They Still Love Me...
...or so they say, those children of mine.
I visit so many great blogs with different and wonderful purposes. One such blog is Cop Mama. I believe CM's blog has a great purpose... a ministry if you will...where moms get together and talk. Today, instead of my Monday Ramblings I am linking to her Monday post called Mama Guilt Mondays. If you are a mom and you've ever felt guilty over motherhood, check her out.
Although, my children are grown and I don't have much advice to offer mothers with young children, I will confess two terribly stupid mom moments of mine when my children were little. I still beat myself up for saying them.
Here goes:
My son is the oldest of my two children. Being the oldest child well...you are the experimental child. Parents try every parenting method on you. It is a well known fact. He was energetic, as he should have been. One day when he was about three years old, he had been misbehaving -extra and on my last nerve. Frankly, I was at my wits end. I finally grabbed him, pulled him close to my face and said "If you don't stop acting badly, I am going to take you to (insert grocery store name) and leave you." He cried. Not a little cry. He cried a big crushing cry with huge crocodile tears. I'm sorry!
I laugh about it now, but the memory can still bring tears to my eyes and daggers to my heart. I said for years he should have been removed from our home for that one.
My daughter is the baby of the family. She really never got in trouble. But, I still worried about a couple of behaviors. For one as a small child, she acted as if she and I were joined at the hip and would tell me every little move she was going to make before she made it. I was very glad that both of my kids read much of the time. My daughter, though, read (it seemed like 24/7) and instead of going out to play many times she would read. I had a hard time keeping her in books, let me say. So one day, my idiot mouth guided by a clearly malfunctioning brain said, "Would you stop reading so much and go watch TV?" I'm sorry!
Huh? The minute I heard those words come from my mouth, I realized what a stupid request I had just made. I remember after I said it, I just kept on walking hoping the entire episode would never be mentioned again. She returned to her reading.
Did you know that all parents are imperfect? No matter how much we try we will probably feel guilty about something we did or did not do regarding our children. It's good to confess it to another. Why? Because...we are all in the same boat and we don't always know it.
I visit so many great blogs with different and wonderful purposes. One such blog is Cop Mama. I believe CM's blog has a great purpose... a ministry if you will...where moms get together and talk. Today, instead of my Monday Ramblings I am linking to her Monday post called Mama Guilt Mondays. If you are a mom and you've ever felt guilty over motherhood, check her out.
Although, my children are grown and I don't have much advice to offer mothers with young children, I will confess two terribly stupid mom moments of mine when my children were little. I still beat myself up for saying them.
Here goes:
My son is the oldest of my two children. Being the oldest child well...you are the experimental child. Parents try every parenting method on you. It is a well known fact. He was energetic, as he should have been. One day when he was about three years old, he had been misbehaving -extra and on my last nerve. Frankly, I was at my wits end. I finally grabbed him, pulled him close to my face and said "If you don't stop acting badly, I am going to take you to (insert grocery store name) and leave you." He cried. Not a little cry. He cried a big crushing cry with huge crocodile tears. I'm sorry!
I laugh about it now, but the memory can still bring tears to my eyes and daggers to my heart. I said for years he should have been removed from our home for that one.
My daughter is the baby of the family. She really never got in trouble. But, I still worried about a couple of behaviors. For one as a small child, she acted as if she and I were joined at the hip and would tell me every little move she was going to make before she made it. I was very glad that both of my kids read much of the time. My daughter, though, read (it seemed like 24/7) and instead of going out to play many times she would read. I had a hard time keeping her in books, let me say. So one day, my idiot mouth guided by a clearly malfunctioning brain said, "Would you stop reading so much and go watch TV?" I'm sorry!
Huh? The minute I heard those words come from my mouth, I realized what a stupid request I had just made. I remember after I said it, I just kept on walking hoping the entire episode would never be mentioned again. She returned to her reading.
Did you know that all parents are imperfect? No matter how much we try we will probably feel guilty about something we did or did not do regarding our children. It's good to confess it to another. Why? Because...we are all in the same boat and we don't always know it.
Years later.
Kids grown.
They survived.
They still love me.
Monday Ramblings will return next week.
Monday Ramblings will return next week.
Comments
It's when love is with held that problems arise.
Obviously, you let them know they were loved.
Devon, You know it. You are right on. If children feel loved then those silly mistakes are forgiven.
Only TWO times you said something you regret? Uh oh, I already have you beat! Well, it sounds like your kids turned out great, so I don't think too much harm was done!
Thanks for your kind words. You're right, I guess it is kind of a ministry. Thanks for linking up.
Thanks!
Enjoy the week .. Hilary
I was trying to get something done in the kitchen, getting ready to go somewhere for the evening. I remember her sitting at my feet on the kitchen floor just crying. I just ignored her because I thought she was just trying to get attention. A few hours later, her fever spiked at 103. It turned out she had a horrible ear infection.
I'm sure she doesn't remember that incident, but it bothers me to this day. So, yes. I'm sorry.
My first child was born 3 months after my 16th B'day. I was a baby with a baby. I had only been a wife for 9 months and 10 days! Here I was trying to fill 2 roles I was not equipped for! I did it! I made lots of mistakes along the way but as I tell my 3 grown children now, the wonderful, successful adults they have evolved into tells me I did an excellent job in spite of myself!!
Good to know there are other women out there with such stories. Thanks for sharing!
what cute kids!! Love the photo!
I just loved your post and I think you' re an excellent mother.
Betty xx