Since graduation I've turned into a part-time mother substitute (as much as that is possible). I watched my two neices and nephew for 3 days, then my other 2 neices for 12 days, and now I'm watching Ryan's cousin's 4 kids for 6 days. I have learned so much from this experience, here are a few things to name a few:
No one can replace your own mom.
No one can do things the way your mom does it.
It's ok to sit down and watch a movie, at least for the mom's sake.
Sweeping the floor for the 7th time that day isn't necessarily a bad thing.
When you finally get to sleep, take adavantage of every moment because the kids will be super-charged by morning, and they won't ever stop.
Don't breathe when changing diapers.
Become an expert in multi-tasking, and doing things one handed, because there always seems to be something in one hand (a child, a bottle, the broom, a backpack, lunch, you get the point).
Find a good book or some kind of hobby that you can enjoy doing when they finally go down for a nap.
Drive in the car, go on walks, the kids are strapped in and you don't have to chase them :)
Give kids options, they like to choose and not to be told what to do.
Everyone needs to be loved.
And the biggest thing I learned is that being a mom is tough work! So to all of you mothers, I don't know how you do it, but you don't get enough credit, you're all so absolutely amazing!
