A Secret to Success as a Working Mom: Turn Burn Out Into Bliss and Embrace Joy

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Last weekend my youngest was committed to going to the "Water Steps" a man-made water fall in Pittsburgh by the rivers. (Fun Fact: Three rivers converge in Pittsburgh--The Ohio River, The Monongahela River, and the Allegheny River.)  He kept asking. I knew he was serious when he said, "If you won't take me, I'll ask  daddy!" Given that it was highly unlikely that would happen on an unscheduled day, I relented. So, we went. It wasn’t planned in the way most things in my life are. No calendar block. No checklist. No “productive” purpose attached. And, so in some respects it was uncomfortable. And yet, it seemed necessary. It was the idea of my 8-year-old—offered with the kind of urgency only children possess when something is profoundly important to them.
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A Peek Into the Life of a Working Mom: A Christmas Craft Tale from a Mom Who is NOT Crafty

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Some blogs are entirely devoted to crafts. I am in awe of the women who write them because they have a certain Martha Stewart thing going on that I lack. If I devoted my blog to crafting I would only have about two posts. I don’t sew. I don’t knit. And I don’t crochet. I just don’t have the crafting gene! Fortunately, for my daughter, Andre’s aunt is creative and loves to do crafts. Because of her, Andre and his siblings grew up making “candy houses” for Christmas and this year she shared that tradition with our toddler.
 

Toddler enjoying her craft time


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You make candy houses by creating a small house out of cardboard, making a “paste” out of egg whites and confectioner’s sugar, painting the house with the paste and sticking candy on the house. The result is a fun-filled afternoon with smiling children.  What could be better than that?!


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The toddler loved it! She paid attention longer than we expected her too. She was somewhat mesmerized by the colors and the process.  However, she is only two years old. Eventually, she became distracted and more interested in eating the candy than putting it on the house! 

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I love new traditions. And this was a craft that I even I could do. Perhaps there are some other crafts in my future?! Only time will tell. Until then, we are enjoying our candy house!
 

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Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA

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