Don’t Say I Never Told You

I recently bumped into one of the moms from one of my children’s school while shopping at the grocery store.  She is truly the perfect mom.  It was during that encounter, that I realized I needed to clear some things up.  This is merely my attempt to manage any expectations that this mom or any other perfect mom may have of me so that when we meet in public, there are no surprises.  Please read carefully.

1. Just because I’m a mom, it doesn’t mean that I want to spend all of my time talking about my children. Nor do I want to hear about your children for hours at a time.  If you are incapable of talking about anything else, I will lose interest quickly and there is a possibility that my mind will drift.  I won’t be rude, but I won’t be present and we probably won’t have many conversations again.
2. I love my husband very much. I tend to show that love for him by engaging in displays of affection in front of my children.  See, I understand that when they leave our house and start their lives (and try to take our stuff with them), my husband and I will be left alone to have an actual relationship (gasp).  So, I am working on that now – I can’t wait until the kids are gone.  If you see me show public displays of affection in front of my kids, know that it is not inappropriate.  I am modeling the behavior of a healthy relationship.  Feel free to look away.
3. On occasion, I allow my 4 – year old to dress herself.  It is one of the ways I teach independence.   So if you see me out with her and she is wearing a tutu, rain boots, and parts of a wonder woman costume, don’t judge me or her.  Instead, compliment her on her individuality and creativity.  She may be the next president.
4. My children do not always tell the truth.  While I know your children tell the truth all the time and they are never wrong, I will not automatically believe everything my children say. However, I do recognize patterns of behavior.  If you tell me that one of them did something that I know is uncharacteristic of what they have been doing their whole lives, I will be prepared to defend them.  In the words of my grandma “Don’t start none, won’t be none.”
5. My house is really truly clean only once or twice a week. If you come on any other day, there may be toys in the floor, clothes in the hampers, dishes in the sink and questionable items in the fridge. There are 5 people in this house with 2 working adults and busy schedules.  You will always be made to feel welcomed, but if my untidy home bothers you, feel free to clean up.   Also feel free to not come over at all – phone calls can be quite enjoyable.
6. On occasion, I will forget to bring the cupcakes (candy, paper tubes, construction paper, etc.) for the school celebration (party, special day, etc). This risk greatly increases if the request must come from one of my children (They always wait until the last minute to deliver any message and for the record they lose any note they receive) or if I am working on a deadline at work.   I do admire how you never forget though, so next time, just pick up a few extra cupcakes for me.

That’s if for now.  I didn’t mention everything because I have limited space.  But, don’t say I never told you.  🙂