Updated: July 2, 2020
Originally Published: April 24, 2018
Today, I woke up with a renewed resolve to be an exceptional mother. My job keeps me busy, often leaving my little one with only the remnants of my energy, which on a bad day feels like a negative six on the mom scale. But today? Today was going to be different. It was our special day.
We dressed up and headed to McKinney for a car show and a visit to the petting zoo. My son, Oliver, loved it—especially as I held his 35-pound self in my not-so-muscular arms. Success! By tomorrow, I might just have the biceps of a weightlifter.
On our way back to Denison, Oliver napped, and fueled by my earlier success, I decided to take him to The District in Durant—a massive arcade for kids. What fun!
As we stepped onto the porch to leave for our outing, I turned my back for just a moment to lock the door. Mid-compliment to myself about my mom skills, I turned around to witness Oliver performing an unexpected swan dive down six steps, landing headfirst on the concrete. Fantastic.
With six years in the medical field, I’ve seen countless injuries, but when it comes to my son? All my medical knowledge evaporates, leaving me a frantic mess. To my surprise, he didn’t cry but let out a scream that felt like it lasted an eternity. I wanted to join him in his cries, but I had already exhausted my “bad mom” quota for the month.
Having learned that after a head injury, it’s important to keep the child awake for observation, we proceeded to the arcade, hoping it would distract him from his pain. Bad move!
I could see the throbbing headache behind his eyes, compounded by the chaos of kids running around like extras from a zombie movie. The concerned glances and questions from bystanders only added to my discomfort, as they seemed to silently ask, “What happened to him?”
Fast forward three hours later—we finally returned home after spending a fortune on tokens and leaving with a cheap prize: a Tootsie Roll. Oliver was asleep in the backseat, and I took a precious ten minutes to revel in the stillness, a rare moment akin to searching for four-leaf clovers.
While I’ve never found a four-leaf clover, I feel incredibly fortunate. Even on my worst days as a mom, Oliver thinks I’m amazing. He has a knack for saying, “Kiss my boo-boo,” and then acting as if nothing’s wrong. I know he’s in pain—he just face-planted on concrete—but how heartwarming is it that he tries to comfort me, the adult?
It’s truly remarkable; he’s remarkable. Some days, I muster every ounce of strength to be a better-than-average mom, while other days, despite my efforts, I feel like I’ve failed. Yet, through it all, my child’s love remains constant.
Here’s to all the moms striving to provide their children with the best childhood possible, even when chaos reigns. Here’s to the hours spent cooking, only to watch a toddler fling dinner across the room. Here’s to the messes we clean up daily, sometimes feeling defeated when we skip a step and witness our child slip on something they shouldn’t have.
Let’s raise a glass to the endless laundry, the forgotten wet towel, and the mountain of dishes that only get tackled when they spill out of the sink. We kiss the boo-boos, knowing we could have prevented the mishaps if we were just a bit more vigilant.
Here’s to the unsolicited advice from those who’ve never walked a mile in our shoes, and the relentless inner critic that often speaks louder than anyone else. Here’s to the exhaustion, the stress, the mess, and the immeasurable love that makes it all worth it. Here’s to never stumbling upon four-leaf clovers until we became parents.
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Summary:
This article reflects on the ups and downs of motherhood, capturing the imperfect yet rewarding journey of parenting. The author shares personal experiences of trying to be the best mom possible, amidst the chaos and challenges, and highlights the unconditional love that children offer, making every struggle worthwhile.