parenting

My Marine Mom Letter to the United States Marines

November 9, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Happy Birthday Marine Corps

I sit at my computer on the night of my youngest son’s Marine Corps Ball and reflect on the journey I’ve taken as a Marine Mom and want to say “Thank You.”

For four years I have been a Mother of two Marines. The first letter I wrote to the Marine Corps was more of a request. Two years later I have a different sentiment. Since then I have watched my sons grow into responsible, mature young men. The Marines have played a large part in developing the men they will be the rest of their life and I’m very proud of them both.

This year I was blessed to spend the longest quality, undivided, one on one time with my son. No competition with other siblings, no competing with friends, or capturing an hour here or there during a short military leave.

I was able to spend not hours, not one day, but several days in a row, getting to know my son on an adult level. The opportunity to stand back and observe, take them in and realize how much he has grown, how much I love him, and how proud I am of the man he has become.

So this year, my letter to the United Stated Marine Corps takes a little different spin.

A Letter From a Marine Mom

Dear Marine Corps,

I want to take this opportunity, on the Marine Corps birthday to thank you, from the bottom of this Marine Mom’s heart. A few years ago I loaned you my sons. You have treated them well and I am grateful.

Thank you for giving them clear expectations, with a clear set of guidelines and rewards when a job is well done. Thank you for teaching them to be aware of their surroundings, to defend themselves, to protect the weak, and stand firm against injustice. Not only against our enemy abroad, but in every day situations in life.

The Marine Corps taught my sons patience, tolerance, and the ability to adapt to changing situations.

Dealing with ever changing leave orders and plane reservations serves a purpose. It does carry forth to civilian life, especially when apartment plans, GI Bill delays, and schooling don’t go as planned. For this increased patience, thank you.

I have seen first hand the pride they take in being a part of a brotherhood. I’ve watched my sons interact with fellow Marines, not only with professionalism but respect.

It’s the everyday things that happen on a Marine base, the little things that mean a lot. The everyday event of colors and the national anthem played twice a day. While at the time this may not mean a thing, it gives them an anchor and pride in Corps and country in the future. A casual greeting of Semper Fi to a fellow Marine serves to remind each of them of the lifelong brotherhood they share and will remain “Always Faithful.”

Thanks to the Marine Corps, my sons had the opportunity to become leaders and volunteer in their communities.

They took advantage of continued education during active duty by taking classes. All this while becoming part of a long tradition of men and women serving their country.

This year I consider myself blessed to be a Marine Mom and I thank the Marine Corps for a few of those blessing.

Sincerely,

A Mother of Two Marines

The actual US Flag flown at Iwo Jima displayed at the National Marine Corps Museum

What changes have your seen in your son or daughter? I’d love to hear your insight on their experience.

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Deployed Dad Writes his Daughter a Song

June 20, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

This deployed dad1 knows how hard being away from is on his family, especially his little girl, and he wanted to make her feel better. Most military children understand that Mommy or Daddy is doing a very important job for the country and the other parent takes on not only the double task of parenting but also comforting, reassuring and keeping the connection strong. But it doesn’t make it any less painful or lonely.

Today is Friday and many people use this day to remind others that our military is still deployed overseas in countries far away from their family.

In this day of technology, cell phones, iPads, internet, Facebook overseas communication is much easier and faster than years ago when you waited for a letter in the mail or the rare phone call. Facetime, Snapchat, and Skype are sometimes nightly rituals with servicemen and women to stay in contact with their families. They might use it to help their children with homework, watch a birthday party, or even the birth of a new baby.

He is currently a Fort Drum soldier on deployment in Afghanistan and enlisted the help of his fellow soldiers to sing a song to his daughter who is missing him back in Watertown, NY. Sgt. First Class Jamie McIntyre is on his fifth deployment to Afghanistan and says his 5-year-old daughter Jessie, was missing her dad and having a tough time dealing with him being away from home.

To cheer her up, McIntyre asked some fellow soldiers to help him write and sing a song to Jessie using Facetime. In the video, McIntyre – who is of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team with the 10th Mountain Division – is the soldier positioned third from the left.

Thank you to all the deployed Dads and Moms and everyone in the military who serve our great country. You sacrifice your lives, and have found ways to endure, carry on and keep the bonds strong at home.

Can You Have A Perfect Mother’s Day?

