A friend of mine will be speaking to a local MOPS (Mother's of Preschoolers) in upcoming weeks. I am hoping to go support her, though I have never been to a MOPS meeting before. It just occurred to me, that I have been in the Mother of a Preschooler stage of life for 14 years. I have always had a little one at home. Next year, barring any unforeseen pregnancies or adoptions, will be my very first year as a Mom to all school aged children. Granted, two of those school age children will be in High School, which is kind of funny in itself. Two kids in elementary, two in high school. I have mentioned before that given this long stretch, and the learning that occurred along the way, I am a different mother to my 4 year old, than I was to my 14 year old (at age 4). I am less fussy. Unfortunately for him, I care less about having him dressed super cute all of the time. I realise that jeans get holey knees, and t-shirts get stains, big whoop. I have to focus on the big stuff just to keep my head above water around here, no time to sweat minutia. If he eats yogurt three meals a day because everything else is "eeewwey", I still introduce other foods, but he won't be sitting at the dinner table for two hours facing down a plate of cooked carrots (like my oldest boys did). Call it unfair, and I know when they are adults they will argue about it at the Thanksgiving table. "Nick had it so easy....." To that I say, Boo Hoo my loves. I love you all more than I can say, but I have to choose my battles. One has to account for the energy required to handle teen-aged angst, while handling the crazy toddler years, simultaneously. Life is good, and I feel incredibly blessed, and a little tired. :)
Summer is a wonderful time if you have the luxury to stay home with your kids and enjoy the slower pace. Lazy days, pool time, reading, outings, and spending time at the beach is good for the soul. If you are a parent who keeps your kids home with you vs. sending them to camp--- there is also a dark side to the lazy days of Summer. I know many Moms who say loud and proud, "I can't wait till Summer!! Oh yeah! Only 3 more weeks!!, Oh no! It's over already! We need a few more weeks!!" Are you one of those? Do you say it with a straight face? Ok, maybe you are sincere. Bully for you, you win the Mom medal. Those are NOT my people. I love my kids, don't get me wrong, I really do. I love reading time, and lego time, and swimming, and picnics at the beach-- as much as any other Mom. Let's get real for a minute though. We can't play down the other side of life with kids. The constant fighting The whining The meltdowns (yes one of our guys st...
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