For Mother’s Day, we gave several moms the opportunity to share some special things about motherhood, “Whether your kids are all past grade school or whether you’re a brand new mom, we’d love for you to share what your most favorite things are about being a mom. We’d also like to hear what you believe is the worst/hardest part.” We’ve selected a few responses to share with Sure Baby Blog readers:

Favorite things about being a mom:

“The best is hearing Breanna saying “Hi Momma” from her crib as soon as I lift my head off the pillow in the mornings. When BJ and Brittany say, “This is the best day of their lives” every time we have a fun day! When I walk in the door from being gone for a few hours and having Breanna run to me with open arms and scream, “Mommy Mommy!” Seeing all three of my kids playing and laughing together! When Breanna grabs my face between those chubby fingers, brings me close and gives me the best kiss ever! Every time I take off my glasses, seeing Breanna’s little eyes coming at me for a butterfly kiss. When BJ and Brittany come out of nowhere and give me the best hug and “I love you“! The time at night when me and Breanna cuddle and read after the older kids are in bed.”

Least favorite things about being a mom:

“The worst is when BJ or Brittany comes home from school saying kids were mean to them and knowing I can’t do anything about it. When one of my kids is hurt or sick and that feeling of helplessness. Not being able to leave a room without Breanna making some kind of mess! The guilt I feel for even the littlest mistakes. The worst is knowing this will all be over before I know it!”
-Angela Bailey-Harry

Mom to: BJ 8 ½, Brittany 6 ½, Breanna 2

Favorite things about being a mom:

“Best things about being a mother: Waking up in the morning and seeing the most beautiful sight, a sweet smiling baby who loves you more than anyone on Earth. That’s the best way to start your day. Experiencing perfect love. There’s just something about that new baby smell. I wish they made air fresheners like that! Rocking and singing a new baby to sleep. That sweet, blissful silence when my two kids finally go to sleep at night. The funny things kids say sometimes. My 3 year old daughter already acts older than her years. When I’m attempting to coax her into doing something, she’ll turn to me and say, “Mom, you need to chill out.” Buying tiny little shoes. Seeing the best part of yourself reflected in your children. Having someone in your life who is more important than yourself. When your child tells you, just out of the blue, “I love you, Mom.” I love watching my kids playing together. Anaiya is probably the only one that can make Easton laugh so hard!”

Least favorite things about being a mom:

“Worst things about being a mother: Being 10 cm dilated with no epidural… Not being able to protect them from the world. I couldn’t even watch the news or violent movies after I had my daughter. Having children makes you see things in a different light. Nothing brings a family together more during the holidays than a family bout of stomach flu. Discovering that maybe your parents were right, afterall. Being forced to watch SpongeBob on a daily basis. Looking for your telephone, only to find it in the toilet, thanks to a quick and sneaky one-year-old. Whenever it’s quiet in my house, that’s when you know someone is up to something. The other day I realized something had to be going on when I didn’t have the usual circus around my feet in the kitchen. I soon found my son Easton, happily sorting through the kitty litter while my daughter drew a charming picture on my wall! The hardest part about having two kids is when they both need you. Who do you go to first?”
-Jessica Chipman

Mom to: Anaiya 3, Easton 1

Favorite things about being a mom:

“I would have to say the number one high of being a mom is the simple “I love you, Mommy!”. Seeing their faces turn into a huge smile when I get home from work.”

Least favorite things about being a mom:

“By far the worst thing is for sure having to clean up after a sick child! Even when it is my child, it is still hard to stomach.”

-Kristina Brown

Mom to: Brandon 7 ½, Anthony 6 ½, Samuel 20 months

Favorite things about being a mom:

“The best thing about being a mother is knowing that you are somebody’s hero, role model, inspiration. Knowing that your kiss is the only thing that can make a boo boo feel better. You’re the only one who can scare those scary monsters under their bed away. To know that in your child’s eyes your the best, smartest, biggest, strongest person in the world. To know that you’ll be loved unconditionally no matter what.”

Least favorite things about being a mom:

“The worst part about being a mom is when your kids turn 6 and start kindergarten.. they get this ‘I know everything’ attitude. Not always knowing the answers and when you can’t figure them out, you feel somewhat like a failure.”

-Janelle Delibertis

Mom to: Deshane 7, Ethan 2, Trenton 1

A big “thank you” to all the wonderful moms that wrote in. What are your favorite things about motherhood? How about the most difficult? Have a very happy Mother’s Day.

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On TLC’s Jon and Kate Plus 8, super-mom of eight, Kate Gosselin, shared her edible peanut butter play dough recipe with viewers, as part of their family’s Valentines Day activities. What could be better than play dough you can make together with your children and also eat for a treat, especially if your children are at the age where they‘d rather eat their art!
Equal parts:

• Peanut butter
• Honey
• Powdered milk

In addition to those 3 ingredients, Kate threw in a little flour to help with consistency. This will come in handy if your play dough turns out to be not quite firm enough for sculpting into shapes. You can add a little food coloring if your child is set on a specific color dough. You might want to consider covering the play area with wax paper for easier clean-up. After mixing all the ingredients together thoroughly in a bowl and kneading a bit, have the kids wash up (if they haven’t already) and supply them with several cookie cutters. A few raisins, Cheerios, Rice Krispies, or M&Ms wouldn’t be a bad idea either. This will help your kids experiment with different textures, while having fun and getting creative with snack time! Your preschool-age children are sure to enjoy this special activity/snack. Store the play dough in an airtight plastic bag or container in the refrigerator, that is, if there‘s any left!
The Gosselin family includes busy parents: Jon and Kate, twins girls: Cara and Madelyn “Mady” who will turn 8 in October and sextuplets (3 boys and 3 girls): Aaden, Collin, Joel, Hannah, Leah and Alexis who will turn 4 on May 10^th. And I thought MY life was hectic with close to a half-dozen kids! After watching Jon and Kate Plus 8, my sleep deprivation and terrible two challenges don’t seem nearly so bad afterall. Catch new episodes from season three Monday nights on TLC.

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Is it raining outside? Are your kids bored? Gather everyone to the kitchen for a fun activity that will provide a memory for years to come.  Mix together four cups of flour, one cup of salt and 1 ¾ cups of warm water in a bowl. Turn it out on a floured counter and knead for about five minutes.  You can leave this dough plain or add food coloring while kneading.  Roll out a circle that is larger than your child’s hand. Ask your child to press his or her hand into the circle. Your child can write the date or name under the handprint or leave it as it is.

Once the circle is completely dry, decorate with paint, glue and sparkles, feathers or bling.  This is a wonderful present to give on special occasions.  Remember to write your child’s name and the date on the back so you will always remember how small your child once was.

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