What Mother's Day means to me

Wow, I still can’t believe that I’m a mother. Yes I carried my kids, yes I gave birth to them but it is still all surreal to me. Even when my kids call me mom, I sometimes look around like who me? I wouldn’t be the mom I am today if it had not been for my own mother and step-mother.
Although, my mother would never win the June Cleaver award, she however did give me a strong foundation. I believe it was her love of music that gives me warm fuzzies even to this day when I hear certain songs. Christmas was always special because she would play the classic Christmas songs song by the greats. Also we would make all kinds of Christmas cookies and decorate them. She wasn’t the best cook in the world with her “out of the can or box” method but there were a few meals that were pretty decent. She could make the best bread to rival any baker. She always made us feel better when we were sick by buying us 7up for sore scratchy throats or chocolate pudding. Even when we had the chicken pox for the 2nd time, she knew just what to do to soothe us.

My step-mother picked up the things my mother lacked. A good home-cooked meal and even took us step by step to make it. Nothing was ever out of a box unless it was baking soda. She would take the time to listen to our problems and help us with solutions. She taught me how to properly clean. She would say, “A lick and promise won’t do.”

I take these tidbits of information and store them in my brain. I retrieve them when my kids get an ouchy, when they need someone to talk to, or when I think about what to make for dinner. The other day Braedon said to me, “Mom, you make the best rolls.” I was elated and thought wow, a four-year-old critic. I thought, will he be saying this when he gets older?

I carry on the traditions of Christmas and hope my kids will do the same. I already know they love the Christmas music because they ask to hear it when Christmas has long past. I try awfully hard to be the best mom I can given the circumstances of raising 3 kids under 4. I often say they need to take turns with mommy and that I’m only one person. It’s funny when I’m taking care of one and state it’s their turn. The others either accept it or they say no, it’s my turn.

I would like for them to remember the good times we’ve had when they help me in the kitchen either making rolls, dinner, or one of their birthday cakes. (Yes their birthday cakes….I really pride myself on making whatever cake their heart desires.) It may not always turn out exactly as they wanted but their imagination takes over what my lack of decorating skills can muster.

Too me, mother’s day is a day to remember the person who has taken care of you throughout your life. I only appreciate this more as now I’m experiencing things. I’d like to tell my kids that yes I changed your diapers, I have potty trained you, I have wiped your butts when you call from the bathroom stating, “wipe my butt” without a please, when you have a nightmare—I comfort you, I bathe and cloth you, I arrange for playdates with friends and family, I have taken you out to museums, parks, pools…you name it. (It’s cute that I’ve taught Braedon to say thanks at the littlest things. So the other day when he wanted his butt wiped, he said thanks mommy. I couldn’t help but smile.)

I know the list could go on and on….

I’m not saying nominate me for the best mom award…no by far. I just want them to know that I am doing the best for them I know how. I learn something new every day in this job field. Again, I’m still new here even with it being 4 years into this job. I don’t think you can call yourself a veteran until your child is out the door at age 18-20.

It’s nice to know that I’m still on probation and that I’m still learning. Hopefully, they’ll be patient with me and teach me things along the way. I certainly am learning the ins/outs of each one. As soon as I have one figured out, they change personalities or do something they’ve never done before.

So, I don’t need one day to know that I’m a Mother and I should be treated differently on that day. Heck if I were, I would think there was something wrong with my family.