Yesterday was Lucas’s seventh birthday, and he had a day off from school for optional parent conferences (optional? No, thank you!). This gave us the perfect opportunity to spend quality time together. As it was his special day, I took on the role of the “good mommy.” The attentive, non-frightening mommy!
A Special Breakfast
Our day kicked off not with the usual cold cereal or breakfast bars, but with a stack of homemade chocolate chip pancakes. Lucas looked at me wide-eyed and exclaimed, “You know how to make pancakes?” Yep, surprise!
Assembly Time
I dedicated a solid four hours to assembling a variety of toys that I probably should have thought twice about buying, considering the complicated assembly required. But I powered through every last one, only cursing five times and managing to leave behind three extra pieces.
Birthday Celebration
In the afternoon, we celebrated Lucas’s birthday with a party at a pinball museum, surrounded by playdates. I embraced my role as hostess and played games like flag football, catch, and even pretended to be a knight. Remarkably, I didn’t raise my voice once. On this day, I had the patience of a saint. Lucas, if you want to take twenty minutes to put on your shoes, go right ahead!
Being Present
Whenever he needed me, I was fully present—no work calls, no TV as a distraction, no “just a minute,” and no obsessive email checking. I was a completely engaged mommy for the entire day.
A Heartfelt Moment
As I tucked him in that night, I asked if he had enjoyed his birthday. “The best,” he replied, and my heart swelled.
Lessons Learned
This experience taught me a valuable lesson about the significance of disconnecting and giving my full attention to my children. They deserve a warm breakfast and a mother who stays calm and focused on them. This deliberate engagement made me happy, and the long evening spent catching up for the day’s fun was absolutely worth it. But honestly, I’m grateful that birthdays only come once a year—being “good” can be exhausting!
Further Reading
If you’re interested in more insights on home insemination and parenting, check out this post on intracervicalinsemination.com. For those considering artificial insemination, Make a Mom offers an excellent selection of resources. Additionally, UCSF’s Center is a great place to find information on pregnancy and home insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, Lucas’s birthday was a joyful reminder of the importance of being fully present for our children. While it can be demanding, the rewards of creating cherished memories are immeasurable.