Are You Cross Mommy?
You just know your morning is going to be fantastic when you’re woken up by your 3-year-old throwing up… She’s in your bed, so you launch into a slow-motion ninja move straight out of some action movie just to get her to the bathroom in time… This is all before the clock hits 6:00 am!
You find yourself short-tempered and moody because you’ve been denied that blissful morning wake-up call of birds chirping, and the aroma of coffee drifting into your bedroom… It’s rather like having cold water poured over you!
You look like Eeyore, walking around with that dark rainy cloud looming over your head and every now and then a lightning flash and roar of thunder escape. Everyone in the house keeps a safe distance away…
STAY OUT OF MY WAY -aka Cross Mommy!
I remember a few weeks back, this adorable little 3 year old of mine gave me something to think about. She always insists on dressing herself, which is usually a lengthy process. Nonetheless, I grin and bear it (especially when in a rush, I just bear it). On this particular morning, there was no dark cloud over my head and I found myself having a good giggle watching her trying to put on her jeans. While admiring her determination and quietly watching her struggle into that pair of jeans, she looks over to me and says: “MOMMY, are you cross with me?”
Well, that took the wind out of my sails right away. When I’m just grinning and bearing it, does this little Poppet of mine think I am CROSS with her? That was the moment when all those little thoughts came rushing in… What a terrible mother I am! What am I teaching my children? What do they think of me? I’ll admit that at the moment a few tears did escape!
It stayed with me the entire day. It weighed heavily on my heart. Is this what my family sees every morning?
A mommy who is cross?
Yes, I know it’s okay to have a bad day. I’m not denying that. But how are we expressing this to our family? Am I making them feel that it is their fault? (Because it definitely is not, sometimes we grown-ups wake up grumpy) … That’s life, but how we deal with it is an entirely different story!
It was then that I realized that just the look on my face in the mornings speaks a story of a thousand words to this little girl. Often a story that I do not intend it to. That, as a parent, I need to teach my children that it is normal to wake up a little grumpy every now and again, but how you deal with it – and then treat others around you – makes a very big and lasting impact on how they perceive you!
I stumbled across this great article by Hilary Cole of the blog The Cole Mines. 31 Days and 31 Ways to Be A Better Mom. I love that she does not say how to be the best mom, because really… Is there one? I found it very encouraging with simple and easy tips to help you start your day with just the right attitude! Some days I forget to read it, and other days I try to put into practice more than one tip. It’s great to have a community of mothers sharing their experiences… In South Africa, we call it “UBUNTU” – which means “I am what I am because of who we are” (my own paraphrase). Well, we are all mothers… Doing the best we can!
This is food for thought, children are so perceptive! We’re trying very hard to have a more positive attitude towards life but it is tricky, somedays things just sneak up on. There’s some great tips in the article, thanks for sharing.
Oh most definitely! Sometimes it is so hard not to let our emotions show on our faces .. Thank you for visiting! x
I love how your daughter is so determined to put her own clothes on! So cute and already her own woman! ; ) I need to remember UBUNTU, because sometimes I get lost in all the googling and advice from other parents. Thanks for linking up with #stayclassy!
It’s a hard one! I love the idea of Unbuntu, it makes me think of family, love and togetherness. Thanks for hosting #stayclassy
This post is so reassuring as I’m often the same on a morning. I have two kids – a 26m and an 8m old. My little 8m old has been as happy as Larry from the moment he wakes up and he puts me in a good mood. My daughter has always been the opposite. She wakes up with a start, cries immediately, needs attention and my heart sinks. I just can’t cope with it some days, especially if I’ve been up in the night (most nights) with her brother. I’m trying a new approach – to put my alarm on to wake up on my own and spend a bit of time grounding myself. For as much as I like to think that I go in with a positive face switched on, deep down, it’s hard work for me. I really don’t want her to pick up on this as she’s such a sweet little girl. I just wish mornings could be easier for everyone. Thanks for sharing the link – i’ll definitely check it out!
I agree 100%!! If only there was some magic potion that made mornings easier.. Thank you for reading. X