Thursday, November 11, 2010

The Good-Enough Mother

Well, folks. It's happened. I have made that transition from my unrealistic dreams of becoming a perfect mother to the stark reality that I am most days not even a good-enough mother. I have gone from the lofty desire of having the kids fed, rested, and clothed to the simple hope that they are not sitting naked on the floor playing in their own feces and feces-covered toys while I am feeding the baby(yes, that happened yesterday).
Unfortunately, with multiple children it seems like it is often the 3rd child (or 4th, or 5th, or 6th, I'm sure) who gets a little neglected. Just consider the picture below.

Here Spencer is munching on the playstation cord while mom makes dinner.
The sad part is, after I took the picture, I didn't even take it from him.
It was making him happy, and I needed to make dinner.

Uh-oh.
Let's all hope Spencer makes it to his first year.

6 comments:

The Harker's said...

Welcome Kelli! This is my reality as well, especially this year. I am a little nervous how neglected our fouth child might be (whenever that child comes; no, I am not pregnant, just saying...)You're a great mom and always will be!

Doni said...

Hmmmm I see absolutely nothing amiss here!!! two children occupied, third child not screaming!!! this is paradise!!! We are genetically inclined to be electricricians so Spence is just showing an early apptitude!!!! make that dinner and forget the rest.... life is peachy keen:0)!!!!!!!

Melody said...

It might make you feel better to know that someone told me if you can have three kids you can have a dozen kids. I couldn't vouch for the truthfulness of that comment but still...

Derrill Watson said...

Congratulations on your graduation, Kelli. Your sanity will thank you.

Crystal said...

I reeeeally loved this post. :) As I write this, I'm letting Claire tear up the paper in the paper recycling. She's having a ball, and probably eating some of it, but the crinkle that the window envelopes make just makes her so happy!

Andrea said...

I am so glad to know that I am not the only one getting my butt kicked by three kids. I am totally cool with being a mediocre mom. Looks like my over achiever days are gone. You made dinner so you have to feel good about that!