May 4, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Stop Wishing for the Perfect Mothers Day

If you are starting to think about Mother’s Day for your Mom, or if you are a Mother anticipating the upcoming Mothers Day stop wishing for a perfect Mother’s Day.

Yes, I said it. Now that I look back on the past years I wish I hadn’t expected perfection.

Too many times as Moms we expect too much from ourselves, and if you’re like me you sometimes expect too much out of the day. I know I always wanted Mothers Day to be special.

Different somehow, maybe even magical. As if every problem will be solved, every worry will go away and I will experience an overabundance or love and appreciation of being a Mom.

Popular media and culture promote Mother’s day as a special day, just for Moms.

We are supposed to be pampered for the day, without anything to do, and be lavished with attention, gifts, and love.

If we don’t get it then the day is somehow a failure, or maybe we are failures as a Mother. Wrong.

I would like to say I’ve succeeded as a Mother, that I have the perfect family, the perfect kids, and I know the perfect thing to say at the perfect time. I don’t. I have yelled, I have said things I wish I could take back, and I am far from perfect. My kids aren’t perfect either, I’m sure they wish they could do things over again also.

So why do I expect Mother’s Day to be perfect? I shouldn’t, and neither should you.

How I Have a Perfect Mother’s Day

Recently I was going through my computer files and looking at the photos from May. As I look back, I saw examples of how much my kids do care and it made me remember the handmade cards, flowers, Mother’s necklace and the very thoughtful ways they decided to thank me and wish me a Happy Mothers Day.

My daughter gave me the silk flowers last year along with the book below. Not only did she carefully select the book 1,003 Great Things about Moms Book, but she went through the book and underlined specific phrases that were applicable to me, it made me laugh, because yes. I am the Mom who buys Chapstick at Christmas and yes, they are in every room, or so it seems.

My oldest son, during some tumultuous years in high school, gave me this Willow Tree Mother and Son figurine and it still brings a tear to my eye this many years later.

So what makes a perfect Mother’s day?

Do you, or should you measure your self-worth through your children? No.

As a Mother, we can only do our job the best way we know how, with the skills we have been given via our parents, or life lessons we have learned along the way.

My kids are adults now and two of the three are living on their own away from home. I have done my best to raise them, love them, and teach them how to make presents special and unique. It’s up to them now. I am proud of them, and if they don’t live up to MY expectations, that ok, because they shouldn’t. I love them unconditionally and I know they love me.

Flowers on Mothers Day

It’s the little things they do on Mother’s Day, flowers don’t just appear. Flowers takes thought and time.

The flowers above were given to me when my youngest son was a senior in high school and either he or his sister had to drive to the store and pick them up, get the card and candy that went along with them. Then they have to get up early to place them on the table before I wake up.

When my Mother was alive I lived 1500 miles away from her my adult life. As anyone will tell you, I am TERRIBLE at getting things in the mail. So when she got a Mother’s Day card early she was shocked and surprised.

But I always did send flowers, she loved flowers and teapots so I tried to get a teapot, or teacup flower arrangements, the more unique the better, and, I always called. She always took photos of her flowers and described them over the phone.

Nontraditional Mothers Day Gifts from my Kids

But Mothers Day is more than flowers, candy, etc.

You know your kids really connect with you when they give you gifts that meet a need and show your kids are actually paying attention to you during the year. The odd-looking Strutz cushions below were also a Mothers Day gift. Non-traditional, yes, but very thoughtful.

Ontel Strutz Cushioned Arch Supports, Green, 2 Count

My oldest knows I have plantar fasciitis and my feet hurt. He saw these and thought they may help my feet feel better.

He bought them to give to me on Mothers Day when he was home on his Marine Corps leave.

What if your kids don’t remember Mothers Day?

Have they failed you or have you failed them? No.

You should still celebrate Mother’s Day on your own, do something special for yourself, to make yourself happy.

You are responsible for your own happiness. Yes, it’s nice to get breakfast in bed, if that’s your thing. Or get taken out to dinner, if you want to fight the crowds that day. But it’s also a “moment” with you yours that may only last a few minutes that day.

Or you might spend your Mothers Day by yourself reflecting back on your time as a Mother. You can look through family photo albums, read a good book, taking a rest, and pamper yourself.

I do agree that you should NOT have to do chores (unless you REALLY want to), dishes, or laundry. Take a break and have the perfect Mother’s Day yourself. You deserve it.