by Jen Edwards

Created on: June 24, 2008   Last Updated: April 16, 2009

Mom Has Fun

What mom doesn't want to have fun? I know when I became a mom it was the most momentous, joyous time in my life and then came the endless nights of crying, nursing, rocking, crying, walking, bouncing, slowly and gently placing baby in crib, crying (rinse, repeat, with mom crying too!)

It's rough right All of a sudden I was thrown from being independent; working out side the home and all I really had to worry about was me. I was able to use the bathroom, eat, and well just do what ever I wanted when I wanted. And for better and for worse that was just the beginning. My sister told me the first few years are the easiest, and then it really gets tough. From talking with friends the "fun" really begins as our beautiful babes enter their adolescence and teen years. So much to look forward to, right!

When discussing with my husband whether we wanted to start a family I told him I wasn't sure if I wanted to deal with teenagers His response, "If people made the decision to have children based on their life while the children are teens, no one would have kids". That's probably a pretty accurate response, right?

Well, not exactly. I didn't want to feel frustrated, confused, and not knowing what to do. So I started looking for answers and I found and amazing source and wealth of information. The resource I am speaking of is Nicole MacKenzie. She created a home parenting course called: Parenting Rule #1: Mom Has Fun and I was able to interview her. Nicole also offers for moms like me where "too much information" still isn't enough, a newsletter. She first tells mom's "not to be perfect and to have fun". What is not to like?

Mom and dad "having fun" will encourage your kids to make better choices, listen and be more respectful. Strange isn't it! It is such a parenting paradigm switch. That is why it is so intriguing to me. So I decided to give it a try! I placed the emphasis of parenting on me. If things seemed to be going down hill and unwanted behavior started to flair, I quickly stepped aside and said to myself "Am I having fun?" The answer was always, "no". I realized that if I wasn't having fun, neither were my kids.

When I sat down and really thought about the things I want to give my children and the most important quality is to appreciate and enjoy life. How am I going to do that if I am frowning, agitated, and becoming spooled up because my kids are "not listening", tormenting each other, and acting like monkeys. If kids learn (if anyone learns, really) more

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