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Dear mom, how’s that parenting gig workin’ out for ya?  Everything going according to plan?  No?

Funny how that works…

I’m teaching my daughters to sew this summer.

It is kicking our collective butts.

However, we are spending lots of qt together (experiencing a series of unfortunate events resulting in several do-overs).

Good thing it’s summer and we have lots of time for that.

By the way, how are you bonding with your kids this season?  Be thinking about it–the season will be gone before you know it!  Don’t miss the summer of ’16!

Anyhoo.

The following presents a description of our sewing 101 process.  Prepare to be amazed alarmed.

Step-by-step humorous sewing lessons:

1.)  Pick pattern, pore over lovely fabrics, select material for both daughters

*This post contains affiliate links.  Should you choose to purchase certain advertised items, I will receive a small compensation for said purchases.

2.)  Cut out corresponding patterns–one “A”, and one “E”

3.)  Cut material, marking all circles, triangles, arrows, and other quasi-Egyptian hieroglyphic-like symbols

 4.)  Return to fabric store for another yard of fabric for daughter #1 due to cutting on fold (not pictured)

5.)  Return to fabric store for another yard of fabric for daughter #2 due to cutting front hem 5 inches too short

6.)  Approach actual sewing machine (Day 4)

7.)  Stitch neckline (only her second attempt at the machine–great job!)

8.)  Introduce seam ripper due to pocket being accidentally sewn shut

And that’s all we’ve accomplished so far.

Speaking of humorous mishaps, this presents “sew” much material relating to the world of parenting.

BA-DUMP-PUMP.

Step-by-step humorous parenting lessons:

1.)  Plan for baby.  Ooh and ahh over tiny pink clothes, strollers, and baby gear.  Welcome general euphoria regarding parental ambitions over impending arrival of said cherub.

2.)  Baby arrives.  Undergo sporadic sleep, seek to find some semblance of pattern.  Fret over crying sources (gas, hunger, gas, sleep, gas, gas, and gas).  Purchase gas drops just in case.

{NOTE: Whether gas drops actually help, or pharmacies just make a mint on bottled water–yet to be determined.  Parents have been asking this question for years.}

3.)  If there are siblings, thinking for two (or more) becomes a stretch.  Pattern “A” does not equal Pattern “E”.  Seek regrouping techniques and discipline accordingly.

4.)  Begin to question logic of starting a family.

5.)  Seek to survive “hazy days” of little sleep and littler food.  

6.)  Emerge from “hazy days”, envisioning moving forward with the little people

7.)  Discover that even with Pattern “A” and Pattern “B”, many variations exist; seek counsel and commit to long haul.

If any of this sounds familiar at all, welcome to parenthood.  The fruit of your labor may not “materialize” until much later, but stop to admire your work along the way (and possibly rip out a stray seam or two).

Oh, and one last thing:

8.)  Take time for giggles every day–your charges will have you in stitches, making the allowance worth the effort.

Capture the joy, dear mom!

*Got time for a quick survey?  Answer this ONE quick question, “What’s your greatest mommy need?” (Click link to answer!)

Featured post from last week’s Link up!

*NOTE:  Be sure to click the link to read the rest of this sweet post!

Belinda from LiveLiveWithYourKids.com is a seasoned mom such as myself and has MUCH wisdom to offer!  This blog post is quite possibly my favorite yet of hers, because it hits home with me on so many levels.  It’s so easy to place our own expectations on our kids in the talent arena, yet we must study them in various settings in order to discover their own passions!

 “Parents can get frustrated that their child isn’t passionate about anything and they see this as apathy or laziness. But that may not be the case – maybe your child is one who has a broad base of interests.  Once again this is a heart adjustment for parents – it isn’t about our child being a master of his chosen area – but rather that he can grow to be fulfilled and purposeful.  We have a disdain for the ordinary life – and yet the ordinary, everyday life is where God meets us, and where God calls us to meet with others.  This is our life.”

To read more of this amazingly wise post and learn how to help your child develop his or her talents, click here!

Welcome to Tuesday Talk!

I co-host with these wonderful ladies

each Tuesday at 8:00 AM EST!

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