mother's day

Mother's Day is this weekend. It makes me think, oddly enough, about being a mom. This could get long.

Being a mom is the best job I ever had. It's hard, but it's good. The Babe's new thing is to stop me, whatever I'm doing, and say "Mommy? I love you." How could you ever have a bad day when your 4 year old daughter says this to you 10 times or more? Here's how.

Warning: I know I am unreasonable.

The Boy is clingy. He's a clingy mess. He follows me around the house, insisting "up up up". I used to give in, but I can't anymore. The Boy weighs 27 pounds, and it's just plain unreasonable for me to be carrying him around where ever I go, whatever I do. He's two years old, for crying out loud! Just last week he had a total melt down because I handed him off to his daddy so I could use the bathroom. And when I say melt down, I mean MELT . DOWN .

So, I have stopped giving in, and it has been difficult. There have been many tantrums. I kneel down next to him, I assure him I'm still here, it's all OK, but I won't pick him up. This has led to many public scenes over the past few weeks, and I've had more than my share of stares from perfect strangers than I care to admit. The neighbors joke with me about "finally cutting the cord on that guy", and while I know they are trying to be funny and keep a dire situation light, I find it frustrating.

Sunday, I went to a tupperware party (side note: when did I turn into the kind of gal that spends a Sunday afternoon at a tupperware party??!!!). The party was at the house behind mine. The Boy screamed the whole time because he knew where I was, but his daddy wouldn't let him go see me. Just yesterday, as I was leaving to take The Babe to ballet class, The Boy had such an attack watching me drive away... he threw himself down on the driveway and screamed for as long as I could see in the rear view, probably longer.

Today, as I was leaving to take The Babe to preschool, daddy was trying to keep The Boy distracted so I could sneak away. Mission failure. I was caught. So, as usual, The Boy follows me outside and looks a little teary as I explain that I have to go with big sister now, but I will be home soon, please don't worry, daddy will keep you safe... and The Boy just stood in the driveway and watched me leave. He even waved good-bye! No tears, no tantrum.

Where were the tears?! Where was the tantrum?! See, I've been working for weeks to get him to be more independant, to not need me so much... it was my goal! My dream! And here were were, mission accomplished, and it ruined my day.

I know The Babe loves me, she told me 10 times today. But, The Boy didn't cry when I left. He grew up, just a little. It's what I've wished for, and it made me sad and happy all at the same time. Happy Mother's Day to me.

On a similar note, I'd like you to read another story that my friend wrote on her blog.

http://www.lalalaland.com/archives/mothersday2006_blogget/

Happy Mother's Day to us all.