Confessions of a Mother

We mama's tend to feel too much guilt, and a lot of times, we work so hard to be perfect. After my conversations this weekend with fellow Decatur moms, I want to remind mamas that others out there are doing the following things:

1. I spank. I have a 2 year-old who is willful and timeout doesn'talways work. Not to mention, I don't have time with a 1 year old to constantly do timeout. A quick pop to the diapered bottom does the trick. His feelings hurt more than his butt.

2. My children eat off the floor. I feel better about this afterthe NYT article, but I swear, I should put the plate on the floor and just get it over with. My floors are not clean, and even if they were, they'd still find the dirty cheerio.

3. Sometimes, I want to walk away from it all. One is holding yourleg screaming, the other is repeating "I need a snacky" over and over, and you're just trying to get dinner on the table. You know you've had the thought, and it's ok. Paraphrased from a goodfriend "sometimes it just isn't that fun to be home", and it's true sometimes. Those are tempered with times of absolute happiness, and you wouldn't trade your life for the world. That is the balance that exists.

4. I need me time. I am a full time working mom, and I feel guilty every time I do it, but by God, I sometimes just need a pedicure or a cup of coffee with friends. Exercise, does not count in this category, because I hate doing it.

5. We use TV - and it works. If I need 30 extra minutes at 6am before Holden gets up, or I need to make dinner, or I just need toget him out of my hair, I turn on the TV. I watched TV, and I'm fine.

6. Quickies aren't cutting it anymore. Let's set the recordstraight, a quickie at this stage in the game is for him, not you. Remember those days of an afternoon delight, or a lazy morning kissing? Where did THOSE go? At night, I'm exhausted, in the morning we have chaos around us. I do miss those lazy days.

7. I have lost my temper with my child and have said or done things I instantly felt bad about... more than once. 'nuf said.

8. I do what works. I don't have time to sort thru the data, or be wishy-washy in my decisions. I've found what works, and I run with it. So far, no one has been seriously injured, so I guess we're doing ok.

So, that's me. It may not be you, but it is some of you. I wanted you guys to know that if you're doing these things, you're not alone, and you absolutely shouldn't feel guilty.