Reasons # 3,670 and 1,420... Mothers Day...

Reasons # 3,670 and 1,420... Mothers Day...

I keep being asked the same question... "Aren't you upset that you didn't get to spend a special Mothers Day with you kids?"

Backstory:  My Mother Day weekend consists of taking both the kiddos on an 1,100 mile road trip across four states so that my daughter can have, what we hope will be, a life altering surgery.  My Sunday May 13, 2012 was spent driving and driving and stopping for potty breaks and driving some more... Somewhere in Tennessee, a cashier wished me Happy Mothers Day.  Bean turned to me asked, "Is today Mothers Day?"  As we got in the car, both kiddos started laughing and yelling and sing-songing "Happy Mothers Day!!!!!"  It was a great day...

For the most part, our kids are all the same.  There are moments that make us happy beyond words.  There are moments of unmeasureable frustration.  Every moment of glee is countered by a down moment... This is who we are... We are Moms... Our children bring us gifts every day.

My childrens gifts are...

Every morning when Baby Boy awakes, he gives me this look- this wide eyed joy mixed with surprise.  He sing songs my name in the falsetto that only a three year old can get away with.  It's almost as if he has missed me- like for the few hours that he has been sleeping, I've been gone from him forever... It is so sweet and touching... That is my Mothers Day gift from Baby Boy... Every day...

With Bean, it's more subtle... She is like an Ivy, a vine... She intertwines her fingers into mine and pushes her head deep under my arm... sometimes silent and sometimes a very quiet and low pitched "Mommy"... Sometimes, she will even kind of wrap her leg around mine... It is so comforting and natural, like this the way it always should be... That is my Mothers Day gift from Bean... Every day...

Am I sad that I didn't open a pretty gift or a card on Sunday?  Am I sad that I didn't get treated to a special dinner on Sunday?  Am I sad that I didn't get to put my feet up and relax?

NO!!!

I have Mothers Day everyday, and I wouldn't change it for a thing...

Reasons Why I Love...

Reasons # 3,663 and 1,413... Bad Parents?

Reasons # 3,663 and 1,413... Bad Parents?

My child is not potty trained.  My child is not reading on grade level.  My child has trouble interacting with others.  My child used a curse word.  My child drew on the walls with permanent marker.  My child was not nice today.  My child forgot to brush her teeth.  My child wrote her letters backwards.  My child, who is normally respectful, was disrespectful today.  My child threw a toy.  My child won't eat vegetables.  my child only eats white food.  My child wants to call me by my first name.  My child pulled the dogs tail.  My child didn't share.

Every time I read these things, it is (almost) always followed by...

"Am I a bad Mom?  Am I a bad Dad? Am I a bad parent?"

Then, I read stories in the news...

I left my child in the car so I could go to a strip club.  I allowed my boyfriend to abuse my child.  I sold my childs innocence for drugs.  I burned my child with cigarettes.  I shook my child because he was crying too much.  I threw my child off of a building.  I drowned my child.  I burned my childs eyes with bleach.  I locked my child in a cage.

Every time I read these things, it is (almost) always followed by...

"I'm a good parent, BUT...'

For my fellow Moms and Dads out there... Remember, being a GOOD parent means being invested.  Recognizing that your child is having a bad day or a bad reaction. Being there and acknowledging that something is right or wrong, or even just a work in progress...

You are there.  You are in the moment.  You are nurturing.  You are seeking resources.  

YOU ARE A GOOD PARENT!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't ever forget it...