February 4, 2010

Peanut Butter and Jelly Krispies and some Mommy Guilt

 
I know I am not alone on this.
Who even knew there was such a thing?
Mommy guilt.
Let me tell you it exists and it's REAL.
Why didn't anyone ever tell me about this?  When you're pregnant people love to tell you stories of their birthing experience, the problems they had during their pregnancies or how being a mom is the BEST! THING! EVER!
Now, while I do agree that mommy-hood is wonderful and rewarding and all that, there is guilt.
Loads of guilt.
It begins, literally, the moment you give birth (if not before) and, correct me if I am wrong, most likely will never cease.
Am I doing this right?  Am I doing this wrong? Should I be reading to him more?  I didn't play classical music to him enough! I should have bought the black and white mobile! Should he be socializing more?  I didn't make all his baby food from scratch!  He fell ~ I should have been watching! Should I work?  Should I stay home?
The list goes on and on and on...
The pressure we put on ourselves as mothers is completely out of control.  No one ever told me about the guilt!
A few months ago I was at school and another parent told me I was a supermom.  I thought she was kidding.  Me?  Clearly she doesn't know me very well ;)
I am not writing this to say how great I am ~  I am writing that because if I am supermom, what the heck is going on in other people's houses?
I mean that in the most serious way possible.
There are nights when we have cereal or PB&J's for dinner.  There are nights that I don't give showers.  There are nights when I use the television as a babysitter, so I can watch Lost.  There I said it.  
Supermom is fiction and I wish we could all accept it.
You always think that somebody else has it all together.  They don't.  Trust me on this.
While some of us are more organized than others, and some of us are better actors than others we are all in the same boat.  
We are all trying to do our best.
I love my kids till the ends of the earth and back, and while I don't think I am perfect I know I do my best.
The mean mom's out there (you know you know a few) who judge you...well, let me tell you a little secret...they are the WORST ONES OF ALL!  
True story.
It's like when you were in junior high and some girl was making fun of you because you had Gitano instead of Guess? and your mom would tell you, "oh, they're just jealous".  Now, at 12 that sounds like a load of crap. 
But it's true.  If not jealously, then masking their own enormous insecurities.  I wish I had believed that at the time, because that would have saved me a lifetime of self-doubt!
So please, ladies, trust me on this..you're all awesome.
Believe it!

So, in the vain of PB&J's
How about these?


Sounds a little weird, I know...and if you don't like PB&J, then this might not be for you.  BUT if you occasionally indulge in kid food, like I do, these are yummmm.

PB&J Krispie treats
1/4 cup butter (half a stick)
10.5 oz. bag mini marshmallows + 1 cup
6 cups rice krispies
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1/3 cup of jelly (whatever kind you prefer) - I used grape

Spray 8x8 square pan with cooking spray
Melt butter over low heat
Once melted add marshmallows until melted, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat.
Add bag of mini marshmallows, NOT the extra cup.
Mix together
Let cool for approx 2 min.
Add the remaining 1 cup marshmallows and stir to combine.
Now, press 1/2 the krispie mix into the prepared pan.
Tip ~ I spray 1 side of a sheet of wax paper to press the mix down.  It makes it a little easier.

Spread the peanut butter over the bottom layer of krispies.

Now spread the jelly.

Top with the remaining krispie mix.
Let cool completely and cut into squares.
Don't know if I would recommend them for dinner, but hey, no judgment...it might just be that kinda night ~
We've all been there :)

27 comments:

Molly said...

Totally with you on the whole "guilt" thing. It doesn't matter which decision you make, there is usually second-guessing, and guilt. And I'm all for PB&J's - this recipe looks yummy!

Unknown said...

Yummy!!! Those look delicious!

I refuse to feel guilty, I figure we all do the best we can with what we have and that just has to be good enough!

Kate H.(www.sprinkletherapy.blogspot.com) said...

what an awesome idea :)

Diane Schmidt said...

Loved you story! Yes-it's true creative people are often viewed as supermom (and I'm sure you'd die if you did see what goes on at other homes) but we are all human and each mom is able to choose their path! My son will love these pbj treats!

Baking Momma said...

Isn't that the truth with the guilt. OMG who would have known these little people that come into your lives would have so much control? Every time I doubt myself though. My son comes and tells me that I am the bestess! Yup the bestess! So I then know I am doing something right.

Deann said...

Sing on SISTAH!!! You are sooo right! And YUM on the krispies!

Sinful Southern Sweets said...

