Can you judge a mother by her shopping cart...in MY case, ABSOLUTELY...go right ahead...I triple-dog dare you!
If you were to ask me, years ago -- before blocking the MTV channel and searching for un-holey jeans at Hot Topic ruled my world -- what I disliked most about being a mom, I would have answered, without hesitation:
"Answering to other moms!"
Although, having to explain myself...to anyone...is STILL really hard -- especially, without relying on cocktails, or the use of visual aids -- living a fishbowl existence and swimming along with the same old school of thought, day after day, is even harder.
"Oh, just LOOK at how SHE is dressed...I would NEVER let my little Muffy wear black, EVUH!"
No flaming. I understand. Maybe even have told Buffy (you know, Muffy's mom) that we went through something similar. However, today, I would totally see Buffy's point and perhaps raise her an opinion...
"Oh, she's just expressing herself."
...or, two.
"But, absolutely NO belly button piercings until at least 17!"
Point being (I really do have one, I think) I find myself relying A LOT more on, you know, what OTHER moms are saying.
"Hi Liz, just wanted to let you know that, you know, cookie orders are due."
Yeah, it's girl scout cookie order time (AGAIN!) and I knew, that my youngest girl's leader knew, that I was supposed to hand those in, like, a week ago.
"I hate being THAT mom!"
[silence]
Because, my father-in-law drops Hope off and I don't even see, talk, or hear anything from any of the girl scout families, anymore, since picking up the afternoon/evening shift at work.
"You know, the one who forgets EVERYTHING!?!?"
[very awkward silence]
"I'll drop it off, during pick ups, today."
Even though, I don't really know whether I'm dropping off, or picking up, unless another mom, you know, texts me.
"Hey, isn't that my girl scout leader's car?"
Why, yes, yes it was AND she's stopping to talk to me...uh-oh...right here...in the middle...of traffic!
[rolls down driver's side window]
"Heh, good timing, did you stop by my house, yet?"
Then, I realized something (besides the fact that my oldest must have put the cookie order into my tote, I mean) after 16 years of raising kids (and killer dust bunnies) it doesn't matter.
[passes cookie order through window]
"Here ya' go!"
I still have NOT learned to, you know, get over myself!
"Well, that worked out well, didn't it?"
At the end of the day, no matter how crazy it gets, or how absolutely awful I feel, somehow, it really does NOT matter.
"I'll be seeing you."
At least, my being able to admit that...YES!...I am THAT mom....hopefully, helps other moms see that, no matter, we ALL come together, in the end.
"Hopefully, sometime soon!"
Aaaand, if not, don't worry, I'm on YOUR side AND I'm pretty sure, with my help, other folks will understand, too - especially, if you ARE a mother!
[fast-forward to CVS, last night]
"Muffy is at her Valentine's Day party at girl scouts, tonight!"
It's like the mother of all barking chains, really.
"Wow, well, Hope has hers tomorrow, so I guess I'd better check my email, then, huh?"
Stupid girl scouts!
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