Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Paradigm Shift

Most days I would readily say that I am blessed to be a "stay-at-home mom"....however, it just occurred to me that most days I would be lying. You see, I love the "stay-at-home" part. It's the "mom" part that drives me crazy. Don't get me wrong...I love my kids more than anything and I would do just about anything for them. But on a day to day basis, I have a list of things that I want to get done and most of it has nothing to do with being a mom. For the most part it has everything to do with being a homemaker...but that's so different from being a mom. And I get so aggravated and annoyed when I am constantly interrupted by the little ones.

"Mommy, can I have milk?"
"Mommy, I have to go potty"
"Mommy, can you please play with me?"
"Mommy, come see what beautiful picture I made"
"Mommy, can you please read a book to me?"

The problem is that it is my job to answer to these.....it's not my job to constantly entertain my children. I have very strong opinions about not giving them too much undivided attention. I subscribe to the theory that it is healthy for them seeing that mommy has a life outside them. However, these simple requests on behalf of my children end up driving me crazy!!!!

So I am vowing to try my hardest and fulfill my job description a little better. This is going to take a major paradigm shift for me. But with a little patience, grace and humor, I might enjoy my role as "mommy" a little more.

I'm off to read to my girls.....

2 comments:

  1. Jill, This is so true. We need to teach our children to entertain themselves, but we shouldn't look upon our kids as "interruptions." They are blessings from the Lord.

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  2. I totally feel the same way as you. There is a fine line between being home with the kids and being their entertainment. Glad to know I'm not the only one who gets annoyed sometimes :)

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