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Thursday, July 23, 2009

Tools of a Semi-Mannerly Mom

Hello to you all! I am a friend of the famous Semi-Slacker Mom and was Bo’s Milk and Macaroni Manners teacher. Yep, I taught manners to a group of 4, 5 and 6 year olds. I am living proof that it can be done.

Inspired by the Semi-Slacker’s blog this week titled “Oh goodie” (ya know the one – it oozed of that familiar panic we all have as the first day of school looms on the horizon), I want to share some tools I have come to live by. These are tools of the trade that only moms-on-the-go could appreciate. Collectively, they will keep you out of trouble with the most Type-A teacher, impress your husband beyond his recognition of you and scare your kids to death.

1. The car bag. Ode to my first car bag because it made my husband love me again! There are 2 key points here: 1)get a bag that will stand on its own because it is unacceptable for the contents to roll around in the floorboard. The Lands’ End Canvas Tote is the best, hands down. Their website is www.landsend.com and they start at $14. 2)you determine the contents of this bag because you are the sole owner – no husbands or kids allowed. The bag is used for carrying things to and from your car (mail, random shoe you finally found under the car seat, trash, etc.) and to hold things you seem to always need (crayons and paper for entertainment purposes, extra makeup, hairbrush, stamps, paper and pens for only you, small snack to hold the kiddos through the last errand, and anything else that can make your life easier).

3. The momAgenda. Essentially, this is a calendar to keep up with your appointments, lists, etc. The thing that makes this perfect for us moms is that it contains 16 months! It begins with August of the current year and ends with January of the following year. Yep, an entire school year plus the next Christmas in one book. AND, each week shows kid's appointments separately from your own yet still on the same page. I would love to meet the mastermind behind this treasure! Call Two Friends at 478-987-0751 for yours – they take credit cards over the phone and will ship anywhere.

3. A cellphone that receives your email. OK, just hear me out on this one. Nearly all school communications to include classroom announcements come via email. And, honestly, that is better than finding a sheet of paper in the bottom of your child’s backpack asking for contributions for the teacher’s birthday – 2 days ago. Just imagine the enlightenment should you actually receive a message in a timely manner. No more checking your email in the twilight hours only to discover you are supposed to deliver whatever your child volunteered you for by 8:00 the next morning.

There is a lot I don’t know. But I do know that I would be in big trouble without these things to keep me sort of, kinda, semi-mannerly.

Written by Kate Lewis. www.katetlewis.blogspot.com

7 comments:

KK said...

Great tips!

Prissy Southern Prep said...

Those are great tips. I love the "car bag" concept. I SO agree with number 3. I can't imagine life without my blackberry!!

Prissy Southern Prep said...

Those are great tips. I love the "car bag" concept. I SO agree with number 3. I can't imagine life without my blackberry!!

Mom of Three said...

I love the cell phone tip... My kids are not school age yet, but when they are it will be my ultimate excuse for finally getting either an iphone or blackberry!

Domestic Diva said...

Love this post!!! Thank you!!
xxx me

Kathy B! said...

Wonderful tips!! I wish I'd have read this a loong time ago and saved myself some trouble!

Pinot after Playdates said...

we have a "car bag" it's actually a reisenthel picnic basket that goes from the car to under our desk and back again. Everything is contained and both the car and the desk are clutter free. It's also great for taking dinner to friends houses...LOVE the mom agenda...INDISPENSIBLE!!!

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