First things First

I just wanted to start this blog to do some mommy soul searching - and I do not profess to be a great writer. Just an average mom, with thoughts, fears and tons of questions and personal observations. The first thing I do, as do most mom's I know, is that we compare ourselves to the best, and for some the worst, mom we know, our own. It's hard not to compare what you experienced as a child to your own experience as a mom. I'm hoping to find some similarities in the daily life of all moms, past and present.

Back in the 60's, there was a new wave of social ideals on raising children, the most prominent mover and shaker was Dr. Spock. Full of new ideas and parenting choices, my mom, looking back, now ensures me he was all full of crap. Making mom's everywhere second guess their skills and the teachings of their mothers, creating a generation of "free spirited" children, aka. spoiled brats. The children then became the "me generation". Those that had to have what they wanted, when they wanted it.

So why then, do I feel so guilty when I know I need to deal with a situation, simple as it may be, like not giving my child ice-cream "right NOW!!!"?? I've heard the saying, deal with the situation while the consequences are small - but when I'm driving down the road with a screaming preschooler - it doesn't feel like a small consequence. And about an hour of this later, my ears would argue that fact.

Being a mom is the hardest job I've ever had in my life. And you can't walk away from it at the "end of the day". It goes where you go. Period. You breathe it, you wear it, you eat it every day, every moment. Every day presents a challenge, or a breathtaking moment of pure joy. My kids scream at one another and call each other names. They're only 2 and 4 - and the oldest being 12 going on 21 - engages too. It's frustrating. I wonder at times what I did to deserve this? And at other times - wouldn't change a thing for the world!

SO hopefully from time to time - I can share my experience - some good, some painful, but mostly humerous and hope to find some answers to our questions as parents. Am I doing the "right thing"? Am I doing what's right for the kids, for our family? I do know that what works for one family, may not work for another. So this is the path, the adventure of mommy-hood. I've accepted my mission - I just hope I can live through it and still come out the other end myself - that which makes me unique. God's child.