R-o-c-k-i-n-g Motherhood

This post has been languishing in my drafts for over a month.  In that time, our lives have been turned upside down with Cee’s latest round of results.  I contemplated scrapping the whole post, but keep coming back to how helpful thinking this through has been for me.  I share it now in the hopes that other moms will take time to make their own lists, however life looks right now.  <3

From dealing with chronic illness to escaping an abusive marriage, Jessica from Pinot Noir and Prayers hasn’t had a life of all rainbows and unicorns, but you wouldn’t know that in reading her story.  Her zeal for life and perseverance shine through in her blog.  Recently Jessica posted a list of the ways she’s a successful mom.  I’m glad she took time to acknowledge that she is a k-i-c-k-a-s-s mom.  She really *is* rocking motherhood.

Then she tagged me.  Called me out on the internet to compose my on lists of ways I’m “rocking motherhood.”  Sigh.

There are three reasons for my apprehension at the “rocking motherhood” challenge:

  1.  Saying “rock” when I’m not talking about a hard mineral feels like saying “groovy.  Or “da bomb.”  Eesh.  I am more than a little bit country and less than zero rock’n’roll.  Stoplights make me nervous.  I don’t like loud music.  Or leather pants.  Or drogas.  I am the antithesis of rock.  Truthfully, I don’t “rock” anything other than babies.
  2.  In the midwest, bragging is almost as bad as stealing or not bringing a dish to share at a potluck.  Your reputation won’t recover if you’re caught doing any of them.
  3.  To say that I’m “rocking motherhood” sort of feels like saying I’m figure skating professionally.  Or cooking in a five star restaurant.  Or running for president in four years.  In other words, it feels like a lie.  “Hi, I’m Alicia, and I’m an airplane mechanic.”  What!?!   Do not get on that plane.  It’s a lie!!!

Out of respect for Jessica, I will list ways I am succeeding as a mom.  But– I’ll treat it like I do other swear words.  By spelling it.   Warning: I might drop some more spell-swear bombs besides “r-o-c-k-i-n-g.”

 

 

Ways I am R-o-c-k-i-n-g Motherhood

 

I make my kids eat vegetables.  Alllllll the time.

I’ve mentioned before my goal to make sure my kids eat at least one vegetable every day and overall do pretty well.  Taco meat is my favorite for hiding vegetables.  Either we add in a can of pureed pumpkin or finely diced spinach as the taco meat cooks.  Soup is also great for hiding celery, onions, and other kid enemies.  These conversations happen frequently in our house:

Kid:  I hate celery!
Me:  Me too!  I’m glad it’s in soup so I don’t have to feel its weird texture.

Kid:  I don’t like broccoli.
Me:  Me neither!  I’m glad it tastes better after it’s been roasted in the oven.

Kid:  Yuck!  This has green stuff in it!
Me:  I know, right?!?!  Good thing it’s so small we can’t taste it.

You get the idea.  I don’t enjoy many vegetables myself.  But we eat them anyway.

Broccoli for Haters

 

I listen to my kids.

Sometimes.  I listen to my kids sometimes.  I can’t plug the meal-time question jar enough.  It forces conversations about all sorts of topics.  I’m guilty of being focused on a task and missing opportunities to connect with my kids.  Fortunately since I’m home with them all day, I have lots of hours to listen.  I tell myself it balances out all the times I just can’t handle the play-by-play of a movie I already saw or the recounting of a dream that takes hours.

The question jar is a staple on our dinner table.

 

I want to be better.

I listen to parenting audiobooks, analyze how I’m doing as a mom (David might argue that I do it a little too much), and generally try to evolve as a mother.  I know I’m not perfect, but I want to be the best I can be for my kids.  Simplicity Parenting is one of my favorite parenting reads.
I’ve heard of being a tiger or helicopter parent but only recently heard the term “dolphin parent.”  After reading more about it, it seems like an accurate descriptor of my mom goals.  This article was helpful in understanding it, if you’re interested.

 

 

 

 

I laugh.

In our house we are silly.  We do Mad Libs, tell jokes, and make up new lyrics to songs.  I’m not above a cheap poop reference to lighten the mood when things are tense.  My kids are a hoot, so it must be working.  Case in point:  Elle the flamingo.

 

I ask for forgiveness.

If my kids learn nothing else from me, at least they will know how to sincerely apologize.  I’ve made it a point to apologize when I’ve done something wrong.  And I have to.  A lot.

 

 

 

There you go.  Five ways I’m r-o-c-k-i-n-g motherhood.  Although I initially resisted, I’m glad I sat down to brainstorm a list.  I’d love to read the lists of all the moms I know in real life.

 

Okay.  Since this is part of the deal, I’m inviting a few of my favorite mom-bloggers (who haven’t already been tagged by someone else) in alphabetical order to take the challenge as well.  I think I’m supposed to use a hashtag, too, but I only use those as a joke.  I don’t instagram, twitter, tinder, or Siri.  (Yes, I’m vaguely aware that they are not all the same kind of thing.)

Angela @ This Mom Needs Chocolate
Jen @  Into Your Will
Katherine @ Gloria in Excelsis Deo
Lisa @  And a Pinch of Zest
Sara @ Twice Catholic

No pressure to the ladies above, or the people I know in real life, but I am genuinely interested in hearing your list.  I could come up with 10 ways I’m flunking motherhood in about 10 minutes.  But this list of successes?  It’s taken weeks.  I’m guessing that’s probably true of most of us moms.  That only confirms that making a list like this is important for us to do and share.  How are you r-o-c-k-i-n-g motherhood?

 

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5 Comments


  1. // Reply

    Ok, I am definitely using your spin on veggie eating! I love everything you came up with. And I might have to think over this a good long time…the flunking motherhood part would take me about 10 min., too. ?


  2. // Reply

    I love how you laugh with your kiddos! Humor is such an important part of motherhood and a healthy dose of it works to increase the joy found in your home! I’m trying to be better in that way. I love your list! Way to go! I think lists like this can really help us to shape the criticisms we have in our head with perspective too, so that we don’t fall into the trap of overly negative thinking which causes us to grumble and complain, so to me, you didn’t come off as prideful!


  3. // Reply

    Love your honesty. I, too, cannot handle play-by-play recounts of SpongeBob. LOL! Keep rocking it!


  4. // Reply

    I think these are great answers! I just hid grated carrots in the spaghetti sauce. 🙂


    1. // Reply

      Yes! Hidden veggies for the win. 🙂

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