Excited to announce my upcoming book!

Releasing in March 2013 by Our Sunday Visitor Publishing Company

More details to follow as we get closer to the release!

Sturdy Totes for Carrying All of Your Stuff!

I am now offering sturdy totes for busy Moms, GrandMoms, women, and others who are dashing around with their arms full on their way to activities and such. Put your stuff in one of these cute totes and ease your carrying! Each tote will be imprinted with my blogger header artwork on each side. There will be a "Daily Donna-Marie" on one side and "Embracing Motherhood" on the other. You may request to have both sides with the same imprint if you prefer.

The colors are white or natural. Please specify when you order. The natural color is a bit thicker and is shown at the right here. The price is only $12.99 plus shipping and handling (for US orders). You may use the Pay Pal button or send $12.99 plus $3.50 shipping and handling to Donna-Marie at PO Box 773, New Milford, CT 06776, USA.

"Just" a Mom!

Someone sent me this beautiful reflection on motherhood!

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office,
was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is, " explained the recorder,
"do you have a job or are you just a ...?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,'housewife' covers it,"

said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,
efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,
"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.
The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of
Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and
looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.
Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,
in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,
"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,
I heard myself reply,
"I have a continuing program of research,
(what mother doesn't)
In the laboratory and in the field,
(normally I would have said indoors and out).
I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)
and already have four credits (all daughters).
Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,
(any mother care to disagree?)
and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).
But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she
completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,
I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3.
Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,
(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,
testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!
And I had gone on the official records as someone more

distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers
"Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"
And great grandmothers
"Executive Senior Research Associates?"
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants."

Didn't you just love that?

Come on...don't be shy...

Hello Moms,

I'm sure you all have some handy tips regarding your mothering that you would like to share with us all. :) These are things that you may just do very naturally never thinking that they are tips that you can pass on. But, perhaps your mothering strategies will help other Moms too. But we won't know unless you SHARE! Any little thing you want to tell us will be just fine. How do you manage your time with your youngsters in the summer? Perhaps your housekeeping routine may be helpful to other Moms. Do you have safety tips that you want to share? Thanks for considering sharing! Feel free to leave your tip in a comment or send it to me in an email at Dmcooperoboyle(at)aol(dot)com to be considered for my "Tips on Tuesdays" segment here at "Embracing Motherhood."

God bless!

Tips on Tuesdays

Recently while giving a spiritual talk to a group of Moms, the subject of safety came up during our question and answer segment. One Mom noted that parents shouldn't call 911 for an ambulance from their cell phone when calling about an emergency from home, but rather call 911 from their land line because the land line should be connected with all of the information the ambulance people would need; especially your street address. Of course, if the cell phone is all that is available, by all means call from the cell phone and give accurate directions.

Do you have a parenting or safety tip that you would like to pass on? Feel free to leave a comment and it may be used on my "Tips on Tuesdays" to benefit other Moms.