We were playing the Kissing Game.
I swoop in and kiss cheeks, they hurry to rub them away, exclaim “I wiped off your kisses!” and with exaggerated exasperation I try to get another,
through fits of giggles.
The best is Ashlyn, this one takes practice. They watch me try to sneak up and plant one on her, she leans away with horror masking her smile.
And the little ones erupt in cheers once I catch her.
I settle back into the drivers seat and realize I would like to be here.
As a kid,
in the backseat,
holding my eyes open from a day of swimming dare I fall asleep before we reach the ice cream parlor, laughing at my crazy mother as she attempts to show me just how much she loves me.
There are days, or every day, when I am critical of my parenting.
I’m too impatient, too tired, too quick to say no or yes. I haven’t cooked enough, played enough or read to them enough.
But right now, laughter and love bubbling through my minivan, I let myself admire my work.
I turn the key and promise to do this more often,
the swimming, the ice cream and the patting myself on the back for a job well done.
Okay, your turn. We are all too critical of ourselves. What is something you have done really well lately?
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It is so touching. I feel so touch when I read your post. It is really nice to have these activities together with our beloved kids.
What a great mommabear you are, Jessica. This post just leaves me with warm fuzzies 🙂
Love to be thought of as a mommabear Charlotte. xo
I just enjoyed the whole thing and thought Bravo You! So it caught me off-guard when I had to think Bravo Me. Um… I’ve been super patient with my youngest who was home with the flu all day when I was counting on packing and cleaning for our trip. That was a Bravo Me moment.
I’ve been on a parenting self-criticism bender, but not without results. I researched, designed and implemented a new chore program for my kids. I did a damned good job, and the boys have taken to it as though they’ve been waiting for it. Yeay me!
First of all, this is so beautifully written. Really. You always know how to weave thoughts emotions and words wonderfully.
I’m in a bad place and it’s hard for me to see the good in anything I do….but what I do do is put my child first. If I’m having a terrible day, I line up people to help take care of him. If I recognize that I’m not paying him enough attention, we go to the park, or we engage in activities together. I just want him to know that I love him even when I’m sick.
He knows. I know he does. And you do an amazing job juggling your challenges but never letting your love for him be anything less than overflowing.
Love this post. What a great exercise for all of us. We certainly spend entirely too much time picking ourselves apart. So, I’ve spent the last week and a half with my parents. Yesterday, my mom said- “Gus is just such a kind hearted little boy.” My heart swelled. Yes, I had a little bit to do with that:)
We took the brood to Disney this past week…that’s enough good mothering to last me at least a month…
Oh my gosh, yes. You should get the rest of the summer off.
I swept all of the loose dog hair under the rug and took a nap with my littlest, snugly tugged between my arms. And I didn’t think once about the nagging list waiting for me on the kitchen counter:) And it was heaven. You’re awesome:)
Oh that is perfect. A nap you will never regret. xo
Beautiful writing and mothering and loving.
So beautiful! Your children are lucky to have you and you ARE a great mom.
I’m impressed with my recent ability to do something fun every day with my little gal despite feeling hot and pregnant. Most days I’m ready to pass out by noon, but seeing the joy in her face is SO worth it – even if it’s just the two of us drawing with chalk on the sidewalk 🙂
Staying happy and upbeat while pregnant is a huge feat.
I wrote (am writing) a series a series of kids poems and stories. I have no idea if they will be commercially viable. But my son loves them. It’s been such a bonding experience. Her usually want me to read to him, even over mommy, and he always wants and Egret story or two
Yesterday, we lived in the moment at the beach. It was awesome.
AWESOME picture. periodtheend.
Oh I love this. I think my kids have very low expectations so I have a few wins everyday. xoxo
That seems to be a very nice activity that a lot of kids would love to participate in. The best thing about that is that it adds to the intimacy among family members.
I can make a mean sand castle.
Jessica, thanks for encouraging us to see beyond our flaws…
Oooh, this makes me want to go to the beach. Thanks for the inspiration ;).
