Mother Goof©

Written by American Author Sky Taylor

Mean Mother in Law Stories

Parenting Tips

Parenting Advice: Is it my fault that my kid turned out problematic?

Every hit can't be a home run. Some tips to help flustered empty-nesters.

Parenting Advice for Human Moms & Human Dads, Too!

As the parent of two grown sons, I'll admit that I made plenty of mistakes rearing my two handsome stallions. Some days, they required patience while others necessitated lassoing them by the neck and dragging them back into the civilized world. Generally, this occurred near bath time and once I got them plopped into the tub with their little plastic boats, it was equally hard coaxing them out.

Kids - so unpredictable, and it's hard for a parent to know all the in's and out's. And being human, goofs and mistakes in the child rearing phase will be made - no matter how perfect a parent strives to be.

Keeping this in mind, we hope that the articles within this website provide insight and assist you in making child rearing a bit easier, as well as rewarding. We hope that you'll share us with your family and friends. Sky Taylor, Exceptional Mother Goof

You did everything Motherly-Possible while junior (or juniorette) was growing up. You watched your offspring with attentive eyes; you told all the right bedtime stories; you went to all the right places and saw all the right things. And one morning, you woke up to find that junior is a rotten apple.

Now that Junior has left home, he never contacts you - would rather listen to polka music than talk to dear, old mom. You see a life going down the tubes - and there seems as if there is nothing that you can do about it.

And amid all the turmoil, you do the only thing that you can do. You pause. You think. And you ask yourself, "Is it my fault?"

Let's look at this from another angle. For argument's sake, let's pretend that the reason that Junior turned out to be problematic is indeed your fault. Yes - it's all your fault, at least for the moment. Nothing can be done to undo the past. Humans can only move forward. Blaming yourself until doomsday isn't going to accomplish a thing, now is it? You'll just make your life more miserable than it is worrying about things that probably aren't even true.

As to Junior, give him OR her some space, and some time. I've seen mothers wait almost a lifetime before their offspring returns. Their 'Junior' was finally able to conquer maturity.

It doesn't mean that you won't ache deep down inside - but keep in mind that both you, as well as Junior must live your lives to the fullest. We tend to arrive into this world alone, and we also leave alone. Although there will be those who cry at our passing, we ourselves do not determine what our history will be. That is left to be broadcast by those left behind.

The important thing is to be available when needed for emotional and moral support.

Flat Broke With a Kid Who is Name-Brand Conscious

From the coffee we drink to the clothes on our backs, we are influenced by name-brand offerings. After all, if it ain't hip, I'll be a pip. With very little cash, we'll take your kid from pip to hip....

For those stay-at-home moms, when the time arrives for junior to enroll in school, a rude awakening is often experienced. Such was the case with my firstborn. Oh - it didn't happen overnight, but slowly my son became brand-conscious, keenly aware of what his peers were wearing at school.

And soon, he was wanting those same name-brand clothes and shoes. Little did he realize that his dear old mom was a pauper. It was an effort to keep food on the table, much less squeeze enough out of the pitiful budget for expensive clothing. Now that I'm older and wiser, I could have handled the situation with ease. Here's how....

Thrift stores often present the picture of stinky, holey, well-worn clothing that's past its prime. However, there are some pretty nice bargains to be found - as well as some very clean, updated Thrift Stores. Unfortunately, I didn't discover the power of Thrift Stores until my sons were almost grown.

Although much of the clothing comes from private donations via the community, Thrift Stores are often stocked with new merchandise from up-scaled stores - complete with the original clothing tags.

Another great source for gently worn name-brand clothing is yard sales. And in the new age of the Internet auction houses, one can find a gem every now and then.

As for Thrift Stores, I recommend searching through the locals by darting in and out. If it's a clean store, the merchandise will most likely be clean merchandise. And if you're unable to locate the name-brand clothing that your child wants, keep in mind that 'wants' are 'wants' and 'needs' are 'needs indeed'. They will survive. My oldest son is living proof.

How to Choose the Perfect Family Pet

Furry friends have a way of wiggling their way into our hearts, but once home we may realize that there's a lot of work ahead so that the new family pet can bond with the family. Like a few words of advice before pet shopping? Then look no further as Animal Rehabilitators Tom and Sky lend their suggestions on choosing the perfect pet.

If your family leads a busy schedule, a pet that's low maintenance might provide the greatest pleasure in the long run. And if there are tots in the house, a friendly pet is a must.

Dogs: We recommend two of the friendliest breeds of dogs - Labs and Golden Retrievers. Both make excellent pets and are low maintenance. The downside is that both breeds are of large-size.

Smaller dogs generally do not work well for those with small children. The little pom that we rescued from an animal shelter was picked up by her front legs by small children until she suffered damage. However, if a small pet is appealing and small tots are in the house, the proper techniques for handling a small pet can be taught with a bit of patience from the parent, and the pet - establishing a long, well-rewarding relationship.

Dogs make fabulous companions and require daily interaction from their family in addition to a clean bed, play toys, leash, clean water and food. Dogs should be taken to the vet when ill, and at least annually for shots and a checkup.

Cats: Cats tend to work best in those families with older children. Unlike many breeds of dogs, cats aren't very patient when they are crossed. Like dogs, cats require vet trips, shots, clean water, food and a liter box that should be cleaned at least once per day. In addition, cats may trigger allergic reactions in some individuals. Cats tend to be loners, but when they demand love, rejection is not an option.

Before deciding upon the cat that is perfect for your family, ask about the breed's tendency to shedding, as well as susceptibility to certain diseases.

Ferrets: At one time, we were rehabilitating 14 ferrets. Some were neglected by their owners, others were unwanted, and some were simply not adoptable. Ferrets are very high maintenance and should NOT be caged except when a situation arises that would present danger to the ferret - such as while vacuuming or when guests visit.

