Mommy Confessions: Never Say Never

Being a parent means you sometimes do things you thought you'd never do.

Back in October I "confessed" that my kids had never eaten at McDonald's. My husband and I can't stand the place. Everything is really unhealthy and the food gives him digestive issues and me migraines. Well, guess what we did yesterday. That's right. I took the boys to McDonald's. I COULDN'T HELP IT! It wasn't my fault! Our dentist office gave the boys a McDonald's gift card for being such good patients. What was I to do? Plus, I do miss having the occasional chocolate sundaes with nuts. Those are goooooood!

When we left McDonald's after our lunch of chicken nuggets, apple dippers and sundaes Peanut said, "Mommy, the food isn't very healthy here. But it sure is a tasty treat!" I agree. But I think it will be a long time before we go back.

Mommy Confessions: Parenting is Hard

Where have I been for over 3 months? Well, ignoring my blog of course! Why? Oh, so I could handle the rest of my life. I won't bore you with details. But let's just say it started with Peanut's birthday, Halloween, Sprout's birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas....next thing I knew it was February and I had just come up for air. And while I wasn't looking, our kids learned how to step all over us. Peanut started acting like a typical four-year-old (extra stubborn, opinionated, difficult, rude, etc.) and Sprout decided to act like a typical two-year-old ("No! No! No! No!").

Last night I was at my wit's end. All of us have been sick with a bad cold and I felt like I spent all day cleaning, feeding and giving time-outs. I was exhausted, emotional and losing my voice. I got out of the house for an hour when Hubby got home. Once I had time to breath I reminded myself that just like every parenting hurdle, we will get through this time too. Our children are testing their boundaries. While it would be much easier in the short term to throw our hands up and let them have their way, in the long term we'd only be hurting them. It's our job to show them where their boundaries are...again and again and again and again. They seem to test us every waking moment. And then at the end of the day they remind us that they also need our unwavering love, attention and acceptance. With all of the chaos that ensues during the day, at bed time both boys soak up as many hugs and kisses as they can get. Almost like they are saying, "Thanks for letting me push all your buttons today so that I can learn what my boundaries are. And thank you for loving me with all of your heart anyway."

It really is amazing how difficult parenting can be. But the rewards are priceless and precious.

Mommy Confessions: I Drive a Minivan

#52 We bought a minivan yesterday. In '99 I bought a little sporty coupe and called it my-last-before-kids-or-dogs-car. Five years later I bought a Honda CR-V, which I thought would be my kid and dog car. But I learned quickly why the automobile industry calls a car like the CR-V an "entry level" SUV. You think you have a lot of room...and then you add two kids to the mix. Not just two kids, but two car seats, two sets of books, two sets of toys, two sets of sippy cups, two sets of snack cups, two extra coats...you get the idea. I still can't believe it, but we just grew out of that car. So today our crazy family took over the waiting room of a used car dealership as we wheeled and dealed ourselves into our first minivan. Oh boy. Did I just say "first?" But it's a pretty blue, has plush leather heated seats and LOTS of room. It's hard to admit it, but I LOVE MY MINIVAN! There. I said it.

Mommy Confessions: French Fries

#50
I'm not sure if I'm sheltering my kids or just teaching them healthy eating habits. We don't go out to eat that often. When we do eat out, we try to choose healthier restaurants. My kids have never seen the inside of a McDonald's. A couple of weeks ago we were at a burger place for a special treat and Peanut asked, "Can I get some of those yellow things that you dip in ketchup?"

Mommy Confessions: When Mommy is Sick

#48 I think I'm in biiiig trouble today. I woke up sick this morning and the kids seem fine. I almost prefer to have them sick and me well! I'm sure I'll spend most of the day saying, "Please calm down. Mommy doesn't feel good." and "Want to watch another DVD?"

#49 My husband gave Peanut bourbon-soaked fruit cake for breakfast this morning. I don't think I need to elaborate.

Mommy Confessions: Secretly Eating Cookie Dough

#46 I promised the kids I'd take them to the beach "as soon as I was done with my chores." But right now I'm sitting in the basement eating frozen cookie dough.

#47 I believe I mentioned this about 100 times already. But I CAN NOT WAIT FOR PRESCHOOL TO START!!! 3 more days. 3 more days. 3 more days. 3 more days....

Mommy Confessions: Crazy Busy

#44 I did NOT feel like writing anything this week. Why? Well, Sprout is not sleeping well due to teething, he is suddenly passionate about potty training, we are getting ready for preschool to start, we are still trying to wrap up our front yard landscaping, my mom was visiting, my house is a mess, our kitchen sink started linking, I had play dates scheduled that I forgot about and I haven't been sleeping much either. But here I am typing...well, venting.

