Happy “I’m a Bad Mother” Mothers Day

Having four kids, I have tried to model good behavior these past 20-18-15-15 years. My kids know that I love teachable moments, and as a mother, I too have hit some potholes along the way but I don’t apologize. Hey that’s life, and from my faults I hope my kids have grown stronger, wiser, more independent, and have learned to take responsibility for their own actions. So for all those mothers that feel at times you have been in the bad mother boat, it’s life lesson for the kids, and they should thank us. But won’t…

Here are my confessions.

1.    I don’t make dinners. What have my kids eaten over the past year? I don’t know. I used to make wonderful family meals. Meatloaf, Crock-pot stew, Chicken Bakes, veggies, potatoes, warm bread, and a salad. No one ever ate any of it. So I switched to do it on your own dinners. Cereal, pre made frozen meals, PB&Js. From that the kids have learned to cook and prepare meals.
2.    I lost the permission slips. Hey with four teens and lots of school mail coming in and out, I don’t have a clue where I placed it. The kids have to put it in front of me first thing in the morning have me sign it, write a check, and leave with it. From that they have learned to be organized, get forms in on time., and take responsibility.
3.    I forget to take them to the dentist when they had a cavity, missed orthodontist appointments when they needed ruberbands, and zoned out of a few physical therapy sessions to heal a track injury, but no harm no foul. All teeth, bones, and bodies are fine now, and they are more aware of their own symptoms, and know when to seek out care.
4.    I didn’t wake my son in time to catch the bus to his tennis match, the coach couldn’t play him. I didn’t do that on purpose but my son will never forget to set his alarm and I hope never miss a bus, plan, train ever again. Lesson learned
5.    I made them get jobs at 15. They need to work to pay for their movies, CDs, and yes even the homecoming dress. They need to pay for gas even if dad and I use the car too. Now they know how many hours needed to work to pay for a pair of jeans, a movie with your friends, and that new video game. This is how they will learn to make good money choices.
6.    I was late picking them up after school. Sometimes real late, they had to learn patience, how to ask others for a favor, and how to make good use of down time.
7.    I made them clean the garage with me even when friends were going to the water park. They learned about family responsibility. We found and discover things from the past, and shared lots of stories and laughs. Created memories in an unexpected situation.
8.    I lost the report cards the day they came home in the mail. I didn’t mean to loose them, but it’s not about the grade, it’s about the learning. I don’t need to know what they got in a class, I want to know they tried their best and learned along the way.
9.    I spend way too much time on twitter and blogging. I know they get tired of seeing the top of my head, but I work from home, I’m doing something I love and it keeps me engaged, entertained, and motivated to learn more and I work hard. I want them to find jobs that invigorate, engage, and motivate them to work hard too
10.    Here are a few other things that horrified my kids, I’m on the board of the PTO and volunteer at the school, I check when they are going to a party that a parent will be there, I make sure they only drive with one friend in the car, I make them volunteer, I’m friends with the police, I read the blotter, and I have a Facebook page but I’m not friends with my kids, until I’m asked to be.

I love being a Bad Mother and you should too…what have you done to “ruin your kids social life?

May 10, 2009 | Filed Under Uncategorized 

Comments

12 Responses to “Happy “I’m a Bad Mother” Mothers Day”

  1. Dawn @GirlfriendCeleb on May 10th, 2009 8:47 am

    My kids are still young enough not to be too embarassed of me…yet…but I will continue to stay involved, talk to their friends and be generally annoying. My son gave me a mother’s day card today that said “I truly believe you are the best mom in the world” and my first thought was “boy, is he fooled!” We are so hard on ourselves as mothers, and I love that you’ve shown the positive side of your perceived imperfections. Way to go, Beth!

  2. CK Reyes on May 10th, 2009 9:12 am

    Hey, I’m a BAD Mother too! We should start a club. You’re a worse mother than I am because instead of taking the time to make the list of “my bad” I’m writing on your blog! Bad, bad, bad mommy!

  3. Andi on May 10th, 2009 2:36 pm

    This list is fabulous! In some adults today, you can tell that they were totally coddled growing up, and haven’t got a clue how to do anything on their own. You are raising future citizens you can be proud of!

  4. Mary on May 10th, 2009 3:16 pm

    Say Yes to All the Bad Mothers because those are the ones who are raising the kids who have balls…thanks and keep up your Bad Mother Ways…
    Mary

  5. Ramsey Mohsen on May 10th, 2009 3:50 pm

    I like this creative take on Mother’s Day- while I can’t directly relate (since I don’t have kid), I think it’s interesting you did this. Writing this blog post was probably a healthy exercise in itself, going through the process of evaluating the negative things you’d like to change. Nice work!

  6. DuongSheahan on May 10th, 2009 7:45 pm

    Oh Beth…you are too cool, I love your list…and makes me laugh b/c I relate to so many of them and even some not listed! YOU ROCK BAD MAMA! :)

  7. Lisa on May 10th, 2009 7:50 pm

    We should start a club cuz I am bad mom too!

  8. Barry Moltz on May 10th, 2009 8:56 pm

    You and my wife have alot in common…and our kids are turning out great!

  9. Beth on May 10th, 2009 10:14 pm

    Thanks to you all who took time to comment on my blog…wish my kids would of taken the time to add to the list…I will make them…ahh another bad mother thing to do…force you kids to read and comment on your blog…
    Beth

  10. Patti Minglin on May 11th, 2009 2:46 pm

    Bad Mothers Unite! This is such a wonderful list–and I am happy to report I have done almost every single one of them. Just this morning I was writing a “Nate has my permission to….” on a piece of notebook paper because we couldn’t find the permission slip. Hope you had a great Mother’s Day!

  11. Esti on May 11th, 2009 11:30 pm

    Even though my kids are much younger-1, 2, and 4-I feel that I try my best to be very present when I’m with them-not so easy. If I’m not busy running around like a nut in the morning getting them out of the house, and in their car seats I’m cleaning cheerios from the floor, dishes in the sink, a major poop out in the crib, laundry, paying bills, and most recently, writing/blogging into the wee hours of the nite. Not too mention, the frequent meltdowns of my precious 2 yr. old-she can’t help it, she’s 2-and letting her cry and stomp it out. Even though it makes me feel bad, she ends up falling asleep and waking up like nothing ever happened. She has a smile on her face and big hug for me. I felt really bad when she was melting down, but I know that is what her 2 yr. old mind and body had to experience, and I was happy to have my sweetie girl back in my arms.

  12. Carole Hicks on May 16th, 2009 1:01 pm

    I LOVE your imperfectness…join the club! I’m so glad I’m not the only one. XOXO

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