Sunday, January 17, 2010

An Authentic Mom?!?

I was tagged by my dear friend Rachelle, who is one of "those moms". You know the kind; the ones whose kids actually eat oatmeal and raw vegetables (and don't LIKE fast food), whose house is always just the perfect amount of clean, whose children are never bored, TV watching-drones, but are engaged in an amazingly creative, fun activity perfect for all their ages. Yeah, she's one of those. And I love her for it. And I'm more that a little jealous that I'll never be that mom.

My tag is to list 5 experiences/feelings that make me an authentic mom. Since I've only given birth twice, and that seemed like a cop-out answer anyway, I'll try to come up with something better.

1. I was a much better parent before I had kids. When Blue was born, I was shocked at how little I knew about being a parent, forget how to discipline, mold, teach, or train a productive member of society. I feel terrible every day for ever having thought things like "why can't they control those kids" or "my mother should have know better, she was the parent".

2. I secretly like the first day of mild illnesses - not the crappy, snot and cough-filled sleepless weeks that follow, but that first day when all they want to do is cuddle with mom - especially Blue, who hardly has time for that anymore.

3. I had to sit down the other day and remove my fuzzy socks because Pink (who is not quite two years old), insisted that they were cute and that she wanted to wear them. Ditto for my necklace this morning.

4. My kids fight over who gets to be put to bed by Mom. I'd like to think that it's because they love me better, but everyone (including Red) knows that it's because I'm easy, and will read an extra story even when I say I won't, and will sit by Pink until she falls asleep, even though I promise myself that TODAY is the day she will learn to soothe herself to sleep.

5. I loathe chicken nuggets. And hot dogs. I could happily live the rest of my life without another french fry. But they love them, and will eat them, and everyday I think "they're too skinny", so I give in, and the cycle continues.

Does this make me authentic? Or just neurotic, pathetic, eccentric, chaotic, idiotic, exotic...or any of the other 'ic'ky things that come with being a mom?

I'm supposed to tag 5 other overworked, under-appreciated, snot-covered friends. So I will: Corbie, Lynn J., Ann McD., Bonnie B., and Evonne. What 5 experiences/feelings make you an authentic mom?

9 comments:

  1. What a great post, I cannot believe you don't like french fries- Um, they are so yummy... I wish I was a mom like your friend, uh- nope, and I surely doubt I ever will be :)
    I also like when the kiddos want to cuddle that first moment of sickness but after that I am over it.. cute post.

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  2. Ooh...good post. Welcome back to the land of the living. Glad people are feeling better in your household. I'll have to think about these. Not sure how much truth I can admit to in my mothering. ;-)

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  3. Oh man - you knocked this one out of the park with the 'first day of an illness' description...I found myself totally relating and yet I wasn't ever conscious of it until I read your post. I will brainstorm and see what I can come up with myself - loved reading yours.

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  4. Those were perfect! I think that kids make life amazing and difficult and wondrous all that the same time. Thanks for the compliments.

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  5. Oh, I had the parenting thing down pretty good too before I had Evan. :> Fun to read - giving in is normal. Really, they're only young, cuddly and super sweet for so long...

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  6. wow...that was great! I also think you're undoubtedly too hard on yourself.
    Isn't it funny how we can love that first day of illness cuddle thing, but then it's "just get better, already!"
    Thanks for putting it all into perspective :)

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  7. Awesome and original reasons you are an authentic mom! Thanks for sharing!

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  8. You have a great perspective on being a real mom...I think there are many great styles of mom and no matter how we do it...as long as we love our children the rest is just fluff!!

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  9. I like that first day of illness, too, when they just want to lie there sweetly. I think I need to change my definition of skinny so I can use that excuse for my own personal cycle of McDonalds french fries.

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