Your guide to activities and fun things to do with your preschoolers, toddlers and kids in Cleveland, OH

I have very little time to read a book these days . . . and when I say very little, I mean that every time I make the conscious effort to read before bed, I just fall asleep within 30 seconds of opening the book.

I really do admire moms that can make the time to read. To stay off of the computer, not turn the TV on and get those kids into bed.

I've long been a fan of the book Even June Cleaver Would Forget the Juice Box, by Dr. Anne Dunnewold.

Parents, let me tell you - this is a must-read. This is a "lock the bathroom door, mommy's busy right now" kind of book. This is a "Honey, will you look after the kids while I take a quick bath (then secretly pour in the bubbles and tear into this book) kind of book.


I took the book on vacation with us. I really didn't think that I'd stick with it, or be able to finish it (after all, vacations aren't ever really for the moms- with little ones on vacation, who has time to read?). Not only did I finish it, but I started back through it a second time.

Dr. Dunnewold explores and explains the parenting trap we all often fall into . . . doing it all ... giving our kids the world . . . keeping up with so-and-so's mommy. . . being everything for our husbands and our kids . . .

I think that a majority of mommas might agree that there is pressure on us to throw the best birthday party (never mind that your little princess is only turning 2) . . . and huge guilt if you don't remember that it's Family Day at work and you were supposed to prepare a crockpot meal for your husband's co-workers.

Then there's the school-related drama and trauma - PTO signup, field trip help, being a room mother, counting out the right number of valentines . . . being the "fun" mom with your pre-teen children . . . the list goes on and on and is rather tiring and exhausting.

(I think that if you disagree that there is this pressure/guilt, you either have a fantastic handle on life and motherhood (kudos to you!) or you need to read this book!)

My mother often recounts her era of motherhood (and so does my grandmother) as being much more difficult than I "have it." After all, they never had 2 cars . . . or tvs in every room . . . or microwaves for bottles . . . and goodness - never did they ever consider having a babysitter come into the house to provide assistance or just some time off for mom.

Dr. Dunnewold makes some very valid and fantastic points about never apologizing for figuring out what works for you and your household. For once you've figured out what works, then harmony is restored. I'm slowly learning to not discount my mothering abilities simply based on what my mother/grandmother accomplished during their years of taking on this huge job.

I've promised myself to try my hardest to remind myself minute by minute (or how ever often it takes) that no one else could POSSIBLY parent these children as well as I can.

One of the things that resonated the most with me was the importance of having female friends with whom you can just be honest and straightforward. Friends that you can say "I don't like my kids today" .. . or women that you can shoot off "I want to find the nearest bridge" without being judged.

Dr. Dunnewold speaks often of the importance, and almost necessity, of having that camaraderie whereby you can be truthful about the woes of parenting, and gain respect and support when aspiring to be a "perfectly good mommy" instead of a perfect mom.

I could go on and on . . . but I'll close for now. It's time for me to go take a long hot shower and decompress. After all, I was a perfectly good mommy today . . .

If you hear me repeating this phrase over and over, "I'm a perfectly good momma", don't be alarmed. I haven't lost my marbles . . . I've only found my sanity and balance.

Go get the book . . . and make time to read it . .. you'll be glad you did!