#45 Have I mentioned...I CAN'T WAIT FOR PEANUT TO START PRESCHOOL!!! Only 1 week and 3 days.

Mommy Confessions: Bed Time

#42 Hubby put Sprout to bed tonight while I was out with my mom. It's the first time he's let anyone but me put him to bed. I was so proud of Hubby for managing to get him to sleep and proud of Sprout for trusting in his Daddy. But another part of me is sad that he doesn't need me as much anymore.

#43 I have developed a habit of responding to Peanut's "Why" questioning with the dreaded, "Because I said so!" response. I have got to work on that.

Mommy Confessions: Stinky Feet & Sleep

#40 I let Sprout stay up later than Peanut...even though he's 2 years younger. But it's not because we favor him...it's because he WON'T GO TO SLEEP! So we stopped fighting it a long time ago & now just let him stay up a little later than his brother.

#41 I think it's adorable that my kids have really stinky feet. I don't know why, but I'm amazed that such tiny cute feet can smell so bad!

Mommy Confessions: Dinner Time & Landscaping

#38 I miss cooking dinner in peace. Most nights I try to start cooking dinner as early as possible. But somehow I still end up with Sprout standing at the baby gate by the kitchen whining and whining and whining. If I toss him a few snacks he'll usually quiet down...temporarily. But if he eats snacks, he won't eat dinner. I long for that chapter in my life where I'll be able to, once again, become completely absorbed in cooking without interruption. When might that be, do you think? When they're in school? High school? When they move out?

#39 We have some major renovation going on at our house right now. Most mornings we can find two to three contractors making noise in our front yard. At first I was dreading the hammering and sawing that would accompany my morning coffee. But do you have any idea how long two little boys will sit still when they can look out the window and watch contractors working with power tools?! It's like their own personal Bob the Builder right in their own front yard! Go watch the construction, boys...Mommy is going to enjoy her cup of coffee!

Mommy Confessions: Brothers

#36 My boys definitely look like brothers. I love to stare at them while they are playing and find their similar trates. The other day I noticed that they both have the cutest cleft chins. It's adorable...and I honestly have no idea which side of the family tree it stems from.

#37 Recently, Hubby took Peanut out of town to visit Grandma...Sprout stayed home with me. On the first day I missed Hubby and Peanut terribly. On the second day I was loving having only one child. Less noise, less mess and a little less work. I had short-lived day dreams about what it must be like to be a mom to an only child. But by day three I wanted everyone home again.

Mommy Confessions: Guilt

#32 I'm having an issue with Mommy Guilt lately. It all started with a recent "conversation" I had with an extended family member about the behavior of my children at a family event. As much as I want to say it didn't bug me, it did. I feel guilty that my kids weren't on their best behavior. I feel guilty that I let someone else's opinion of my parenting bother me. I feel guilty that, even just for a moment, I let someone else's view of my children affect my own view of them.

#33 My 19 month old son has cavities. Cavities! Actually, I think they call them dental caries. Last week I was looking in Sprout's mouth to see if a new tooth had appeared. It hadn't...but some yellow-brown lines and indentations has suddenly appeared on his four front teeth. I was horrified. How have I let my baby's teeth basically rot in his mouth without even noticing?! We are very careful to limit juice, sweets, etc. We brush his teeth well every night. I just feel terrible. He is still nursing and some things I have read suggest breastfeeding could be a culprit (late night feedings), but other things I've read say that breastfed babies are no more likely to get cavities than other babies. We an appointment with a pediatric dentist next week and I'm just dreading what they'll say. Apparently if a child his age needs fillings they have to go under general anesthesia. Seriously? What have I done?

If you think that's bad...

Mommy Confessions: Another list of lazy confessions

#29 Tonight we got home from vacation and I had nothing planned for dinner. I baked some tilapia for the boys and Peanut says, "Mom, we need something to go WITH our fish." I reply, "Hmmmmm...want some raisins?" I guess I better stop by the store tomorrow.

#30 I stay up way later than I should most nights. But it's the only time the house is completely quiet and I just want to be awake and enjoy it!

#31 Before we had kids I would say, "My pets are my kids." Now they are just the dog and the cat. Or when they make a mess I tell Hubby they are "his dog" or "his cat." For example, "Your f*****g dog pooped in the neighbor's yard again today."

Read the other 28.

Mommy Confessions: Pride, Pop Tarts & that stupid purple dinosaur

#23 I buy kids' treats and never share them with my kids. Right now, actually, I'm eating a Pop Tart while the boys are napping. They are going boys and shouldn't eat sugary snacks. But I'm an adult...so there!

