Mary Bockert

The myths of the Stay-at-Home Mommy!

What happened to me?!?

I went shopping at the mall for the first time since I had a child and the sales associate said something that horrified me.
He asked “What do you do for a living?”
Smiling I said “I’m a stay at home mom” I should have said I’m a domestic engineer because that is more accurate.
“Oh. you don’t work then. Your lucky. Sit around the house all day and do nothing. You have a life of leisure and relax all day.”
I was livid! It is baffling the crazy stereotype of the modern day homemaker. It is because of these myths that we get little respect in society. Today I hope to set the record straight and educate the public.

By Mary Bockert, ago

Play with a Purpose

“Momma, what can I have my chef make you from the kitchen?” Annora LOUDLY announces.

“Um, what do you have?” I reply.

“Well, it’s all healthy food. We have salad, oranges, strawberries, chicken noodle soup, oatmeal, and key lime pie,” she firmly states.

“Key lime pie is not a healthy food option.”

She replies with, “Well it has limes in it and limes are healthy.”

This kid…..

It is too often I am so excited for the next stage of her life that I rush her out of her current stage. Academic rigor was the only thing on my mind at the beginning of this school year. As I have seen Annora mature into a “bigger” little girl, I am slightly sad that she is weaning her imaginative side a bit. Now I see her teaching her little sister how to play using her imagination only to leave her sister and do something different, more concrete.

By Mary Bockert, ago

“Sing a Song of Sixpence…”

As a mommy of 2 beautiful girls, the jealousy can get a bit thick in our house. We argue over toys, Daddy’s attention, Mommy’s attention, etc. Sometimes my head spins and I have to dial back as to where this is all coming from. In our house, it boils down to the need for parent approval and attention. Attention can be hard to give to each individual child sometimes (I can’t imagine more than 2 kids right now). So…I sat down one day and scheduled it in…sad I know but you gotta do what you gotta do!

By Mary Bockert, ago

Baking Buddies!

I have to start by saying that I am the WORST baker! I have been known to forget ingredients, make a mess of the kitchen, burn the end result, etc…you name the disaster and I have probably been there done that!

By Mary Bockert, ago

Why I Chose Classical Conversations Homeschooling…

Man is it tough to be informed about all of the educational opportunities out there for your children! Charter, Public, Private, Montessori, Homeschooling, etc. Phew…the list goes on!

As a first time momma to a schoolage child, I must say that I was very confused and uninformed about my options. Thank goodness for my past!!! Having been a former teacher, I knew that the options out there were endless (well…almost), but I also knew it certainly isn’t the “norm” to go against the grain. I did know one thing though, I wasn’t comfortable sending my little one to the public school around the corner that refused to let me observe in the kindergarten classroom (to see if that school was a good fit for my upcoming child).

By Mary Bockert, ago

Fun Fall Activities

Oh the smell of doughnuts and apple cider paired with crisp air, sweaters and light jackets makes my heart want to sing praises! Fall is the time of year where I feel the most comfortable. The holiday season is quickly approaching, department stores have snappy jingles playing and people are typically in a good mood. Decorated houses peak out of the falling leaves and scarecrow faces. October 1st is the day I sit down with my Toledo Parent magazine and plan the month out. It doesn’t take long for the weeks to become consumed with hayrides, play dates to Fleitz Pumpkin Farm, corn mazes and Trunk-Or-Treat events.

By Mary Bockert, ago