mother – WonderWoMOM

I am a very busy mom. I mean, who isn’t ? They say you do not understand what busy mean until you become a mom. Then they say – when you are a mom – that you do not understand what busy is until you have a second kid. On one side I believe it is right, but it is all matter of choices: we are all busy one way or another, and what keeps us busy depends often on our obligations – certainly – but also on our choices.

Often we feel overwhelmed, and that depends on the balance between what we HAVE to do, and what we LOVE to do.

This is why it is important not only to make time for things we committed to do – but for things that make us happy – which are often the ones we postpone.

One thing that makes me happy is riding my bike. Get down that path, in all speed, with the wind blowing through my hair, enjoy the view of the fields around my home, singing a son with my son behind me, to finally get into the busy streets of the city. Cross the ancient buildings to arrive to the parc, and unfold the cloth to start a pic nic with the family in front of the lake. I love these Sundays!

Our days are so packed that if we want to fit everything in the schedule, we cannot avoid using the car. Then depending on where we live, cycling can not be an option. But today, the World bicycle day, get on your bike, get your family on their bike, and ride to a park, a lake, a field, a square and enjoy a pic nic outside. Take a picture of the ride. Cherish that moment. Because remember, as Einstein once said: life is like riding a bicycle, to keep balance you must keep moving.

When I was younger, I disliked these commercial Days (valentine’s day, women’s day, mother’s day…).

First, because I do not know the meaning of those anymore.

Second, because it seemed unbalanced: nobody ever told me there was a child’s day, so why is there a mother’s day? Ok, I was a pain-in-the-ass kid. That did not change when I grew up and everybody was celebrating Valentine’s Day. But I was single and there was no Single’s Day. Or if they did exist, they were not known, as they were not marked on the calendar (yes the paper calendar in the kitchen).

Then growing up, and having boyfriend, I started to follow the Valentine’s Day habits – fancy dinner, flowers and little gifts… just because it was the only way to receive some attention from your loved ones. Still pissed me off he needed this day to do it, but hey… I guess that seemed the norm until I realized I was simply in love with the wrong person – and that those attentions can be given also the other 364 days. Then it became a habit you have to abide by: and the expectation created frustration… so what is the point of this forced consumerism? I was really against. Until I turned this into an opportunity.

The truth is that I have never reflected properly on the chance these days give: they remind you to celebrate a moment, and everyone can get his special day. And come on, if that day has not been created yet: just do it yourself! It can be fun!

So here we are, this year I discovered the existence of Parents Day – and I decided to give it some meaning! I decided to turn this into a funny day.

Initially I was planning to explain my kid what parent means, but then I thought “does he know already what a parent is”? And here the fun started.
Not only I did not need to explain, but he knew clearly – from a perspective of a not-even-2-year-old – what a parent is. So we started the role play.

In the car, coming back from day care, I told him : “you know, today is parent’s day. Do you know what a parent is? Would you like to be show me? ” … what I did not expect is the level of excitement this created. And even less that he would understand so clearly my question: come on, he is not even 2!

So we arrived home, I parked the car, and the role play started: he became the parent! He sat on the driver seat and ordered me to attach my belt. He told me about the day, and then he did like if we arrived home. He turned off the radio, and we left the garage.

After entering home, he set his little table with 3 dishes, and he took my hand to help him open the fridge. I took the meal I prepared for tonight and he brought it to the table. He served my plate, his dad’s and his own and said “bon appetit”! Then he stand up and screamed “the bib! Mom you need to wear the bib!” – he went to take his bib, and put it on me telling me “I do it!” all very proud! And he was also very proud not to wear it for once!

He loved being the parent, but even more he loved the evening routine!
He took my hand and walked me upstairs to brush my teeth, he picked my pijama, and told me to lay in my bed, and he run to his room to pick a book and read a story in his own way, describing a couple of images. Then he kissed me goonight, and tried to turn off the light. And he told me for the first time “I love you mom”.

And he laughed! Of how he laughed!
It was such a fun role play, and it was filled with teaching moments on how he perceives my parenting style. It moved me.

It is definitely a role play I will want to try again over the years, it is incredible the amount of laughs we had, and you can learn from how kids behave as parents!! You realize that kids learn more from what you are, than what you teach them!

I hope you had a great Parent’s Day too! Have you done anything special ?

PS. if you want to know what Global day of parents is about click here!