#24 I trained Peanut to say "yuck" every time he sees Barney-the-stupid-purple-dinosaur. But I think it's going to backfire on me. Yesterday, when asked which show he wanted to watch while I made dinner, he sarcastically suggested, "How about we watch...BARNEY!" I told him I appreciated his sarcastic whit, but that instead we would watch something else.

#25 Sprout is only 19 months old, but very opinionated, stubborn, bossy, fussy & particular about everything. He is not easy-going like Peanut. He knows what he wants and he is not ashamed to let everyone know. As annoying as it can be, it makes me proud.

Read more of Mommy's confessions

Mommy Confessions: Oops!

#20 I forgot to feed my kids breakfast on Monday of this week. I did. They got their usual snack around 10:00 AM, but it wasn't until they were melting down at 11:00 that I thought, "Hmmm...did we eat breakfast?" So much for the most important meal of the day!

#21 It annoys the hell out of me when Peanut chews with his mouth open. I fear that he'll be 25 and I'll still be saying, "Please chew with your mouth closed."

#22 When ever Sprout hurts himself he always points his finger at me so I can kiss it. The other day he did this and when I kissed his finger I instantly spelled poop. He didn't hurt himself...he was trying to tell me he had poop on his finger. Gross. So gross.

More! More!

Mommy Confessions: Totally Gross

There are just certain things my kids do that totally gross me out, no matter how much I love them!

#17 Boogers and snot make me gag every time. I wipe butts all day, I've cleaned up plenty of puke, I've gone to work with spit-up in my hair, but I just can not handle boogers. Peanut must know this because he loves to bring me nasty green boogs and announce, "Here, Mommy. I don't have anywhere to put my booger." Bleck.

#18 Two words: Raisin poop. When Peanut was an infant, a friend warned me that raisins do not come out the way they go in. At the time I thought it was a weird thing to warn a new mom. But, ewwww! He was right! It's just not fair that I give my kids healthy organic raisins as a snack and am paid back with diaper grapes.

#19 I have a high threshold for the grossness of my own children. However, I have a very active gag reflex with the grossness of other children. I have a friend (you know who you are) that has a thing with vomit. When it happens she has to tell me about it...in detail. I'm starting to gag just thinking about it. Please...if your child grosses you out, it's going to gross me out times ten.

What do your kids do that gross you out?

More Mommy Confessions. Share yours!

Mommy Confessions: Falls and Fridays

#14 I love hearing Sprout wake up from his nap. When he's ready to get up he says, "All done. All done. All done..." until I go get him.

#15 Sprout keeps falling off the couch, but there is no way to keep him off of it. Half the time I'm scared to death that he's going to seriously hurt himself. The other half I'm hoping the next fall will teach him how not to fall.

#16 I always know when it's Friday. When Hubby walks in the door at the end of the day, I'm always tempted to grab my purse and run out the door. I've been known to meet him on the porch and say "I'm going out. I'll be back before bed time."

Check out some more Mommy Confessions!

Mommy Confessions: I Am My Mother

#11 Hubby and I once watched an episode of Yo Gabba Gabba after the kids went to bed. What?! Jack Black was the special guest!

#12 Recently, I've heard myself say "Wait until your dad gets home!" and "When your dad gets home he is not going to be happy about this!"

#13 I hide toys and books I can't stand (especially the noisy ones). When the boys have forgotten about them I donate them to the Goodwill.
Want to share one of your own Mommy Confessions? Post a comment!

Check out other Mommy Confessions

Mommy Confessions: Thank You, TiVo!

#8 I never thought I'd be able to handle leaving the working world and be home with my kids all day, everyday. But now I am thankful for all of the crazy circumstances that turned me into a full-time mom.

#9 I'd like to thank Disney/Pixar for letting me make dinner on the nights my husband is working late or out of town.

#10 I'd like to thank TiVo for allowing me to take a shower almost every morning.

I guess you now know how I "handle" being a stay-at-home mom. Ha!

More Mommy Confessions!

Mommy Confessions: Sleep, Exercise & Reindeer

#5 Neither of my kids sleep through the night, Sprout especially...and I am so jealous of the moms with babies that sleep through the night.

#6 I never exercise anymore and my kids are my excuse. So lame, I know.

#7 I'm so excited that Peanut is starting that "wild imagination" thing. He tells me daily that a pink fox and Santa's reindeer are in front of the house & they want to eat our carrots. I'm envious of the joy he finds in things that aren't really there.

More Mommy Confessions!