1. They are familiar with the term "second breakfast".
2. "Pajamas Monday!" is a thing.
3. Their birthday is a "school holiday".
​4.  They have friends of differing ages.
5.  They study sprawled out on the carpet or curled up on the couch rather than sitting at a desk.
6.  They go to the bathroom whenever they want without asking for permission.
7.  They show up to 'school' wearing a towel cape and their classroom is a homemade fort in the living room or the backyard clubhouse.
8.  They're not sure which grade they're in... 
9.  They groan at the mention of Saxon Math.
10.  Their teacher is also the janitor, school nurse, principal, lunch lady, recess monitor, secretary, and bus driver.

...When I am awake.

I know you all feel me.  Happy Mom Guilt Monday!

One day, I was elbow deep in another busy and somewhat frenetic homeschool morning when I got an intriguing text from Dr. Mom. She made an interesting proposal.

Before going any further with my story, let me introduce myself: I am MANGAMom, homeschooling mommy of 6 children ranging in ages from 12 months to 15 years and currently, my dishwasher is broken (so I am the "dishwasher" for our family of 8), the fridge is making a funny noise (that's never good), the mini-van is in need of repair, I have to find an electrician for some lighting issues, take #6 to the pediatrician and schedule 5 kids' teeth cleanings, make breakfast-lunch-dinner NONSTOP ALL OF THE TIME (ok, that's a little dramatic but it feels that way...), slice up #6's fruit slices into non-chokeable bites, change a diaper, wipe a potty-trained bottom, break up a fight, do Bible memory verses with #4 and #5, get to Target, sew up a torn stuffy, lose 5 pounds, tackle another load of laundry, start yelling, stop yelling, unkill my very dead mums, and last but not least, slap on some lipstick and put on some leather.

Okay, back to the story:
I was standing in my kitchen (because homeschooling moms are always standing, and when home, are usually doing the "standing" in the kitchen). I stared, for a long minute, at the idea proposed by Dr. Mom. It read, "Hey, you want to start a blog together?" As my kids studied, snacked, danced, spilled stuff and toddled about around me, and as my intimidating to-do list grew ever bigger like a well-watered plant , I texted her back.
"YAAAASSS!" I've got some time on my hands...
​
And that's how The Mom Zoo was born.

Some call this a blog but to me it's Baby #7. And if I don't get another chance to say this, let me leave you with this thought and a big thank you for dropping by: You Are Awesome! We are all moms in this together and the fact that you get up every morning with the intent to do great for your family is truly awesome of you. Hope to see you again - have an amazing day!