I want to be the kind of mom that always smiles and laughs with the other moms, and maintain the kind of poise Mother Theresa herself would be proud of.
But, I’m not. If you yell at my kid or bring your sass anywhere near him I’m gonna give you the kind of look that could silence a class full of street-wise teenagers on the first day of school.
I want to the kind of mom that always makes healthy lunches everyday and only buys organic.
But I’m not. Because after three hours in a mommy and me with three kids the dinner store (aka Mc D’s) is not such a bad idea. Besides mom can get a caffeinated diet coke that will get me through an afternoon of laundry.
I want to be the kind of mom that always looks fabulous wearing spotless white skirts that flow in the breeze and fabulous scarves that drape ever so perfectly around my neck without ever coming undone.
But I’m not. I had to sneak into the dining room this morning in my underwear to find my mom-jeans and whatever t-shirt happened to be closest to it among the towers of clean folded laundry on the table. And yep, the gardener had already arrived.
I want to be the kind of mom that patiently waits out every tantrum and has all the answers to taming their wrath.
But I’m not. Because those things are contagious. I am yet to find a potion that can cure all kids of being kids. And a triple tantrum is enough to make any mom want to scream
I want to be the kind of mom that always has dinner ready when dad comes home.
But I’m not. By five o’clock my ability to think straight let alone measure the proper amount of ingredients is greatly compromised. Unless one of those ingredients is wine that I can sip while I cook.
I want to be the kind of mom whose house is always neat organized and smells of cookies.
But, I’m not. You already know where my laundry was this morning. And the kitty litter needs changing. So, I’m going to spare you the rest of the details.
I want to be the kind of mom that always remembers it is better to teach than punish.
But I’m not. Because when there are two kids headed for the street it is a little difficult to sit down and chat about throwing dirt with the third.
So now the question is… what kind of mom do you want to be?
Other related posts:
My Beef With Moms
Mommy Meltdowns
Wow that’s the kids of mom I want to be too! Funny because I sneak around the house in my undies with my hands over my boobs desperately trying to find a clean nursing bra and and the one pair of jeans I actually love! This rang true on so many levels and made me laugh…and really I want to be the kid of mom who laughs a lot with her children and gives them tons of hugs and kisses and love and despite all the other crap…I do those things!
I want to be the kind of mom whose little girls have perfect hair with big bows and wear smocked dresses. Instead, my oldest practically has dreadlocks, the baby is bald (thank goodness), and they wear thrift store duds. Oh well. They are happy and healthy and I don’t want to jump off a cliff when Emma spills paint on her t-shirt or the baby has a blow out. Great post!
This is perfectly beautiful and honest! You are a WONDERFUL mom!
Can I be that kind of mom too? I feel like I could always be better than I actually am.
Love this post! I can so relate! So often, I feel down about myself because I feel as though I am not living up to the image of “the kind of mom” that I think I could/should be. Often, in these instances, I have to remind myself that even the mom who I think I could/should be does not really exist. Glad to know that I am not alone in feeling this way!
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-Jessica
I want to be the mommy who ALWAYS wants to be with her kids and live in the moment with them and memorize every waking moment I spend with them.
But I’m not. Because being with them 24/7 makes me want to pull my hair out. I have 3 part time jobs and a live in au pair (because a babysitter would quit if they knew how unpredictable and sporadic my child care needs are!). When I go to work or even to the store by myself and get that break, I come back refreshed, with a renewed patience reserve, and excited to spend the next 36 hours with my kiddos.
Great post, Andie!
That is so me! Especially sneaking around half naked looking for clothes – I’ve even been known to grab a blanket or towel to avoid streaking through the house in search of clean underwear – good thing nobody’s caught me yet!
Oh, the humanity! :)
Yeah, we had a quadruple tantrum tonight at bedtime. Hubby and I just looked across the carnage at each other and said, “That’s why they pay us the big bucks!”
Cuz the kind of mom I am is one who doesn’t shy from a little well-placed gallows humor. Glad to know another mom just like that!
me too! i want to be that Mom too
I also want to be like Olivia’s mom she is so cool, patience and tolerant of her chatterbox overly precocious daughter who is a lot like mine…but she is a pig so I don’t want to be that part.
As usual Mama excellent post