…before I had kids!
LOL! That is actually the title of a book that I have been wanting to read. I had it on my wish list after seeing it mentioned on another blog, then I found it at Big Lots for $3! woo-hoo!
My opinion of this book is kind of mixed. The reason I wanted to read this book is because the title alone really resonates with me. I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood
There are many, many lines from this book that I could have written. (But I might have been a little embarrassed to admit!) In my perfect little world, I am supposed to love being a mom, it should come naturally to me, I should sit for hours with my kids playing and having fun, I should miss my kids when I’m not with them. Alas, most of the time, this is not my reality. And this book validated my feelings and definitely made me feel not so alone in those feelings.
There are some fun “checklists” in this book.
Check all that apply:
- you secretly wish you had your own apartment
- if you have to play Go Fish one more time, you will definitely poke your eyeballs out
- you consider a trip to the dentist your special “alone time”
- reading before bed feels like a luxury
- you find that slowly browsing the aisles at Target, by yourself, is better than therapy
As I was reading this book, I found myself smiling and laughing at some of the thoughts on motherhood that I wholeheartedly agreed with. (should I admit that out loud?)
However, I kind of wish this book had been from a Christian standpoint. There is no mention of God’s calling on our life or anything like that. That said, it was a light, fun read for me…it won’t make it to my top 10 favorite list, but it was good for a few late night laughs. 🙂 In the end, the book describes how much our expectations get us in trouble…and to truly begin to love motherhood, we need to examine our expectations (like mine listed above of the perfect mom) and realign them with real life. Give yourself permission to do something for you. I don’t have trouble doing things for me, my problem is that I wish I didn’t enjoy it so much.
Being a mom is hard. Being a mom is a lot of work…and this book will help you not feel alone in your struggles as well as give you a few laughs while you’re at it.
LOL!! Title is perfect!! I can say I thought the same about motherhood…out of a perfect fantasy book of sorts. Parenting is hard, dirty, frustrated, exhausting, challenging and yet the MOST rewarding adventure I have ever been on!!!
I laugh because I LOVE LOVE LOVE going into the store all by myself. At the ages of my children, it is a bit tough, but oh how I enjoy it when I do. The SILENCE!!! Beautiful thing.
Sometimes I have to admit I am at my worst at bed time. I want to hurry it up so bad to have alone time that I forget these are precious moments. My weakness I have to work on…….mmmmm…
Thanks for sharing!!
BTW~Do you belong to a co-op? I see you take big field trips at times. Just curious.
That is all just too true! I would have to say the same thing about marriage. I used to think and dream of this perfect marriage and the “happily ever after” marriage. Then, after being married 36 years, I agree with someone [can’t remember who] that said “God did not create marriage to make me happy, but to make me HOLY”. I guess there are some similarities in being a wife and mother in ways. You love your kids more than life itself, but you just can’t be with them 24/7. I love my husband with all my heart, but he is not what I thought my “prince charming” would be. Candace, you are a great mom, and have an awesome family! Your kids are amazing, and it is obvious that they have a great mom!
Love you!!
Nana