Sometimes I feel like I really suck as a Mom. (Very positive way to start my post, right?)
In my defense, though, there are SOOOOOO many expectations one may feel they have to meet during this whole motherhood journey and it gets overwhelming at times.
For example:
-Don't let your child watch more than 2 hrs of television per day.
-Teach them to pray, be kind to others, and recognize Jesus.
-Teach them to share, say "please" and "thank you", and respect all adults.
-Teach them the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and colors....and don't forget the fun songs and rhymes.
-Spend time reading to them, talking to them, playing play-doh and painting with them. Cultivate their imaginations and their individuality.
-Don't yell at them because they are REALLY quick to imitate all your behavior--so if you yell, they will too. (I know this first-hand...and I wish to high-heaven that I wasn't a yeller).
-Ignore them when they are throwing a tantrum.....no, take them out of the place where they are throwing the tantrum.....no, try to talk to them and settle them down.....the possibilities are endless really. You always hear the phrase "it just depends on the child"
-Biting is bad, Hitting is bad, Not sharing is bad....teach them all of these things, and make sure you teach them well because they need to socialize afterall.
-Mean what you say when you say it at ALL times, cause if you don't they will take advantage of that.
-Make sure they brush and floss and know how important it is to wash hands after potty too.
OH.MY.WORD!!!!!!!!! I had no idea. NO IDEA!!! Because the list above is only a tiny portion of all the responsibilities involved.
Kids get older. They get fizzier. And you look at them sometimes and think "where did my sweet baby go?"
I guess you could say that I have hit a rough patch with parenting. It's a big old patch that I am trying to navigate with patience and resilience.
And most of all LOVE.
In church last Sunday a sweet grandma remarked how she wished she would not have taken herself so serious as a younger mother. She wished she would have enjoyed it more. That resonated with me in such a piercing way.
How can I make sure I am enjoying all of these moments....even though there are times when I feel like poking forks into my eyes?
Words can do no justice in describing how much I love being a Mom. I feel so incredibly lucky to have two, healthy, happy kids. They bring me so much joy.
I just don't want to ruin them.
I want to teach them all the good things....and have them forget all the moments where I really suck.
It's hard being an imperfect person hoping to raise perfect children. (I didn't come up with that line-I read it on a different blog but found it to be true to how I am feeling at present).
The truth of the matter is: I have in my daughter a little version of me. And I have to look that in the face, and take it on every single day. And I am not easy. I never was. Add some Kris Powell to that mix and we've got a force to be reckoned with.
And that is why my Mom had to give me pastel mini marshmallows whenever I made good choices.
I rarely got them. But I always felt loved and that's what I always remember. My Mom loved me.
I am just incredibly grateful that we can start every single day fresh, with no mistakes. That line is from Anne of Green Gables.....man, I wish I could come up with something original.
As long as she's democrat and I keep trying to do better I think we'll be okay.......( :
Well, as always, this may come as a shock... I'm bawling. I was just telling my friend McKenzie today that sometimes I feel like I'm the worst mother ever; like all I ever do it tell Owen to stop hitting or pushing or touching. How do you teach them all of these things and still let them know that you love them even when they do those things? I'm trying my hardest but really, motherhood, although amazing, has to be the most challenging job ever. Oh man, I wish you were here so we could talk for hours on end about what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong as mothers and how we could do it better. I'm sure we would have a million good ideas that would be shot to hell once Owen started hitting again. Oh well, it's nice to know someone else feels the same way. Love you. Miss you.
Posted by: Britt | November 05, 2011 at 06:42 PM
You hit the nail on the head with this one, Ty! Imperfect people trying to make perfect kids. But like you said, the most important thing is for them to know they are loved. Sometimes when my kids are naughty, I just grab 'em and hug the tantrums right out. Your kids are adorable, your family is super lovely, and we sure miss all of you! Love ya bunches!
Posted by: Jenny | November 07, 2011 at 02:31 PM
So true! Anyone that says being a mom is easy is on crack. It is a really hard job! We are responsible for EVERYTHING and you never know what you're going to get...some kids just come with their own personalities that are so difficult. I try to just laugh through the things that really don't matter and do my best with the rest.
Posted by: Summer | November 07, 2011 at 08:25 PM
http://www.71toes.com/
read her latest post about what makes her cry. I love her perspective.
Posted by: Summer | November 08, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Ha, I hear ya sister...loud and clear!!!! Oh and Katy watches way more than 2 hours of TV a day and I feel like a crappy mom :) At least I don't take myself seriously at all! I have already taken that advise to heart I guess! Keep on keeping on, because I am quite certain you are a great mom!
Posted by: Amy | November 09, 2011 at 08:39 PM
you know, jesus has no place in democratic politics. let's hope the brood grows to be god-less democrats, like your humble poster, i pray.
Posted by: howdy doo? | November 10, 2011 at 06:12 PM