I am a normal mom whose pendulum swings between brilliance and a "do over"...most of the time it is in the middle. I suppose this is where my children gain the knowledge that life is fun, home is safe, and they are valued. I have been looking for ways to expand our conversations and be more "in the moment". I stumbled upon this blog while perusing Pinterest. (I know talk about disconnect!....I assure you it was for a greater good.) I encourage you to take a look at the questions and use them to discover a bit more about your family.

http://www.ahaparenting.com/parenting-tools/communication/family-discussions

I also came across these....
Twenty Questions to ask your kids:
1. What do you like to dream about?
2. What is your best memory this school year?
3. Who is your hero? Why?
4. How would you describe your family?
5. If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?
6. What are you most proud of yourself for?
7. Who is the kindest person you know? Why?
8. What do you like most about your best friend?
9. What is one thing you would like to learn to do well?
10. If you were an animal what one would you be and why?
11. When is the last time someome hurt your feelings? How did you react?
12. Do you know someone who is going though a hard time? How can you help them?
13. What is the scariest thing that happened this year?
14. If you could keep only one thing, out of everything you have, what would it be?
15. Who do you think is really successful? Why?
16. What’s the best thing about your teacher this year?
17. When do you feel misunderstood by grown-ups?
18. What three words best describe you?
19. What’s something that makes you angry?
20. What’s the best compliment you ever received?

I am going to start asking the questions and recording them in a book. I started a journal for the kids when Gman was born. ....I have been neglecting this for some time. This will be a nice way to get an insight as we grow. Today, I am looking for the softer side of our Chaos. I hope this helps to see a bit of a different side in your chaos also.

I am in an identity crisis; Not in the mental way but in the mommy way. I am in a space of change. I have graduated college and my cuties will all be in school this Fall. So, do I continue to be Mom at home or do I switch gears and be a part time working Mom? I will still have Camp Chaos in the afternoons but what to do in the morning after everyone is in school? Do I substitute three days a week? Do I find a job Mon-Fri 8:30-2? See, this is the crisis. I need to bring in more money for the bottom line and the process of how to do that has become foreign to me in the past 6 years.

I like the prospect of working outside the home. It is something just for me, much like school. I would not like to invite the stress back into my life. I know mothers do this everyday. It is not that big of a deal....in theory.

I would like as much input on how this has worked in your lives. I would like to keep the Chaos at a minimum but understand it may take time to right itself. Tell me how this worked for you.