Truly Amazing
Yesterday, Elizabeth from Table for 5 wrote this post about being an amazing parent. I thought it was such a well-stated post. Her inspiration for writing it was this post from Girl's Gone Child. Also, Catherine at Her Bad Mother wrote this post about being a great Mom.I know that I link people often, but these posts are truly deserving of your time.
These posts really struck a chord with me. As I sure all of us do, I spend a lot of time worrying about how good a job I am doing as a Mother. How can we help it, what with all the parenting books, unsolicited advice, experts, educators, and babycenter.com out there to tell us how we're doing?
When I look at my son, though, I know that I'm doing a great job being his Mom. No I'm not bragging. No, I'm not somehow superior to any other Mom out there. It's just that we are all* doing a great job. (all*...as in you're not a smoking crack or leaving your child with your sexually molesting boyfriend to go score some meth)
My son is fed. Not always organic, high-fructose corn syrup free foods. But I nourish his little body so that it can grow.
He is happy. Sure, sometimes it's Blue's Clues that gets the smile. But on those great days, it's my presense that gets the smile. Just having "mama" is enough for him.
Peanut has a home. He has a comfy bed and toys and books. We certainly don't live in a mansion, but that is NOT what makes a great home.
Most importantly, my son is loved. Even when he's slapping himself out of frustration. Even when he's acting a bit like a demon at the library. Especially when he gives kisses and asks to hear "If You're Happy and You Know It" one more time. I tell him all the time how much I love him. He gets oodles of kisses, hugs, cuddles, zerberts, and tickles.
I am an amazing Mom. I lose my temper. I have to put Peanut in his room so that Mommy can have a time out. I can't even say that I have no idea what I'm doing. We all somehow know what to do. I'm doing a great job.
Feel free to tell me how awesome you are. Because you are. And you should know and own it.
Labels:
Little Monkeys,
Mommydom
16 People are even more brilliant:
You are an amazing mother, and so am I. (I did get them the bubbles, but just the fact that I had doubts makes me want to pull my hair out.)
Time outs for Mommy are definitely an important part of being an amazing mother.
Thank you so much for mentioning my post! And I agree with Nell, the fact that you recognized that YOU needed a time out makes YOU an amazing mother!
Beautiful post Jennifer!
I look forward to reading those links later today.
I like that! I like hearing people realize or admit that they are good at something. Something big, like being a mother. So often people talk only of what they think they are doing wrong, what they are missing, how they could improve. Reading this brought a smile to my face. Good for you! Peanut's a lucky guy.
Yup. We're all good moms. We need to celebrate that. It's just so much easier to bitch though, isn't it??
I have been beating myself up, a lot lately about my perceived failings as a mother - I needed to read this, and those links today - thank you :)
I've been less than thrilled with my performance lately, too. Thanks for the lift.
I know I am a great mom when I am putting my son to bed and can recite all the word to "Love you forever" by Robert N. Munsch and Sheila McGraw . He giggles throughout the story and he know I really mean it.
"Love you forever
Like you for always
As long as I am living
My baby you'll be"
It's funny you write this today because my blog this morning consists of what a horrible, horrible mother I was today.
You are an amazing woman, wife and mother! Me too! Cause I said so. And cause I've stuck around when others would have left. Yep.
I'm also having an "I am such a horrible mother day", so maybe tomorrow!
Good for you to take time for yourself. And yes, I agree with "in the trenches.." it is much easier to bitch, but much nicer to pat ourselves on the back.
I work with so many moms with young children, and I can say that you ARE a grreat mom :)
The timeout for mommmy is key !
That was so true! I hope I start to feel that way about parenting my stepson.
Thanks for the encouragement.
This is an great post! Thank you for sharing and boostin me up as a Mom at the same time.
My kids get to go to their room while mommy gets time outs as well. I know I'm a great mom when I see them being kind to others and sharing. When the give me big kisses and hugs and by the way the greet me when I get home from work.
Thanks for the reminder!
I love this post - makes me feel like the mother of the year. :)
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