This amazingly honest blog just made my Monday. I could have written it. Many of us could have written it. In the world of social media it is really easy to get lost in posting the good and not-so-much the bad. Who wants to read the bad?
The truth is, I do. I want to feel normal and like we are sisterhood, a tribe of women just trying to do our damn best. And sometimes our best is popping in a DVD and serving up donuts. It's OK. They will be OK. They don't always need apple orchards, snowmen and frolicking in the sun to make up the perfect happy life. They will be OK.
How do I know? I'm OK. I have the greatest memories of my childhood! Was it perfect? Yep, it was! Would my mom say it was perfect? Likely not (let's ask her to weigh in, in he comments, eh?) I bet she'd remember things like me biting my brother's baby ear while she had me hold him to switch out laundry; or that time I was so naughty the baby sitter quit (for real). Not to mention my mom divorced and dated and married again all before I was 12. I'm guessing that was no picnic for her. How did she juggle all of those balls? How did she manage her own life/wants/desires/dreams/problems with us in tow?
I think she may have focused less on using food coloring to color the snow or focused less on scanning for the latest recipe for snow cream. I'm pretty certain she did two things .... HER BEST and LOVED us fiercely. I'm pretty sure those are the two very best things I can do for my kids too.
As I type this, Luke is sitting next to me playing on the iPad. He is quietly playing and getting ready to go take a nap. As I was typing he is trying hard on his game and I hear "Oh man, OH SHIT!" I look over at him, and he winks. No lie. You can't make this stuff up. Mental note ... do your best WITHOUT cussing. Duh.
I put my little brother in the dryer AND in the chest freezer. I got caught both times. I also cut his hair and made him wear my dresses and sandals for photographs. I'd say that my childhood was without-a-doubt perfect also. I don't know what my little brother would say. :)
My mom would say that her job was successful because she has three children and none of them are living at home. Ha!!
You're doing a great job, Sara!!! xoxo
Posted by: Molly | Monday, February 25, 2013 at 06:18 PM
you are an amazing mama. if you ever need to hear it, shoot me a text and i'll reply instantly. :)
and if luke and leighton were ever in the same room, i shiver at the thought of what may go down...
Posted by: melanie | Monday, February 25, 2013 at 08:21 PM
I've chosen to color my memories with a hipstacular filter! Loved the linked blog and your IRL post. I just tried to survive, keep you kids alive and if along the way we managed to find some fun, more power to us! I did do my best , loved you kids with my life and frankly wouldnt have made it without the support of my sister and brother. I'm super glad I didn't have the pressures of Facebook or Pinterest. I doubt that I would have been able to hang onto the shred of sanity that I've carried into my later middle age! And kids have been picking up their moms bad language for years. I remember to this day one of my brothers saying after he spilled his milk on the table, "oh shit huh mommy". Guess Lukey takes after his great uncle and you take after your grandma!
Posted by: Mama | Monday, February 25, 2013 at 10:31 PM
Most days survival is the best I can do! If swearing is the worst thing that Campbell ever does, I will consider it a success. That kid keeps us on our toes!
You are an amazing momma. We all just do our best and hope to have fun along the way. My doctor told me "My husband and I don't say that we are good parents. We just say that we are good at surviving. We are survivalists"! I carry that in my head every day.
Posted by: Kyme Conway | Saturday, March 09, 2013 at 08:42 AM