Throughout this Blogathon month I’ve been busy creating posts, tweeting, checking my stats way too often, and not being as accessible to my family as much as I think I “should” be. Yet my kids are doing just fine. They are still
completing homework,
getting their chores done, and
snuggling with their dad in the evening when I think they should be snuggling with me.
So during my guilty moments, I’ve asked myself how necessary am I to my kids? Moms, maybe your kids are not at that stage yet – but believe me, it will come.
Some of this pity party is hormonal combined with it’s still raining here in the Northwest and we are at the end of May! Can we say De. pressed? De. pres. sion? Blue? Sad? Down? If we could have some sun, then maybe life would look a whole lot cheerier.
So I’m in my room again working on this post feeling sorry for myself…
Then hubby comes in to give me some smooches. He tells me that his smooches give me power to write. Thank you, sweetie, I appreciate it.
The phone rings twice and needs my attention.
Two minutes later oldest daughter comes in to ask me to look at the top of her head. There’s a tiny bump that needs to be inspected.
Cleo cat comes in my room, hops up on the bed and keeps meowing at me until I pet her. She claims hubby’s pillow for her couch and snuggles down on the pillow to keep me company.
Youngest son (15 yr old) comes by and asks me what am I doing? I’m blogging, baby. I’ll be out soon.
Youngest walks by and comes in to say hello. Whatcha doing? She replies, “Seeing what you’re doing.”
Youngest son comes back in and sits on my bed while talking loudly on the phone to his older brother who’s out of state at a national track meet. Do you want to talk to him? Sure, Let me talk to him.
Enough of the pity party. I’m still the mom.
Yep,
I’m still needed.
Photo by thepinkpeppercorn
I feel that way sometimes, too! Not as often since we had Sophie – between breastfeeding and her attachment to me otherwise I have a hard time getting five minutes to myself to go to the bathroom at home, much less write! But yes, I have felt that way many times.
But like you said – we’re still Mom. Still needed.
Thank goodness 🙂
Aw, I teared up reading that post, Jan. As moms it’s a Catch 22 – sometimes we’re needed too damn much! and other times, when kids are happily playing or unhappily pouting, we’re like, “What about me? Don’t you need me?” My kids are young but they’re often happier playing with their friends now than hangin’ with Mama. I guess that’s how it should be, right?
Yes, Lisa. I felt silly last night for feeling sorry for myself and not needed because I can remember days upon weeks that I just wanted “them” to go away. Not really but the demands of motherhood are unrelenting.
j
Such a heartfelt post, Jan. It’s so reassuring to realize that our children still need us no matter how old they are even if we sometimes don’t feel needed anymore.
I hope you are feeling better today 🙂
Hi Anyes,
I found your comment! I’m so glad. It was in the Spam folder, and I didn’t think to look for it.
Thank you. I know my kids will need me but it’s nice to hear it from other people. I’m finding blogging helps me work through some of our life transitions.
I definitely feel like this a lot — and I also feel like I’m spending TOO MUCH TIME blogging, tweeting, etc., on my own, away from my family. When my husband comes in to see me and then leaves, saying: “I’m leaving the blogosphere,” (he says it very nicely), but I know he’s really saying: “please come be with us in the other room.” So, this is the last blog I’m commenting on, and now I’m signing out and off to the other room!
Julie,
That’s what’s happening at our house, too. That’s one of the reasons I’ve not commented on many blogs this last week. I want to be social but I just can’t give up more time right now.
Signing off too.
j
Jan, I’m so glad that God revealed to you how much you are loved – and that it is THAT love that makes you needed! If we are doing our jobs as moms right, they SHOULD be coming to the place of being more self-sufficient. But in reality, I think God made Moms so uniquely necessary for healthy life that, in one sense, we are indispensible.
But having those practical times of being needed are light a fresh breeze to our stifled hearts. It made my heart swell to read your sweet post! Thanks, sister.