If you ever ask a parent what the best part of being a parent is, you'll get the answers like "They are the reason I wake up every morning" or "When they smile at you there is no better feeling in the world" or "Being called 'Mom' is my greatest honor". Now, I'm not saying any of those things aren't true. I mean, I love my kids. I love being a Mom, but no one ever says why they are the reason you wake up every morning. You wake up every morning because they're hungry, they have to pee, they can't sleep past 7 or 8 (or for others 5 or 6). Yes, they have wonderful, gorgeous little smiles, do you know why they are giving you that lovely little smile? Because while they were playing outside they decided to try pooping in a bush and "succeeded" and they have to come and tell you how great they are for doing so (sadly, enough, this is a true story for me!) And yes, being called "Mom" is a HUGE honor and I am oh so grateful but sometimes I think I should record how many times a day I hear "MOM!" in a day. Good grief!
So here are a few things I like about being a Mom but maybe its a little different take than you're used to.
1) When your baby is constipated and FINALLY poops - even though it has exploded out of his diaper and up his back and ruined another onesie. You're so happy it finally happened you clean all the crap up with a big ass grin while saying "Good boy!!!"
2) The moment when you realize how quickly your children are growing up and all the times you've thought it would be easier when they are older. Suddenly, you realize that you're so proud of the little people they are becoming but saddened by how independent they are becoming all at the same time.
3) When your child out smarts you and knows it and you think to yourself "smart ass kid" but in your head you're thinking "Ya! This kid is gonna succeed in life!"
4) The day your kid is having a temper tantrum and you say "1...2...do you know what happens when I get to 3?" and they stop screaming and simply state "You're gonna spank my butt!" and I think "FINALLY I AM SUCCEEDING at this parenting thing because not only did they listen but they stopped crying!" Winning!!!
5) When you ask your child, "what do you have inside your head?" and they respond "rocks and skittles" and you love him still the same (if not a little more) and you understand the true love a parent has for their children.
6) When your baby is so frustrated that he can't crawl and you wish and pray everyday that he would just figure it out. Then he figures it out and he is constantly dumping dirt out of your flower pots, emptying the cat water and splashing in it or finding random disgusting-ness on the floor and eating it and all you can think is "Look how happy that little holy terror is!"
7) When your oldest child does all the talking for her younger brother and finally he says "HEY! I'm talking" when she interrupts him and you think "mmm hmmm, you got told!" and beam with pride at the way he stood his ground.
8) The day your daughter starts asking questions about gay/lesbian couples and she so simply understands and excepts that love is love - no matter what, and you know she will go places with that beautiful outlook on life.
9) When your baby finally starts feeding himself finger foods and holding his own sippy cup and suppers no longer consist of separate "baby food meals" or pureeing, etc. Finally everyone can eat at the same time and eat when its hot. Same goes for the day everyone will be potty trained...2 down 1 to go...not that I'm counting.
10) When you ask your children at bed time "what was your favorite part of your day?" and they respond with answers like "When I pooped" or "when we went to the park", "when we snuggled on the couch", "when you read us a story", "when we went for a bike ride", etc and its a true reminder that the simple things in life really are the best things.
I'm sure this list could go on for miles and that many Mom's and Dad's could think of other things to add that I have missed but these are a few reasons that I find being a Mom so rewarding. I once read a quote that said "Parenting - when the days are long but the years are short" and I couldn't agree more.
No comments:
Post a Comment