Let Them Eat CAKE!

I'm no historian but this comment, "Let them eat cake!" has been attributed to Marie Antoinette. This woman was frustrated...and since this is no history lesson we will not get philosophical about the statement. But, every mommy can relate to being frustrated when it comes to feeding children. My first experience was with our oldest, who at about 1 year of age decided all she wanted was vanilla ice cream. Can ya' blame her? Now, you are talking to the mom who proudly breastfed and painstakingly made all of her first childs baby food from fresh vegetables and fruit. (Remember the 70's? smile). It was a battle and I was so frustrated. I asked my mom what to do, "Oh Wise One, what should I do?" She said, "Let her eat vanilla ice cream! In fact, give it to her morning, noon and night...until she is sick of it!" That was too easy and it worked, Within a couple meals, it was over. Once she realized all she was going to get was vanilla ice cream, even her little 12 month old brain went...hmmm, maybe some of mom's really yummie pears would be tasty too :-)

Make Mommying EZ by stepping back, taking a deep breath and reevaluate the tuff stuff:

• Build relationships with an "Oh Wise One" (we have a mentoring program here at Cornerstone called W2W...that's one way...they have them all over the country - ask around at church - if they are an Oh Wise One, every mom knows em')
• Really, breathe. That's it, just take a few deep breaths, you know, the kind you learned in your LaMaze or Labor Class (but forgot during labor and you just stared blankly at the nurse as if you had never heard of breathing exercises)
• Don't get stuck in a rut with difficult situations in mommying. Sometimes just trying a different approach changes everything.
• Pray for God's guidance. Remember, each of your children are created in God's image - He knows just how to work them and by nurturing your time with Him in prayer, you will receive much wisdom and guidance from the Holy Spirit.