the mom with the crying child

Congratulations! 

You have a child that goes to dance or soccer or whatever activity! 

I have a child that is crying on the steps, clinging to my body, as if I am throwing her into a beehive.

I beg for her to show the new move she has been practicing to the teacher! 

I listen as the teachers assistant informs everyone that my daughter cries like this every week. 

I sit on the side, pleading with her to just go for a minute and reassure her that I won't leave.

I hear the comments from a mom, who probably just wants class to start, that their child loves to be here. 

I want to cry with my daughter but I don't, at least not until I am in the car. 

I even bribe her with a reward if she will stay. 

I glance over and see you, watching your little girl learn to leap and smiling back at you. 

I look at my daughter, who is sobbing at this point. 

I try to show her how much fun her friends are having in dance but she can't even look.

I feel her heart racing and see the fear in her eyes.

"What if I do it wrong?" "What if they laugh at me?" 

Those questions are probably just some of the many things going through her little mind, or the mind of a child with social phobia. 

How would I know that? Because my daughter is mini-me! 

I know the fear of not being good enough.

I know the hurt when people laugh but you weren't trying to be funny. 

I understand how she can be one kid at home and a completely different kid in public. 

 I also know the feeling of regret that comes with holding yourself back from everything.

And I understand how much I let myself miss out on. 

So, I'm going to keep dragging her into dance class. 

And listening to the whispers and watch the eye rolling. 

Because I know that she is great. 

And I can't wait for the day that you find out too!

a crazy mom

There may not be anything strange or extreme about me being a mom. After all, I am a middle aged woman. But sometimes being a mom is HARD.

Yep, big shocker. Being responsible for someone is really, really hard.
So let's discuss the pro's of being a mom.

1. Clean sweep: I get to sweep and sometimes I get to mop multiple times a day. Maybe it's just my monsters but they sure eat like wild animals. (I should probably not refer to them as monsters if I don't want them to act as such). Pro: I have clean floors, even if it's just for a minute. And sweeping burns calories.

2. Cardio: I don't get to sit down for long periods of time. Said monsters from above need supervision. If it's quiet, then I especially need to be alert; if it's loud, something is probably being broken or disassembled; if they are hungry, I have to feed them. And so on...But I burn many calories each day.

3. Dishes! Yes, who doesn't love to do dishes. Thanks heavens for a dishwasher. With 3 little rugrats, I'm doing dishes way more than seems reasonable. Add that up on my calorie burn for the day.

4. Stories! Not only do I get to read stories. I also get to hear some of the most amazing stories. Just in the 10 minutes of carpool I have learned some interesting things about my neighbors. But they also have awesome imaginations. For instance, did you know that Big Foot was spotted right by my house? Yep, so true and don't even get me started on the zombies. Pro: my kids are not boring. Plus, I get dirt on the neighbors!

5. Love, hate and everything in between. My kids are so good about saying I love you, especially when they want something. But sometimes they tell me they hate me. And that's when I know I was really a mom! A really, really, good mom!

6. Wounds. Now, this can go in many directions. I do get to kiss lots of boo boo's from active children. Thankfully, we've only had 1 broken bone! Lots of scrapes and bruises though. But I will tell you, stepping on a lego, matchbox car, t-rex, block, game piece, is by far the worst pain I have ever felt. I've never drawn blood but it feels like a knife has just serrated through my foot and twisted itself. Pro: hopping on one foot and holding back the cursing = calorie burn.

7. Keeping those reflexes sharp. Have you ever seen someone move as fast as a mother that see's her child in danger. I didn't think so. Example. Stupid shopping carts. One tiny buckle over the lap of my child doesn't hold them in place, they need a minimum of 5 point harness. Without fail, my child will climb out of said shopping cart and attempt to escape like a tiny little dare devil. And without fail they nearly fall head first out of the shopping cart. In which case my spidey  mom sense kicks in and I grab them with 1 hand by their leg. Pro: Nothing like a little adrenalin rush. And once again more calorie burn

8. Speed drills. I'm not talking about running here. I'm talking about going to the bathroom. You know what I mean. Even though, there might be times you want to lock yourself in and have just a moment. It's not going to happen and nothing takes away the mood like a small child's hand reaching under the door and the constant knocking and more than likely, crying that happens when you disappear from their sites. Pro: you guessed it...calorie burn.

9. Quiz time! Not only do kids ask why a lot, they also ask questions about things you may know nothing about. And you know when you have to answer a question about Pokemon you have to be real creative!!! Pro: keeping the brain in working condition.

10. Cheap entertainment! I can't even count the number of times I just sit back and watch the chaos and laugh. Or when your kids says something that really just hits a funny chord in you and you laugh. My kids are notorious for saying and doing  the craziest things. Pro: ab workout (aka calorie burn) and a good mood.

So, if you are considering having children, but you are scared. You probably should be. I know I have never regretted a day of being a mom. There definitely isn't much glamour to the business and don't get me started on the pay. But day in and day out I get to be with those I love and most of the time they love me too!