I Hope You Read This Someday

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Some days I understand why some animals eat their young.

My youngest daughter is one of the most stubborn, quick-tempered, dramatic people I have ever met (nothing like her mother at all 😉 ).  She has a tendency to over-react when things are not perfectly in place and the way she wants them.

My middle girl-child is what I would consider a slightly naive, overly soft-hearted helper and fixer.  She thinks she can save the world and will run herself in to the ground trying to do so.  I have recently found that she is, like her sister, extremely stubborn.

My oldest is a man.  Not a man-child any more.  Just a man.  He is, like both of his baby sisters, stubborn.  He has a tendency to know it all and make rash decisions because he isn’t really much in to delayed gratification.

I love my children.  I just want to throttle them from time to time.  Today is one of those times.

That being said, my children are more awesome than yours.

They are talented, hard-working, loving, beautiful, empathetic, kind children; always willing to lend a helping hand or say a kind word in the exact moment that it’s needed.  They are amazing people that I am proud to have in my life.

I have, throughout the years, cried and screamed and wanted to pull my hair out.

I wouldn’t change any of it for the world.

I adore spending time with my kids.  I love to hear them tell me about their latest passion, chat and laugh with their siblings, or just hear them bitch about work or their latest school assignment.

These are the days that I will remember and hold on to.  These are the times that I’m going to miss when they are all moved out and living their own lives devoid of parental interaction (or so they think).  These are the experiences that I will miss the most.

Hold on to your children; even when they are adults.  Let them know that you love them; no matter their choices.  Tell them you are sorry when you mess up (and we ALL mess up as parents).  Prove to them that you are interested in their lives; their happiness, sadness, anger and amusement.  Watch a YouTube video with them once in a while.  Take them on a road trip and listen to their music for a change.  Try not to begrudge them their own personal expression by nixing their clothing, makeup, piercings or tattoos (no matter how difficult THAT might be).  Let them know that you will always be there for them, even if you don’t agree with the circumstances that got them where they are.  Hug them every time they go to bed and tell them “good night”.

I may not be the best mother in the world (and I should take my own advice now and then), but I do love being a mother.  I  hope my children will know (even if they are in their 40’s when they realize it) that I tried as hard as I could to be good to them and for them.

I adore my children.  I hope they read this someday.