WARNING: Sarcasm ahead!!
Please proceed with caution, especially if you don't typically enjoy a little {or a lot} of sarcasm.
Don't say I didn't warn you....
Yes, I know I have 3 small kids, thanks for letting me know. I can see how you think it would be easy for me to forget.
Yes, I know that sometimes in the store I seem like my brain is being pulled 5 million different directions. Again, thanks for pointing that out, it might be something I'd forget.
Yes, I know that to you, my life looks like I've lost my identity to my husband, kids and home. My identity is in Christ, so you have nothing to worry about.
Yes, we actually DO want more children and hope these 3 aren't "it" for us. We will be thankful for these three if its all God give us though. We will soak up their childhoods and relish every moment we have with them.
I do know this is a bigger gap between babies for us. Again, if you hadn't said anything, I may never have known! However, please remember that a 22 month old isn't the same as a 5 or 10 year old. Just sayin'....
Yes, I know that sometimes I show up late for things and sure, it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm feeding, bathing and dressing 3 smaller kids. Be thankful I showed up at all.
I know that leaving my cart at the store, in order to take my 3 naughty, disobedient children to the bathroom or the car to correct and train them isn't really making your day, but I have to do something to make sure they don't grow up acting like the untrained, out of touch, completely clueless adults you seem to think they'll become. Cut me some slack, please.
I actually do consider my children's conception and births to be quite miraculous and understand that apart from God's will, they would never be here. I actually do consider them 3 incredible blessings from God, even though my pregnancies and their births were "standard" and healthy.
Being told that I "pop" out babies without a second thought or remote amount of thankfulness actually IS quite offensive to me. Shocking, I know.
Yes, I'm well aware that I use the "s" word in my vocabulary and even consider it a joy. {s word = submit}
Yes, I understand that because my husband and I choose not to use birth control, the chances of us "popping out" 15+ kids in 15 years is very likely. Weird how it hasn't happened yet though....
You're right! I do interact with and converse well with adults and peers my own age, even though I was home schooled. Thanks for pointing that out - and I'm sure your insults mean a lot to my Mom as well.
I do understand that home schooling my own children will mean a lot of sacrifice on my part in the next 10+ years, thanks. I actually do think these things through.
No, I don't go to church with my family every Sunday for fear of slipping into hell if I miss a week.
Thanks for reminding me on a weekly basis that "slipping into Hell" won't happen if I don't do certain things on a check-off list for God.
Yes! I drive a mini van and I still seem like a very happy and content wife/mommy! I think I just saw a pig fly across the sky, by the way.
Yes, I understand that moving out of state from both our families means my kids cannot see their Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles at a moment's notice. And yet, we seem to be surviving! I guess my kids can thrive away from extended family. Who knew?!
Yes, I do get a kick out of the fact that you, a total stranger, likes to pull me aside and give me "life altering" advice about my life, even though we've never met. I understand I'm a "type" to you and you think I need to be fixed. Thanks for that.
Oh, and thanks for stopping to stare and gawk at me as my 5 year old son throws a temper tantrum on the way to the car. It really encourages me and makes me feel less like a failure of a mom to him.
Yes, I know this list will greatly shock some and repulse others. I know some of you won't understand I'm saying all these things completely tongue in cheek, that I really don't feel that bothered by most of these comments, but knew this would be a post that many stay-at-home moms would totally connect with. This isn't a post with silent jabs at my readers - none of you have ever made these comments to me and this isn't my way to "get back at you" through a blog post. So rest assured, if you thought any of this was funny or something you could relate to, that's all it was intended to be.
I guess I should end with.... Yes, I know I can be very sassy and obnoxious. You must like thosequalities quirks in me or you wouldn't be on here reading my blog ;-)
Thank you, fellow person I run into while I'm out and about each day. You've given me much to laugh about over the past 5+ years of being a Mommy. Without you, I'd have nothing to sit at home and make jokes about. Someday when my children are capable, happy, well adjusted adults, I think I will have you to thank for it all.
Don't say I didn't warn you....
Yes, I know I have 3 small kids, thanks for letting me know. I can see how you think it would be easy for me to forget.
Yes, I know that sometimes in the store I seem like my brain is being pulled 5 million different directions. Again, thanks for pointing that out, it might be something I'd forget.
Yes, I know that to you, my life looks like I've lost my identity to my husband, kids and home. My identity is in Christ, so you have nothing to worry about.
Yes, we actually DO want more children and hope these 3 aren't "it" for us. We will be thankful for these three if its all God give us though. We will soak up their childhoods and relish every moment we have with them.
I do know this is a bigger gap between babies for us. Again, if you hadn't said anything, I may never have known! However, please remember that a 22 month old isn't the same as a 5 or 10 year old. Just sayin'....
Yes, I know that sometimes I show up late for things and sure, it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm feeding, bathing and dressing 3 smaller kids. Be thankful I showed up at all.
I know that leaving my cart at the store, in order to take my 3 naughty, disobedient children to the bathroom or the car to correct and train them isn't really making your day, but I have to do something to make sure they don't grow up acting like the untrained, out of touch, completely clueless adults you seem to think they'll become. Cut me some slack, please.
I actually do consider my children's conception and births to be quite miraculous and understand that apart from God's will, they would never be here. I actually do consider them 3 incredible blessings from God, even though my pregnancies and their births were "standard" and healthy.
Being told that I "pop" out babies without a second thought or remote amount of thankfulness actually IS quite offensive to me. Shocking, I know.
Yes, I'm well aware that I use the "s" word in my vocabulary and even consider it a joy. {s word = submit}
Yes, I understand that because my husband and I choose not to use birth control, the chances of us "popping out" 15+ kids in 15 years is very likely. Weird how it hasn't happened yet though....
