Flowers are great, but one of the things that most mothers I know would have loved to receive Sunday doesn’t come in a gift bag.
If my own two children are any indication of what a lot of moms deal with on a daily basis, it includes a constant barrage of “mommy, mommy, mommy…..”
For some reason, they will walk right past Daddy and come looking for me to ask for a snack, drink or help with whatever it is that they want help with — despite the fact that their father is right there, ready and willing to help them.
My recently turned six-year-old even said to me yesterday morning, “Mommy, because it’s Mothers’ Day, and I always come talk to you — today, I will try to only bug Dada.”
We all chuckled… because we know it’s true. It’s not for any lack on his part to “step up” and help. They just always seem to come to me.
While they were deeply disappointed that I had to work on "mommy's holiday," I on the other hand may not have been quite as deeply saddened, as it ultimatley gave me a bit of a break from the volume. (Did I say my kids are loud? No? Well, yep, unfortunately for our neighbours, they have had no problems finding their voices!)
Now, before anyone decides to jump down my throat... yes, I do in fact love spending time with my children and trust me, they know how much they are loved, but that doesn't mean that I — or any other parent out there — don't long for break or even the chance to vent about wanting a break.
None of that will ever take away from how much I love being a mother — no matter how challenging it can be some days — and I will forever be grateful to my two kiddos who remind me every day that I don't have to be perfect to be their "mama."
I suppose it’s almost funny that I, an introvert, gave birth to two extremely extroverted children. They are always talking, singing, dancing, and wanting to be around as many people as possible.
I, on the other hand, own a sign that says “Silence is golden. Duct tape is silver.” Anyone who tried to speak to me pre-coffee gets directed toward that sign. Thankfully, my kids have realized that “coffee time” is mummy’s “special time” and typically don’t do much more than come in for some snuggles.
Anywoo, I digress. Like I was saying, what this mama truly appreciated yesterday was the “break.” The break from having to carry most of the mental load of what we were going to do, what we were going to eat, what the kids were going to wear.
Did they completely leave me alone to get my work done? Ha! Of course not. This isn’t a Disney movie. But that’s OK. It’s nice to be needed.
Like I always tell my kids — it’s really the thought that counts!
Nikki Cole is a staff reporter with BarrieToday.
