It starts at 7:00 a.m.
My 11 year old takes 4 wake up calls. Likes his milk cold. Freshly poured as he approaches the breakfast table. Half a cup. White milk. His toast lightly done--NOT brown. Only REAL butter. Honey, please, and lots of it. No Lucky Charms. No Fruit Loops. No Cheerios. No sibling within 7 feet(!) and preferably, quiet.
My 9 year old requires the fire in the stove to be rekindled and hot. He needs his favorite jeans, his favorite turtle neck, and his favorite shoes. The BROWN ones. Only cereal. The GOOD kind! Chocolate milk (of course). Only the soccer ball cold pack for his lunch box. Not the football. NOT the basketball, and DEFINITELY NOT the smiley face. Pb&j on a bun. Not bread. Mom(!), did you sign my agenda book? Where's my math paper?
My cute as a button four year old wants to cuddle when he walks out of the bedroom. NOT WAIT till after the boys catch the car pool. He wants his brothers' toys. Not his. Candy for breakfast. Snow boots. Not shoes! His sandwich cut in four. NOT TWO! Cinnamon on his toast. Only the tub butter. The blue cup. The blue blanket.
Calgon, take me away!
By the time 8:00 rolls around, and I'm talking a.m., I'm ready to hit the sack again!
A mom's job is hard. We pick and choose what whims we entertain. We teach them to be flexible, not because of the noble attribute it is, but because we can't possibly keep it all straight!
There are going to be mix ups, outrages, squabbles, and plenty of thankless days. But we keep going. . . and sometimes, we hide in the bathroom!
And sometimes, in that dark little corner of our brain, we ask Why do I even bother?
Barbara Johnson said once,
Kids are like sponges. They absorb all your strength and leave you limp.
But give them a squeeze and you get it all back.
Don't you just love her sense of humor?
That's it. She nailed it. It is not a totally thankless job. We just need to remember not to squeeze their little necks! Kidding! Just Kidding!
God, help me to be the kind of mom that willingly gives all of her strength. And when I run out, fill my tank again. . .
. . . and kick me out of the bathroom!
4 comments:
I had to laugh out loud at the description of your marning routine. ; ) It's so rewarding to be a mom, though, isn't it?
My son is 26 months old (and I am due with son number 2 in about seven weeks, but who's counting?) And the moment, and by moment, I mean this two day period, he is totally cuddly and snuggly and wants to give mommy kisses and hugs. And he is sleeping relatively well. I wish I could bottle this moment. Because just the second I relax, I know he will revert to the "terrible two" that he sometimes is, and I will wonder WHAT IN THE WORLD I am doing having another one!
What a great post! And what a busy morning. ;-)
Whew, I'm exhausted just reading your morning routine! I don't know how may times I go through my day, proclaiming "Lord, give me strength", sometimes with gritted teeth.
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