Day #166 – I’m Not Supermom

Okay…I have to get something off my chest.

After I posted my ‘plan’ to help Tucker write (See Day #164 – IEP Results, Day 1) I had several moms write me and express their amazement in my mothering skills.

Thank you, thank you so very much.  I really do appreciate your kind words and genuine compliments.  Honestly, it does make me feel good and I appreciate your added input in ways to help Tucker.

There are days when I feel like this…

I am not Supermom.  Let me repeat, I am not Supermom.

More days I actually feel like this…

For instance…

• Last week I brought the groceries in and set them on the counter.  A jar of salsa rolled and broke into a ZILLION pieces on the floor.
• The dog’s outside chain has needed repaired for two weeks and I just keep forgetting.
• Today, I took care of garbage…for the first time in three weeks (granted it was all in the garage).
• The can ‘bin’ is overflowing – nickels are just waiting for me.
• I forgot Estelle’s lunch on lunch day – and had to replace it with a Lunchable (gross).
• I have 67 work emails that need tending to.
• I drink 44 oz. of fountain Diet Pepsi EVERY morning.  In fact, last week I braved a ‘blizzard’ to get my liquid addiction.
• I ate a whole sleeve of Thin Mints…in one day.
• I bite my nails.
• I pick my cuticles until they bleed.
• I itch my feet and it makes a disgusting noise.
• Sometimes I work out and don’t shower before bed.
• Last night I planned on having ‘beers’ – I had one, and was done.
• I’ve been known to pull Tucker’s shorts out of the dirty clothes basket because he couldn’t find any that were clean.
• I get irritated when people don’t understand the sock basket.  The socks are ALREADY matched.  How difficult is it to keep them match?  GAH!?!?!
• The kids had grilled cheese twice this week – with no fruits of veggies of any kind.
• If we’re out of milk for cereal needs I stop and get them donuts on the way to school.
• I shaved my legs yesterday…for the first time since I don’t know when.  I’m blonde, you know.
• I don’t want to go places I can’t wear yoga pants…unless it’s to work.
• This morning I told my kids it’s a no iPad weekend, but am allowing them to watch television and play video games (yeah…that makes a lot of sense).
• I’ve been known to eat an entire bag of Kettle Cooked Salt & Vinegar chips.
• I haven’t had my hair cut since…I can’t even remember when.
• Today, while running I blew my nose on my t-shirt.  Four times.
• When I make Rice Crispie treats I have a tendency to eat half of them, while still warm – with a spoon – out of the bowl.

I would argue that many of you ‘mom’ better than me.

Yes, being the mom of a child on the spectrum is inherently more difficult.  Raising Estelle is SIGNIFICANTLY easier than raising Tucker.

Regardless, if you had a child on the spectrum, you would do what I do.

You would do it because you felt them move in your womb.
You would do it because you remember their first cry.
You would do it because the type of love you felt when you first saw your child is unlike any other.
You would do it because you consoled them as they cried.
You would do it because you heard their first laugh.
You would do it because you woke with them in the middle of the night.
You would do it because of their first steps.
You would do it because of their first words.
You would do it because your remember their first day of school.

You would do it because of all the firsts that you have experienced and all of the lasts you have yet to experience.
You would do it because the sparkle and twinkle in their eye still takes your breath away.
You would do it because you have an unwavering love for your child.

You would do it because in the words of Jackie Kennedy (and one of my VERY favorite quotes), “If you bungle raising your children, I don’t think whatever else you do matters very much.”

That’s why I do it – that’s where my strength comes from; his firsts and lasts, his sparkle and twinkle. My unwavering love – and the idea that nothing else really does matter very much because when I leave this world, I will leave it to my children.

May I have taught them in the very best way- by modeling love and joy, peace and tolerance, kindness and goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.