Thoughts on being a Mum ...

I am a bit of a stalker of Krista's blog .. .and highly addicted to her Sugar Nellie Simply Sassy range of stamps.   At the moment Krista is pondering the meaning of being a Mum and her post today is quite thought provoking ... she asks some questions and then says ...

"What are some of your answers to these questions? And even if you aren't a mom, maybe you've learned something special from your own...I'd love to hear your thoughts!...We are all on a journey...It's kinda nice when you have someone to walk with for a bit:)..."

So here are my ponderings of those questions ...

Favorite meal to make the fam: Spaghetti bolognese
They all love pasta, and bolognese, my bolognese, not Daddy's.  I have to clarify that, because if I asked the children what their favourite meal was they would probably answer ... Daddy pie (shepherds pie to the rest of us!!). But my bolognese is the best ... better than Daddy,s or Naini's or even school's so high praise!!!!

The Promise I Broke:  never to scream
I promised that i wouldn't scream at my children the way my Mum had screamed at us (we were terrors mind!!) ... but Beth hit two and a half and that promise winged its way out of our house ... thankfully I scream less now!!

Song (that makes me teary-eyed): Not one that I can tink of ... is that bad!!

 Young Mamas I Look Up To: My friend Jo, and Jess

Jo as she had Meg when she was very young, and has inspired me to raise my children the same way, firm boundaries, clear direction and consistency in reward and consequence... although Jo's favourite phrase is "I have 1 daughter ... you have 2"!!!!
Jess  - the mum of my older daughter's best friend ... an amazingly calm, dedicated and devoted mum of 4 who lives in a council house, has the politest, modest children going, who all have a quiet confidence.  I wish I had her secret!

Best Family Vacation: Beckfords Tower Bath

Ellie loved staying in a 19th century tower folly near Lansdown Racecourse ... she still calls it her tower.  Its the first place she saw a deer and a fox early in the morning ... and Beth started crawling while we were there.  It was our first real holiday away with the girls and it was bliss ... so relaxed and the tower was beautiful.

Favorite Family Outing:  Dunham Park
Its a Georgian estate owned by the National Trust not that far from us with a fantastic house, gardens and grounds.  The girls love feeding te ducks stale bread, riding their bikes, and going round the gardens with the children's quiz.  Gorgeous creamy ice cream finishes it all off brilliantly.

What I've Relaxed On (just a bit):  Beth.

OK this might seem strange but I have a daughter who lives on percentages .. if she jumps of the step 10 times and hurts herself the 11th time, unlike her older sister she doesn't go "Ouch, mustn't do that again"  Oh no Beth says I did it 10 times OK so I can do it 10 times again before I might hurt myself ... it makes life as a mum incredibly scary!!!  Constantly waiting for the next accident, trip to A&E etc ... but recently I have resigned myself to the fact that she rarely hurts herself badly (only 4 trips to A&E, average 1 a year!) and she isn't going to change.  I have learned to accept or spend my life quaking and saying "Don't Beth".

Fave Mom Style:  Cargo pants and sloppy top

Why dress up to get smeared in snot, dribble and blood, and the pockets are so useful for storing the discarded hair bobbles, clips, tissues ...!!!

Never Thought I'd:  have a crumple button

Do you know your crumple button ... its that thing that your adorable little ones do that has you spinning up into the stratosphere, while your loving partner shakes their head in confusion ... yep its that little thing your little darlings do that makes you react with sanctions, shouting ... as a teacher I saw so many parents experience this button and talked so many of them through how to deal with said button ... never thought I would have one ... but I so do!!  When i work out how to defeat it I will let you know!

Best Mom Advice:  Apologize to your kids when you mess up.
 It's very humbling...and sets a good example.    I can't agree more with Krista ...

Ellie Got My: lack of confidence
oh i so wish she had the confidence of her dad and sister ... oh my persceution complex ... so called by my Dad - everything is my fault, or everyone always blames me ... not good really.

Beth Got My: mischeviousness
My Mum just looks at me when I tell her about Beth's latest mis-doing, smiles and says "You reap what you sow" ... I am sure I wasn't as challenging as Beth ... not just being naughty, but playing out of the box.

I Wish I Didn't: Expect too much
I do have high expectations of my children, and both of them are bright cookies, so I KNOW I expect more than I should for their ages ... and while that can be positive as it always stretches them, it is also not good as it means they can't just be 4 and 6 ... my New Years Resolution for 2011 is not to expect too much ... trying really really hard still!!

Fave Three Kid Movies:Tangled, Jungle Book, to be honest anything other than the Tinkerbell Movies LOL!!

A Mom I'd Love to Meet: My hubby's ...well I have met her, but not as her daughter in law ... I would love to have been able to share these moments with her.

My Time (without kids): Crafting
Being in my craft room, with my i-pad and CD player is the time I treasure .. often I don't craft, just listen to music and look through my stamps and papers, pondering the next project ... oh and noseying at what is happening in the street, which is usually not alot!!  I hate the times they invade and start fiddling .. so much so that we now have a craft bag that they use.  They are allowed to invade my space for long enough to choose images, and get them stamped .. .and then it is back down to the kitchen table!

 So there you go ... my thoughts on being a Mum ... I adore my children, struggle to remember a time without them, and would not ever be without them now.  I am as lucky to be their Mum as they are to have me as their Mum!!

My lovely, wonderful friend Ali has posted a poem on her blog about being a military mum ... its brilliant and so touching ... worth a read if you have a moment.