To my children ~
I’m sorry.
I’m sorry that I yelled at you both this morning. I’m sorry that I was so impatient.
I’m so sorry that I rushed you off to bed last night because mommy was tired and just wanted to relax for a little while.
I’m sorry for all the time I spend on my cell phone, the computer, and otherwise distracted from being with you.
I’m sorry for every time that I missed out on an opportunity for play that would have led to a hug, a ‘mooch,’ a ‘nuggle, or a tickle fest because there was just “too much to do around here.”
I’m sorry that I’ve been distant and stressed and impatient this past year.
I’m so sorry that mommy & daddy’s choices and struggles in life are going to impact your life during such important years.
I’m so sorry that I haven’t been the mommy I should, and can, be.
Today I pledge….
I pledge to be here with you, for you. Every day. I may have to work all day and send you to daycare, but once you come home, I will be with you and only you. Not the dishes, not the lunches, not my phone. With YOU. Laundry and dishes can be done after you go to bed. Those few hours I have with you will be spent with you, loving you and learning from you.
I pledge to have more fun things for us to do together. Fewer movies, more arts and crafts. More snuggles and make believe.
I pledge to be more patient.
I pledge to yell less and talk more.
I pledge to continue working on getting the help that I need in order to be the best mommy to you that I can be. I can’t do it alone, and I am working on the help that will make me be a better person and a better mommy.
I pledge to hug it out. Always.
I pledge to do everything I can to make your childhood full of love and hope and dreams.
I pledge to continue to love you both with all of my being. You are the only ones who know what my heart sounds like from the inside, and my love for you is endless.
Love,
Mama
My children are going to benefit from your blog, too. You’ve made me reexamine my own parenting choices as of late. They are only young once.
aww thanks. yep, time to just be with them. Life is short, childhood is much, much shorter.
I’ve said it before. I’ll say it again. I love you dear friend!! You are a wonderful Mommy and with your pledge and our commitment to health, you will be an even BETTER Mommy. xoxo
thank you, love you too xoxo
I try everyday to be more patient, some days are better than others.
very, very true.
This is so heartfelt. Thank you for sharing what we all feel from time to time. You are an amazing mother. We all need to remember to live in the present with them.
thank you. it’s so easy to get lost in the daily stress, of which we all have too much. I’m trying, we’re all a work in progress I suppose.
I think it’s great that your honest with your children and work to better your relationships. Parenthood is tough and it seems like you have a lot of support for your journey. You’re doing great!
thank you!
Your letter is so honest and it’s so nice to hear that other moms are struggling just trying to do it all and be it all to everyone. You make wonderful points that living in the moment is something we should all remember to do. I know I have my iPhone with me too much when my daughter said yesterday as we left the room, “mommy, get your phone.” This note couldn’t have come on a better day. You’re a great mom for writing this.
thank you. just a work in progress, sharing my struggles with everyone else so we all realize we’re not alone in this.
This made me tear up. Too often I yell at my little ones, or rush them through things or count down the hours until bed/nap time. Thanks for the reminder to stop, slow down, and really BE with them.
I needed to be reminded myself, so I thought I would share.
Ugh, you made me cry. Hugs!