer job [WooooWeee I can see that teen-age side eye] and The Mogul have more chances at other social activities that don't include me tagging along a game plan is necessary.  The good thing is when I leave my beautiful vacation we all are going to have a short separation, what a great time to apply my new found knowledge.  I have faith that things will go well for them during our time apart.  Even though once at the airport after exchanging Northwest tears with The Mogul as I walked to the ticket counter The Phenom gave me the thumbs up to let me know all was going to be fine.   I was sure then that our next month apart would give them some time to express independence and me to let them.  This parenting job isn't easy but I defiantly want to raise adults, ones that chase their dreams and not mine!

You can win a copy of the book How to Raise an Adult with The Curvy Momager Summer Reading

Giveaway.  Rules and details can be found on my social media starting Sunday June 14th.  Be sure to check it out Momagers, let's raise the next generation of independent thinkers and not high achievers because of parental involvement.  Here's a snippet from the book:

"Why did parenting change from preparing our kids for life to protecting them from life, which means they're not prepared to live life on their own?"

Plenty of great information, data and humorous stories make this book a great summer reading experience.  You can learn more about the book here: http://clvr.li/htraa15 or by clicking this link for the video book trailer, How to Raise an Adult.


I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Schoooool's out fo summa!

How many of you are singing that tune along with your kids?  But wait, now the real dilemma.  What to do with them over the next three months. 

Whether you are a single, married, working or stay at home mom this always pops up after you are doing cartwheels the final week of school.  As the kids get older they start to find more and more to do but then you have to manage it all.  This year I told the kids I really want them to work on passion projects.  What do I mean by that?  Well if there is something they have been dreaming about doing I want them to do it this summer.  For The Phenom it was basketball, basketball and more basketball.  Sooooo yeah, he's going to basketball camp at one of his top four colleges he wants to attend.  But I also am forcing him, well making it obvious that he needs to take this opportunity to get prepped for the SAT.  Great SAT scores = Great Recruits is my motto so every week he has a word he has to master in addition to take about 5 test questions a week.  So on top of Bball Summer League, Bball Club League and traveling to MSU for camp he has limited time for video games and girls.  LOL.  Oh he also has summer school for the next few weeks.

Then there is The Mogul.  She's been a little out of commission with activities, I guess keeping that GPA at 3.8 was a pretty busy task.  She is glad for summer vacation and also planning to get busy with some passions.  One of those is sewing class.  Yep she is in full fashion stylista mode and picking out patterns and fabrics.  Her next project is working on curriculum with her teacher for a really special project, yep this girl is really passionate about education!  I'm happy about that too.

So Momagers I wish you well over the summer months, every day is going to bring some challenges
but get active.  Have the kids list out three passions and pinpoint them to one if not two.  Make this a summer of passion for you and them.

Moment In Life Monday | Being a Momager

 

It's one tough job isn't it?  Just this weekend I was reflecting on the school year (being that it's almost over) and wondering how on earth did we (I) accomplish it all.  Early mornings before everyone is up making sure the finishing touches are on projects, transporting to 5 AM practices, games ending at 9 PM, making sure everyone bathes at least 4 times a week and is fed 3 - 4 times a day.  And that is just the icing on the cake.  The reality is that it can be a tough job but sometimes Momagers, we only see it from our perspective.  Ever thought what your kids really think of you?  Okay, no like not when you told them they can't play video games for a week but in those beautiful moments when you are having a real connection.  What would they say about YOU?  Click on the great video below to find out how some Moms (probably many of us) view themselves and how their kids see them.  You might be in for a pleasant surprise and a few tears. 

 

 

 

 

Keep being great...you are doing awesome!  Everyday is Mother's Day!

Hugs,




The Curvy Momager

Whatchu Doin' Wednesday | NickMom's Challenge

I thought this Not-So-Challenging Challenge was so cute posted by NickMom on Twitter.  The Mogul is a little bit too old to participate but I'm going to make her do it anyway.  You see she's been wanting me to do all these CRAZY challenges with her the can food, Bean Boozled and saltine cracker challenges so this is my turn to get her back.  By the way I haven't tried any of them yet but she ordered the jelly beans so be ready for the YouTube video.  Many of you probably have a kid that fits this challenge and is more age appropriate so be sure to check it out.  I'll be looking for your post on Twitter under the #NickMomChallenge.


THE CHALLENGES

March 24th - Draw a picture of Mom
March 25th - Write a sentence about an animal
March 26th - Tie your shoelaces
March 27th - Dress yourself
March 28th - Make yourself a bowl of cereal
March 31st - Make a sandwich of your choosing
April 1st - Do mom's nails or makeup
April 2nd - Do mom's hair
April 3rd - Send a text
April 4th - Take a selfie

Grab your camera, kids and have some FUN!


With Style,



The Curvy Momager

Moment In Life Monday

I've been gone for a little while from blogging.  Between moving and getting set up with cable and internet it's just been hectic y'all but I'm back and READY!

The Phenom

The Mogul

Just a quick update...things have been absolutely great with me.  The kids have been doing well in school and The Phenom had an amazing basketball season.  He's moving on to track and travel ball so the schedule still remains full.  The Mogul has been on chill mode.  She's getting into social media (nerves on edge) and creating some new friendships at school.  Her next venture is sewing class.  Be on the look out for a Talia Loren Louise original soon.

As for me I have been working on creating some signature pieces for The Curvy Momager line.  It's so exciting and as soon as I can share more information with you guys I will.  So for this Moment In Life Monday things are G-O-O-D!

What have you guys been up to?  You know I love hearing your stories.  Oh before I forget I had a guest appearance on the Talk 2 Q Show last night and if you missed it you can listen by clicking on the player below.  Thanks so much Q, it's always bunches of laughs and good times when I'm on the show.  Looking forward to chatting again soon and keeping my status as the most visited guest. :).

Enjoy!

New Motivation Internet Radio with Talk2Q on BlogTalkRadio