With Mother's Day being a week away, I decided that I should let everyone know that I am a bad mother. It seems that every day someone asks Jason or me how we do what we do. It is really funny that that is a question that people pose. We really don't see our lives as more difficult than the next person's. In fact, my sister and I were just having a discussion about how everyone has their own trials in their lives. I would certainly say having 4 boys under 4 is nowhere a challenge to a dear friend of ours who is raising a 10 month old while her husband is serving our country in Iraq. As I looked at her today in Sunday School, I thought to myself, she is dressed and here every Sunday--all by herself. Wow! Her faith in our Lord and confidence in taking care of the "home" while her husband is away is amazing!
Growing up, I often told my mother how I wanted to be as good a mother as she is one day. She was, and is, the epitome of what a mother is in my eye's. I used to tell Jason that I was scared of doing anything wrong growing up because of my father and his stern, but loving discipline. But now, looking back, I realize that I was really scared to upset my mother. She is always there with support and an unbiased answer when I need one, and a listening ear when I am not seeking an answer. And she is so awesome to know which I am needing at the time. So, I know that I will never be as good as her, but hopefully I can be 1st runner-up. I pray each day that the boys will be able to trust and confide in me like I can with her.
And so...here is my list of reasons why I am a bad mother (or at least a runner-up to my own)
1. I am happy so long as each boy has had at least one fruit and one veggie for the day, instead of what our pedi says.
2. I pretend to be using the bathroom during the day, just so that I can have a few minutes of peace.
3. I don't brush the triplets teeth everyday---we just seem to run out of time some days. (Aunt Liane--if you are reading that please disregard)
4. I have forgotten that Reid was in time-out more than once. Just the other day, I walked past him with his nose in the corner, after he had been there for 20 minutes.
5. I sometimes use pacifiers for the trio when they are not sleeping, even though I have told our pedi otherwise. I also told her we were going to have them gone by 18 months--yea right!
6. I have been known to transfer food from a child who is picking at their food to one whose plate is empty, just to keep the one with the empty plate happy for a few more minutes.
So I am a bad mother. I know there are a plethora of other reasons too. But I am the LUCKIEST mother in the world because each day I get to wake up to these 4 beautiful faces. And every morning I thank God as I sit on the floor with all 4 in my lap (yes it is possible) just smelling their sweetness and knowing that this time is all too short.
