parenting |opinions |photography
The Role of “Mommy” is now being played by “Mom”
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
parenting |opinions |photography
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning. ~Ivy Baker Priest
 |
The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be the beginning.
~Ivy Baker Priest
“Hi kiddo, what are you doing?”
“Nothing” as she pulls her sketch book to her chest, her legs in motion, knees bending upwards, her delicate body leans in, protecting her works with her might from wandering eyes.
What she used to say: “Mommy, Mommy, come see what I can do!” is growing free… “Mom, you know my drawings are private!”
Looking at her ringlets of goldilocks spiraling over her head, framing her face so sweet, and her hands and feet expanding quicker than any other part of her body…she is growing; signaling me that our world is changing and it is time for a new play book. But, honestly all I want to do is press a pause button, scoop her up and keep her close… as in FOREVER!
Maybe, not forever, so I resist the inner impulse of scooping and snuggling her close, finding a rocking chair and singing lullabies, as I did when she was baby, and I was Mommy.
Not believing the voice ringing in my head “I’m a big girl now, Mom” and willing it quiet… has much appeal.
Instead, the words “Goodnight kiddo… I love you” flows from my mouth. I push my feelings aside; the maternal instinct to accept her journey towards exerting independence takes over.
I bend down to kiss her forehead, my hand touches the back of her head, and I feel the softness and thickness of her hair. I take in the aroma of a big kid after bath scent. I miss the baby powdery, baby fresh fragrance that once clung to her little body, way back when.
I can’t help selfishly wanting, thinking; “Where the heck is a rocking chair when you need one?!” She isn’t a “baby” but no matter her age, she will always be my baby girl. And, damn-it, I want to rock and sing her lullabies…
I asked her the other night, she declined, “Uh, no Mom!”
I mean seriously, who can blame a “MOM” for trying, right?!
I painfully bid farewell to days of being Mommy, holding my little one, rocking and singing her lullabies…memories made!
I am thankful for snuggly blankets and recliners that rock… she hasn’t outgrown my lap completely!
The time has come; Mom replaces Mommy, recliner replaces rocking chair, and books replace lullabies… that doesn’t sound so awful! I may jolly well be talking to convincing myself!
I swallow the lump stuck in my throat, and feel the burn in my eyes, ahem; I quickly compose myself and head for the door.
“Mom…”
I turn to meet her eyes; I smile, and she smiles back.
“Mom, I love you, as much as the solar system is big, times 1000, plus 60 years!”
Wow! I love that kid as much as the World is Big… I have no idea what I did to deserve such wonder in my life; I am grateful beyond words.
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Amee (inspired-housewife) Aug 15 2012 - 1:31 pm
I totally understand a little bit where you are coming from. All of a sudden my three year old is calling me mom and my hubby dad. No more mommy or daddy! What? My hubby and I try to correct her to no use and it makes us sad to see our little girl growing up and using language only for a bigger girl. Hugs Mama!
Amee (inspired-housewife) recently posted..My Home Birth Story
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:38 pm
My little one (4) picks up words her BIG sister uses… so I get it from both of them
… it happens fast or so it seems!
Martha Orlando Aug 15 2012 - 2:05 pm
Such a touching reflection, Amy . . . yes, it is hard to see them grow up and “grow away”, but that’s our job as parents. We love them where they are and for who they are, unconditionally, and meet their needs.
Blessings to you!
Martha Orlando recently posted..Sunsets and Puppies
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:40 pm
I agree completely… most of the time
oh my goodness … grow up and grow away and yes, that is our job! I love this: “We love them where they are and for who they are, unconditionally, and meet their needs.”
The Social Frog Aug 15 2012 - 2:07 pm
I guess at 33 I’ve not grown up because I still call them mommy & daddy most of the time!! lol.
The Social Frog recently posted..Julia Child’s Best-Ever Brownies
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:40 pm
maybe “Mommy” will come back in style…
lol
Dangerous Linda Aug 15 2012 - 2:13 pm
I’m bawling now so please forgive any typos as I can hardly make out the keyboard!
