There was a brief period in my life when I believed that I was a good mom. It lasted exactly 2 years, 4 months, and 14 days.
And then Max was born.
I believe that Max was sent to our family to teach me humility. If we had stopped at Jackson I would have been secretly condemning other parents as to why their children were so ill behaved. I just figured I was doing all the right things to mold my child into a lovely obedient sweet little boy.
Except I wasn't. He was just born lovely, obedient, and sweet. Just like Max was born stubborn, angry, and independent. "Spirited" is the nice way to say it.
It started in the hospital when he was less than 24 hours old. Every time I sent him to the nursery to try and get some rest, (the kind where someone comes in to poke and prode you every 36 minutes) the nurse would bring him back.
"He's still hungry"
"His screaming is waking up all the other babies"
"I'm sorry. He's gone through the entire staff and there is no one with a clue on how to make this kid happy. Good luck with him"
But I didn't need luck. I was a good mom. I would use my good mom skills and create the child I wanted.
Fast forward 3 and a half sleepless years.
I took Max to our local Safeway grocery store last week. We are probably there once or twice a month- not often enough to be recognized. Max is not fun in public places where there are rules like "don't touch" "don't scream" or "don't pull lightbulbs out of the carton and smash them on the floor". A cashier that I had never seen before in my life yells out "Good luck with Max today!". There were snickers in the background from other Safeway clad employees.
Ah yes. Not the first time someone had wished me luck with Max. This time I responded better. I acknowledged that, yes, I would need some luck. And prayers. And divine intervention. I was that mom- the one with the crazy screaming kid. The mom learning patience, creativity, and how to ask for help.
And I am a better person for it.
Thanks Max.
5 comments:
I think Max and Audrey were cast from the same mold...we know how you feel, and we couldn't love her more.
Oh, yeah. We all get one (or more) of those. Humbling for sure.
I'm crying right now, but I'm not sure if it's because I'm laughing or because I feel like this so often. How can someone so cute be so naughty?! Yet another reason to move next door to me, send him over!
Well Jamie...I've been meaning to call you about this one...I'm afraid that Sawyer is, how shall we put this, a little devil. Strong-willed is putting it gently...What do you do!!? I see the same glint in his eye that Max has!!! :)
Love you!
I was that child. Or so I'm told.
On behalf of all of us, Audrey and Max included, we're sorry. You're still a good mom.
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