The Adventures of The Invisible Mom

Series: My Parenting Wins and Fails

No, this isn’t a blog post about a new Marvel character; although, we Mom’s know that would be AWESOME!! These posts are about what it’s like to not be seen, heard or acknowledged by those which we love the most in this world. It’s about recognizing it, addressing it and growing from it.

Issue 1: The Morning Routine

And So It Begins…

We’ve all been there: alarm goes off, feet hit the floor, you’re dragging yourself to the coffee pot and then once that first sip touches your lips it’s AWAY WE GO!!

Within moments, you’re dressed, the kids are awake, they’re getting dressed because you made sure their clothes were picked out last night!
**#ParentingWin**
You’re making breakfast and packing lunches (don’t forget the little note with the joke you put inside, you know how much they love those jokes!). **#ParentingWin**

Are We Ready Yet?!

You’ve moved on to inspecting the children, now.
Hair brushed? “Nice try sweetheart, but let’s get the back this time too!”
Teeth brushed? “Woah! Dude, that is NOT minty fresh. Let’s get those back teeth too!
Socks/Shoes? Check!
Backpacks? Check!
Lunches? Check!
**#ParentingWin**
Dog(s) walked? Nope! Gotta walk the dogs before you take the kids to school; otherwise, you’ll be cleaning up a spill on the Pupper Aisle! As you go out to walk the dogs, you tell the kids, to finish and be ready to walk out the door when you get back.

**DUN DUN DUN!!**

Upon your return from walking the dogs; her hair’s not done, his breath still smells like feet, & now they’ve taken their shoes OFF (?!?!) and they’re playing video games?!?!?
And then the drone of the same words you say daily rolls out. “What did I just say?”, “Did you not hear me?”, “Why aren’t you ready to go yet?”, “Weren’t you wearing your shoes a moment ago?”.
Their eyes get wide and the stammering of “He/She did it first!” or “I didn’t mean to!” blabbers on.

The Fail

Your heart is heavy. They’ve ignored you once again. It’s so disrespectful. You’re upset. You’re screaming on the inside. It’s bubbling up inside you and you’re about to burst!! You let a little bit of the “real you” slip out and you yell. “I SAID NO VIDEO GAMES! MOVE IT! YOU DON’T WANT TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL, DO YOU!? LET’S GO!”
**#ParentingFail**

Reflection

Everyone is now in the car… it’s quiet. You’re trying to give them an opportunity to apologize for their behavior without being told to apologize. But what you’re not considering right now, is that apologizing is a lot harder for kids. They don’t quite know what words to use, and they don’t pick up on non-verbal cues.

**Ok, Momma, Set the Example**

“I shouldn’t have yelled at you. No matter what you do/say, it’s not okay for me to yell at you. I’m sorry for having done that. I love you both very much and nothing will ever change that.” You give a little shy smile letting them know you’re not mad anymore. They nod their heads in acceptance. They won’t apologize right now and that’s ok. Y’all can talk about it after school. For now, it’s time to crank up the music and have a dance party in the car before you get to the school. Taylor Swift’s 22 is just the right song to set a happy mood to start their day. You’re stopped at the red light, dancing and singing at the top of your lungs with the kids! “I don’t know about you, but I’m feeling, 22! Everything will be alright if you keep me next to you!!”

Fleeting Moments

These are the moments you want them to remember. That Mom, admitted she was wrong and made it right. You showed them that sometimes we lose control and that’s ok. You just have to correct your mistakes when you make them.

You’re pulling up at the school, the doors open and they hop out. “I love you! Have a good day!”, shakily leaves your tongue and just as the doors start to close they look back, wave/blow a kiss and shout, “Love you, too!”. These are the moments you want to remember.

#StayHumble