On Motherhood

So I was reading one of Melissa's posts over at Tiny Happy and felt inspired to play along by responding to the prompt: What are five things you like (or dislike) about being a mother? This is part of an 'Around the World in 80 Clicks' idea started at Her Bad Mother, here, where mothers write their answers, then tag five other women from their own country, or overseas.

Here's what I like, in no particular order:

1. I like being there for two little people to count on no matter what. It fills me with a sense of purpose in this world.

2. I like taking vacations and going on adventures with my kids. It may not be as relaxing, but it sure is a heckuva lotta fun. A kid's first airplane ride? First overnight in a tent in the woods? First time fishing on a lake in Minnesota? Priceless for sure.

3. I like that being a mom has led me to become more compassionate and patient than I ever thought I could be; I like to think that I'm less of a wound-up and worried sort (read: less self-absorbed, perhaps? All things knitterly and all crafty endeavors excluded from this declaration of course!).

4. I like that what once might have been "old" to us is new again when experienced with a child. Dandelions leaving yellow stains on the nose, finding the moon in the sky during daylight hours, the silliness of birds arguing over their lunch of seeds at the birdfeeder outside our window...I could go on.

5. There's really nothing that I dislike about being a mother, and I'm not just saying that with faeries and butterflies flying about my head and a double rainbow gracing the background. Rather, it's with the knowledge that if there's one thing I dislike about being a mom, it has everything to do with how I perceive and judge myself as a mother. In other words, it's a challenge to keep those overly-critical voices at bay, although I can also appreciate this so-called "personal maternal barometer" that keeps me inspired and, hopefully, my kids as well. (Here's hoping I'm making a lick of sense, here).  

Anyhoo, Mother's Day is fast approaching, and right now I just wish I could give all of you ladies out there who mother, love, spend time with, care about, teach, and laugh with kids a big 'ol hug and pat on the back while simultaneously shoving a glass of wine (or a mocktail, if you prefer) in your hand, whether you're a mother or an aunt or a grandparent or a good friend. (Que the butterflies and rainbows, please!) We all know that bringing up kids in this world isn't easy by any means, but the rewards and benefits are huge - I have to believe that.

Feel free to play along if you wanna, and let me know if you do!

Comments

[Holli]

Paige, I love this post! Quite possibly my favorite of yours ever. You are honest, funny, and so interesting. Thanks for sharing what you love about motherhood. You've got two really fortunate children.

[Amy]

All very important things to remember when times are tough. Thank you for the reminder to stop and look around. Happy Mother's Day to you my friend!

[Adrienne]

Oh I'll tell ya - I can't imagine not being a mom. Somedays ... somedays just suck; but I am so thankful that I am at home with them ... even if it means more gray hair ;-) Such a great post. Thanks for sharing. I'm gonna play along but first I need to clean my bathrooms and get rid of some of my mommy guilt ;-)

[heather jane]

Really lovely, Paige. The only thing I dislike is barf. And I agree with you so deeply about the self view issue. That's the thing I struggle with most of all. My kids love me no matter how huge a monster I may be on any given day.

[jessica]

Those are perfect words....print them out and put them in your kids' baby books...they'll cherish them!

[Lecia]

beautiful Paige - I really love this. You are inspiring!

[Kim]

Most of the time I enjoy being a mother, but I tell ya, sometimes, it is damn hard. I wasn't an easy kid for my mom to deal with and now I am dealing with a kid just like me. To be honest, sometimes I want to run away and become a hermit.

[Anna of Helylle]

Like the other commenters - I love this post! So well put and so true. Today has been something of an ordeal but reading this post made me think again and realize it's all about how I judge myself and my efforts. It's really ok.
How wise you are.