Category Archives: Guilty Mama

August 29, 2011 · 3:05 pm

It’s A Mad, Automatic Toilet-Flushing World

I’m proud of Dylan for wetting his bed.  Last night was the very first night he ever slept without a pull-up on.  Accident or not, for a child who holds on for dear life to everything that makes him feel like a baby, it was a big deal for him to sleep in underwear.

I’m proud of Dylan for not eating his chicken for dinner.  A few weeks ago he would have refused to go within ten feet of a plate with new food on it.  Last night, he ate everything but the new food (chicken and corn), but he didn’t make a peep about any of it being on the plate.  (Progress!)

I’m proud of Dylan for holding his hands over his ears while he peed.  Yesterday, we were in a public bathroom where the toilets flushed automatically.  It was a stressful situation for him, but instead of running away, he came up with a solution all by himself.

Seeing our children for who they are rather than who we think they should be is a humbling experience.  They are strange and beautiful creatures trying to make their way in a mad, automatic toilet-flushing world, and we must always be there to cheer for them, even when it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense.

I feel pride about many things my kids do, but it’s the hard to see accomplishments that truly fill me up.  I know it’s Guilty Mama Monday, but today I’m a Proud Mama.

Any other Proud or Guilty Mamas out there?

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Filed under Guilty Mama, Proud Mama

August 1, 2011 · 4:58 pm

Isn’t It Ironic?

Mike is in London for business.  He left on Saturday afternoon.  I hate when he leaves on a weekend.  I’m fine (mostly) when he’s gone Monday through Friday, but I always feel lonely when I’m alone with the kids on weekends.

Except I was hardly alone.  The boys never left my side.  They circled me like sharks, actually, sometimes following me from room to room while I put laundry away, paid bills, showered or went to the bathroom.  My in-laws and sister-in-law came over for dinner on Saturday night and then hosted us on Sunday for a morning at the beach and pool and then lunch.

Mater’s Tall Tales was on a constant loop in the family room and MSNBC or the Food Network kept me company in the kitchen.  Facebook and my iPhone were perpetual distractions.  My parents called daily to check in (or I called them), and let’s not forget about Harry who was always wagging his tail for a walk or a treat.

On Sunday afternoon, we skyped with Mike from his quiet flat in a strange neighborhood in the huge city of London in a different country five hours ahead all the way across the Atlantic ocean.  He was alone.  Yet, I was lonely.

Now, it’s (Guilty Mama) Monday morning.  The boys are at camp.  The house is silent, and besides the dog sleeping on the couch behind me, I’m alone.  And I don’t feel lonely at all.  Isn’t it ironic?

In other irony news, Comcast bombarded my cell phone all weekend with automated messages about an alleged appointment I had this morning.  I never made an appointment, and I tried to call them to explain that there was a mistake but their stupid automated system wouldn’t connect me to a human being.  Eventually, I gave up.  This morning, I woke up at 5:30am (thank you, Riley) to find my cable, Internet and phone service was down.  Hmm.

Any irony in your life today?

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Filed under business travel, Guilty Mama, irony