Ferrets require a very specific diet as well as trips to the vet and shots. Ferrets also tend to acquire diseases that require surgery, such as adrenal disease. An operation may cost anywhere from $200 - $700 for adrenal, depending upon the severity and the vet. Of the ferrets that we have raised, we lost one who was just over a year old to juvenile lymphoma, and one who was about nine - a ripe old age for a domesticated ferret. This is to say that a healthy-looking ferret can fall seriously ill at the blink of an eye and may live a very short life - or they may live for years without any health issues.

Ferrets sleep about twenty hours per day but the four hours that they are awake, they are a continuous ball of energy.

We have received much joy from our ferrets over the years, but take note that they can trigger allergies. Air filters may help combat allergy, but are no guarantee. We do not recommend ferrets for those families with small children due to the number of ferrets who are surrendered under this circumstance. Ferrets require toys, a specific diet, much interaction and activity, clean water, trips to the vet, shots, often surgery to correct disease, blankets, a holding cage, toys and a hammock.

Fish: Perhaps one of the best pets for those with small kids. When the aquarium is effectively monitored, fish require very little maintenance. One of the most common mistakes made with fish pet owners is overfeeding. The pet store reps will most likely be happy to show all the supplies necessary for setting up a crystal-clear aquarium.

Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Gerbils: Not recommended for families with tots. Requires daily changing of the liter and bedding. Although guinea pigs are one of my favorite pets, I must admit as a prior owner of three over the years, I did dread the daily ritual of the changing of the cage. It was a huge daily job that continued for years and years. A common mistake made by many small rodent owners is overfeeding.

Why Nannys & Grandparents Have What it Takes to Calm the Savage Baby Beast

Baby Tesa is screaming at the top of her lungs while you run about the kitchen frantically trying to locate her favorite cup. The faster you move, the louder she cries.

You are totally shocked as Grandmother Thelma enters the room, tosses a "How's my baby girl" to Baby Tesa, and receives a beaming smile in the process. We'll explain why....

Even the tiniest of kids have the keen ability to tap into their parent's stress level. When the parent is stressed, the kid becomes stressed. And when the kid is stressed, the parent becomes more stressed. It's a viscous circle.

Another reason why junior is more apt to react favorably to a stranger - or an individual that they haven't seen in a few hours, is that the situation is suddenly new. Something snapped. Something changed - and that small pause may be just enough time to set them into a better mood. Junior may think, "Mom is upset and frustrated with me but the nice nanny or grandma are quite happy to see me. And that makes me happy."

Another reason why 'strangers' can cut off the cantankerous mood of baby is that by nature, we become alert to potential danger. Once we learn we have nothing to fear, we tend to relax - much like a shy puppy who takes a while before succumbing to petting. Again, that small pause has the tendency to shift moods.

If baby has you at your rope's end, and you've checked all the common irritants that bother babies (is diaper clean? is baby hungry? does baby have tummy ache? is baby well?) then you might try the following:

- vacuuming may lull baby into a calmer mood

- soft music may help abate frustration

- inviting, happy toys may put baby in a better mood - such as a musical mobile or ball

- a warm bath

- and finally, soothing words from mom - baby's favorite person

You Named Your Kid What? Tips for Choosing the Perfect Name for Baby

Originally, the name you chose for your child seemed ideal. And now that time has passed and the true character of your child has emerged, that kicky name just doesn't fit.

In some cases, the name just doesn't fit the personality. In others, the parent slowly realizes that the once-perfect name can be easily molded into an embarrassing or x-rated name - one that a school bully might take aim with.

Or, the name just doesn't click.

In any event, a solution might be a nickname that can be used in place of the given name. For example, if Baby Peter's dad is named Paul, try using Little Pauly or Little Paul. Then as time passes and your child grows, allow them to choose the name they prefer - Paul or Peter.

Both are perfectly great names for little boys, and it's generally the in-the-gutter attitudes that turn good to bad.

If baby hasn't popped in the world yet, you may wish to do a bit of research on the meaning of names. The dictionary is a great source of research. Simply break down the syllables in the name and go from there. My dear old mom performs name research in this manner and I'm always amazed at what she ends up with. In every case, the names that she researches go hand-in-hand with the personality of the individual.

My Child's Healthy Daily Diet

Tips and tidbits for your child's good health.

The most important element of your child's success in life rests within a healthy diet. All the knowledge in the world is for naught whenever the body isn't in tune.

And these days, more and more kids are plumping up on the scales which in turn is setting the stage for serious health issues in their future. Eating has become more acceptable these days because our society as a whole is becoming plumper.

If your child is currently experiencing an issue with their weight - this is your opportunity to do something wonderful - something that will give them a longer more productive life. Often the shadows of our past overcast the path of our future - and weighty issues tend to be very dark shadows. To help add light try the following:

- At snack time offer fruit and fresh veggies rather than prepackaged sugar-loaded, fat-loaded treats. Too often we treat every day of the year like it's Halloween.

- Trade out your cooking oil for healthier olive oil and when it's time to fry - don't. Broil, boil, steam, grill, roast or bake instead.

- Trade out sugar for 1/2 sugar and 1/2 Splenda.

- Plan more family outings where activity is a big part of the plan. Hiking, biking, and most any type of sports will not only burn calories but will also strengthen the body.

- Set an example as you're being watched and admired continually by your child. If mommy or daddy loads their plate with fried chicken and mac n cheese - then junior will most likely do the same. After all, they want to be just like you when they grow up - and frankly, that's quite a compliment.

- Switch to skim dairy products and light margarine options.

- Keep in touch with your child's doctor and ask their assistance in getting your child's weight to a healthy level.