Mentor Mom Panel:: The Good Stuff

It was that time of year again: Mentor Mom time! Our favorite panel sat before us once again and regaled us with anecdotes and wisdom. How did we get so lucky? They are a delight and show us that it is possible to get to the other side in one piece.

Without further adieu, read on to see some of the best stuff they had to impart.

Favorite part about being a Mentor Mom...

• going to church and seeing all the moms they've met through MOPS. Seeing the moms with their families is so fun!
• hearing everyone's stories
• learn a lot from the moms and it helps in relationship with their own kids and daughters

Relationships/their best tips...

• prayer
• patience
• be interested in his side of the conversation. Ask "what do you think about this?" without giving the answer. 
• kids do, in fact, make things difficult. We're not doing it wrong. So hang tight--it will get better!
• Date nights. Do it. The kids see it and appreciate it.

What would you have done differently when you had young kids?

• Date nights.
• view your husband as your husband, not just daddy. Marriage first.
  
• Understand where your kids are when they're there as they mature. Don't hold them back.
• Don't hold back on making memories in favor of routine. Lean into "out of the ordinary." That's what they'll remember!

On being a good daughter-in-law or having a good in-law relationship:

• think how you would want to be treated.
• Have grace for the challenge of coming into our homes where we do things differently than they (the in-laws) always have. 
• Absolute equality! Give them the same memories, time, inclusion at family events.

Advice you dare not give your kids/would love to say but can't:

• you're living like you're waiting for the maid, but she aint coming.
• limit social media/ technology! Disengaged feeling out in the world. Kids pick up on all of it.

Something learned in MOPS you wish you would have known:

• on being a Praise Junkie mom...they don't hear it after awhile. Praise their actions (i.e. diligence, hard work,etc), not necessarily the outcomes.