Parenting 101

Pride always comes before the fall. While Adam and Eve figured this out a long time ago, it is a lesson I have to remind myself of daily. A few weeks ago, I ran into an acquaintance in the grocery store. We talked briefly and Grayson interrupted to ask if she was pregnant. I said "No, just Mommy," assuming he was just asking because pregnancy was in his head and he's trying to figure the whole thing out. I was shocked to hear the next words out of his mouth, "then why is her stomach a little b"....smack went my hand over his mouth and my face turned 24 shades of red/purple. We quickly said goodbyes and in the next aisle I had a little conversation with Grayson. He had no idea that he had hurt anyone's feelings by asking such simple question and immediately teared up when I told him. That of course made me tear up because he really just was being inquisitive. How do you teach them to learn the ways of the world without stifling their assertiveness? How do you teach them to be friendly but not invasive? So many things I still need to figure out to be a good Mom and the time is slipping away.

Mother's Day is a good day for reflecting and reminding. I've come to the conclusion that Mothers are Martyrs. Did I learn it from my Mom? Did she learn it from her Mom? Why do Moms continue to do it? I have the most helpful husband in the world and still I insist on being the one to 'suffer' through household chores...does it make me a good Mom? Is it wrong to wish your kids would appreciate the little things you do, like forgoing a shower so that one cute little girl can make it to gymnastics on time? Will she remember that when she is a Mom? I do know that you don't appreciate your own Mom enough until you are a Mom. I'm so very thankful for my Mom and her Mom, and all the generations before that passed on traditions and taught life lessons and sacrificed. And I know that I am blessed to have 3 beautiful, loving, concerned children that will someday be in my shoes. It's helpful to remember that on days like today when they make mucky soup out of a little dirt and alot of water in a flower planter and their new summer clothes are the aprons