Mom on a Mission

Monday, May 5, 2014

Muffins with Mom -5 signs that you live with a teenager

How does a teen ask his date to the prom...? Very creatively

In case you are not sure whether you are living with a typical teenager, there are sure signs to look for. Before I get to those signs, let me tell you my hypothesis about teens…

Teenagers have similar, identifiable patterns (this is not a real hypothesis, but go with me for a minute). One of those patterns is a teens lack of planning ahead.

One afternoon while I was at work my son texted me with the message, “when can I get a suit, I’m going to prom now.” Prom was nine days away. I asked my son a couple weeks prior to this whether he was going to the prom. His response was, “No, I don’t think I’m gonna go.”

If I was a cartoon character, my head would have popped or I would have had smoke shooting from my ears in frustration. Instead, I ~~started calling~~ had my son call tuxedo stores. We were in luck and found a reasonable tux at the first store we visited.

Six day left until prom and I’m trying to get my son to find out how he’s getting to the prom. The latest thing I hear was that several people were going together. Without sounding overbearing, I tried to slip in a few questions. Who’s house will you meet at? Is someone renting a limo? What time does prom actually start? I needed to talk to someone’s parent.

Back to my hypothesis, here’s support for the hypothesis teens fit certain patterns or 5 signs that you live with a teenager.

1. Teen often, do not plan ahead

2. Some teens text constantly, sometimes even when they’re in the same room with the person they’re texting

3. They like to walk around with earbuds or head phones on; they may not even be listening to anything, but just don’t want you to talk to them at the moment

4. They sign and appear agitated with any question that you ask them

Mom: Did you turn in the form to your teacher that I asked you to?

Son: yeeesss mom

5. You wouldn’t trade them for anyone else’s teen

Have you experienced the craziness and love of a teen?

Friday, May 2, 2014

Fun Friday – Dancing like the stars – 5 Health benefits of dancing

photo credit

Are you looking to get in shape, but tired of the same old exercises? Try dancing. Did you know that dancing has physical and mental benefits? You may not be a contestant on the popular show, Dancing with the Stars, but you can attempt to dance like the stars.

Before I tell you the benefits of dancing, let me tell you about my recent episode.

It was a quiet evening at home, no errands to run, no after school activities for the boy…just relaxing. As I was listening to the radio in my bedroom, a song came on that I was trying to get my son to remember. I ran from the room and yell down the stairs to my son (the fourteen-year-old).

When my son got to my room he said, “oh yeah, I know this song.” He began to sing the words and grabbed my wrists, pulling me backward and forward. Donned in cotton pajamas and a bath robe, I twirled one direction then another.

My choice of casual wear was not nearly as attractive at the stars on T.V. However, it proved to be beneficial with my last twirl. With a gleam in his eye, my son had me twisting backward and forward like a spinning top. Until finally, I landed on the floor in some kind of awkward split. I didn’t sustain any injuries or carpet burns, but it was truly a Kodak moment.

Dancing like the stars with my son did not bring me fame nor fortune, but it brought plenty of laughter. There had to be some kind of health benefit in that. An article from Better Health listed several health benefits to dancing. Here’s a short list:

· Improved condition of your heart and lungs

· Better coordination, agility and flexibility

· Increased aerobic fitness

· Improved mental functioning

· Weight management

Even if you don’t think you are coordinated, dance anyway. You may end up in an awkward looking position, but that’s half the fun.

Now it’s time for a few fun photos related to dancing.