Mom For a Day

Looking back on the last 13 years, I can't help but wonder why I allowed my kids to call me mom. I was a royal mess. I realized that more so today than ever.

Today was the 6th grade Muffins for Moms. I attended my 8th grader's event a couple of Wednesdays ago. It was great. I met another mom, whose son rides the bus with my boys, who lives behind us. She sounds like one busy woman. She also told D that he and T are welcome to come over because she has boys both their ages.

I really wanted to go to his first hour class with him today, but I'd already signed up to volunteer for the vision/hearing screening for the 7th graders. I got to bring in students 12 at a time, rotate them out 6 at a time, and direct them on leaving the room. Let me just say that middle schoolers are much easier to keep quiet during hearing screenings than preschoolers.

I felt so good when I left. Doing things that are--and always have been--important to me makes me want to do better in other areas. I want to be a better housekeeper, I want to be better at time management at home, I want to eat regular meals with the boys, I want to write and live and experience new things, both on my own and with my boys.

Any type of relationship is tough. But any relationship that means anything is worth the time and effort it takes to cultivate a strong and lasting bond. Sure, I've been lacking in many areas of my life, including parenting, but I have a new attitude now. Instead of living like there's no tomorrow (as the saying goes) I'm going to live like today is the most important day of my life. I'm going to love those boys and care for them like I get them for one day. Not in the sense of play and party, but in the sense that I need to bond with them, make the most of the time we have. My boys are 11 and 13, and in a few short years they will be heading out into the world on their own. They will be leaving the nest. I want them to be able to carry many good memories, many good examples, out into the world with them.

And I want to have such memories for myself as well.

I know as a mom I'll always worry about them; about their safety and their choices and their lives. I'd like to have given them at least a few tools that will make those easier for them.

But no matter what, I'll always be a proud mom. And every chance I get, from now until the end of my life, I am going to continue to be Mom for a Day!