So I recently read one of the many books out there that talk about the misery of motherhood. I admit that I have read a few of these in hopes of laughing along with the clever mommy banter. I have found that once you read one "confessional" about the drudgery of motherhood, you have read them all.
I recently read "Scary Mommy" when it promised hilarious recounts of being a mom and deep confessions from other mothers around the country. Once again, I was disappointed to see the same complaints and boring secrets. Only one truly made me LOL or laugh out loud as old people call it.
"I love my teenage daughter but everyday when she leaves for school after rolling her eyes at me, I flip her off once she shuts the door...with both hands." That truly cracked me up because I KNOW I was that teenager and I KNOW I will have one just like it!
My friend and neighbor recently posted on FB about this very thing and people complaining about motherhood and how she couldn't understand it. And this is a full-time working mom that just had her third baby with her oldest just turning five AND she cooks...ALL the TIME! It really made me pause and realize that I am definitely guilty of whining about the tasks that come along with being a mom.
It's a different kind of gossip with other mommy friends. There are times where I find myself trying to out-do other moms with how terrible my kid can be. It's like I have forgotten the years we spent working to have her, the treatments, the doctors, the disappointment. Don't get me wrong, there are still moments, DAYS where it can feel like a chore but I realized that more than anything, it is a gift that I need to revel in.
So I wanted to share my mommy confessions. Not the ones I tend to joke about with mommy friends, but the ones that I know they share with me...the positive ones.
1. There is no one that I would rather spend time with than my kid. I would (and do) pass up opportunities for movies, nights out and drinks to spend time on the ground playing Barbies or watching Disney. Besides, red wine goes great with Red Vines and "Beauty and the Beast".
2. Being a mother is the best job I have ever had. Yes, calling it a job contradicts what I am really saying but I do feel like raising a person to be a positive contributing member of society is a job. While I really like recruiting, I LOVE being a mom. My kid would totally be hired all over again.
3. I like being in bed early and don't miss going out at ALL. Yes, part of that comes from being a total homebody that hates to straighten my hair but a lot of it is motherhood. Hangovers and exhaustion do not go well with loud little voices.
4. There are times that I wish we had a house full of children....and then I sober up. All kidding aside, I am beyond excited to add to our family through adoption and know this is what we were meant to do. But I definitely think two at home, three total is our limit.
5. Being a parent is tough on a marriage but makes it stronger at the same time. Getting on the same parenting page is not always easy, especially when you are almost reading a different book. But in the end...divorced, married whatever, you have a common goal and that is a bond that is forever binding.
6. Motherhood does not require perfection. This is definitely a lesson I am working on. I am not a type A and perfection is not usually my thing in life but for some reason, I second guess every decision I make and worry constantly that I am doing the right thing. I am learning, in time, that we do the best we can and in the end, it will work out. As long as my daughter stays away from high plastic heels and her name is never announced on "the center stage", we have done our job.
So there are my deep dark confessions. O.k so they weren't dark or all that funny but I'm sure when I'm having a less reflective day, I will post the dark side. :)
