I’m not a very fun mom.
I mean, I’m really cool and I’m nice and I do fun things for my kids. I fix fun food and I make up fun games and I make school fun. But, I’m not very easily convinced to do fun things with my kids (unless it involves sitting and watching them have fun).
I’m just not big on running 90 miles an hour to chase one of them so that I can tackle him onto the ground during a family game of football. (I have four boys, for goodness sake. I know my limits.)
I’m the mom who, while washing up the dinner dishes, will occasionally poke her head out of the kitchen to smile and chuckle as Daddy (aka Tickle Monster) chases the four shreeking boys all over the house. Then, after they’re all tickled out, I’ll call, “Who wants Mama’s hot cocoa?” And they all come running and cheering. (see, that’s how I’m fun.)
So, imagine my children’s surprise one morning recently when we were in the living room doing a Geography lesson, and a jump rope was laying on the ground and one of my littler boys (who is too little for Geography) was trying to make the silly thing work. And (without thinking), I take the jump rope and say, “Here’s how ya do it.” And then, right there in the living room at 10:43 in the morning, I start jumping rope.
My hair was flipping up and around, my sweater was getting contorted, and yet I jumped on, for a good, oh I don’t know, 40 seconds. I worked up a sweat and everything.
And it was SO FUN! (by the way, we have very high ceilings.)
I’m pretty sure my kids were speechless, for a good, oh I don’t know, 45 seconds (including my jump time).
Then, they all started cheering and saying things like, “Do it again, Mom!” In which I replied, “Oh well, here, why don’t you try now?” (I’m not trying to brag, but I was better than any of them, not that it matters or anything.)
So anyway, my point today is to get out there and do something fun with your kids, just because: why not?!
*Play a game of hide and seek, then reach out and grab them when they find you (in their toybox).
*Randomly break out into song in the car, singing your very best opera voice. (they’ll love it)
*When getting out of the car, shout, “Last one to the house has to do the lunch dishes!” Then make a mad dash (with your groceries and toddler on your hip) to the door. Don’t worry, you’ll get a head start because they’ll be too stunned to move for a couple of seconds.
*Or, just make some “really fun” hot cocoa and call ’em in, cause you’re probably worn out from just reading this.
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Heidi says
I’m not sure if I’m a fun mom or not. But I can imagine that skipping rope indoors would be surprising and fun to about any kids!
carrie says
Laura,
Thanks for visiting my blog. What a fun post–great ideas!
JoAnn says
I did that once. My daughter was having trouble trying to figure out how to jump rope. My bad knee was having a good day so I picked it up and took it to the kitchen and started jumping. I got to 100 before I quit…I just couldn’t breathe any longer! The kids were impressed! I’m trying to lose weight now (I’m down 18 of about 60) so that I can play more. I’m joining my 6 year old in taekwondo lessons (starting today he’s been doing it for about a month) and boy is he excited. The kids like it when mom plays too.
Brandi says
I loved reading this!! I can so relate to what you wrote about being a fun mom. Daddy is the one who wrestles and plays hide and seek, and I am the one who home schools, cooks, cleans and makes the occasional hot cocoa!! Every once in a while I get a little crazy, though. Good to hear a reminder.
Christy says
That is great! I am very similar…in the warm months, I finish up the supper dishes while my husband and children run outside and play various ‘contact’ sports! In fact, my daughter was just asking me this morning if we got a volleyball net if we could start playing together…I looked at her, I’m sure, like she was crazy…that sport has always scared me…I just don’t like the thought of a ball flying right at my face and I have to stop it before it does…not just stop it really, I have to get it back over the net, without hitting someone else in the face too. Last summer, I also re-discovered jumproping…I SOOO impresed my children!! Isn’t that a wonderful feeling???!!!!
Christy says
oops, sorry…I think I entered my website wrong. Have a blessed day!!
Mary~4boys4me says
Wow, you ARE a fun mom! Glad you mentioned the high ceilings b/c I was wondering. LOL :)