The kind of mother I want to be...

That's easy....I want to be like Laura! I just got back from a weekend visiting Laura, Rich, and the kids and I was once again reminded what a wonderful mother my friend is. I almost hate to talk about it because I think I make Laura sound like a Stepford Wife and that couldn't be further from the truth. Laura is just quite simply an amazing mom! On the drive home today I was trying to figure out what makes her so special. A few things immediately came to mind:

1. Laura really likes her kids. That may sound stupid but what I realized is that she doesn't just love her children she likes them, too! I don't mean she thinks she's their buddy I mean she sincerely enjoys spending time with them, she listens intently when they talk, she is respectful of them and their feelings, she is empathetic, and the list goes on and on.

2. Laura knows what is important to her and lives her life accordingly. She is very laid back and doesn't allow stress or outside pressures to rule her family's life. She exudes a kind of peace that I imagine if she could find a way to bottle and sell it would make a fortune. The fact that she is able to do that with three teenage sons is something I imagine a lot of parents would envy. She is definitely a 'don't sweat the small stuff' kind of person. You can walk into some people's home and feel like you are walking into a pressure-cooker...not so here. Over the last 10 years we have spent many weekends visiting and never once have had that "Dear God, please get us out of here" feeling. Their house is such a happy home we always feel a little sad when we leave!

3. Laura and Rich are a great couple. If children learn what they live (and I believe they do) Laura and Rich's kids are learning from a great example. Not only are they patient and kind with their kids they are patient and kind with each other. For example, they say "Please" and "Thank You" to each other and to the kids. They don't take each other or their children for granted. Again, this might seem like a stupid observation but I can't tell you how many times I've heard parents reprimand their children for having poor manners and then notice I don't need to look far to see where the children picked up their bad habits.

4. Laura and Rich have great kids. The boys are happy, fun, warm, sweet, and a joy to be around. They are confident without being cocky. They are polite, engaging, kind, compassionate and loving. Some of you could be thinking I might be a bit bias since I'm their Godmother...but there's no need to be....it's all true!

I could go on ad nauseam about all the wonderful things about Laura. Of course, I'm not surprised that Laura is such a wonderful mother because all the same traits make her my most cherished friend.

I keep bugging Laura to write a parenting book for me before Lily comes home. I don't think it's going to happen....perhaps she will concede to a Vulcan mind meld.