Then I wiped my tears and realized that I don't have to cry.
You know why? Because one of my goals for parenting is to be able to let go one day without guilt, but with happy memories.
And then I made my list:
- Cherish every moment with your little people!
- Hug and hold them all the time and tell them you love them a thousand times (or more) a day
- Slow down the pace and speak softly even when you are feeling impatient.
- Tie your heart-strings to theirs so that they will want to come and be near you when you are old
- Last but not least, Remember they are BLESSINGS and treat them like they really are because you know it and believe it. Tell them!
Wet Oatmeal Kisses
A young mother writes: "I know you've written before about the empty-nest syndrome -- that lonely period after the children are grown and gone. Right now, I'm up to my eyeballs in laundry and muddy boots. The baby is teething; the boys are fighting. My husband just called and said to eat without him, and I fell off my diet. Lay it on me again, will you.''
OK. One of these days you'll explode and shout to the kids, "Why don't you grow up and act your age?"
......and they will.
OR:
"You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do. And don't slam the door!"
......and they don't.
You'll straighten up the boys' bedroom neat and tidy -- bumper stickers discarded, bedspread tucked and smooth, toys displayed on the shelves. Hangers in the closet. Animals caged. And you'll say out loud, "Now I want it to stay this way.''
.......and it will.
You'll prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't been picked to death and a cake with no finger traces in the icing, and you'll say, "Now, there's a meal for company.''
.....and you'll eat it alone.
You'll say: "I want complete privacy on the phone. No dancing around. No demolition crews. Silence! Do your hear?''
.....and you'll have it.
No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti.
No more bedspreads to protect the sofa from damp bottoms.
No more gates to stumble over at the top of the basement steps.
No more clothespins under the sofa.
No more playpens to arrange a room around.
No more anxious nights under a vaporizer tent
No more sand on the sheets or Popeye movies in the bathrooms.
No more iron-on-patches, wet, knotted shoestrings, tight boots, or rubber bands for ponytails.
Imagine. A lipstick with a point on it.
No baby sitter for New Year's Eve.
Washing only once a week.
Seeing a steak that isn't ground.
Having your teeth cleaned without a baby on your lap.
No PTA meetings.
No car pools.
No blaring radios.
No one washing her hair at 11 o'clock at night.
Having your own roll of Scotch tape.
No more dandelion bouquets.
Think about it. No more Christmas presents out of toothpicks and library paste.
No more sloppy oatmeal kisses.
No more tooth fairy.
No giggles in the dark.
No knees to heal, no responsibility.
Only a voice crying, "Why don't you grow up?'' and the silence echoing,
"I did."
by Erma Bombeck
7 comments:
how sad - but a great thought
I have 4 boys under 7. It is just so true and sobering. I sometimes hate the mess around and shout to close the door slightly. And I can go on and on with the same kind of stuff you've written about. But then, when all are gone for granny, the very moment I wave goodbye... I miss them soooo. I just can't imagine my life without them. It is a so mixed feeling: I want an organized and neat home, and I just can't with kids but I don't want them to grow up. Thank you so much for this writing.
Eszti,
I think all mothers struggle with this (Oh how I struggle!). That is why I posted... To remind myself and other mothers that one day the mess will indeed be gone.... then we will have plenty of time for a spotless house.
Thank you for your comment! :-)
Yeah, it's not much fun when they're grown.
Mary, Just wait til they have kids.... you will be the queen! My boys love Mummy & Grammy.
Yes, that is something I am really looking forward to. I can now understand why parents pressure their children for grandchildren. You kind of want to do it all over again.
Oh what a lovely blog you have. Its darling. Its nice to meet you. Have a wonderful day.
Blessings,
Heidi
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