There's no doubt about it, kids say it like it is! Whether you want to hear or not, they don't hold back. We've had a few of these moments lately....
Mason: You know Mom, Misty (our babysitter when I work and who we all absolutely love and adore) is a Real Mom.
Me: Oh really? What makes her a "Real Mom"?
Mason: Shrugs his shoulders.
Me: So am I a "Real Mom"?
Mason: No...you're just a "Half Mom".
Me: Oh...(feeling disappointed) what makes me just a "Half Mom"?
Mason: Misty's a "Real Mom" cuz she doesn't spank our tushies!
There you have it! I'm not the real deal! I didn't know how to react, besides laugh to myself. Although I couldn't help think where this was coming from because my kids don't hardly ever get spanked. Maybe yelled at a little and sent to time-out a lot, but spanking tuishies doesn't happen all that often. I guess I'll just have to be okay with being a "Half Mom!"
We recently attended a church meeting for Madelyn because she has a very exciting birthday this year...turning 8 and getting baptized. We had been in church from 2-5pm and then returned at 7 for this meeting. So the boys were tired, restless and of course irreverent. We finally got Jalen to sit still when he chose to sprawl out across the chairs, lying down. At least he was being quiet!! And actually, he was being so still, I thought he might actually fall asleep! The bishop was talking to the kids about the Holy Ghost and His purpose. He was asking them, "Can your parents always be with you to make sure you're making good choices?" No..the kids responded. The question was thrown out there, "So then if your parents can't always be with you, who can?" The room was dead silent. Then Jalen yells out, "the babysitter!" It was so hilarious! I guess he really was listening.
Last night, the State of the Union Address was on and therefore, American Idol was not. Madelyn was disappointed and just couldn't understand why they wouldn't show American Idol but we could see the President's speech on every other channel! She didn't appreciate this. Jalen overheard Madelyn's frustration and looked up from coloring to simply but very matter-of-factly state, "American Idol got canceled Maddie. Someone got sick and threw up!"
I have been receiving cute little notes left behind from a "secret" person. I have a pretty good guess of who it is, but hey it's a secret so I shouldn't try and guess, right?! Here is how the last one went...
"You have Rosey cheeks. Your voise is like a cherping bird. You smell like blue blosums. You are the best Mom!!"
Madelyn also is so quick to apologize, to forgive and forget. When she is sent to her bedrooom for something she does wrong, I almost always get a sweet little note saying something like, "I am so so so sorry. Will you please forgive me? I promise I will do better at listening and not sassing. I love you! Please forgive me." After reading her sweet words, my frustrations or anger with her completely go away and I truly appreciate her example to quickly and sincerely ask for forgiveness.
These little notes remind me how simple it is to not only express love and appreciation to others around me but more importantly how easy it is to forgive and forget. Whether it's laughter and fun into our home, or love and humility, I appreciate my kids for Just Sayin It Like It Is!!
14 years ago
