Technically speaking, I’ve been a mom for more than six years now. Theoretically. I mean, Kate is six years old… and she is my kid. So I guess all the evidence points to that statement being true.
But I’ve got to say – I don’t feel like I’ve got this mom thing down yet.
I don’t know why, exactly, but I just don’t feel like the “mom” part of my brain – supposing, of course, that it is there at all – has been switched on yet.
I rarely think to remind the kids to potty before we leave the house. Which is a problem, because I also never have a spare pull-up (let alone wipes) with me. I’ve had to stop and buy a new pack of diapers because I needed one, on more than one occasion.
I don’t carry hand sanitizer around in my purse, which, again, is unfortunate because I rarely remember the hand-washing part of daily activities either. And tissues? I don’t even have them in my house, let alone my purse.
I’m not the mom with the fully-stocked cooler and picnic blankets and fresh-squeezed lemonade at t-ball games or at the pool. I’m the one with the zip-loc bag of cheerios who’s digging around for quarters to buy crap at the concession stand.
This is something that really bothers me, but I’m not sure what to do about it. Other than, you know, get my shit together. But I don’t know how to start thinking this way automatically. I don’t know how to do any of it, really.
Maybe someday I’ll figure it out and be a real mom. Probably right about the time my kids graduate from college.
Until then, humor me – what are some of the “mom” things you forget to do?
But you have the loving them part down pat!
I never ever have baby wipes or tissues when I need them. I won’t leave the house without my iphone… but the wipes/diapers/extra underwear? ALL the time. I finally packed an emergency bag for my car so I would have it all!
I am one of the overprepared moms but I agree with Diane; as long as they feel loved, that’s all that matters!
i used to forget everything all the time! i still struggle with the “mom” dna that i will swear up and down i was never given and my girls are 3 and 2. i got so tired for forgetting everything all the time, i did exactly what liz said she does – packed a bag for the car. it has extra set of clothes for each, panties, pull-ups, wipes, and even some snacks and juice boxes (that way mcdonalds can stop seeing me all the time).
I’m pretty certain most of us are missing part of our mom DNA. Like, really, why do I always have to remember to bring spare clothes for my potty training daughter? I think the one that makes me feel like the biggest loser is forgetting to have my daughter brush her teeth. I never forget to do it myself, but I forget all the time to have her do it.
I too have learned from previous mistakes, but fortunately I NEVER clean the truck out so there are always spare clothes, diapers and wet wipes. It may take a little digging around but most of the time I have found something that works. But that means too that I have 7 bags in the truck and clothes that I have forgotten about and have found some that were too small once I did find them :-).
My biggest fail is the same as Sarah’s – I never brush the kids teeth!! J will do it most nights with the boys, but if he is busy and doesn’t give them bathes they could go weeks without teeth brushings.
And I have been known to forget to feed Carter, once in awhile too :-)! He is my easy going, nothing seems to bother him and if we don’t have time to eat, that’s cool, kinda kid. So there have been days that at dinner time I am wondering why he is sooooo ravenous and then I remember – oops!
We all have our missing mom DNA issues!! Don’t fret, Em!!
Forgot my son’s field trip last week. He was one of the only one’s without his school shirt and a packed lunch. Felt like a total failure as a mom. I wish I knew how to turn the “perfect mom” brain on. I would so press that button.
Even moms that seem to have it together really don’t. I over prepare because I can’t get things together on a daily basis. I am the mom with the park bag, extra clothes, etc in the car. Why? Because I know I’m going to forget something and sometimes EVERYTHING when I leave the house.
First of all, you ARE a real mom.
Second of all, I have forgotten to feed my child. NOT for days on end, please don’t call family services! But for a meal? Um, yes. More often when she was on the bottle, but still. STILL.
Same thing with Dads. I’ve been winging it for 25 years come this July. It’s all new, it’s all fresh, it’s all a gamble.
Sometimes you hit the mark, sometimes the arrow lands in the brush!
UP
The freaking juicey cup. Life ends without it and I forget it at least once a day.
Oh, I am so glad that I’m not alone! I’ve only been doing the mom thing for almost 10 months, though, so maybe there’s hope for me….or maybe not. the biggest thing I can never remember is to bring food for the bambino when we go out to eat. I can’t imagine what I’ll end up like after a few kids…probably just like what you described, I’m sure!
EMILY!!! You run circles around other Mom’s! I look up to you as a Mom (and one of my BFF’s) because you have it together! Kate and Sam are fed, clothed, have a roof over their heads and TWO WONDERFUL parents who love them more then anything in the world and would give anything in the world to make sure they have what they need! So if you are fakin’ it, you are doing a damn good job kid!! 🙂
p.s. if someone does find that switch…please let me know!! And I have done all of the above to poor Josie! And I almost forgot to pick her up at school! I ROCK! WOOHOO!!!
I heard Elizabeth from The Veiw say that she was out at the park, spending a fun day with her daughter, when her daughter’s teacher called and asked if there was anything wrong… Elizabeth had forgotten about the first day of school.