- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- twins today articles
- twins today q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Tell it Bye-bye
Temporarily Giving Up Non-essentials
By Karen Edmisten
And I did remember it. I have continued to use "Tell it bye-bye" with all my children, and, amazingly, the simple ritual and the knowledge that the farewell isn't forever has been a comfort and a coping tool for my children.
And so it goes for me, the ever-learning mom. "Tell it bye-bye" is a philosophy I've also adopted for myself. As a mom, I've had to look squarely at many things and, slightly sadly, tell them "bye-bye." I've wistfully waved to and walked away from uninterrupted sleep, reading a novel in a day, deliciously long phone conversations with best girlfriends, restaurants that boast of their chefs instead of meal/toy combos, a living room sans preschool d袯r, and brazenly eating M&Ms for breakfast. I had to say "bye-bye for now" to these things because, in many ways, being a grownup in the world isn't really that different from being a 2-year-old in the world. In both cases, there are rules to be learned, things we must (like it or not) live with, disappointments and setbacks to accept, grand dreams to be dreamt and rewards to savor.
As I've learned the rules of motherhood, which include putting my children's needs before my wants, I've occasionally thrown my version of a tantrum, but I've grown a lot, too. I've learned to live with unpredictable days, general stickiness, floors constantly in need of mopping and the fact that I've often left the house with peanut butter on my collar. And although there have been disappointments and setbacks, they've always propelled me toward growth in maternal wisdom.
The dreams and rewards? I may not dream of being a princess or the first female president, but my dreams, like my children's, keep me joy-filled and hopeful about the future. And the rewards of hugs and "I love yous" (every bit as valuable as a sticker chart that encourages good behavior) help keep me doing what I'm doing – striving to be the best mommy I can be.
Like my children, I take comfort in the fact that I don't have to say "goodbye" forever to the things a mom must give up. It is a temporary parting only. Sleep, peanut butter-free clothes and leisure time for reading will all come again one day. In the meantime, I tell these non-essentials "bye-bye, see you next time" and enjoy my rewards. I take comfort in the fact that the parting is making me a stronger parent. Then I sneak a few M&Ms for breakfast and gear up for another day.
Want to see more?
Comments
There are no comments for this article yet.Be the first to 
|
Post As:
|
||
| Enter your comment below: | ||
| Title | ||
| Comment Text | ||
| CAPTCHA | ||
| Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection. | ||