Mom's Time Out by Gayle Wright, mom of two

I love my morning coffee. Sweet and creamy with a dollop of whipped cream. I can’t wait for my morning treat! The kitchen comes alive with the sputtering machine and the smell of fresh brew. It relaxes me just thinking about it. 

"It’s not easy juggling
all the things a mom
does in one day."

But actually, it’s more than the coffee I look forward to. It’s that precious time I have carved out for myself each day before the non-stop action begins. It is my time to be still; time to breathe a few deep breaths, read and pray. And it gives me a chance to run through the day ahead of me: my pre-work chores, errands to the bank, to fill up the car, to pick up snacks for the kids’ lacrosse practice.


Strategizing to cover all the bases, I lay out my plans and concerns for the day before my heavenly father. It’s not easy juggling all the things a mom does in one day, but it helps to know I’m not in it alone. My morning coffee time helps set the tone for my day, equips me to better meet the challenges ahead. Challenges like … running late for carpool! Oops, gotta go!

Dear God, oh how glad I am that you care about my daily work! Infuse me with your energy and your sense of priority, so I might go about my day well. Amen. 

Kids Eat Free by Clair Boone, mom of two

Eating out was a treat that my husband and I enjoyed before we had kids. When our first baby was born, we figured he was portable and we’d just bring him along. Easy right?
Visions of him sitting and just people watching as hubby and I gazed into each other’s eyes quickly evaporated after about 30 minutes of him trying to climb out of his high chair. He’d knock the silverware on the floor and giggle as we picked it up only for him to repeat his new trick. He plowed through the bread we hoped would keep him busy for an hour and then he started yelling for more. It was then that we realized we’d forgotten his bib so we wrapped a napkin around his neck – and he decided to start eating it!
 

"We’ve decided that meals out
aren’t as fun in reality
as they are in our heads."

Once our meal came, we hurriedly ate and left the restaurant, heads hanging in shame as Isaac screamed his way out of there. Not my favorite memory. But I’ve had a chance to learn from other moms and develop a few tricks of my own since then.

We’ve decided that meals out aren’t as fun in reality as they are in our heads, so we work hard to make regular date nights a priority. And when we do bring the kids along, we opt for places that offer kid-friendly snacks that help keep him busy (think peanuts with the shell on). Finally, if all else fails, we’re not above bringing the DVD player! Not exactly our former idea of dinner and a movie, but hey, whatever works.

Dear Lord, thank for my “mentor” moms. Thank you for placing them in my life and allowing me to glean their wisdom. Amen.

For more creative tips and a list of where kids eat free, visit Clair’s blog: http://mummydeals.org/where-kids-eat-free/.