Motherhood 101

One of the challenges I find with being a wife and mom is that it's sometimes hard to know if I'm doing a good job. I think it would be really great if someone could give me a grade at the end of each day so I could see where I am and where I need to improve. Yes, I am one of those people with a need to be evaluated (maybe I should have a professional do that?).

So, I've come up with a syllabus and a grading system to objectively measure myself.

Motherhood 101 (Starting Dec 2006-Forever)

Course Requirements:

There are no course requirements. Unless you want to adopt. Then your entire life must be thoroughly scrutinized to be found "fit".

Course Objectives:

1. To raise happy, healthy children who will have a positive impact on society.
2. To make sure my children always know I love them.
3. To keep the house orderly while children are being raised.
4. To make my husband a priority and work to strengthen our relationship.
5. To make and preserve memories for the family to look back on later.
6. To keep closets, pantries, and the refrigerator stocked at all times.

Required Text:

None. You're on your own. Unless you want to refer to the optional resources.

Optional Resources:

Other moms, grandparents, pediatricians. Or the thousands of books written on the subject. Pick a few, and good luck.

Evaluation/Grading:

1. At the end of each day, I will be evaluated based on the following requirements made to help meet the course objectives:

Did I give my children every opportunity to be happy? Was I happy?

Did I feed my them nutritious meals and snacks?

Did I help them get enough sleep?

Did I help them to be active for part of the day?

Did I use teaching opportunities to instill values such as honesty, friendship, morality, civility, gratitude, optimism, faith in Jesus Christ, etc.

Did I read to my children?

Did I help them learn academically?

Did I tell them I loved them, both by word and action?

Did I spend individual time with each child, even just a few moments?

Did I do my household chores?

Did I spend time with my husband and have some one-on-one conversation?

Did I tell him I loved him, both by words and action?

Did I take opportunities to take pictures and/or video of the children and organize them in a meaningful way?

Have I planned fun things to do as a family that will create memories and bind us together?

Have I made sure our home is stocked of necessities while not breaking the bank?

Letter Grade Breakdown:
A: 12-15 questions answered yes
B: 10-12 questions answered yes
C: 7-10 questions answered yes
D: 4-7 questions answered yes
F: 1-3 questions answered yes

2. There will be pop-quizzes on various subjects. For example, there may be a quiz about when to call the doctor for a certain ailment. Or how to handle a screaming toddler in the grocery store. Or what to answer when a child asks where babies come from. These quizzes are pass/fail.

3. A final grade will never actually be determined. If, by the time I'm a grandma, I've met the course objectives, then a passing grade will be given.