mother's day

Years ago, when I was a young mother of three children under three, Tim asked me what I wanted for my birthday.  I handed him the keys to the family van and asked him to take the kids to grandma’s house for the weekend.  I had hit my limit and just wanted a clean and quiet house for a couple of days.

I learned something that weekend.  That clean and quiet houses are overrated.

I also decided that I wanted to be more intentional regarding my “breaks” from my children.  Because, after all, what message does it send to your kids when all you want for your birthday (or Mother’s Day, or any similar occasion) is to be rid of them?

As a mother, the messages we send to our children can have lasting consequences on them.  I try not to beat myself up about the mistakes I’ve made in parenting, but I am confident that some of my tactics in those early years have affected them adversely.

I may not be able to right those wrongs completely, but I can say sorry.  And I can make changes in my life to not repeat those same mistakes. 

So, when I say I will embrace having to still be a mom on Mother’s Day, I mean it.  My kids may fall way short on knowing how to “celebrate” me, but I will do my part to demonstrate to them that I am worth celebrating.  By not taking a break from them on Mother’s day.

My children drive me nuts sometimes, but they are also my greatest joys in life.  I will take a chance on them being the latter on Mother’s Day (even though Murphy’s law ALWAYS comes into play and they are typically THE WORST on Mother’s Day).  Bring it.  I can take the good with the bad.  In fact, it has saved my sanity (and my children’s tender spirits) more times than I can count.  Happy (or crappy) Mother’s Day!