Being a stay at home mom doesn't always mean you are "there". Really there... Somehow your staying at home really means....driving in a car...going to a meeting...making a cake for a function...etc. etc. A lot of it is enjoyable and just part of the "package" but as a mom sometimes I have to sit back and think am I "really" there!Today, I am hosting a brunch...yesterday I had something else...tomorrow I have family coming in from out of state. The only thing I wanted to get done last night after dinner was vacuum and mop my kitchen floor . As I looked through my kindergartener's folder, I came across a paper that said "Write 3 x's and say the sound". My daughter bursted into tears and wanted to throw the paper away. She was very upset that everyone received a sticker but her.
I tried to explain to her that her teacher cares about her. She would be doing her a "injustice' {I didn't use that word} if she just put a sticker on it. She wants my daughter to practice. After that conversation, I went about my "stuff" that I needed done. My daughter came to me again and told me she just needs to snuggle {really bad!}. Every thought came in my mind like 'Don't you know I have to vacuum, make chicken salad, clean the toilets, mop the floor, get your brother to his coaches house, etc. etc.!'
But, I am realizing that my kids are growing...quickly! I am trying hard to be there! Just be there..so I put down that mop and snuggled. It was wonderful and all of a sudden chicken salad didn't matter...
As a mother, do you have to make an effort to just "be there"?
6 comments:
I've definitely learned that lesson over the years. I was a SAHM with our children but I don't think I embraced it like I do with our grandchildren.
WOW i totally get this post and now that my baby has started K too I find myself really needing to "be there" for them when they come home and not cleaning etc.... the first week of school was crazy in the PM i went to bed so sad because i was multitasking/listening/ cleaning/ laundry etc... now during the day I make myself accountable. it needs to be done before the come home or it's not going to happen till the next day, it's helped so much.
Happy snuggling with you sweetie
Oh goodness! I have to make the effort all the time! Just a few days ago, in the midst of painting our family room the house has become a disaster and the laundry had overtaken the house. So I was busy trying to do some cleaning and my son wanted to talk. I sort of brushed him aside telling him it would need to wait a few minutes. He later (20 minutes later) called my cell phone to see if we could talk. I realized at that moment I wasn't being "there" for him so I stopped everything and we talked and snuggled on my bed for a while.
On Monday night, I had so much to do, and was really tired...but my littlest one wanted to read stories, and lay in his bed for a long time...
So, I did, and was glad that we snuggled and spent a long time together...
So far, that has been my most favorite time of the entire week!
Living busy lives, it's often hard to put our children above our own, often selfish, needs. However, in the 18 1/2 years that I've been a stay-at-home mom, I've learned that there are MANY moments that come along only once, so I try to cherish each and every one.
I totally agree! I was raised with a stay at home mom but she was always in bed and not spending time with or even near us. TO this day she talks about raising kids, staying home, etc. and I still feel a sense of loss. I appreciate your reminder -- we can all be "not there" in our own ways. I hope I am always there for my kids, even when I am busy.
Post a Comment