My mom was here for a visit this week and she helped me pick up the pieces. Literally.
This is what my house looked like before she arrived:
And this is what it looked like when she left:
Not seen: me cheering in the corner just like Brinley.
My mom is the patron saint of frazzled mothers. She swoops in on an airplane, settles into our home and cleans up the wake of disaster we leave behind us, she buys me mochas and cookies, she reads stories to my girls and plays with them, and she tells me I’m doing a good job (even though most days I find that hard to believe).
I have been stuck in a stint of parenting where my kids are driving me a little batty with their horrible attitudes and I get so easily frustrated by their poor behavior when it rolls over me like never-ending waves, but then I feel so GUILTY for not savouring the moments with them, and also I feel like I must be failing because they are kind of acting like little jerks a lot of the time. Gah. My “before” laundry room looks like MY MIND. Things strewn about, no order to be found.
Thanks, Mom, for restoring a bit of balance for me. And also for the mochas. Those were really good.
I’m so jealous. My mom simply points out that I have not dusted the lampshades in a long time and makes pointed looks at my Dad when our kids misbehave. She does *tell* me I’m doing a good job, but it is followed by a lot of advice and admonishment on what I *might* want to try.
Love it! I can feel the peace just looking at that laundry room.
i hear you! i often wonder if i’ll ever be able to do that when i become a grandmother.
Your mom sounds just like my mom… DA BOMB! We are sooooo lucky to have such fabulous women in our lives eh?
SO with you on this! My Mom is my lifesaver too (oh & my Dad is a big help too – believe it or not!!) She is my packer-upper & unpacker, organizer & putter-awayer (is that a word?) when we move. She is my laundry folder-upper when I haven’t had a chance & they come for a weekend visit. She also plans little things for my Missy & her to do – the most recent was the planting of a bean plant & sunflower for my Missy to watch grow.
LOVE HER!
That is excellent. You mom is a rock star!!
And don’t be so hard on yourself, lady – little kids ARE jerks a lot of the time – this job can suck on SO many levels, and you ARE doing a good job! Don’t worry about savouring every moment… it’s an impossible trick. Just take a lot of photos… 😉
I love moms. My mom does the same exact thing for me. They are a wonder.