Please keep your “Mother of the Year” Award
Today was like any other days of the week, except that it was a beautiful sunny 70 degrees in the middle of March day! We’ve been hibernating like bears, but the cubs and mama bear are getting antsy and wanting to claw our way out of this cabin fever.
While Tyler was at school, I went outside with Trent and Sophia to play until our first-grader gets home at 12:10. It was early release day today. Although Trent and Tyler go to different schools, it seems like when Tyler has early release days, Trent doesn’t have school (so I thought). He’s in pre-school and only goes for three hours, four days/week.
Here are some gratuitous pictures of the kids enjoying the warm weather until rain moves in the rest of the week.
“Fia! Kick the soccer ball NOT my leg!”
“Hmm, I should really work this abs some more…summer’s coming!”
“I see that she got some new accessories for the house. I didn’t know she likes naked statues.” Sophia and Trent looking into their aunt’s house who lives next store.
What do these pictures have anything to do with the title of this post? Well, while we were playing outside, Trent’s school van came to pick him up at 11:45. “Uh, he has school today, early release day, no?” I asked the bus driver. He nodded patiently while waiting for me to decide what to do next. I told him I’d drive him to school since he didn’t eat lunch yet.
I rushed the kids into the van as fast as I can waddle, ran inside to make a quick sandwich for Trent to eat in the van (our second home) and off we went while hoping to get home before 12:10 to pick Tyler up at the bus stop.
As we pulled into the driveway at 12:07, I saw a small figure with a backpack walking towards us and my heart sank. I felt like the worse mother in the whole world. I let my baby down by not being at the bus stop for him, so he walked home from the bus stop. Tyler had this scared puzzled expression on his face, and it took a lot of effort from me not to break down (with the hormones and all) right there in the van.
As I exited the van, Tyler had a million questions “where were you mommy? I didn’t know where you were. I was scared!” Oh man, talk about guilt! I gave him the biggest hug and lots of kisses and apologized for not being at the bus stop, and also promised that it won’t ever happen again, I can only hope.
I let my son down. Simple as that! I can imagine how scared Tyler must have been. Being such a protective mother that I am, I’m always a few steps behind my children wherever we went. They are never out of my sight even with us living on a cul-de-sac and in a safe neighborhood. He relied on ME to be there for him and I blew it! Will this motherhood thing get easier as they get older?
So you can keep your “Mother of the Year” award for somebody else. I’m just trying to raise my children the best way I can with as little hiccups along the way as possible. I hope he’ll forgive me and won’t need therapy when he grows up. Maybe I should just set aside a few bucks a day just in case.
Today was like any other days of the week, except that it was a beautiful sunny 70 degrees in the middle of March day! We’ve been hibernating like bears, but the cubs and mama bear are getting antsy and wanting to claw our way out of this cabin fever.
While Tyler was at school, I went outside with Trent and Sophia to play until our first-grader gets home at 12:10. It was early release day today. Although Trent and Tyler go to different schools, it seems like when Tyler has early release days, Trent doesn’t have school (so I thought). He’s in pre-school and only goes for three hours, four days/week.
Here are some gratuitous pictures of the kids enjoying the warm weather until rain moves in the rest of the week.
“Fia! Kick the soccer ball NOT my leg!”
“Hmm, I should really work this abs some more…summer’s coming!”
“I see that she got some new accessories for the house. I didn’t know she likes naked statues.” Sophia and Trent looking into their aunt’s house who lives next store.
What do these pictures have anything to do with the title of this post? Well, while we were playing outside, Trent’s school van came to pick him up at 11:45. “Uh, he has school today, early release day, no?” I asked the bus driver. He nodded patiently while waiting for me to decide what to do next. I told him I’d drive him to school since he didn’t eat lunch yet.
I rushed the kids into the van as fast as I can waddle, ran inside to make a quick sandwich for Trent to eat in the van (our second home) and off we went while hoping to get home before 12:10 to pick Tyler up at the bus stop.
