mama musings

My friend Codie and I were chatting this afternoon about mothers.  How to be a mother your children want to be around as adults.  We talked about not placing your baggage upon your children, about putting on a happy face when times are tough, and being a ‘safe’ mom. 

It’s overwhelming to think of all the things you need to juggle and balance in order to achieve this relationship with your child.  My mom just sent me a story about a small girl who convinced her mother to throw care to the wind and run through the pouring rain.  These are the moments that matter.  Letting your kids play in the rain (and mud) even when your busy, reading books with them, (when you would rather be sitting quietly on your own reading a book),  playing 52 card pick up, coloring the doghouse with them instead of yelling at them for it, launching marshmallows as a family gathering activity. 

I have a temper, there’s no hiding that fact.  But a thought crossed my mind a while back as I was standing above one of my kids and yelling about probably spilled water.  “Is this problem life altering?”  Usually not.  It doesn’t stop me every time I lose my temper, but it has softened my perspective and slowed my anger dramatically.  We should save our outbursts for things that really deserve it.  Losing a job, or a child, or a house.  Or even a broken window, red spray paint on a garage door, or a baby powder covered bedroom.