An ode to all moms!
I always watch in amazement as the mother
like a fiery lioness with a child by each hand and one in the baby carrier, laden with bags on a beautiful summer day, escorts them to the park or petting zoo. With a double stroller, draped in shopping bags and diaper bags, she runs after child 1, while child 2 starts screaming because a scoop of ice cream falls from her cone. Child 3 is thirsty and makes it known. Or is he tired? At such moments, nothing goes right; the wind ensures that all the face wipes reach the pond, and the juice bottle has started leaking in the bag. The stroller isn't on the brake and child 1 trips and falls flat on the ground. Now everyone is crying, and the mother almost too. AARGH who comes up with this timing?!
Mom, respect for your selflessness, determination, and care
Sometimes I see blind panic in your eyes, but you're doing so well! Recently, I was able to help a fellow young mom because her child suddenly threw up all over the place in the checkout line at the drugstore. Pre-mom me might have also been sick. But now, post-mom me sprang into action. I had baby wipes with me (lifesaver) and immediately started to calm the screaming little guy while handing the mom wipes. Tears were in her eyes. She felt very embarrassed. I understood her, especially when you see those uncomprehending glances hastily passing by, people who are immediately mentally frustrated because they can now leave the store 0.8 seconds slower. 'It's all going to be okay, nothing to worry about'; was I saying this to her or her child? A bit of both.
Because this happens and it's out of your control
Sometimes Hailey screams her head off in the middle of the supermarket – believe me: for no reason. I see them looking. 'Give her food, give her drink, MAKE IT STOP'. The glances of people don't bother me anymore. My child is constantly fed and hydrated, goes out well-rested and with a clean diaper, but sometimes she also has her off days. People, I don't have a robot, I have a baby. Whoever has found the on-off switch, please do tell me. Today we were at Ikea and, coincidentally, while in line for the checkout, Hailey decided she was done. The solution? Really no idea, until I had a brainwave. I turned the cart towards the elderly couple behind me in line and struck up a conversation. In an instant, my little girl was quiet, a grin appeared, and soon she was flashing her two-and-a-half teeth in laughter. Three people smiled because of the pleasant, brief chat. And one little girl beamed again because she unexpectedly received attention from the kind sir and madam at Ikea. A bit of improvisation, not caring at all what those sourpusses think of you, comforting your child, and helping your fellow mom. Am I saying this to my fellow mom or to myself? A bit of both 😉
Love for all you moms, you do everything everyone else does – with one or more babbling or talking, crawling or walking little extensions attached to your arm! Who run the world? MOMS!
With love,
Kelly