As we pulled into the driveway at 12:07, I saw a small figure with a backpack walking towards us and my heart sank. I felt like the worse mother in the whole world. I let my baby down by not being at the bus stop for him, so he walked home from the bus stop. Tyler had this scared puzzled expression on his face, and it took a lot of effort from me not to break down (with the hormones and all) right there in the van.
As I exited the van, Tyler had a million questions “where were you mommy? I didn’t know where you were. I was scared!” Oh man, talk about guilt! I gave him the biggest hug and lots of kisses and apologized for not being at the bus stop, and also promised that it won’t ever happen again, I can only hope.
I let my son down. Simple as that! I can imagine how scared Tyler must have been. Being such a protective mother that I am, I’m always a few steps behind my children wherever we went. They are never out of my sight even with us living on a cul-de-sac and in a safe neighborhood. He relied on ME to be there for him and I blew it! Will this motherhood thing get easier as they get older?
So you can keep your “Mother of the Year” award for somebody else. I’m just trying to raise my children the best way I can with as little hiccups along the way as possible. I hope he’ll forgive me and won’t need therapy when he grows up. Maybe I should just set aside a few bucks a day just in case.
Aw, he’ll be fine. These things are generally harder on us Mommies than on the kids. Thankfully.
You’re a great mommy.
You did wonderfully given those logistical difficulties!
I’d still give you the award, no question.
Okay I’ve been wondering if you actually settled on a name. I know you had the “contest” but wondered if you were really going with it.
oh I know the guilt, I know how heartbroken you must have been (and maybe still are!), but really, you’re a wonderful mom. and your kids are very, very lucky
betty betty betty…you’re doing fine. If you are going to set money aside, plan for a vaca not therapy!
You wanna feel better? Let me know and I’ll tell you about the time mom and dad loaded the family into the car to go to the park…
and left with me chasing them down the street (no, they did not see me)
Try not to be so hard on yourself, friend. It happens to all of us.
Your kids are ridiculously adorable. That middle picture is priceless!
Cut yourself some slack! You can’t be in 15 places at once.
On a brighter note, those pictures are cuu-uute!
Awww…. Big hug to you. I’m sure he will be fine but I’ve also been in his shoes too and it is pretty scary, however, all is fine when the parent finally shows up.
Your kids are absolutely adorable! (can I say that enough?)
Poor thing! I know how he feels. I’m always worried that the person who’s supposed to pick me up will forget or I’ll be in the wrong meeting spot.
However, I know how busy the day can get and how easily things can be overlooked. Try not to worry too much. You’re still a great Mother!
Michelle~ We have yet to pick a name for our “piglet”. A few names are on our list, but nothing definitive. Thanks for asking!
Dennis~ You know the saying goes “misery loves company”, thanks for sharing your story with me. I do feel a bit better now!
This happened to me as a kid - all the time!
That’s how I got involved with the colombian drug cartel at 6, and started fencing cars at 8….ALL because the parents were late picking me up.
I’m kidding, ya know. Go easy on yourself, you’re trying hard - when they get older they’ll understand.
Don’t worry so much - you take good care of your growing family!
Love the pics! And you ARE a good Mommy. The fact that you are almost always there is the important thing, he knows he can count on you! You can’t be everywhere at all times, Betty!
You are okay and so is he.
Blame the pregnancy.
Dude, I forgot my husband’s BIRTHDAY when pregnant. He had to remind me. I’m still trying to live that down.
It happens but it doesn’t make you feel any better…
I am amazed at all that you do remember…As I could not remember anything while pregnant…
You’re a fabulous mom. You wouldn’t feel guilty about it if you didn’t. He’ll be fine and sometimes these things can help them become more dependent. Remind me of this when it happens to me. (And it WILL happen to me)
You can keep it for someone else too since I promised the tornado we would go grocery shopping last Saturday and then I rendered OT at the office instead.
Try not to be too hard on yourself. We’ve all been there!