This post reminds me of the conversation we were having the other night when my son called me ‘Mom’ on Twitter in front of all his friends and fans — haha! Pure Magic!
Beautiful posts and pictures, Amy — Thank you for sharing! XOXOX
Dangerous Linda recently posted..voices (and visions) in my head
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:42 pm
aw… thank you! “Pure Magic!” indeed ~perfect description!
Sili Aug 15 2012 - 2:15 pm
Thank you for the tears. Funny enough, I’m finishing up a post for my little girl where I talk about her growing up so fast. This was beautiful.
Sili recently posted..Stilettos and Sponsors (#SMLatinas)
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:42 pm
thank you… I’m so glad you stopped by… it does happen so fast!
Flawed Mommy Aug 15 2012 - 2:46 pm
It still amazes me that on some days I look at my children, and it shocks me to see just how much they have changed…seemingly over night! I listen to my 17 year old talk about his goals which include a buying his first car, college, a job, and then catch myself thinking “Isn’t he too young for all this”, and in that split moment I remember that I’m talking to a 17 year old young man, who’ll be 18 in just 10 months. And other times when I look at my 12 year old daughter, and I see her baby face and at the same time barely recognize her, because she too is turning into a young woman. An then just today, as I’m holding my 21 month old daughter in my arms, I’m rocking her back and forth trying to console her after a fall, I look down at her and realize her little body barely fits on my lap anymore. I know what I see when I look at my children, they are growing as children are supposed to do, but somehow, my mind still reverts back and sees them as the tiny, chubby little babies they once were. After 17 years of being a mom, I have learned to cherish every moment, good or bad, because time will fly and someday…I will miss my precious babies.
Flawed Mommy recently posted..Brotherly Love: The Bond That Lasts A Lifetime
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:46 pm
EXACTLY!!!! Sometimes, a lot lately, I have to remind myself… that they are not babies and it is a part of the Mom job to raise them to make their own decisions. I love this: “I have learned to cherish every moment…”
One tired mama Aug 15 2012 - 3:11 pm
Absolutely beautiful! And as you know I feel the same. Did you write the quote at the end? About freedom? Maybe since you are already thinking about this stuff you will have an easier time then I did….letting go is the hardest thing! Especially when your daughter is so different from you and now your role is different as well. <3 ya
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:48 pm
Thank you… No I did not write the quote… just felt it. It is difficult for me to trust in the process… kids get older, they do different…it happened to me, but like you said… changing roles ~that is tough!
Corinne Rodrigues Aug 16 2012 - 5:54 am
I’m not a Mom but you described this so beautifully, Amy that you had me all chocked up. You and your little girl are blessed! ♥
mommetime Aug 16 2012 - 8:49 pm
aw thank you that means a lot coming from you…
Audra Michelle Aug 16 2012 - 9:06 pm
My mother-in-law always says that if you are doing your job as a mom right, you will eventually put yourself out of a job. Now that my 3 1/2 year old calls me “mom” more often than “mommy” and my younger 2 are really becoming their own little people, I realize that these years will fly by. It’s so hard to treasure each moment rocking when they are so close in age and there is always something else needing my attention at the same moment. Oh, these days are fleeting!
Audra Michelle recently posted..Pinterest Party Time!
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 7:26 pm
I know…. I get caught up in all the stuff that needs to be done; I miss out on the important stuff. Balance… I think your mother in law is correct!
Mommys Juice Aug 16 2012 - 9:43 pm
Great post. It reminds me to enjoy every toddler moment I can get my hands on right now!
Mommys Juice recently posted..Friday Funnies 8.17
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 7:26 pm
thank you…
Rosey Aug 16 2012 - 10:35 pm
This is a beautiful post. Children really do make the world go around.
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 7:27 pm
thank you… yes, they do!
Carla Barilá Karam Aug 17 2012 - 11:30 am
Amy.. you certainly had me at “My knuckles strike gently against her bedroom door… “Who is it?” she asks… the sweetness from her voice making its way to me, warming my heart~” I look at my own miracle standing a few feet away and I marvel at the time that has gone by. What a true blessing to be called mommy. Grace, peace and blessings, Carla.
