Top Ten Tuesday: Mommy and Wifey Reminders

Oh, I had written these as a regular post but it’s pretty perfect for Top Ten Tuesday…

Scott and I spent some time with a new friend tonight.  She’s older and wiser and we talked a lot about parenting and marriage.  Came away with the reminder that the basic stuff still matters and works.  I made a list for myself as a reminder and thought I’d share.

• Be up before or with the kids
• Fix 3 healthy meals
• Give your child your full attention, especially when he/she is asking for it
• Give one-on-one attention to each child
• Don’t send your kids off to an activity at every chance
• Have their playthings organized
• Make them clean up their messes
• Don’t back down when your kids buck your authority
• Don’t let the kids play you and your spouse against each other
• Money doesn’t make a difference whether you are a successful parent

OK, so that’s ten but I haven’t even gotten to the marriage part!

• Don’t emasculate your husband
• Don’t emotionally detach from your husband
• Husbands, lead your family and fight for your wife and kids
• The health of your marriage is a choice, one that both parties make
• Don’t give up

As you can see, a lot of these are quite convicting.  It’s easy to say, oh yeah, of course I do that but I know I fail a lot.  But the little stuff matters.  It really, really matters.  To those mommys and wifeys out there doing even some of these, give yourself a pat on the back!  You’re doing your job well!

Check out more Top Ten Tuesday posts over at ohamanda.com