As a Mom I have a lot for which to be grateful. Right now, I’m most conscious of the texture and color my children bring to my life. I get to think about why the world is organized the way that it is organized in order to answer all the “Why?” and “What’s happening?” and “What did he do?” questions. (These can drive me nuts, most certainly. Yet, mostly I like the challenge of explaining circumstances in a way that continue to intrigue.) I get to laugh on the way to daycare for no apparent reason I can figure. I get to be and feel creative as I find ingenious ways to keep the forward motion going in the morning to get people out the door on time. I get to experience a significant expansion of what I feel I’m capable of handling in a day or in a moment. I get to be McKenzie’s Mom. I get to be Jake’s Mom. I get to live in the same house with these 2 fascinating beings. I get full body hugs and full mouth kisses.
I have an infinite list of things for which I could thank my kids. The above is just the beginning. I will continue to build the list in my mind throughout this Thanksgiving week.
What do you want to thank your children for?
And, perhaps more importantly, what do we want to thank ourselves for as Moms? What does it take to be “Mom”? What do you want to most acknowledge yourself for? Is it for giving 100% of yourself each day? For taking time out for you? For the ways your stretch yourself and continually operate in new ways as your kids’ needs change? For the way you consider and process seemingly mundane aspects of the daily routine because you’re concerned about how they will impact your child?
I’d like to thank myself for actively observing my kids so I can see what’s entering into their world. For letting my kids be different and be individuals. For admitting when I’m disappointed, impatient, or so ready to get some time away from my kids – or all of the above! For asking for and accepting help. For being actively engaged in a “life balance” inquiry so I can make sure I’ve got enough fuel to be Mom. For having made a commitment to myself to enjoy the experience of being pregnant. For continuously making a commitment to myself to enjoy the experience of being a Mom.
I’d love to hear from you. Please join the conversation: What do you want to thank your children for? And, what do you want to thank yourself for?
