As I stood in the grocery store today, looking at the variety of Valentine's goodies, I came to an unpleasant realization; I am a store-bought mom.
This is what I would like to make for Luke to take to his class party to give to all of his friends. Beautiful homemade cookie pops with specialty messages for each student, teacher, and aid.
Instead, this is what I finally decided on after a few minutes of shopping. Little Debbie. At least they are cream filled.
I also thought of making something crafty, delicious, homemade, and totally wonderful for the women I visiting teach, but instead they are getting cellophane baggies filled with store-bought candy. Tied with a ribbon.
How did I come to this? What in my life has brought me to this point...the point of buying Little Debbie? Kids. Time. A part-time evening job. LIFE! I really do have good intentions of grandeur, but eventually I settle. Here is just an example. Noah was going to a little Valentine's party at the library today where he would be trading valentines with all of the other little kids at story hour. I've know about it for a week, and thought that I was on top of things when I got out the valentine cards the other day for Noah to sign. I even bought some little candies that he could help me staple onto the cards. I thought it would be a great "preschool" activity. Five minutes into it, I gave up. Noah was finding more enjoyment in erasing his writing than actually doing any writing. It was also time for Elijah to go down for a nap so we ditched the valentine activity and I turned on a movie for Noah while I put Eli to sleep. This morning as I hurriedly grabbed our library bag I realized that we never finished our cards. So I stuffed the box of cards into the bag and headed out of the door. Once we made it to the library (on time for the first time in months) I quickly wrote Noah's name on all of the cards while the kids listened to the books.
Someday I may get my act together. Someday I may live the dream I have always had. Someday I will be the mom who sends the best, most impressive treats to school you have ever seen. Until then I will have to settle for Disney cards with out any candy, glitz, or glam, just Noah's name...written by his store-bought mother.
Class Pictures
1 week ago
17 comments:
oh Thank you Olivia... I thought I was the only mother that felt that same way!!! And by the way I may have to steal your cellophane baggies filled with store- bought candy idea, (except that I already stock up on JuJU hearts because they are my favorite and they only come out on valentines!!!)
I think you are a great mother and I am hoping we will just be blessed for our effort!!!
I've been feeling like this a lot lately... like I never measure up. (I even blogged about it a couple of weeks ago.)
If it makes you feel any better, I hate you a little because you manage to exercise on a regular basis! :)
You're okay with the cellophane bag of candies -- I think my kids used to think they were the only kids who had to bring "homemade" stuff to school while all the other kids had "store bought" bags of wonderful goodies! Why aren't we ever happy? I listened to a talk a couple of Sundays ago while up to Dad's about the way we are always eager to reach "the next station." All the time we're looking for the next station and thinking our life will be wonderful when we finally reach it -- the ride is in motion and we can never really enjoy the ride because we are so wishing for the next station. I think I have told you girls many times that if I could change one thing in my life, it would be to be more content with where I was in life instead of wishing for this or that. I guess I'm agreeing with the talk I heard on KBYU -- so, take it from an oldie full of free advice -- enjoy the ride to the station and then each new station may be even more enjoyable when we arrive if the ride was a pretty darned good one or even if it wasn't -- if we learned something while on the ride! I'm sure Noah was REALLY happy just going to the library and taking his sack of store bought goodies along with the valentines his Mom had signed!
Can you say FUN-DIPS! That was this totally awesome moms valentine treat. The only difference is that I am such a control freak that I wrote Mia's name on hers while sitting in the car waiting for Ellie at piano. My intention was to make each kids name with my circuit and then she could glue it on a card. Then I figured they would be thrown away and no one would care if it was "dar" or not. My kids LOVE fun dips and I hate the mess of them so I guess it was justification on my part.
I feel the same way! One day...or maybe never. (for me at least) I am just patting myself on the back for buying Brooklyn's store bought valentines last year when they were 90% off. Take pleasure in the small things, right? I'm impressed you even brought a million valentines to the library for Noah. I probably would have skipped the whole thing. :p You are awesome and a fabulous mother! So many people admire the great job you do - even if it's not what YOU hoped you could do. Try to give yourself a break. (I should take my own advice - lol - easier said than done, right?!?)
Luvs,
Cassondra
While I definitely feel for you (I have so many good intentions of the kind of person I wish I were), I must agree with those people who have told you that it's okay!
Noah will never even remember that you wrote his name while he listened to books, and some people like store bought candy in a bag better than homemade goodies (I myself am not a big sugar cookie fan anyway).
Keep striving to be that mom you want to be, but know that being a store-bought mom doesn't make you a bad mom in any way, shape, or form. I love you!!!
I've felt this way all week-especially since I've now spent almost two whole days in bed with barfing children. And now sitting here designing Brendan's valentines for school tomorrow... Ah the joys of knowing what it was like to have free time to be creative and clever and crafty only to now have none! :) Someday I think this will be easier (but then we won't have as many excuses to be so, right?) I figure if they at least have valentines to give away...it's a success!
I hear Little Debbie is next of kin to Cupid, so you should be good. Mmmmmm, cream filling.
I love that you want to make homemade stuff and do all of this extra stuff. because I think about doing something crafty for about 2 seconds, then I sign up to bring the napkins for nicks val. party( go me)!!!!! Lest your bring something yummmy. You are such a great mom.
Yes, we have had many convos about our "other life" in which we do so many clever and creative things. Maybe one day they will actually come to fruition! I was proud of myself today, however, because I had a Valentine party for all of Jack's friends. The problem for me is that once I actually decide to do something, I'm such a procrastinator at carrying it out, that I have a panic attack in the meanwhile trying to pull it all together!
I think you're a fabulous Mom!
You are doing better then me. I didn't even think about doing anything for the ladies I visit teach. I hope you have a great Valentine's Day!
I totally MEANT to make those cute cookie pops for the people I visit teach. . . at least you gave yours SOMETHING!!!
cute post -
Don't feel bad, I had great plans myself, but it didn't work out that way. Olivia and Ryan used up the extra store bought Valentine cards from previous years. I helped Miranda make cards for her classmates, but at 9 she did most of the work. I usually bake something for the kids to take, but it was store bought candy that they took to share. Hmmmm, maybe next year will be the year.
I think we all feel this way! And the worst part is that when we do try to be super mom, we only end up getting too mad and impatient to stick it out. I've decided to just stick with the store-bought thing, because at least I end up yelling less at my kids. You are a cute mom! Maybe store-bought shouldn't get such a bad rap. In fact,I think it deserves some due credit for creating happy mommies everywhere!
Ny kids begged for anything store bought, they still do, so It must not be too impressive to make all that crap, people just htink you are poor and can't afford the cute stuff from the store. I'd kill for a Little Debbies anything!!
Aunt Dixie
Oh gosh- can I just tell you thank you for being normal!! I always think that I will do something cute and oh wait- I have one child, not three and I still can't ever seem to get it done! You are a wonderful mom, your boys will never remember which they had, store bought or home made- If you are a store bought mom, I hope people take lessons from you. You are great!!
How old is Noah 2-3? He will never remember what kind of treat he took to the Library but he will remember that his mom took him. You are a great mother!
Addison
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