A mom's role...

Over the weekend, it seemed all I did was pick up stuff.  Okay, I guess that's every day, but it seemed that this weekend it was worse than normal.  No matter what area of the house I looked, someone had dropped something else for me to pick up.

The other reason why I believe that to be the case, was that I heard myself saying, "Pick up your (fill in the blank)" over and over and over.  One time after telling Michael to pick up his batman cape for the 4th time in less than 30 minutes, he trudged to the kitchen, bent over and picked up the cape which was perfectly lying in front of the kitchen sink.   Then he said, "You know what Mom, if I were you, I'd be a maid.  That way you wouldn't have to ask anyone to pick up their stuff, you could just do it.  Plus mom, that's what you are really good at." 

Isn't that nice?  Seriously, I wasn't sure if it was a compliment, a jab or simply a statement.  But it got me thinking.... is that what we as mom's are supposed to do?  It is my duty just to stroll around the house, picking up the scattered debris that just happens to fall from the little people's hands and return it safely to its "home"?  Personally I believe no.  But then I spent more time thinking about it and realized, to the little people in my life, I think that is exactly what they see my purpose to be.  Now it isn't the only purpose, but definitely a very important one.  The one of preparing them tasty food, followed by picking up the mess that accompanies serving them tasty food, follows right behind being their "personal maid".   Seriously, tonight I asked Gabriel to help me make a salad so he knows how to do it when he's grown.  He stopped, looked at me and said, "Mom I'm not going to need to know how to do that.  I'm going to have a wife that will do that!" I gasped and, I'll save the rest of that conversation for another post.

Back to my first rant...just think about it.  How many moms have heard the question, "Mom, do you know where my (again, fill in the blank) is?"  How come that's always a question moms get? I don't think I can ever recall our kids asking Dad where something is.  I guess maybe they have to ask Dad when I’m off enjoying a relaxing massage and frozen daiquiri at our private island (for those who read this but don’t’ personally know us, we do NOT have a private island).    I seriously think, my kids think a mom's job is to pick up everyone's stuff and return it to a safe and easily found place, so they can take it out again and drop it for me to pick up.  Seriously; I'm completely convinced that's how they see things.

As I sat there becoming quite frustrated at the realization I had made, I thought further, and what I discovered next really made me feel bad.   I understood that it isn't just my kids that feel that way.  I myself, did the same thing to my mom as a child (you’re still considered a “child” at 17 right? ). "Mom- I lost my shirt, did you wash it yet?"  Not only being completely irresponsible in not keeping track of my stuff, but also assuming it was my mom's fault my shirt wasn't neatly hanging in my closet because my mom hadn't washed it.  And then I felt even worse, I would never have wanted to be my parent when I was a kid.  Maybe this attitude just runs in my family, but I’m hoping I’m not the only one. 

And now, that I've had enough time to think about it; to stew about my revelation, I’m determined to do something about it.  I've found the perfect strategy, the perfect solution…. I’m going to play their game.   What’s that saying, Two can play at this game.  I’m changin it… “Mom can play at this game too!”  See I’m going to start leaving my stuff all over too, but instead of putting it all over the house like they like to do to me, I’m just going to start putting stuff in their room.  I can’t think of a better place to store my shoes, the pots and pans, the empty toilet paper rolls that no one likes to take to the recycle bin.  Ah, yes, Mom can play at this game too. J  I’m just interested to see how long it takes them to grow tired of my “crap” in their way.  Sadly, I’m convinced this game is going to test my stamina.  Here’s another saying for you… “Rome wasn’t built in one day.”  And I’m afraid my title of “maid” isn't going to go away that easy either.

Until next time,

Angie