Motherhood defined

A couple weeks ago Hayden got in trouble. He didn't listen to me when I told him to do something and he even said, "No."

Nothing gets to me like a child's willful disobedience so he lost his privilege to play for the rest of the night. And I wasn't about to let him talk me out of it either. But boy did he try.

He cried and wailed and I kept explaining to him that he needed to have a consequence for disobeying. His little tantrum lasted for quite a while . . . and then finally he stopped crying and started to be really nice and sweet. I was very happy that he changed his attitude and told him so, but then he asked, "So now can I go outside?"

"No Hayden. I'm glad you are sorry, but you still have to have a consequence." Oh boy did that set him off! He started full swing into another crying fit. And in the middle of it he yelled, "Mom! You are not the 'Consequence Maker'! Dad is the Consequence Maker! You are the 'Homework Checker!'"

I tknow he was very serious, but I had a hard time not laughing out loud. Homework checker eh? That is Motherhood defined. I explained the best that I could that although homework checking was a part of my duties . . . I also have the privelige of being a "Consequence Maker' along with Daddy.

 So what does it really mean to be a Mother?

For me being a Mother means being a "Homework Checker" and a "Consequence Maker."

Being a Mother sometimes means being awakened by children early in the morning saying, "Mom . . . I'm hungry . . "

Being a Mother sometimes means making breakfast with one eye glued shut while the other one is adjusting to the light while thinking to yourself, "Oh how I would love to sleep . . ."

But being a Mother sometimes means . . .  No Sleep. . .

Being a Mother sometimes means being so exhausted that you accidentally fall asleep sitting up.

Being a Mother sometimes means waking up in the middle of the night to feed a baby, or wash the sheets and bathe a child who has thrown up in the night,or help clean up after a child who has just wet the bed, or to calm a child who has had a nightmare.

Being a Mother sometimes means spending your day breaking up fights, putting screaming children in timeout, and answering children's endless demands.

Being a Mother sometimes means becoming so accustomed to children whining and screaming that when your husband comes home and sees you staring into the void he asks, "Can you hear that?" And you just say, "What?"

But being a Mother also means playing with Pretty Ponies, Beyblades, and Lightsabers.

Being a Mother means building forts, eating popcorn and having sleepovers.

Being a Mother means staying up at night making up stories at your children's request about the "Mack Kids Club" where the children have special powers and talk to a squirrel named 'Ollie' who always informs them when danger is afoot . . .

Being a Mother means being constantly entertained by the things your children say giving you endless things to write about on your blog. (I still don't know how I lucked out in getting the funniest kids on the planet!"

Being a Mother means going on hikes, walks, and bike rides.

Being a Mother means going on family adventures with Daddy!

Being a Mother means getting to listen to your children pray for Tilson to have a chance to go to the Dentist so that he can see what it's like.

Being a Mother means getting to listen to all sorts of Knock Knock Jokes.

Being a Mother means sometimes singing instead of talking . . . just for fun until your children ask you to stop.

Being a Mother means having picnics on the lawn and pretending you are on a magic carpet.

Being a Mother means hugs and squeezes and laughter.

Being a Mother means hearing a child say, "I love you"

Being a Mother means having indescribable Joy.

Being a Mother means loving stronger than you ever thought possible.

And so much more! I love being a Mother/Consequence Maker/Homework Checker! I wouldn't trade it for anything. Not even Sleep.  :)