MamaBlogger365 - The Daily Tattle Battle by Kate Fineske

News Flash!

We are interrupting your regularly scheduled programming to bring you breaking news!

Reporting to you LIVE from the top of the stairs is… my middle child – here to tell you all about …

How-his-big-sister-just-kicked-him-out-of-her-room-in-the-middle-of-afternoon-reading-time.
AND
How-it-wasn't-fair …
AND
How-she-is-being-SO-mean…
AND
How-it's-"JUST-NOT-FAIR-mom! She-WON'T-let-me-into-her-room!"

Or, whatever else my middle child might have said… because, if I've heard it once, I've heard it a thousand times - the big "headline" story, straight from the tattler's mouth.

Click here to read more!

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This post has been contributed on behalf of The National Association of Mothers Centers, whose mission is to create a community of women, who through mutual support and public advocacy, explore, enrich and value the maternal experience.

The post author, Kate Fineske, currently is a staff member with the National Association of Mothers' Centers where she maintains and provides the content to the Mothers Central Blog - the Parenting Blog of the NAMC. She is also responsible for helping the NAMC work to build stronger connections and support with the local Mothers’ Center Chapters nationally.

Kate is a longtime member of the National Association of Mothers' Centers through her local chapter of the Mothers' Center of Greater Toledo in Ohio. She and her husband are busy raising 3 children ages 1-8. Kate's professional background is as a graphic designer in the creative and education industry. Since 2005, she has been using her professional skills by actively volunteering with the Mothers' Center of Greater Toledo in various leadership positions. She also blogs personally at http://www.onthegomomma.net.

You can connect with Kate via Twitter (@katefineske) and/or also connect with the NAMC via twitter (@MothersCenters) or Facebook.

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

MamaBlogger365: "Scientific Studies" in Effective Communication (or lack-thereof) by Kate Fineske

Ladies and gentlemen...
The Captain is speaking!

Except that he's not…

You never realize how important communication is,
until you can't communicate with someone.

And my youngest (although he understands every word that I say to him) is not quite able to communicate verbally yet.

Physically he communicates: He smiles at appropriate times, he laughs when he finds something is funny, and he has many effective gestures that help such as:

• All done! = Arms go up (or if he's in a foul mood the sippy cup gets thrown)
• I want that! = Points to what he wants, along with tapping me on the leg
• I'm mad! = Just a look (every mom knows that look!) followed by a very loud screech

Except, the bottom line is: Although my son can often effectively physically communicate, he hasn't quite started consistently verbalizing. And it reminds me over and over (and over!) how important effective communication is.

Because I can FEEL his communication frustrations.

No! That's not what I meant!

When you can't communicate properly it is FRUSTRATING both for the child and the parent!

And on the flip side, often I find that - like my youngest son - I have my own communication issues.

When it comes to my personal communication as a mom with my own friends and family - I've often found that I lack a good, solid communication technique.

I've discovered many scientific theories and hypotheses as to why I have problems appropriately communicating as a mother and adult...

Click here to read more!

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365 - A Fan Letter to My Children by Kate Fineske

I want you to know, I AM your biggest fan.

Without fail.

It may not always seem this way. But I promise you I am.

Sometimes it's obvious.

For example... when I'm jumping up and down at your soccer game screaming, "YES!-You've-got-it!-That's-it!-You're-almost-THERE!"

Or when I'm shouting "go-Go-GO!" at the edge of the pool during a swim meet (even though it is evident you can't hear me as you quickly glide, OR slowly struggle - it doesn't matter! - across the water.)

Occasionally, you might feel my stalker-ish-like obsession as I am s-l-o-w-l-y sneaking by your classroom door at school. (So I can be sure to proudly catch a glimpse of you in action and maybe get a chance to throw out a subtle wave hello!)

I assure you, it's true! I AM most definitely and without fail, your biggest fan.

Click here to read more!

Our Year-End Giving Campaign is going on NOW! The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!

Visit the Museum of Motherhood NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365 - The Unique Qualifications of Motherhood by Kate Fineske

WANTED. A caring, flexible and compassionate team player willing to work in a sometimes chaotic and always changing environment. Ideal candidate would be able to work variable hours including (but not limited to) evening, weekends and early morning shifts. All applicants must have a good sense of humor and be familiar with basic first aid. Extensive (and often exhausting) on-the-job training provided.

The Ideal Parenting Job Candidate

When my husband and I decided to start our family, I was ready. I wanted so badly to land the job of mom. I knew, if I was able to secure this job, that I would be the ideal candidate…

To Whom it May Concern:

I am currently seeking a position in motherhood. I am a hands-on, results-oriented person whose strengths lie in my exceptional ability to be both creative and organized.

Attached you will find my resume detailing the specifics of my experiences and accomplishments that should qualify me for the job.

Sincerely,
Kate

WAIT.

Experiences? Accomplishments? Qualifications?

Click here to read more! 

Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our autumn POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.



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Photo credit: jeltovski|MorgueFile

MamaBlogger365 - Before you Judge a Mom, Walk a Mile in her Shoes by Kate Fineske

So, I had a "mothering epiphany" the other day... bear with me as I explain.

That Feeling

Do you know that feeling that you get when (let's say) you finally have all your kids inside your van at the parking lot of the mall, you are about to leave for home and you suddenly think, "Where's my purse?!"

You know, the same purse that has more than $100 cash in it, your photo I.D. and ALL of your credit cards???

For an instant (that feels like a lifetime) you can't move from the panic. Next, you start frantically checking everything in eyesight that could possibly be hiding the purse. And then...

Click here to read more...

This post has been contributed on behalf of The National Association of Mothers Centers, whose mission is to create a community of women, who through mutual support and public advocacy, explore, enrich and value the maternal experience. Click here to read more...

Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our September POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.

Make history with M.O.M.
Join us for our Gala Opening event, Sept. 16th