And since this post is about being a better mother, you can thank me later for this tip:
Under no circumstance shall you EVER purchase these wretched Crayola Color Bubbles. They are a mother’s worst nightmare. And yes, one of my boys is not wearing pants, and yes, we did find this stuff literally EVERYWHERE when they took a bath. Don’t do it. You’re welcome.
“Mommy, what’s a Convention?” she asked from the far back seat, blue eyes flashing, concern furrowing brows.
“It’s when a group of people who do the same thing get together to learn how to do what they do better,” I answered.
Black eyes directly behind me begin to ponder. I see the wheels turning and they’re not the ones on our car.
“Why do you have to go to a Convention for MOPS?” he asks.
“Because Mommy is the leader of the group and I’m going with seven other leaders who help. We are going to learn how to help the mom’s who join our ministry AND we are also going to learn how to be better mothers and wives,” I said.
Wheels turned. Both kinds this time. The light turned green.
“No mama go.” A declarative statement made by the youngest. In fact, most of his three year old statements are declarative now that I think about it.
“Mommy’s need to fill their cups up too but I’ll miss you,” I answer. “Do you think Mommy is a good mommy?” I ask, a little afraid of the answer.
“Well, sometimes you are…” Mr. Black Eyes starts only to be cut-off by his sister speaking loudly over his words.
“We are all human and no one is perfect. You are not perfect but you are the perfect mom for us,” she announces.
And I melt.
“Thank you, Sissy. But Samuel, what were you going to say?” I press. Was I crazy?
“Well sometimes you’re mean and sometimes you’re nice,” he states.
I laugh and figure this means I’m probably doing my job at least OK.
I’ve been blessed to be heading to the MOPS International Conference in Nashville, TN today. It is a weekend of rejuvenation and this tired and empty-cup mama needs it. I’ll see you all on Monday!
Have fun! It is scary to ask your children if you are a good mom. It makes me think of the evaluations I get as instructors at the end of the term. You just never know what you will hear… but they are good for you :)
Yay for MOPS Convention! Wish I could have gone in my time of leadership! I hope it is a time of personal and spiritual growth for you – and that you return with an overflowing cup. Enjoy!
Sounds great. Have fun!
(My goal…not to be a perfect Mom, but a balanced one. If I get there I’ll know I’m doing okay.)
~Jessica
And that is the best part about being a mommy. The grace your children extend to you, especially in those times of where you are crying out to God, “I’ve had enough! I don’t think I can handle this one anymore.”
My 5 year old daughter did that the other night to me. I let her watch movies every once in a while so I can have a little breather from her. Well, one night, she was sitting too close to the t.v. so I told her to back up. Not even, two minutes later was my husband telling her the same thing. So I told her to turn off the movie because she is banned from movies until she can learn to sit away from the t.v.
A couple of nights later, my husband and her go to the store to get a few things to make dinner for a friend of mine(She is 28 weeks pregnant and on strict bedrest. She can’t do anything but go to the bathroom and take a shower, so a group of women at our church is getting together to make her dinner, go grocery shopping for her, go to her house to clean and play with her 3 year old son, and go run errands for her). Well, when they came home, my daughter had a bouquet of pink roses in her hand. She told me they were for me because that was her way of saying she’ll listen to me when it comes to watching movies.
It’s those moments where you know you are doing the perfect/right thing.
Have a great time! (And thanks for the warning about the bubbles… This is not making me look forward to home pre-schooling this year. Way to messy for my tastes, btu the kids love it.)
So funny! I get the same answer about being a mom — sometimes I’m mean, and sometimes I’m nice. And just like you, I realize that means that I’m being a good mom. :) :) Blessings on your trip! :)
Thanks for the picture…advice taken.
And to think I almost bought the stuff.
GRRRRR to those colored bubbles!
And have fun at MOPS Convention! MOPS has been such a blessing in my life, such a life-saver in those early years of mommyhood. I know being surrounded and uplifted by MOPS mommies will fill your cup! :))
love ya girl.
that pretty !!!
This made me smile. Sometimes you want to know what your kids think … and sometimes not-so-much. :) Thank you for the heads up on the colored bubbles! (oh my goodness!)