Today is Monday, another Monday after a Holiday.  Well, I'm not sure it's a holiday but it sure is a day that gets a lot of hype, and all over the social networks people were posting Have a Happy Mothers Day.  You know, you read it as many times as I did, and many of you probably spent some time with extended family....and if you're reading this you survived.  Yes, sometimes spending too much time with some people, "survival" is the only thing we can hope for.

             Extended family.....

Aunts and Uncles, maybe a step-dad or two;  brothers and sisters, cousins and  friends that we grew up with, and might not particularly like, but they're family.

There are many reasons we might not like them, and sometimes it's their behaviors, or their jokes. 

Heck we might not even like those darling little kids they have, the ones we all call brats out of earshot. 

And let's not forget the rest of the family....the ones that drink too much, the dysfunctional ones, and the ones we are related to by  no choice of our own........The Lil Devil just loves dysfunctional families.....and loves Mothers Day when so many people feel guilty about not going to see their mothers, and don't like being around their families.  Yep this is a perfect time for the Lil Devil.  He knows not everyone is created equal.....

1.  Spend a nickle, spend a dime.......

     Lil Devil- Mothers Day again....yipee here we go, we get to watch people overspend on flowers, dinners, presents, and other junk just to try to impress their mother and even the rest of the family.  I love the media, it sure helps our capitalistic society for people to think these things are really a part of Mothers Day.

     Lil Angel-  Love isn't measured by the gift(s) you give, or how much money you spend on it.  When our kids were little we loved those flowers they picked from the garden, the half done pancakes served in bed, and the cute little handmade cards....we loved watching the smiles on their faces when they said "I love you mom".....and this didn't cost a nickle.  What it did cost was the time mothers put into teaching their children about unconditional love.

2.  Behind those 4 walls a family is born.......

     Lil Devil-  Well, will you look at that!  Johnny went and had himself another kid. Saw on the news that people don't have a plug nickle for anything extra are finding entertainment in other ways (if you know what I mean).  Heck some cities are having their own little Baby Boom, thanks to the current recession.  Guess no one ever told them that if they can't afford to go to the movies today, what makes them think it will be cheaper to have another kid!  And they want "ME "to congratulate them.....yea right :)

     Lil Angel-  Neighbors and families, virtual and real life friends come in all shapes and sizes, some a little more intelligent than others.  We cannot choose our families, and certainly aren't responsible for the choices of others, but we can choose how we behave and who we associate with.

3.  How do you manage to interact with dysfunctional and boring people.....

     Lil Devil- Yea so Uncle Johnny is a drunk, and Aunt Sally bores the he** out of everyone with her stories of how smart and wonderful her kids are.  Doesn't she know that almost every mother thinks her kid is the smartest, cutest, most clever thing in this world. Boring.......B......O.....R.....I.....N...G.........boring!

Online friends are another thing...it's easy to tell someone..."oh how cute", and not have to be emotionally involved at all. Who cares if Billy Bob thinks his kids are the smartest, brightest kids in BF Egypt...that won't affect your work or life one bit. I know it doesn't affect mine :)

     Lil Angel- We all know who these people are, and unfortunately we cannot totally avoid them, but we can choose how we interact.  Although it's not advisable for all....maybe developing a script for the "Uncle Johnny's" might help, or knowing that after 5 they are looped, arrange for family gatherings in the morning or early afternoon only.  If Aunt Susie can't see that she is boring everyone....you might just have to grin and bear it if you want to keep the peace. NEVER ask how the kids are unless you have nothing better to do :)

Now, as for Billy Bob... #2 pretty much sums that up "some are a little more intelligent than others, (and less boring too)" ....

Have a great week everyone, and if your Lil Devil wants to come out and play.......

it's best to keep some Balance, online and off  :)

By: Kathy McGraw- Veteran, Former Peace Corps Volunteer, Former Little League Manager, Pop Warner Commissioner, Rotary Member, Foster Mother, Mother, Grandmother, Artist, Writer, and Photographer.....in other words someone JUST LIKE YOU that sells Real Estate in Riverside County CA.