My 8-year-old, known as Mr. Monk here, is singing a song that he improvises right now. In the middle of the Kaleidoscopic of lyrics, I heard,
Thank you for being our mother.
I chuckled. “I honestly do not know how to take that.”
“Well, don’t take it as an insult. I am not being sarcastic.”
“Well, thank you.” I said while remembering what I did to deserve this: Did not get home until 8:30 because I was trapped on the train due to a wind advisory while the kids stayed home by themselves; Fed him leftover chicken from the rotisserie chicken I bought on Sunday but forgot to take it out from the fridge; Gave him half-melted ice cream which I did not remember until an hour after I got home from the grocery store.
This goes to show that whatever you do, keeping the expectations low is going to make parenting a lot easier.
That’s so sweet. Those small moments sure do seem to help keep our sanity as parents. 🙂
I have a two year old and every now and then I feel guilty for not being as perfect of a mom to her like some other moms. But I know I’ll never be like that and I’m hoping she’ll someday see that what matters is I’m doing the best I can.
Elle recently posted…Total Recall Sunday: Poop Talk.
Yes, you’ve got it: we are all just trying to do the best we can. I call it Winging It Parenting style. Esp. when they get older, you never know what they are going to throw in your way! Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Love. They mostly need love.
Cant argue with this. Different kids though do understand/value different manifestations of love. Too often adults think they are material, creature comforts…
I’m taking your “expectations” advice to heart and will absolutely remember it when the time comes…which is soon… 🙂
Congratulations again. Yes you can start THE RIGHT WAY. LOL
I can tell your kids love you, they call me mom. After giving everything to my kids–including y sexy jeans–I have yet to gain appreciation. Point in fact: daughter started calling me “Amber” instead of mom a couple months ago and hasn’t stopped. She’s only three.
Amber is a beautiful name. The kid’s got good taste. 😉
Love that kid! LOVE him!
Awwww. 🙂 Your being such a big fan helped me realize that what I have is a very special boy even though sometimes I am at a loss in how to handle the 8-year-old-70-year-old men. It reminds me to be patient and apply lots of love and understanding.
AND, it also goes to show you that those things don’t mean a thing to a kid. 🙂
It really does surprise me things that matter to them. Listening to him with my full attention, no distraction whatsoever, goes a long way. And that’s what I have been trying to do lately.
Cold chicken and half melted ice cream? Might you consider adopting a 49 year old?
Sure. Come on over baby!
Is that what my mother was doing–keeping the expectations low? Damn! Screw therapy–now I get it!
Kathy
Exactly! I guess it helps both parties. Amazing!
; )
LOVE this advice.
LOL. Thanks for the loving support. 🙂
Awww. That is very sweet. And also some good advice. You know, rather than feeling like I keep coming up short, I should pat myself on the back for setting the bar low.
Exactly! Works every time. 😉
All I got is . . . awwwwww! How do they do that, these kids?
Beats me!
good thing i keep expecations low around here. and yet i fear that i’ll never hear maya thanking me for being her mom!!
for what it’s worth i know that you are a dedicated and loving mom. you are my inspiration with all that you juggle!
Thank you. I do miss and the plates fall off and I quickly sweep the broken pieces under the table and proceed to ignore them…
So there IS hope! Also? Are you sure you didn’t intentionally warm that ice cream up so it wouldn’t hurt his little teeth?
You are right! I am such a good mom!
Yep. Kids love their parents – no matter what. (Sometimes that’s a good thing, a GREAT thing; sometimes, when it’s worse than leftovers and melted ice cream… uh… not so much…)
Yup. I hear you.