I wouldn’t trade those years for anything in this world. I only wish I’d had the chance to stay home longer and would quit work today if it were possible!!

Cake in the morning was a regular treat. Afternoons out or evenings away were pretty frequent. Date night with Dad was also an important piece of the sanity puzzle.

Keep up the good work to everyone. Staying home doesn’t automatically make you a good mom, but neither does working outside the home. It’s all in the love you give them.

And none of us will know if we’ve been successful until the runny-nosed, chapped-lips toddlers turn into productive adults.

Finally — remember that there comes a time in your child’s life (late teens) when he or she will make choices that are not what you’d support. Those choices do NOT reflect on your parenting. They reflect on your child’s individuality. Period.

Keep up the good work.

I’D TAKE YEARS OFF MY LIFE TO GO BACK AND ENJOY BEING A MOTHER NOW!!!! Nose to the grindstone sucked for all of us. I was so busy being a good mom, that I totally lost myself. I’m almost 3 years out of being an empty nester (and 48 yrs old) and still don’t know shit about myself.

So, read and write those blogs girl and do whatever you have to do to enjoy being a mother. Your kids will love you for it when they are grown, and better yet, you will love yourself.

Me included.

Thanks for sharing, it made me feel oodles better about being the crappy work from home mom that’s, you know, working instead of being on the floor playing learning games and doing crafts.

Or something like that.

And that wine??? I hear ya. Somehow, SOMEHOW I haven’t had any in a week! (or any other alcohol) shocking. Oh that’s right. I QUIT! gasp. I’m jealous.

My two daughters just got carrots out of the fridge. Now the 1 year old is giving me a toothy grin and sucking it. ooooh. she says.

I should stop reading blogs.

Close the door kids!

I’m off to clean up the carrot I KNOW will be spit out onto the couch.

We love you Queen. er, I mean Erin.

(I didn’t SAY close the door b/c only the baby is listening. -The other two are watching PBS kids. -I have to get off my ass and go do it. )

All I need is as speaking gig in your area and I can be on a plane to see you in the next few months.

Or just call me. You can do that anytime you want. Or email me. I can do mommy guilt absolution that way too. We’ll just have to coordinate when we hit the wine shop and what we buy on either coast. K?

Wait. Maybe I was dreaming that. Can I have a glass of that wine you’re cracking?

We should have an internet Thanksgiving.

Do I need to remind you that there is no parenting manual? I’m going to hazard a guess that your children feel loved. I think that is the only requirement. Good on ya mama. Keep on!

HHMMM son sniffing fingers? Are you sure there isn’t a copy of Molly Shannon’s Superstar DVD floating around your house? He may be impersonating Mary Katherine Gallagher.