Carla Barilá Karam recently posted..Day 426 ~ #18 of My 30 Days of Truth…
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 7:28 pm
it is truly a blessing… I am very incredibly grateful!
marisa frank Aug 17 2012 - 1:24 pm
This is such a beautiful post. It brought tears to my eyes. I was a little frustrated this morning with all the craziness of 4 kids at home. But in a few short weeks I will be sending two of them to school. Your post as reminded me to enjoy every moment because they do grow up so fast.
marisa frank recently posted..Extreme Makeover Lego Edition
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 7:32 pm
it. does…. happen very quickly! And school is such a big change… transition. it is when I first became aware that my “baby” wasn’t so baby after all. I know when crazy kicks in I often remind myself… this too shall pass!
Pepper Tan Aug 17 2012 - 5:41 pm
My daughter also tells me that her love for me is as big as the Milky Way galaxy
. They’re so sweet, aren’t they?
Your post moved me. They do grow up so fast, that sometimes I want to go back in time to when my girl was still a baby.
Yes, we should give them the freedom they deserve. Painful, yes, but necessary.
Pepper Tan recently posted..Want to Brighten Up Your home? Try a Rug!
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 7:34 pm
I just love hearing little ones comparisons… it is really cool and sweet! kids. freedom. and pain. seemed to go very well together…gah!
Bongo Aug 19 2012 - 1:37 pm
OMGGGGG you have me in tears….My babies are now 22, 18,16….and I so miss it when I could scoop them up and sing lullaby s….to me this is the hardest stage of parenthood..knowing they have new friends…driving cars..coming and goin at will..while this mom sits silently in her room with tears running down her cheek..praying God please bring them back safe……As always…XOXOXOXOXOX
Bongo recently posted..WAKING IN THE NIGHT
mommetime Aug 19 2012 - 9:33 pm
oh my… I can’t imagine! I know from my own personal experience with my Mom how the dynamics change… I think that is partly what has me a wee bit freaked. I am glad you shared your feelings, we Mama’s need each others support! hugs to ya Mama!
jan Aug 19 2012 - 11:30 pm
Everyone has said it all, this is a wonderful post, since you know my circumstances I won’t bore you with details, but watching my grandson turn 13 and hearing his voice start to change, my heart is a bit heavy at times. <3
jan recently posted..A Birthday for Tyas
mommetime Aug 27 2012 - 5:10 pm
oh my goodness, I can only imagine what that must be like for Grandma… babes grow up…
it does leave a bit of heaviness…
Andy Aug 22 2012 - 1:49 pm
Dear Amy,
I am not a parent, but I think this is probably how my mom felt all those years ago when at the tender and innocent age of 17, I left her care and safekeeping to travel on a plane for the very first time to emigrate to the US. I’ll always remember the tears in her eyes and the words she whispered in my eyes when I too was overcome by grief at leaving her and fear of the unknown: “May God always plant your footsteps in pleasant places.” Those words still bring me to tears today. There really is no love like that of a mother. You and your daughter are both beginning new chapters in life. Your title may change many times over, but when all is said and done, you will always be mom. Wonderful, touching post. Thanks for sharing.
I have a little something for you. Come see here…
Andy recently posted..F is for: FLOWERS IN YOUR HANDS
mommetime Aug 27 2012 - 5:06 pm
thank you so much for your kind words… I cannot imagine what how painful that must have been for you and your mother. Those words brought tears to my eyes… what beautiful words!
Angela @ The Not So Functional Housewife Sep 5 2012 - 10:48 pm
Absolutely beautiful! I know exactly where you are coming from and I miss that fresh baby scent so much. Our kiddos grow up way too fast.
*Hugs*
~Angela
mommetime Sep 10 2012 - 9:32 am
thank you. I know, it happens incredibly fast; I love being a part of and watching them grow… sigh ~bittersweet!