I am letting the little things go this summer and my girls and I are enjoying so much during our days and when my husband gets home at night we sit at the dinner table and catch up with him. He keeps telling me that it looks like our girls are having the best summer ever and I feel it. I really feel like they (we) are.
Keep enjoying those kisses and ice cream cones!
Isn’t that the best, when you can see it in their faces? Great job momma!
That’s awesome.
Um, I have… Um…
I’ll get back to you. Sigh.
Oh Robin, those are tough days when you can dig and find something. I will give you one. I can tell, by all that you write that you are an incredibly compassionate, intuitive mom. xo
meant “can’t” not “can”
I love this. Yes, some days are hard and we can pick them apart…but it’s so important to have these days. And to take credit…because you are an amazing mother…and you work hard at it. Even on the hard days. xo
So what are you giving yourself credit for???
Hmmm… well, I’ve been consistently working out again, which makes me better at everything else in my life. I feel happy and well-balanced. Despite my ongoing professional self-doubt about my job and overall career, I recently got a decent raise. And the other day, when I asked my extra-cuddly daughter why she was giving me so many hugs, she responded, “Because you are safe, Mommy.” So, that right there made me feel like I’m doing something right. 🙂
Working out consistently is no small feat. I’ve had a terrible time getting motivated to exercise. And yay for a raise and sweet words from your little girl.
My 4 chicks have grown and flown the nest. I’m happy to say, all happily married, all working steadily, all still keep in touch even though far-flung across these United States. All do not smoke (nicotine or otherwise), do not drink to excess, have great senses of humor, and producing beautiful grandchildren. I am indeed fortunate but also think I must have done a whole lot of things right. Please excuse my pride in a job well-done.
Wow, absolutely something to be proud of, I hope to be exactly where you are someday, looking at my children as adults and proud of how well they turned out.
It’s much easier to be critical than commending of ourselves isn’t it! I am proud of the food I am making for my little guy! I made a yummy yogurt, strawberry, blueberry, and oatmeal smoothie for him this morning 🙂
How awesome, I did really wholesome cooking for my kids when they started solids and still try but don’t do as well as I used to.
So what are you giving yourself credit for… I’m waiting :)…
I don’t know why this happy post of yours made me cry…I think I am critical and hard on myself EVERY day. It’s so much easier to look at what we did wrong, and not what we did “right”.
That photo of you two is gorgeous.
P.S. Your mom sounds amazing…I hope my kids remember the happy things.
xo
Okay Jen, now you have to leave a comment about what you are good at. Go…
You are an amazing mother. Honestly.
For me? The house is clean, the kids are fed, we play, they’re all happy, and the baby is cuddled as much as possible. Not extravagent, but it’s what I can manage for right now. 🙂
Sounds like a perfect list, especially with a brand new baby!
Lovely post. I do think, a lot actually, about how I’m making memories and even if they’re not all perfect, the sum total of perfect moments far outweighs the not so perfect moments.
Absolutely. Amazing to think that they will remember all we do the way we remember our childhoods.
LOVE!
My kids care about others like my son goes out of his way to make new kids in his class feel welcomed. I guess I will take a little credit for that. Thanks friend.
It’s the best to see our kids turning into caring little people isn’t it?
Not letting my girl give up just because she’s afraid. I actually wrote about it today.
“Really” well? Geez, that’s a tough one. Parenting wise, I’m not sure that I’ve done anything Really well. I’ll poll my kids and see what they have to say.
m.
This is not acceptable. Come back here and comment again with something you’ve done well. ASAP :).
So glad and you sound like a supermomma, which is not easy right after having a baby!
I went running this morning! Yay me! Also, I consented to being the “patient” in our crazy doctor’s office for much, much too long yesterday. We were late to something, but we were all in a better mood because of it, and I finally felt like I made a good choice in terms of our busy schedule.
Yay for you and for running, I need to do that one… some day.
You are an amazing mother. I am always so critical of myself. Thank you for the reminder to be more positive and forgiving! 😉
Okay so what have you done great lately Barbara???