When That Husband is in charge of Those Kids.

When I refer to myself as "that mom" and my kids as "those kids"  and my husband... as "that husband",  I don't mean that as a negative thing. In fact, I consider it to be... something others can relate to. We've all been there.. in the store, our kid starts throwing a fit... and suddenly we think, "Oh God... I'm that mom with those kids."  Whatever that really means anyways... considering we've all been that mom and we've all had those kids one day or another. And if you haven't then we probably shouldn't be friends because... you're weird. Nah, I'm just kidding.... but seriously, at one point or another we've almost all been there and contemplate bribery, strangulation (kidding!.... mostly), or we say "I will NEVER shop with my kids again." (right......) Or, we deal with it. Because kids are kids and shit happens.

My kids are incredible. Don't get me wrong. Which is why I'm OKAY with being that family. I love my kids. They are exactly that... kids. They have raw uncontrollable emotions at times. (especially at grocery stores) They feel things that they don't even understand! (Heck, let's be honest.. you take me, plus PMS, and by the end of that week we're ALL feeling emotions we probably don't understand) So it is only human to assume that if an adult can have irrational outbursts, our children are more than entitled to as well.

This doesn't mean that I sit on the side lines of the grocery aisle cheering my child on.... "Yea Henry!!! (my kid's name isn't Henry, I just like that name and felt like using it) Rock those emotions out! FEEL ALL THE FEELINGS!!!!!!!!!!!"

No. I try to help them sort it out. I try to help them put the words to the feelings. But sometimes, and especially as women we should understand this.. you just need to cry. 

This is why we need to stop judging so much. We need to be the type of person who goes up to that parent and says "Hey! You're doing a great job! Breathe! This will pass." 

Which brings me to my husband. 

Oh do I love that man. But, like most husbands.... there are moments where he does something and you do the whole grit your teeth, do the tense neck stretch... maybe squint one eye... (okay seriously, it's not as creepy as it sounds in person... and if you've ever done it... you get it) and you try desperately to search the situation for the good before you loose control and start attacking them like a rabid animal on steroids.

Yesterday was one of those days. Now I won't go into detail because I don't really feel like putting my husband on blast. But, let's just say... I was left standing there thinking "What does this man think I DO all day?!" and "I must really make this look easy." 

I was frustrated. And yes, I was a little hurt... but more than anything, I'll admit, dumbfounded. 

I left, went to an interview, and called him on the way home to find out he was in the process of making the meal I had originally planned for dinner. Cream cheese stuffed chicken breasts wrapped in bacon.  http://howtonestforless.com/2013/08/01/whats-cooking-stuffed-bacon-wrapped-chicken/

He explained that one was perfect, one was sliced too thin, the other was crooked. I heard him stop for quite a bit and was saying something to the kids, then come back and talk to me and it made me smile. NOT because he was going through what I go through every day. But because I realized in the midst of the chaos he was dealing with, (and he was doing a great job considering the circumstances, by the way) that I'm really quite good at what I do at home. 

Being a mom is HARD WORK. But, our job is important. Our shoes are not easily filled when we are not there. I also realized.....

I need to cut my husband some slack. 

I came home to dishes done, dinner prepped, the house was an absolute disaster (lol), but he was trying. And I appreciated it. 

I am very blessed to stay at home with my kids. It gets crazy and overwhelming and chaotic more often than not. But, at the end of the day... I was given this opportunity to help these little people grow into the adults they someday will be. 

HOLY CRAP!

That's a crazy big job! And how awesome... how incredibly, totally, awesome. That I was chosen for this job! There is no interview in the world you can attend that will result in a job with so much freedom, but yet also such a big task at hand. I am honored to be my children's mother. I am honored that this is my daily job. 

There will be days I am tired, over touched, and need some space. But I will never take for granted the fact that I have the Ultimate job!

And yes, I will always be that mom. Proudly. Because having those kids isn't a bad thing. It's a normal, every day life kind of thing. And if others don't understand it?!

Well, then we should just punch them in the face.

(get it? get it?) http://www.inquisitr.com/1590668/woman-punched-in-face-by-angry-mom-after-telling-the-mother-to-quiet-her-child-video/

I'm kidding. Don't do that.

Just brush it off. You're doing the best you can. And remember that there is at least one other person out there (me) who gets it. And I'm cheering YOU on from the next aisle over. Because you've got this. Stop trying to seek perfection when you are all ready perfectly fine. Just strive to do the best you can and cut yourself some slack.

You're a great parent. Be "normal". It's really okay.