Tommy Mom | Teri Helms | Mom of 5 Sons

2=21: Happy, Happy Birthday!

December 19, 2011 By Teri 9 Comments

Being born in the month of December… has both pluses and minuses. I suppose every month of the year… has its birthday drawbacks. While in my teens… I emphatically declared… to my poor mother… that I would never give birth to a child… in the month of December. I kept my word… and gave birth [...]

Filed Under: In the Spotlight..., Leadership Education

The Meaning of Hanukkah

December 16, 2011 By Teri 2 Comments

December 20th marks the beginning of the observance of Hanukkah this year. It is my privilege to know a Rabbi and his wife in our area. His explanation of Hanukkah presented here, is not only beautiful, but informative. It’s timeless message never grows old. The principles of Leadership Education… are based in the fact… that [...]

We Interrupt This Holiday Season…

December 14, 2011 By Teri 7 Comments

For a few random, yet personal thoughts… on the pursuit of greater sensibility in this life. Oh yes… it is definitely not only something… I have pursued off and on quite frequently… but also, appears to still elude me… on a fairly consistent basis. I am hoping that turning the big 5-0… two days ago [...]

Birthdays: A Giveaway!

December 12, 2011 By Teri 18 Comments

Today is my birthday. And it’s a milestone…. in more ways than one. Every year… since my brother… was a sophomore in high school… we have called one another… and sung a really, really, hideous… parody-like version of Happy Birthday to one another. Over the years it escalated… until last year… when I honestly sounded [...]

Filed Under: Happy Birthday, TommyMom!, My Brother Tim

What I Wish You Would Give My Teen for the Holidays: Guest Post

December 9, 2011 By Teri 7 Comments

My brother, Tim, had a lightning quick wit. His ability to execute flawless parody and satire on the fly were simply amazing. Even the most hardened teen or “sophisticated” adult succumbed to his wit; albeit at times, involuntarily. September 16th, the day he passed away, seems light years ago in so many ways. Despite grief [...]

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year?: Guest Post

December 7, 2011 By Teri Leave a Comment

According to Andy Williams, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” According to anxious inquiries by mothers; home educating ones in particular, it is just one more situation to possibly be stressed about! Comments range from “My children are ungrateful and quarrel more at this time of the year than any other”, to “I [...]

Filed Under: Holiday Happenings

“Little” Things

December 5, 2011 By Teri 7 Comments

There are 20 days until Christmas… and 15 until the beginning of Hanukkah. The daily hustle and bustle is definitely “on.” Have you noticed at times… that the very meaning and spirit… of what you are celebrating… gets unintentionally swallowed up… in the tasks that surround that celebration? It’s nuts. Years ago… when our three [...]

Filed Under: Holiday Happenings

Festival of the Trees

December 2, 2011 By Teri 4 Comments

If you’ve read TommyMom for any length of time… you know that for the past two years… our family has participated in The Festival of the Trees. This event takes place at The Riverside Convention Center… across from the historic Mission Inn… and is in conjunction with the lighting… of the Inn during Thanksgiving week. [...]

Filed Under: Holiday Happenings, My Brother Tim

Harried Holidays?

November 30, 2011 By Teri 4 Comments

On Monday… I posted thoughts… as well as genuine concerns… credited to another mother. The reality is… most responsible parents… fret on the eve of “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.” I respectfully submit however… that there is far more… to navigating the holiday season both effectively and well… than a strict adherence to [...]

Filed Under: Holiday Happenings

What Comes to Mind?

November 28, 2011 By Teri 2 Comments

Recently, I received a series of texts… from one of my favorite TommyMoms. All of them are my favorites, but that’s beside the point. It went like this… “I need some good classics that teach kids… to be more humble and selfless this Christmas. Any good ones come to mind?” The second text continued… “I [...]