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Regrets.

Who's got 'em?

Motherhood lands us in Regret City by the time our children are grown.

Mine include not enough tea parties, Play Dough Guilt, overreaction on some occasions, and a few episodes of tip-top temper.

The lack of tea parties I can't excuse.

After all, I've got the tea cups.

I'll spare you the details of overreaction and temper, but I will hint that they range from guess what on the wall (age 23 months) to guess who is staying out too late (age 16).

But let me explain Play Dough Guilt.

You know how little people drop tiny blobs of Play Dough on the floor?

And then it gets ground in and has to be chipped off with a paring knife?

I got tired of that.

My remedy was to hide the Play Dough.

So my girls grew up with not enough Play Dough Moments, hence Play Dough Guilt for me.

I don't know what to do about regrets.

The articles tell us to toss them to the wind.

But this Mother's Day, I'd like to officially say to Katherine and Laura that I'm sorry about the lack of sufficient Play Dough Hours. I wish I'd been more laid back. I wish I'd chosen your creative fun over the state of the kitchen floor.

For real.

But I've saved the recipe all these years.

Come on home and we can make a big old batch of Play Dough, or I'll take you to the mall.

Or both!

Here's the recipe:

One cup flour

1/2 cup salt

Two teaspoons cream of tartar

One tablespoon vegetable oil

One cup water

Food coloring

Mix dry ingredients. Add food coloring to the water and stir into the dry ingredients. Stir over medium heat for a minute or so until the mixture forms a ball. Let it cool and then knead until smooth. Store in an airtight container. Have fun! Ignore the kitchen floor.

- Barbara Younger

Barbara Younger writers an upbeat, witty blog, Friend for the Ride: Encouraging Words for the Menopause and Midlife Roller Coaster. Healthline placed Friend for the Ride on its list of Best Menopause Blogs of 2013 and 2014.