You nailed that one right on the head girl! Mommy guilt is the worst! But, what cool moms we would be if we served those pb&j's for dinner?!?! LOL! They look so yummy!

Pink Little Cake said...

I love your post, it is true the guilt! I feel it all the time, I don't even know why! I am always second guessing and unsure if I am doing the right thing.I am just trying to take one day at the time and do my best! yummy treats, I have to make them soon.

Sweet Sins said...

I feel that you get the super mom title when you recognize that life will throw you curve balls and nothing will be perfect but you will make the most of it and just try to have fun while on the ride of life! That is what my mom did, and too me that is what makes you super. Not someone who tried to appear as though they are picture perfect with no flaws or dirty clothes piled 4 feet high in the laundry room!! These look so good I can't wait to try them!

Anonymous said...

Love your post! I made mickey mouse shaped buns for my 4 yr old daughters lunch and was told I was making "all the other moms look bad" I usually respond with this..."we prioritize differently, I choose to make mickey mouse shaped buns instead of doing my laundry or cleaning my kithcen my floor" there's usually no repsonse :)

Peanut butter and Jelly in rice krispie squares, YES PLEASE!!!

Jennifer said...

Oh my goodness these have to be the most incredible rice krispie treats ever!!!!! YUM!!!

cookies and cups said...

Betcha ~ I love that response. Great idea.
Thanks everyone for the sweet comments, being a mommy is a work in progress so we should just enjoy every moment!

Angie said...

Girlie,you made me cry! Mommy guilt "rules" my world! Your words do ring true though. Now that I am almost 40 I have finally excepted the truth you write. Thank you for your awesome blog ;)

Yummy on the bars too, I say dinner tomorrow night!!

Unknown said...

Thanks for writing this post, I must have needed to hear it today!

I don't know how that guilt gets hammered in, but it's there! And even when you try not to let it in, it's comes creeping up on you. So thanks for the wisdom and yummy recipe and I'll try to forget my 10 month old had pizza last night for dinner and again at breakfast ;)

Betcha - LOL! Great comment and so true!

Bella Baker said...

Well, I am not a mommy yet...but it sounds like I'kll have a lot of guilt to look forward to!!! And I eat cereal for dinner all the time!!!

Mimi said...

Guilt is not a member of my family. I am grateful for each and everyday that I have with my husband and children. Our maxim: life is a journey not a competition.
Rice Krispies treat look yummy.
Mimi

Dawn said...

I'm so happy I'm not the only one! Thanks for the recipe. My son will LOVE these. He can eat PB&J for every meal, if I let him. :)

Lorie said...

Okay...YUM! Just YUM!

Mara Campbell said...

I hear ya, it's never easy and you are always second guessing yourself. BUT I have learned to let things go...the house isn't going to be spotless and my kids might play a little more video game time than I like. And if I want to bake cupcakes, the laundry can wait!
Thanks for your words of wisdom. And the PB&J krispies look good!!! Might have to try there. Or maybe just use peanut butter, yum!

julie said...

first of all, those look SO delicious. PB&J is my staple of choice!

thanks for the post, you said it way better than I ever could.

Ingrid_3Bs said...

LOL, what? I'm a supermom! I know what you mean about the guilt. Btw, I wish my kiddos liked cereal or pb&j's but that could be my fault 'cause I never liked them either.
~ingrid

Ivy said...

I know what mommy guilt is and the state of chronic worry/fear something bad may happen or I am screwing up their life. I tell my friends about this and that they are strong enough to handle it b/c it is soooo worth it. No one told me... they just told me the good stuff. So I hear ya there!!
Umm, your blog is CUTE! I will be a follower for sure.
Cheers~Ivy

Anonymous said...

I have literally bookmarked enough of your recipes to flood my tab ;) But I guess I should thank you for that :D

I admire the work you do with royal icing and sugar cookies. Maybe one day you can give me some pointers as my royal icing experience wasn't a fantastic one :)

Shelley said...

omigosh these look heavenly! I am whipping up a batch today with my little boy! :) Thanks for the idea. I am soo looking forward to working with you on this 'Spring Party' :) -Shelley {HowDoesShe.com}

Anonymous said...

I am totally convinced that the “saline” bag that your IV is attached to when you are in labor is actually a “guilt” bag. They pump you full of the stuff while you are in labor and it never goes away. You are forever infected.

trooppetrie said...

oh man you have saved me. my son has OCD and only eats about 5 foods. Can you guess what he eats twice a day 7 days a week. PB &J. I think he would love this.

Jenn said...

cereal AND PB&j mixed?! Yummers!!

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