the world according to mom

Wednesday, April 15, 2009


When I returned from my wedding weekend in MN, I had an email waiting from my new shutter friend Sarah-Ji, who had tagged me to do a post about being a mom. She kindly noted that she knew I was busy and there was no rush, but it's on my to-do list (like another outstanding tag I got last week!!!), and I wanted to get with the program...

Sarah-Ji and I recently connected on the fact that we both have high need daughters, hers an adorable four-almost-five-year-old, and mine an almost-two-year-old. It has been a great encouragement to me to realize that I'm not the only one out there who has struggled to meet the overwhelming needs of a firstborn who demands more than the typical firstborn.

The tag stems from "Her Bad Mother", a blog by a mom who doesn't feel that great at being a mom. She took the time to list five things she *liked* about being a mom, and then tagged a few other people to participate. I've never laid claim to the title of "good mom," but there are things I do love about being a mom, and on the days I'm facing off with the toddler, it's helpful to remember them:

1) I love the quiet moments we have together, discovering. Flowers, toes, fingers, songs, dirt... I am so tired, I don't always connect, but when I do, she is still there, waiting for me, always hoping that I'll step down from my world into hers.

2) I love the fact that she needs me and loves me. Nobody in the whole world has ever needed me or loved me like this little kid - she's too young and too innocent to judge me. I hope as she grows up, she will be as forgiving of me as she is now when I set limits for her and ask her to abide by them.

3) I love her little dark eyes looking up at me with perfect trust, the laughter I get to produce - her giggles are so terrific!!! - her absolute and total affection for Pete and me. She's almost amorous, actually, the little punk. She loves to kiss us right on the lips, no matter how often we redirect her. That's what we get for letting her watch movies, I guess...

4) I love the way she makes us feel like a family, makes a way for us to make our own plan, our own schedule, our own unit of what works for us.

5) I think the most interesting thing about being a mom has been what I have learned of myself and how God loves me through my interactions with and observation of Piper. There is a softening that has happened in my heart toward Him, a deeper understanding of my own often-irrational mistrust of His way of running the universe. I am still a work in progress, and I love that I can offer that same grace to Piper as she grows and learns to love Him in her way. It helps me to trust God with her, helps me let go of all the overwhelming and realize that I will never be able to meet all of her needs, but He has promised to meet them in Jesus.

All right, now for the tagging. I'm supposed to tag at least one person in another country, so I'm going to go with Madelynsmummy, a Flickr friend, Sebrina and Emily, blog friends, and Faith and Sara, real life friends.

9 comments:

sunmamma said...

Awwww lovely words!!!

Sarah-Ji said...

Thanks for sharing, Kelly! Piper is blessed to have a mom full of such grace and love.

Leeann said...

Way to press un-snooze on the biological clock I've so been struggling with of late... :P

Heidi said...

*smile* I like.

But...what's wrong with little kids kissing their parents on the lips? We did that all the time as little kids. We grew out of it naturally when it wasn't appropriate anymore. :)

PaperYarnGirl said...

I love who you're becoming because Piper is in your life ;-)

deb said...

You have a unique honesty about your living. Your daughter will be a bit of a barometer for your moods and this can be both insightful and bittersweet, and often exasperating as she "calls you out" . She will share in your joys and you will be lifted in hers in a passion that drains and empties your cup . Thank you for the "scripture" peace I receive having found your blog. There is always much we don't understand but must have faith in. I am mother to 5, ages 11- 20, and I still don't know what I am doing, but feel honoured in seeing who they are becoming.

Cam said...

Happy Love Thursday!!

Yes, a bond between a mother and a daughter is a precious precious gift.

Thank you for sharing a little about yours & Pipers!

Gayle said...

Beautiful post! Happy Love Thursday!

Christine said...

This is so sweet!

Happy Love Thursday!

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