On Being a Good Mom

Alright, I’m going to deviate slightly and do a more heartfelt than informational post… It’s late and my pregnancy hormones are kicking in but I’m not quite ready to go to bed yet. Lol.

You know how some days you just feel like a bad mom? And then there are those other days–yeah, they seem few and far between–but you feel like you should be on the cover of “Parenthood” or some other iconic mom magazine, cause you took your kids to the park, made them a great home cooked meal, gave them a bath, really PLAYED with them, and there were lots of hugs and kisses to go around (and hardly any yelling! ;)).

Well, there are a lot of days I feel like a bad mom, and feel like I don’t spend enough time with my kids. But when I get down on their level, look in their sweet little eyes, and smile at them–maybe poking a rib for good measure (that almost always gets a good chuckle)–it’s like the rest of the day didn’t matter, and all they’re thinking about is how happy they are with Mommy right there in front of them, right then.

Kids are so easy like that. People think parenting is hard–and, don’t get me wrong, it most certainly is–but mostly from the adjustment it takes us “big people” to get down on their level, and just play with them, or think what they might be thinking. Yeah, there are the nasty dirty diapers, puke and runny noses, and other not-fun stuff, but I think the biggest, hardest thing for me is just getting down on their level sometimes, and remembering that they’re not little adults. They’re just kids. They’re so new to this thing called “life,” that we’re so adjusted to, and in many cases, hardened by. Sometimes I’d really like to know what it’s like to be in that 2- or 3-year-old (or 10-month-old) head again. And not necessarily because I don’t get how they do things–just because I’d like to see the world through those eyes again.

So challenge yourself, next time you’re upset about something that has been spilled (for the millionth time), or frustrated because you can’t hear yourself think through the noise, or bewildered that you won’t get anything done that day because a little one is needing your constant one-on-one attention–challenge yourself to stop. Stop right there and get down, nose-to-nose with that little person. Look into those little eyes, and no matter WHAT you feel like, crack a big grin. Do something silly that you know makes them laugh. And just spend a few minutes (or even 30 seconds, if that’s all you have) letting that kiddo know you’re listening, and you really care. As simple as it sounds, that short exercise can turn your day together around.