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Memorable Moments in Parenting
On the good days, I gracefully fend off imaginary Monsters. I can enchant my kids into believing that we’ve magically painted our house with Monster-proof paint, or that the Monster is a tiny creature wearing a tutu, serenading us with “Puff the Magic Dragon.”
But on the tough days, my patience wears thin, and I find myself snapping as my child trudges upstairs for the fiftieth time; “Just go to bed already!” is often the last thing they hear before sleep claims them.
On the best days, everyone is looking sharp, including me. My kids are clean and sweet-smelling, with clipped nails, neatly combed hair, and faces devoid of any remnants of food or mysterious brown smudges.
On the worst days, they resemble little wild animals, and I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror while brushing my teeth before bed. It’s usually a bit startling.
On the best days, I make eye contact when they speak to me, setting aside my phone. I kneel to their level and cherish their sweet voices calling out, “Mama, look!” hoping to hold onto those moments forever.
On the worst days, I might find myself exclaiming, “Oh my god, can you please stop singing that song before I jump out the window?”
On the best days, I can sit back and watch my child struggle to put their favorite, albeit stained, t-shirt on the right way for the thirtieth time without jumping in to help.
On the worst days, I’m wrestling them into clothes I prefer, and tears flow as their blotchy faces clash with the beautifully coordinated outfits I chose.
On the best days, I’m the keeper of their memories. I remind them that at seven, they couldn’t sit still at the dinner table, or that at two, after using the potty, they exclaimed, “Holy Shit!”
On the worst days, I find myself barking “Hurry up!” repeatedly, racing around and forgetting to enjoy the moments with them.
On the best days, I can overlook the chaos—the laundry, the dirty dishes, the bills piling up. I ask, “Want to go outside for a walk?” Their excitement makes me regret not looking away from the mess more often.
On the worst days, I let life’s stresses get the best of me, slipping into that “scary mom” voice I never knew I had.
On the best days, when homework brings tears, I gently set the work aside and offer a hug because sometimes it’s just not that important.
On the worst days, I talk and talk about homework until I lose track of my own thoughts, reminding myself why homeschooling isn’t for me.
On the best days, I take a deep breath and think to myself, “Chill out.” Life isn’t that serious after all.
On the worst days, I try to control everything and inevitably feel overwhelmed and frustrated. Why does it have to be so hard?
On the best days, I curl up with them to read as many books as they want, and soon there’s a pile beside us. They look at me with hopeful eyes and ask, “One more?”
On the worst days, I barely find a moment to read at all.
On the best days, I whisper to myself, “Please remember this.”
And on the worst days, all I can do is hope they forget.
For more on parenting and home insemination, check out March of Dimes for excellent resources or visit Make a Mom for insightful information on at-home insemination kits. If you’re looking for more tips, check out this blog post for some great ideas.