You're right! I do interact with and converse well with adults and peers my own age, even though I was home schooled. Thanks for pointing that out - and I'm sure your insults mean a lot to my Mom as well.
I do understand that home schooling my own children will mean a lot of sacrifice on my part in the next 10+ years, thanks. I actually do think these things through.
No, I don't go to church with my family every Sunday for fear of slipping into hell if I miss a week.
Thanks for reminding me on a weekly basis that "slipping into Hell" won't happen if I don't do certain things on a check-off list for God.
Yes! I drive a mini van and I still seem like a very happy and content wife/mommy! I think I just saw a pig fly across the sky, by the way.
Yes, I understand that moving out of state from both our families means my kids cannot see their Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles at a moment's notice. And yet, we seem to be surviving! I guess my kids can thrive away from extended family. Who knew?!
Yes, I do get a kick out of the fact that you, a total stranger, likes to pull me aside and give me "life altering" advice about my life, even though we've never met. I understand I'm a "type" to you and you think I need to be fixed. Thanks for that.
Oh, and thanks for stopping to stare and gawk at me as my 5 year old son throws a temper tantrum on the way to the car. It really encourages me and makes me feel less like a failure of a mom to him.
Yes, I know this list will greatly shock some and repulse others. I know some of you won't understand I'm saying all these things completely tongue in cheek, that I really don't feel that bothered by most of these comments, but knew this would be a post that many stay-at-home moms would totally connect with. This isn't a post with silent jabs at my readers - none of you have ever made these comments to me and this isn't my way to "get back at you" through a blog post. So rest assured, if you thought any of this was funny or something you could relate to, that's all it was intended to be.
I guess I should end with.... Yes, I know I can be very sassy and obnoxious. You must like those
Thank you, fellow person I run into while I'm out and about each day. You've given me much to laugh about over the past 5+ years of being a Mommy. Without you, I'd have nothing to sit at home and make jokes about. Someday when my children are capable, happy, well adjusted adults, I think I will have you to thank for it all.
Comments
"Yes, I know that sometimes I show up late for things and sure, it probably has something to do with the fact that I'm feeding, bathing and dressing 3 smaller kids. Be thankful I showed up at all."
Love it.
Clearly you've been getting more than your share of ahem...advice (ask me what i call it when I'm not in mixed company)...from the peanut gallery.
I marvel at the things people say to mothers...really, I do...
That's a great list. Most moms know what your talking about. All that "friendly" advise we seem to receive.
The first one is a good one. I got that one from a doc once. All 3 of the kids were sick & the doc was asking me about symptoms. She asked if my husband or I had felt sick. I said, I'm not sure - I have felt pretty wiped out - maybe a bit sick - but nothing major. She says, "uh, of course you feel wiped out. You have 3 kids."
Uhhhhhhhh..... Do I? When did that happen? Gosh. Maybe that is why I have felt much more exhausted the last few days. Prior to that I was childless.....
Oh. So, you did know you are driving a mini van. Okay. Cuz, I've been wondering this whole time if you had a clue.
But, something you may not know...
Do you even know how that is happening, when you keep having kids? You do know how it all works, don't you?
The other day at the park I had E playing on the toddler's playground with Stephen sitting down at my feet on one of the platforms. One of the other well-meaning parents had to point out to me that the baby should be on the small playground because it was too dangerous for him up there. Haha...like I was about to let him crawl off the side...that's kinda why I am standing with my feet here. :)
Or the day Sam was swinging E up in the air by his arms and this lady had to come say "no no no! you will hurt his arms!"
Oh well..:)
And my pet peeve is when someone thinks I am being unsafe and feels the need to point out that my child could get injured if they fall. Duh. Do you think I don't care about that?!?
Thanks! I truly appreciated these!
Kudos Erin.
joyfulheartsandfaces@gmail.com
I just answer "yes I do!" when people say I have my hands full. It's true! I just answer cheerfully. It's not a bad thing to have your hands full!
"Yes, I understand that moving out of state from both our families means my kids cannot see their Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles at a moment's notice. And yet, we seem to be surviving! I guess my kids can thrive away from extended family"
At least you've had 2 visits in less than a year from a certain set of grandparents. We've only had 1 in the last 2 years;) I added my smilely face, so you can't get mad;) ;)
I am really thankful for the amount of visits we've had from not only family, but our friends. It really has shown us how much we're loved (not that we think the people who haven't visited don't love us) and its really helped Washington feel even more like home, when "old" friends and family come see us here.
We're hoping to come to Lego Land and the SD Zoo, so we'll at least be headed your way!
Totally relatable post for us moms. you're good at that Stef. Relating.
I love the you have your handful comment. What are people thinking when they point out that piece of obvious?
Wow! I can't believe people would even go there :(
Sometimes I think people just want to comment on how rare it is to see or how they think your kids are cute... or SOMETHING, but those silly comments come out instead. My all time favorite comment was from a lady I once ran into at Target in CA - she saw me with the kids, shopping for a birthday card for my husband and she stopped and said "are these 3 your kids, or are you babysitting?" I told her they're all mine and she got wide eyed and then said "wow! I'm really impressed. I have to tell you, I am WAY too selfish of a person to do what you're doing."
I wanted to give her a hug for her genuine, raw honesty. :)
Totally relatable post for us moms. you're good at that Stef. Relating.
"Yes, I understand that moving out of state from both our families means my kids cannot see their Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles at a moment's notice. And yet, we seem to be surviving! I guess my kids can thrive away from extended family"
At least you've had 2 visits in less than a year from a certain set of grandparents. We've only had 1 in the last 2 years;) I added my smilely face, so you can't get mad;) ;)