The Merrimack Mommy Chornicles: Yes, I Drive A Mini-Van and I'm Still Hot!

“Who knew laughing could be so therapeutic?”

I mean, I knew it, but don’t think I really understood it until I went to see Motherhood the Musical with my friends this past weekend. I literally “LOL’d” over, and over, and over again. And my eyes welled up with tears with the moments that made me miss my mom who passed a year ago now.

It’s the good, the bad, and the indifferent – the reality of being a mom. It’s the healthy balance of laughing to keep from crying, wondering how you even got in the position of being someone’s “mommy”, and the glorious moments that take your breath away. Whether you planned it or not, read a manual or not, we all share the commonality of “mommyhood”. And man, could I relate to every moment of this well written musical on the truthful depiction of “moms” from several lenses.

I won’t give it all away, but I laughed so hard when they did the song about being a “hot mama driving a mini-van”. My husband and I often wonder to this day what made us get a mini-van. At the time, we had two babies under 2 years old, and it had the most glamorous perk of all time to us: (cue heavenly music) – the DVD Player!

We said to ourselves, “Wow, the crying will actually stop when all we want to do is drive down the street to the supermarket!” And before even looking at the model of the car and how it would significantly age us and disqualify us for “cool” status, we signed on the dotted line and entered immediately into “soccer mom” status minus the team.

And as most people know me, I still wear my 5 inch stilettos, wedges, and the sort, all while (yes) driving my mini-van. Too funny. We have now come to our senses, and realize that our next car of choice, will not be the min-van at all – no disrespect, as it has truly served a wonderful purpose in our lives.

You still have one week of shows left to purchase your tickets! So, come on all you mini-van drivers and cross over vehicle owners! I need all the “hot mamas” in mini-vans to buy their tickets to the funniest show of the season. You’ll be glad you did.

Call our offices at 256.534.6455 or go online at www.merrimackhall.com/motherhood and reserve your spot today! Today is the last day; don't miss out!

Yours in “Hot Mama Mini-Van Status”

Kristen

The Merrimack Mommy Chronicles: Because I Said So!

Why? Because I said so!

It’s such a common phrase that us “moms” use, and for a good reason. However, I found out the hard way that using the phrase is indeed for our benefit. Let me explain.

I told myself that when I had my children, I wasn’t going to say the infamous yet ambiguous phrase “because I said so”, because I wanted my children to understand the “why” behind not doing something versus just feeling sometimes confused as to why I would say something like that (like I did).

So, I tried this with my then 3 year old, who asked me, “Mommy, can I have some candy?” “No”, I replied. She quickly interjects, “But, why?” I gently reply, “Well, baby, candy is just not the best for your teeth. You can get a lot of cavities.” She says sadly, “But Mommy, my best friend can eat candy all day long, will she get cavities?”

I further explain, “I am not your best friend’s mom. And if your best friend’s mom wants to give her candy, then that’s her choice” She says, trying to twist my arm, “So can you talk to my best friend’s mommy and see why she gives my best friend candy, and then you can too?” Finally, I can’t take it anymore. I sternly say, “That’s it. You’re not eating the candy, and I don’t care what your best friend does or her mother, we aren’t doing that in this house. That’s it!” She cries. And cries, and cries and cries.

Take Two.

It’s the next week. My three year old says to me, “Mommy, can I have some candy?” “No”, I replied. She quickly interjects, “But, why?” I gently reply, “Because I said so.” She says, “Oh okay.”

I was thinking to myself, “That’s it?” And it truly was. She’s never asked me again to this day. So, this one’s to all of my moms who frequently use the “because I said so” model, knows that it works, and further knows that there is never, ever, any situation that would make you reason with a three year old!

By the way, Motherhood the Musical, has because I said so t-shirts in honor of the best musical of the season in Huntsville, AL! So, get your tickets today and your “Because I Said So” t-shirts when you get here. You’ll be glad you did! See you there!

Purchase your tickets by calling the box office at 256.534.6455 or by visitng our website: www.merrimackhall.com/motherhood.

Yours in Motherhood,

Kristen