The Mothering Meme

I am (or should be) getting ready to go on vacation this Sunday. It is our annual two-family trek to Mammoth--for 10 days this year. I like to make and freeze some casseroles and spaghetti sauce and the like to take with us--we do about half and half eating out and eating in. Two families is a little bit of a misnomer, too--we are a more-the-merrier crew so we have two tag-along girls, Music Man will try to squeeze in a visit and MVP's backpacking buddies will be there for a night, plus there's Bugs' boyfriend. I think I'm cooking for 13, but that's a low-ball estimate.

Anyway . . . what better time than to catch up on some Meme tags. This one was from Fannie at This Isn't What I Ordered. Stop by and say hi to her--and read her parenting hits and misses. There's some good stuff there.

Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you’ve written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It’s over with, it’s in the past. Remember, you’re a good mom!

Social Butterfly is strong-willed. Where strong-willed equals you can't budge her with a Mack truck when she digs in her heels. I am strong-willed. Where strong-willed equals you can't budge me with a Mack truck when I dig in my heels.

I remember this day very clearly, because it was Danger Boy's sixth birthday. I let him stay home from school and DB, SB and I had a great time all morning long--a lazy morning, game-playing--a really delightful time of the type that are all too rare once the kids are in school full-time. I think it was one o'clock when we needed to get dressed to get the older kids from school. Grandma was going to come over for dinner.

Now this is an aside, but very important to the story. My mother did not believe children should wear black. Ever. She felt strongly about it. I absorbed her position, but was okay with one garment being black, but not a whole outfit (I know . . . in hindsight this sounds pretty crazy).

SB went to get dressed and came out wearing her new, black Mary Kate and Ashley yoga pants and a black shirt. I told her to change either the pants or the top, but she couldn't wear all black. We went back and forth for some time, neither of us giving an inch (I know . . . in hindsight I was the adult). This is how our "discussion" ended. I took a pair of scissors out of the kitchen utility drawer and cut them off her flailing, tantruming body. I believe my parting words to her were, "We won't be fighting over those pants ever again."

Definitely not my finest parenting hour.

To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

Nobody makes my kids do something they don't want to do (except me and then only sometimes). I cannot think of a single instance of any of them bowing to peer pressure. This is not just me saying this--other people comment on it too.

They all have great senses of humor. Sarcastic and smart-alecky sometimes, but funny, really funny.

My children have empathy and compassion. They are the kids teachers pick to pair with the kid in the class with special needs or the one that just doesn't mesh with other kids.

I love doing outdoor stuff with them--the are adventurous and fearless and very fun to watch. Watching SB mountain bike down Mammoth mountain is the bomb.

They are team players--whether in sports (MVP, Danger Boy and Social Butterfly) or theater (Grownup Girl). Not a ball hog in the bunch.

They treat their father's and my birthdays and Christmas as just as important as theirs. They scheme over presents, pool money and buy excellent, thoughtful gifts. They do this for grandparents, too.

They can all cook and/or bake and they all know how to clean a toilet. Even though they wish they didn't have to do it, and they are not above delaying tactics, they do a good job when it comes down to it.

I'm tagging the following bloggers: imom, Bad Mom, Miss M (who may not get it for a while, what with her being ready to pop and all), Little Miss Sunshine State, Phd in Yogurtry and I Miss My Sanity. These ought to be good!

Comments

[kcinnova]

Camping trips with friends who are practically family make for some of my favorite memories. (I posted about this today for my Weekly Words Challenge.)

I like your thoughtful answers in this meme, and it gives me reasons to like you & your kids all the more.

[gary]

kids are not ball hogs = wonderful parents :)

[Suz]

Love the yoga pants battle...haven't we all done something silly like this in the past???? YUP!
Something we learn with experience, choosing our battles.

[Green Girl in Wisconsin]

I cannot imagine you slicing up yoga pants--must have been some day!
No ball hogs--THAT does indicate much about your kids--and you! And their fearlessness is evident in the Blogosphere.

[Baby Favorite]

You know, it must be their generation; my mom (born in 1923) would not let me wear black, either. She barely was willing to budge to let me wear a long, black formal to play in the HIGH SCHOOL orchestra! So, every time I let my little girl wear anything black, I figure my mother is shaking her head up in Heaven.

You're an amazing mom, yoga pants incident or not. (We all have our moments! I am guessing I have more than you!) Your kids sound incredible, too. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

[Manic Mommy]

I may just take this meme upon myself.

Still laughing about the yoga pants. My moment was chucking a whistle out of a moving car. Way to be a grown up!

[Maureen at IslandRoar]

If your kids can cook and bake and clean a toilet, your job is done! Kudos.

[magpie]

Wow - how old was she when you cut the pants off? That was holding your ground indeed.

[steph]

The yoga pant incident is sure to elicit a lot of laughter in many years to come! Have a great vacation!

[Little Miss Sunshine State]

Thanks for the tag! I HAVE to do it today because I work tonight and leave for vacation tomorrow.

Have a great time on yours!

[imom]

Most of things I feel awful about as a parent involve my daughter. We are both strong willed too!

I'll work on this Meme over the next few days and have it up by next week! Thanks for tagging me!

[Lisa (Jonnysmommy)]

That's a fun meme. the one about your daughter is hilarious...yet awful. But I still laughed!

[Fannie]

We had epic battles over attire, but never involving SCISSORS! ;)

[Angela]

You sure do keep busy.
I don't think I will have that problem due to my bad vision. I am sure many things are to come.

Good luck cooking for so many people.
The trip does sound fun though

[MissM]

I promise to get to this one eventually.

Over at the Women's Colony, I DID admit to threatening my daughter with clippers if she didn't brush her hair...