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Creating an image

Jorja calls, "Ethan - come and bath right now!" 

Ethan walks past the bathroom door, pauses for long enough to make the moment mean something and then moseys on down the passage muttering "No, no, no...".

Jorja replies in a most demanding tone, "Ethan - come right now. I'm the Mommy so you must do what I say because I'm in charge!"

I recently read an article by a Mom who realised just in time, how much her behaviour (both good, but mostly bad) was imprinted on her children's memories and quickly becoming their image of her. Not only was she becoming predictable - a very bad place to be with sneaky toddlers around, but she was also creating a role model that these children would learn from - for better or for worse.

It got me thinking about my own behaviour...

Do my children realise that I'm proudly responsible for their well-being or do they assume that I'm simply the Logistics Manager of our family?

Do my children know my desire for them to learn how to be respectful, honest and obedient or does the incessant scolding blur this vision?

When something spills, breaks or dirties, do they hold their breath and brace themselves for an onslaught of a megawatt Mommy meltdown?

Do my children know that I love them?

In just 4 years, I've painted a pretty clear picture of what kind of Mommy I can be and to be honest, it scares me. A rigid, over-thinking, commanding perfectionist is not what I had in mind while rubbing my growing belly and preparing for my two baby bundles.

While I know that my kids have now learnt to expect that from me, I'm about to shake things up a bit..

First, I should go down and meet them on their level - instead of bellowing from a tall tower of broad-shouldered Mommy-ness! 

Jorja will be somewhere mid hip - a little higher if she's wearing my platforms! Ethan will be at black scooter cruising level and going at speed...

And I should take them in my arms and give them a warm squeeze..And say that I'm sorry for not being a better example before.



Right there would be a great start to creating a new image.


Comments

  1. Ah, you're such a good mommy, and such a good example to your sisters. It's so good of you to 'shake things up' just don't think that you're not already doing a great job xx

    ReplyDelete
  2. ditto - to Robyn's comment. You both are lovely moms and good examples for your other sisters and your children. They are lucky and blessed!

    ReplyDelete

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