Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Every Mom Makes Mistakes (right?)

Dawn gave me this Mom of the Year Award (thanks Dawn!)

and it could not have come at a better time.

One of the rules of the award is that you have to post a bad-mom moment, and I had to laugh because I recently had not one, but two.

Our two little ones are playing Upward basketball. With such activities, you always have picture day. And picture day always seems to mess with my head. You have to be there early, looking decent and have $ ready to shell out.
Two Saturdays ago, Ellie had a one o'clock basketball game. I was at lunch with my mom and sister and my dad was planning to take Ellie to her game, me to come later. My cell phone rings as I am enjoying a leisurely lunch and it is Ellie's coach. "Hey," he says in an even voice, "we are all here getting ready to take team pictures. Are you all coming?" Oh man, my heart sinks and my face turns red. I didn't want to tell him that actually, NO, I had totally forgotten, that I was stuffing my face full of chips and salsa, and that Ellie wasn't even with me, so I said, "well, my dad is bringing her, but I didn't tell them about pictures. Just take pictures without us. Sorry." I feel horrible, but we go on with lunch. The phone rings again, "We don't want a picture without Ellie in it. We're going to rearrange and take the picture afterwards." Ok that is soooo nice, but I feel like a heel. Everyone knows that it is me, Loser-mom, who has inconvenienced everyone. I know it doesn't sound like that big of a deal, but one thing I may not have told you about myself is that I HATE making mistakes. I'm not a perfectionsist per se, but making mistakes, forgetting something, especially in front of other just makes me feel like dirt.

Fast forward one week. Luke had a 9 AM basketball game. I thought I was doing great to have all the kids up and ready by 8:30. Tom was out of town, and you know how hard that can be flying solo. However, there was no fighting, everyone was wearing the correct uniform and I was feeling like Supermom. Phone rings. It's Luke's coach this time: "Uh... we're here waiting for you all... trying to get our team pictures taken." CRUD. My heart sinks again. I sigh as I say to him, "well, I'm so sorry. You'll have to take them without us." I get off the phone, but it rings again. Get here as fast as you can. We don't want a picture without Luke. Wow. That is so great... as I stand there in my robe with no makeup on. So, I jump into clothes and we take out there like madmen. It took us a full 15 minutes to get there, and I am so mad at myself the whole flying way. As we walk in, I begin apologizing to the coach. But guess who is there? Of all people? Ellie's coach. His son is having pictures at the same time.

oh my.

So on to the next rule and that is this: to list 7 things your love about your kids, doing with your kids or that your kids love about you.

1) I love to hold their warm, little and sometimes grubby hands.
2) I love to hear them laugh.
3) I love to enjoy each of their very different and distinct characteristics.
4) I love to hear the funny things they say.
5) I love to discover a quality in them that I do not possess.
6) I love to hear them express their faith in God through simple ways.
7) I love to see them interact with family - their dad, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

I surely LOVE being a mom, bad-mom days and all.

And who to pass this out to?
I'll try some of my dear out-of-town friends:
Shannon @ IA Pilot Wife
Kim @ KimNOW
Roxanne @ Roxanne Kristina
Rena @ Insert Grace Now
Kathleen @ Treasured Chapters


Here are the official rules:

1) Admit that ONE thing you feel awful about involving being a mom. Get it off your shoulders. Once you've written it down, you are NO LONGER allowed to feel bad. It's over with, it's in the past. Remember, you're a good mom!

2) To remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list SEVEN things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you. These are the things to remind yourself of EVERY DAY that you rock!

3) Send this to FIVE other Moms of the Year that deserve forgiveness and a reminder that they, too, are the best moms they can be!!! Remember to send them a note to let them know you've selected them, and add a link to the person who nominated you!"

7 Wonderful Responses:

Kathleen said...

Aww, Annie, I'm so with you on that wanting to not make mistakes thing!! I forgot snacks for one of my kids' games once, and I felt horrible looking at all of those hungry little boys!

This parenting thing has been so on my mind lately and in my prayers. I know...as a mom, it always will be, but it's been a weight lately--just trying to give them the best knowing time continues to zoom by. Thanks for tagging me. I'll be awhile as there is a lot of thought to put into this. I actually had already begun composing a post on parenting in my head, though, so at least I'm a little ahead of the game! :) Have a blessed day!

Audra Krell said...

I tend to go in "themes" with my mistakes too. I tell my kids "at least I don't show favoritism!" I will forever be the mom that forgets to bring the snack to the games on my assigned day. In fact, I'm in Nashville and my son called me from Arizona last night and asked what exactly we are doing about snack tomorrow? I told him I had taken care of it and another mother was doing all of it - now to pray that she really does!!! And BTW, I'm way over this snack thing! If I want my kid to have a snack, I'll send him one. Obviously I'm just trying to only forget the snack for one...not an entire soccer team of 20! : )

momof4kr said...

I can soooooooo feel you on this one! You are not alone.

Melinda said...

No one likes to make mistakes, esp. where others can see them.

Getting your kiddos ready that early in the morning all by yourself is a task...Go Girl!

Heather Keith said...

I volunteer/help in Kyler's class twice a month and just this past Tuesday it was my turn to help and I totally forgot. I felt like a terrible mom!

DeeBee said...

You're right.. we all make mistakes. I've arrive on time or early to events and when things go wrong and I'm late.. I hate it! I know how you feel about not wanting to look bad in front of others.

Dawn said...

I'm so far behind on reading blogs!

Thanks for exposing yourself to us. It's hard to vulnerable in front of others.

I hate when others see me really screw up. It's bad enough screwing up in front of my family.

But, what a testement that those kids and coaches didn't want a picture unless your kids were going to be in it!! That's wonderful.