To all unselfish moms who traded sleep for dark circles, salon haircuts for ponytails, long showers for quick ones, late nights for early mornings & designer bags for diaper bags & wouldn't change a thing. Let's see how many moms post this who don't care what they gave up, and love what they got in return.....post this if you'd do it again in a heartbeat .....it's more than love (Author Unknown, taken from a viral Facebook post)
I was feeling nostalgic today and started looking over some old notes of mine that I shared to a smaller audience. Now that I have this great big network of parents whom I get to share my stories and posts with, I'm adding this here:
"Looking back at this past year, and watching my son grow from a baby to a tiny tot I can't help but reflect on mommy-hood and what that means.
We have had a lot of ups and a lot of downs this past year, but in the end we made it through and I am happy for that! Every hardship or struggle we overcome provides for a new outcome or learning experience, leaving room for growth and improvement.
Being a mother means you have to be strong - the emotional rock your child stands on to come into their own. Balancing daily struggles and frustrations as well as keeping a cool and comforting demeanor.
That's why I have to hand it to us moms - with as hard a it is to deal with our kids when they frustrate us, we sill love them and cherish those special sweet moments. I know I do! When I tuck my sweet little angel into bed, I know that all the troubles of the day are gone and tomorrow will be better. I promise to love my son, and when he tests me, to love him even more!
Here's to all those mommies who have the strength to love, cherish, and care for our children each and every day! Like this if you a wonderful, fantastic, amazingly, awesome, super mom!"
This post still resonates with me. There are still days that "my sweet angel" (he would roll his eyes at me for calling him that) tests me but I still keep that promise, even today, to love home no matter what. Don't get me wrong, he still gets a consequences, or if you follow me on Facebook that "mom look" (The one from Gone With The Wind).
However, mad or impatient with him I get I always practice mindfulness, explain why he's in trouble or time out and promise to do better if there are lines crossed. He has grown so much from that "little tot" into this big, amazing boy who loves learning about the world around him. He has grown and helped me become the parent I am today. I am grateful that as my first, I had the opportunity to be his mom. And I would do it all again in a heartbeat!
Erin Ardans, publisher for Macaroni Kid Vacaville - Fairfield - Suisun
