Friday, May 11, 2012

I Am Mom Enough

I have yet to meet the perfect parent. I am not now, nor will I ever be that mom. My kids will get in line to tell you the honest truth I’m not. That being said, I’ve tried (and failed) to be as good of a mom as possible.

My mom worked full time and occasionally worked a 2nd job. I think she hoped I’d go to to a 4yr college and “make something of myself”.

A surprise to her, and myself, I became a mom 11 days after my 22nd birthday. All of a sudden I was a stay at home mom. I had no idea this was what I was going to do. I didn’t realize this was even an option.Woven by WordsNot only was I staying home, I decided I was going to breastfeed my daughter. That was a big step for me because I didn’t know anyone who had ever nursed a baby. I was completely clueless.

I was able to nurse all four of my kids, the last being the longest. He went until he was about 27 months old. It was a very natural weaning and it worked for both of us.

I never cloth diapered. I tried, and it was about the time deliveries of cloth diapers were starting up. It just wasn’t for me. I was all thumbs.

I did make a lot of baby food from scratch. Again, never having been taught how to do any of this stuff, it was hit and miss for me.

Now, 20 years later, I  have a daughter who is graduating from college tomorrow after only 3 yrs, a daughter who is going to Iraq this summer to teach English (she went to India 2 years ago) and is getting a degree in Linguistics, a son who is having a great year in baseball and finishing up 7th grade and my youngest who is in advanced classes as a 3rd grader!

My house is never in perfect condition, even with two of my girls gone. There are toys strewn about, dishes on the counter, bikes in the yard, but I’m ok with that. My home is well lived in! My house is cozy, even though it’s mostly messy.

I’m me, a single mom who is trying to do the best she can with what she has. This Mother’s Day weekend, I’m going to spend it being the proudest mom ever as I watch my beautiful daughter get her college degree!

Happy Mother’s Day!

10 comments:

mail4rosey said...

Happy Mother's Day to you too. I was just thinking yesterday that I've had the best Mother's Day presents anyone could ask for...four times...and they're now 23, 19, 13, and 4. :)

I loved your post.

Liz Mays said...

So exciting that your daughter will graduate this weekend. What a wonderful accomplishment for her!

LadyD Piano said...

What a wonderful Mother's day weekend for you to see your daughter graduate. I love how you have shared your journey with us and the cool thing is watching each one of your kiddos mature and grow. Kudos Mimi! You continue to influence them and inspire me. I can feel the love from here!

Gina said...

I think you can give yourself a huge pat on the back. It sounds like you are rocking mommyhood. I am just beginning, hope I do that well.

Anonymous said...

Happy Mothers Day!! I see you and I have several things
In common:). I had my 1st child when I was 22 years old, I had 4 children, I breastfed all of my children & breastfed my youngest the longest, and my 2 oldest daughters are out of the house now too! There were a few other things we had in common too!!! I knew that I liked you lol
Lucie aka lucieluvsca

Unknown said...

The best Mother's Day gift ever is the love of our children, their happy faces, the night feedings, diaper changing.. Experiences we mom's get to cherish and treasure when they leave the nest, and start their own journeys. No one can take that from us... Happy Mother's Day.

Congrats to you as a mom for raising such wonderful children. Without you non of what they do now wouldn't have happened.

Elizabeth said...

I hope you had a wonderful mother's day!! You should be so proud of your children. That is so inspiring that your daughter is going overseas to teach English. I always have special respect for people that do that. CONGRATS!

Clancy Cash Harrison MS, RD, LDN said...

What an awesome event in your life. I am sure you are so proud of your daughter as you should be!!! You are a wonderful mother.

Kelly said...

Congrats on your daughter graduation! It sounds like you did and are doing and wonderful job mothering your children.

Zack said...

This is awesome! Your kids are all going to be so successful! Congrats on your kid's degree and on all of their successes!

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Woven by Words by Mimi B is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.