Monday, November 8, 2010

I Never Thought I'd Be a Mother Who....

I was talking to my sister this morning who is adjusting to life with an infant.  My sweet nephew was born a little over a month ago making my sister a first time mom and making me a first time aunt.  We are now having those conversations that you can only have once you have children of your own.  


And, our conversation today got me to thinking about all the things I thought about motherhood prior to becoming a mom and how I think about those things now.  And so I give to you...


I Never Thought I'd Be a Mother Who....


 - couldn't keep her child's runny nose constantly clean.  And, I certainly didn't think I'd be walking around in clothing covered in my child's snot, spit-up, lunch, etc. etc.  My children (especially the 2 year old) often look like little street urchins.  They are just constantly covered in dirt, bits of their lunch, or snot.  I do clean their faces.  I really do.  But, it usually only lasts a minute or two.
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 - didn't notice that her child's fingernails had grown into talons. Ah, how this one has haunted me.  When I was working in childcare I remember noticing one kindergarten age boy whose nails had grown rather long.  I remember tsk-tsking to myself that his parents were apparently too busy to trim their child's nails.  Umm....I now stand guilty myself.


 - had children who had temper tantrums.  I know.  I know.  Silly me.  I really believed that temper tantrums were simply the result of poor parenting.  Again, I stand corrected.
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 - would lose her cool and yell.  Nope.  I was going to be the calm, ever-patient, yet firm mother.  I would handle my child's misbehavior (which wouldn't be often because I was going to be such an awesome parent!) with skill and decorum.  A simple change in the tone of my voice along with a serious look would be all that was necessary for my children to respond with respect and obedience.  Hee hee!
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 - allowed her children to watch too much tv.  Of course in my household television was going to be a once in a while treat.  And, that would be perfectly fine with my children because they would be so involved in imaginative play, crafts, games, and other activities.  Then, I had 4 children in 6 years and suddenly allowing them to watch tv so I'd have a few minutes (or an hour or 2?) of quiet didn't seem so bad.  Ok.  I will admit.  I really do want to cut down on the amount of television my children watch.  It's a work in progress.


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I could go on and on.  But, you get the idea.  So, what are some things you find yourself doing as a parent that you never thought you would do?









5 comments:

  1. 1. I was going to be a mom who was always in control of her child...hahahahahah! Sometimes I'm not in control and I need to figure out how to get it back!
    2. I was never going to be a mom who ignored her child while they were having a tantrum in Walmart.
    3. I for sure wasn't going to have a child that picked their nose! No way.

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  2. I agree with all of yours! I thought that way too! How silly it seems now :)
    I never thought I would let my kids eat take out. Like ever. Well maybe once in a blue moon but that was it. I was gonna be Susie homemaker and make my family fabulous meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. HA! I actually have one of my favorite take out places on speed dial for emergencys!

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  3. This was excellent, Karen! Thanks so much for your transparency! I've learned so much since becoming a parent, mostly about how much *I* need to grow!!

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  4. I was never going to wash my child's face with a washcloth that looked like it was used to check the oil dipstick. Food stains washcloths! It's not dirty, it just looks dirty:-).

    Great list, Karen. We'll all in the same boat- the real mom boat.

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  5. Those are all very true. I was never going to let my kids eat junk food. I made through about a year with my first child. I would say that is pretty. good.

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