Ok, I haven't blogged in a while about motherhood. I've been thinking about what kind of a mom I am. I am not the kind of mom that slurps kisses on my kids and just beams when they come into the room. In other words, I am not too sentimental. I value my independence and strive to teach my children to be good and decent members of society. I never miss my kids on the rare occaion that I get a break (albeit 1 day or 7 days) from them. But I do think I am a good mom nonetheless. And here's how I realized it today.
I know I am a GOOD mom because...
1. I take extra long showers until my skin turns red just to avoid stepping out of the bathroom into the Twilight Zone.
2. I love being home alone and never get tired of it. Ever. If such an event occurs during the day (while all the kids are at school/pre-school) I simply enjoy the silence--no TV, no music, nothing. If such a blessed event occurs at night (if Paul takes the kids out to a sporting event (*yawn*)) then I watch long BBC movies.
3. Driving in silence. Kind of the same as #2 only I take this to two different extremes. I either drive in complete silence and inhale deep breaths to cleanse my normally noise-filled life or I listen to music VERY loudly. This works particularly well in our new car with a Bose audio system. Even better if listening to U2's Vertigo. I feel naughtly because I listen to it so loudly that I have to keep checking my rear-view mirror lest I see an ambulance trying to blow around me because I can't hear a thing and should've pulled over.
4. I sneakily eat chocolate sometimes. (Is this what closet alcoholics do?) I hide in my pantry and eat the delicious European chocolate or else I'd have to share. Heck, the kids are happy with dum dum lollipops, why share money?
5. My kids say I'm mean. Enough said.
So why are you a good mom?
I am not a mom, but you can send your little angels my way anytime you need the break!
ReplyDeleteLove,
Patty
I love evidence #4. I'm all about hoarding the good stuff. You gotta have some perks for being a mom.
ReplyDeleteI'm an awesome mom because 99 percent of the time never make them a hot breakfast. I make pancakes for dinner. Cereal, toaster waffles, or quick cooking oatmeal is what we have for breakfast. I don't do mornings.
Wow, your last anonymous coment was a complete buzz-killer.
ReplyDeleteLet's perk things back up to speed...
I'm a good Mom becuase my kids can argue with me all they want and still say I love you, Mom on their way to bed at night.
Rock on...
Cynthia,
ReplyDeleteTake down comment number three. That was a cruel and ignorant thing to say. They obviously do not know you are speaking facetiously.
I remember last year we took the kiddies camping for two weeks without you. They missed you and I heard you say you missed them. We had a wonderful time with them, and I know you had a wonderful time in Chicago without them. It's possible to be a good mother and not pine for your children when you have raised them to be strong.
Sorry, I got up on my soapbox. No one can ever doubt your mother adored you kids, but she, too enjoyed her time alone.
Dad
I deleted comment #3 Dad. She was a meany.
ReplyDeleteI think you are a great mom too, Cynthia! I'm so with you on the rare occasions of silence - I love it.
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm a good mom b/c my cute 4-y-o tells me I'm her favorite all the time. She also likes to whisper in my ear, "I love you SO much!" See, I am a little more on the "melt-your-heart" kids are cute side of motherhood...that may change someday. :)
Cynthia- I know you're a good mom because your kids are so sweet. I'm a good mom because I am patient, and I will usually give up some of my free time to do stuff with them or for them.
ReplyDeleteCynthia,
ReplyDeleteI've really enjoyed reading your blog and looking at your pictures. You are one talented lady! You make me want to learn to sew.
Life has been kind to you, your children are beautiful!
To answer your question - in my best sarcastic voice - I'm a good mom because I work full time, and sometimes I drive around the block a couple times before I decide to go home a night.
Laurie Heumann
To quote 'Dan In Real Life'-
ReplyDelete'My teenagers hate me'
'Then you're doing something right!' :-)
I guess I'm a good mom because I am currently getting like 3 hours of sleep a night and I really look forward to that two hour nap time in the day!
ReplyDeleteAnd, to whoever posted that mean post about my sister, you obviously do not know her very well, or are jealous because she IS a good mom. In fact, she is one of the best moms I know. I am not a mother, but if I am ever granted the chance to become one, my sister is a shining example of the kind of mother I would like to be. She has happy, healthy, and well-behaved children whom I absolutely dote on and adore.
ReplyDeleteCynthia, you are a prime example of motherhood in my book, and in your children's book as well!
Love,
Patty
i think the fact that I am typing this with purple plastic vampire teeth in my mouth (Eli is sitting on my lap, naked and dirty, with matching teeth) is evidence I am an acceptable mother.
ReplyDeleteYou know we use to call Patty the weird sister. Now I think I've changed my mind! :)
ReplyDeleteShoot what did the mean person say? Now I want to know
ReplyDeleteLol. Sister Winward, you're just plain funny. I like you're blog. It makes me realize I'm not the only cynical person in the world. :D
ReplyDeleteLove,
Ur Favorite Young Woman in Ur Ward
(That's Lauren, if you didn't catch my drift. :D)