When my children were small, and I was surrounded by mess and noise, I remember thinking often of how unhappy I felt.
Then one day I read simple story about mother buttoning her child’s coat. The mother's jaw was set, her lips pursed, her movements clipped and hard. I thought, how sad for that child that her mother was so unhappy, and seemed unhappy about being a mother.
I decided then and there I would not do that to my children; that they would see a happy mother, and one that was happy to be a mother.
Of course there still ensued many moments of frustration, anger, and unhappiness.
But in making that decision, I actually was happier, and more grateful, and happy to be a mother.
I hope when my children looked into my face, that they saw I was glad to be a mom, that I was happy to be their Mom.
Mother dear, I love you so,
Your happy smiling face
Is such a joy to look at;
It makes home a lovely place.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
5 comments:
I did! I always saw a happy mom. There are times I do feel those unhappy feelings and I struggle with being a mother, but I want my kids to have what I had, so I do try to make sure they know I AM happy to be their mother. Yet another way in which you were an amazing example to me!
You succeeded. Always a happy mother with rarely happy children. I love you.
I'm one of Jill's blogging friends, just cam across your blog. Wow I love your comment. I have a 2 year old and a 1 year old so I often feel frustrated, bored, tired, but you're right we shouldn't show our kids those feelings.
Thanks for your this post, it really made my day.
It's interesting that you "decided" to make sure your kids saw that you were happy to be a mom. I have many areas of my life where I've decided something and had no problem sticking to it, certainly even in areas of motherhood, but I haven't actually stopped and decided to be a happy mom. Thanks for the epiphany.
Is it that easy? How do you show love when they are driving you crazy? I don't know if I think of you as always being happy but I don't ever think of you as being upset that you were the mom. I am all the time. And it was a REVELATION the first time you told me being the mom was really hard! I guess I just need to recommit to being a better/happier mom. Thanks for reminding me it is a choice!
Post a Comment