Three Gifts. That's It.

I've done something radical: I only get my kids three gifts each for Christmas.

No masses of gifts at my house. No outdoing the Joneses. Just three each. And a stocking full of books.

"Why?" my friend (who shall remain nameless) asked me last year (mind you, she got her four-year-old daughter 30 gifts one year!). Well, because three gifts is what Christ got.

In an age where it is almost inappropriate to wish others a 'Merry Christmas', I feel it is very important as a parent to attach significance and tradition to the holidays. Christmas is simply not about my boys getting stuff. I don't want them to grow up thinking that the holiday revolves around them. Charity, peace and love is what I want to teach my boys about Christmas. After all, those are the three greatest gifts of all.

Am I Uncool?

I haven't blogged in a while...I have been stricken with uncool-itis.

I always thought of myself as a hip and groovin' mamma - balancing two fabulous boys and being the publisher of www.thefamilygroove.com whilst prancing around in a Huminska dress (go to the website www.huminska.com - I am modeling them!) and teetering around in Manolos. But something happend on Halloween, the scariest night of the year, that really scared me...

I set of with my boys to go trick-or-treating and before we could get to the first house, Joseph said, "Mom, wait here."

What?

"What do you mean?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Wait here, Mom. Brendan and I are going to do this ourselves." And off they ran to get their loot.

I couldn't believe it...my kids didn't want me to go with them to the house for candy! Sure, I expected they'd say that someday...but not so soon. They didn' t want to be seen with me...does this make me uncool?

Really, that bothered me a lot.

The cool thing that did happen, however, was watching my boys from the curb holding hands and saying 'thank you' without my telling them to do so. They handled their 'independence' beautifully.

Oh, and I got some great pictures, too.

The Fun Bus

My oldest son, Joseph, just started kindergarten. It is all day and he takes the bus to and from school. Every morning, a big yellow bus pulls up and a cheerful woman named Mary Lou greets him as he boards. Each afternoon, she brings him back, still smiling. I often wonder what happens in between the bus rides. Does he share? Eat his banana? Sit still?

Virgil - One Groovy Greek

My life verse: "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle" - Virgil.

I would like to take the time to acknowledge the people who have been kind to me in business:

Jillian, my great partner, friend and inspriation
Deidre, thank you for your wisdom
Lou, yes - you are a 10...but what am I?
Lori Ann, for being 'there'
Lisa, for making me look beautiful
Shawn, for giving me perspective on the mean elephants
Stacey, my wonderful publicist
Jacqui, for your insight
Jeanne, for your friendship


Thank you for your positive energy. I hope we will all enjoy success together.

And thank you, Virgil, for giving me such an inspirational quote.

Prince Charming

My sons have the same nickname: Prince Charming. When I was a little girl, like so many others, I wanted to be a princess when I grew up. Alas, in my 31 years as a princess wannabee, I haven't encountered many Prince Charmings. "But, mom" Joseph, my eldest son protests, "I want to be a policeman when I grow up". "Of course" I reply "But you can be Prince Charming too, no matter what you end up doing with your life."

We, as a society, have become so casual. I have had playdates at my house when I am addressed "Hey, Amy, got any juice?" These kids are FIVE! How are they going to act when they are thirty five? Whatever happened to good old fashioned manners? My children are not on a first name basis with grown-ups and use words like ma'am and sir to less familiar adults. Hats off indoors, no exceptions. Khakis are pressed and socks and belts coordinate. Ok, ok, I even put them in pink oxford shirts and roll the sleeves. "It takes a real man to wear pink" says Joseph proudly.

I hope most of all to raise sons who feel good about themselves and take pride in who they are and how they look. Manners and graciousness never go out of style.

"When I grow up, mom, I am going to arrest people for not saying please and thank you (see previous post)". Atta boy, Prince Charming.

Hey! That Man Didn't Say Thank You!

Groovy: My five-year son, Joseph, is the unofficial polite police. We were in the ice cream store the other day and a very well-dressed gentleman came in by himself and ordered an ice cream cone. He was rather abrupt, paid, and proceeded to walk out the door. "Hey, that man didn't say thank you! Hey, mister, come back and say thank you!" commanded Joseph, pointing at the man. Startled, the man turned to me and said "Your boy is quite rude". I don't think so, pal. In fact, you are officially gauche (see below).

Gauche: The man in the ice cream store...touche!

The World Is Our Oyster

"What is the opposite of groovy, mom?" asked my five year-old son, Joseph. I thought a moment. "Gauche" was my reply. Hence my new classification for just about everything was born. Forget hip and unhip, cool and uncool. Life is now groovy or gauche.

My bi-weekly post will include the grooviest and gauchest things I can think of that happen to me in my gig as a mom/CEO. Let's share, shall we? Tell me your groovy and gauche and we'll shindig-it together. The world is our oyster, baby.

GROOVY: The Family Groove, of course! My partner, Jillian, and I have created the hippest parenting mag on the planet! I used to spend $4 on parenting magazines, breeze through them (because who has time to read magazines from cover to cover?) and then throw them away. We created The Family Groove online because it's free and, as a busy mom, I would often consult the internet for baby advice or to find some great deals on ebay. Why not check out a groovy magazine while you're surfin' in cyberspace?

GAUCHE: The mean elephants in the movie Dumbo. Over the weekend, my mom brought over this Disney classic for my two boys (Joseph 5 and Brendan 3). I didn't remember how cruel those adult pachyderms were to little Dumbo! "Pretend you don't see him" said one of the elephants after Mrs. Jumbo was taken away. Dumbo was just wandering around with tears in his eyes looking for companionship. Alas, Dumbo triumphs in the end but, as a mother, any meanness to little ones is hard to watch.

'Til next time, stay groovy!

The Groovy and the Gauche Adventures of a CEO/Mom Blog begins tomorrow...