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home / Blog / family life / lunchbox love notes / notes for mom (or dad) — because we ALL need them

notes for mom (or dad) — because we ALL need them

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November 7, 2012 by Teach Mama 9 Comments

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Ever have one of those days when you need a serious pat on the back? A hug? A gold star?

Ever wish that at the end of the day that you’d get a high-five from anyone for being a half-decent parent?

notes for mom (or dad) -- because we ALL need them

Ever feel like you climbed Mt. Everest because you didn’t want to yell scream or cry when the third bowl of cereal tumbled to the ground before 9am?

Ever feel like a superstar because you singlehandedly squelched a tantrum before it began because YES!! you justsohappened to have an extra pacifier inĀ  your diaper bag, pack of stickers in your purse, or a granola bar in the glove compartment?

Ever just need someone–anyone–to tell you ‘thanks’?

Me too.

So this round of lunchbox love notes aren’t for the lunchboxes.

They’re for the dashboard, the stroller, the bathroom mirror.Ā  Wherever we need ’em.

Here’s the skinny. . .

Notes for Mom (or Dad)–Because We ALL Need ‘Em:

notes for mom (or dad)

Dashboard’s dirty and dusty; note is barely hanging on–but I’ll take it.

And because it’s time.

I’ve kept a ‘Good Job’ note from waaaaay back when on the dashboard of my van for years.Ā  Years.

And before that, a cheap-o doctor’s office sticker stayed on the inside compartment of my double stroller and reminded me ‘You Can Do It!”– whether I was pregnant and hoofin’ it up a hill or trying to keep my tired self sane and smiling.

 

notes for mom (or dad)

Because some days, I need a reminder.

notes for mom (or dad)

I love this girl–Maddy’s best, most beautiful girl–on this note. Because we both got it.

Some days, we need help.Ā  And some days, we need reminders that we’re doing our best, even if our best feels small and insignificantĀ and totally not what we wish it were.

And some days, it doesn’t matter if it’s a cheesy, ugly sticker. Or a ripped and torn post-it note.

Some days, we just need a lift.

So I whipped up some notes for mom (or dad–or anyone!) because we ALL need them.Ā  I know I need them mostly every day of the year.

Throw your email in the box below, and the notes will magically end up in your inbox. YAY!

I’ve printed, cut, and hid these little notes around–some for the kids to see–and some just for me.Ā  I think it’s good for Maddy, Owen, and Cora to see me struggling some days, to see me taking deep breaths to calm down or to talk myself down from a total freakout: You know what? I’m totally losing patience, so I’m heading upstairs for a 5 minute break. I’ll be back when I feel a little more relaxed.

I think it’s good for them to hear me giving myself a positive self-talk–not necessarily as clean or cheesy as our old Stuart Smalley from SNL but more like the subtle reminders that we are doing our best, that we rock, and that we can do this.Ā  Sometimes, I just belt out, Mama said there’d be days like this–there’d be days like this–my mama said. . .

Though lately my struggles are moving from less physical—no more diaper changes, no more strollers or sweaty Baby Bjorns—they’re more emotional.Ā  And sometimes it feels like the emotional stresses of child-rearing are more exhausting than I could have imagined.

notes for mom (or dad)

We all need a little push some days.Ā  Or a smile. Or a nod. Or a reminder that this sometimes difficult and challenging time is fleeting. Or that breathing really helps.Ā  Or that we are superstars and our kids love us even if we feel like there’s no way they could.

What do you do to remind yourself to breathe during difficult times, to stop and appreciate all that you have or that you really can make it through tough days? Let me know in the comments!

Check out a few other posts that may help you develop strong and healthy habits for your family:

  • wait time
  • my day, your day
  • frozen peas
  • kids who rock the kitchen
  • kids who rock the laundry
  • rest time
  • gem jars
  • arm circles
  • noticing kids
  • homework routine

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are ā€œaffiliate links.ā€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: ā€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.ā€ Ā For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.Ā 

Check out a few other posts that may help you develop strong and healthy habits for your family:

  • wait time
  • my day, your day
  • frozen peas
  • kids who rock the kitchen
  • kids who rock the laundry
  • rest time
  • gem jars
  • arm circles
  • noticing kids
  • homework routine

 

fyi: Some of the links in the post above are ā€œaffiliate links.ā€ This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Forever and always I recommend only products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: ā€œGuides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.ā€ Ā For more information, please see teachmama media, llc. disclosure policy.Ā 

About the Author

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom. I also have a master's in psychology, specializing in children's issues. Read More…

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Comments

  1. Erin says

    November 7, 2012 at 11:37 pm

    Thanks for posting, I NEEDED this today!

    Reply
    • amy says

      November 8, 2012 at 12:10 pm

      you are SO welcome. . . hope it helped! xo

      Reply
  2. PragmaticMom says

    November 8, 2012 at 4:42 pm

    What a lovely idea. YES! I could use a little pick me up note on a daily basis please!

    Reply
    • amy says

      November 8, 2012 at 8:19 pm

      yay–so I”m NOT alone!! šŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Michelle Breum says

    November 9, 2012 at 11:07 am

    I printed these. Thank you. I stopped by to check on your latest post. I wasn’t expecting it to be exactly what I needed today. I was a little hard on my eleven year old yesterday trying to explain to him how to be more responsible. Sometimes I think he’s an eleven year old with a two year old living inside who takes over the controls every now and then. Yikes. He knows I love him and want the best for him. I wish parenthood came with an instruction manual. (I think the two year old took over my controls too. I threw a little mommy tantrum. Not pretty.) Next time I’ll take a few breaths.
    Thanks so much for this post. Hope you and your family are doing great and have a wonderful Thanksgiving. It’s coming up fast.

    Reply

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Welcome to Teach Mama!

Patricia Moore profile image

Hi, I’m Patricia, an elementary teacher and reading specialist, turned homeschool mom.

After our three kids graduated high school, I went back to school to become a marriage and family therapist who has specialized in children’s issues.

I love helping families find all the fun and deep learning possible for their children.

I’m so glad you’re here on Teach Mama and I look forward to helping you on your journey!

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