The “to do” list
Dear Jack,
Last night I went stomping in to your room for the 30th time yelling “GO TO SLEEP”. You told me you were scared of the dark. I rolled my eyes, and told you that there were two nightlights on, one lamp going full blast, the hall light on, your Twilight Turtle was lit up, and your mini light saber was ready for battle, Jedis aren’t scared of the dark, so for god sakes just fall asleep already.
“But momma, I’m still scared. Jedis are scared of bad guys like Darth Vader”.
But buddy, I have so much on my to do list to get ready for your birthday party. The list is a mile long. I have a lot to do, and you need to fall the heck to sleep so that I can keep working.
I knew instantly I had hurt your feelings.
The to do list was no longer important. I’ll find some other time to finish up my chores. I crawled in to bed with you and told you I was sorry. We snuggled in your four foot long bed for only about two minutes before your breathing slowed and you fell fast asleep.
I laid there and watched you sleep for another 15 minutes. Noticing how perfect your nose is, how your hair looks just like mine, but feels like your dad’s. How tightly you snuggle “GG kitty”, and how only two hours after your bath, you smell nothing like soap.
I extracted myself from your bed, and quietly tiptoed out of your room. I walked in to the kitchen and saw my to do list. Nothing that I set out to accomplish last tonight got checked off. Instead, I quickly added two new things and just as quickly checked them off:
- Be your mommy first above all
- In your eyes, be stronger than a Jedi and a light saber combined
xo,
Momma
My 4 year old has a knack of reminding me that I need to take time and remember to be his mom also. The other night my husband did bath, stories, snuggle time and tucked him in bed. I had just crawled into bed after a LONG day when Will came in with a book. I scolded him and told him to get back to bed it was late. He became upset and said “but mamma you didn’t read me a story yet” after several minutes of banter I agreed to read a story if he would go immediately to bed after. He crawled in bed asking me to read….I’ll Love You Forever…..suddenly I felt like the biggest jerk ever. I read the book, choked up as I did, realizing that he will only be aksing to crawl in bed with me to read for a short time. How I need to treasure those moments as they will be gone so quickly
They sure have a way of doing that, don’t they? I’m “go, go, go” all the time, and Jack has a knack for slowing me down and putting things in to perspective.
Thank you for reminding me of what is truly important…family. I’m an aunt and my nephew & 2 nieces are now 21, 17, and 14, and I treasure the time I spend with them.
What lucky kiddos to have an auntie in their lives who cares so much about them!
This was me last night. I actually got into a big argument with my 4 1/2 year old daughter over what bedtime book I was going to read to her. (There really is a limit to how many times I can re-read Peter Rabbit before I start wishing Mr. McGregor had caught the little furball, but it’s one of Julianna’s favorites.)
Once the crying stopped and we both apologized, I think I hugged her for about 10 minutes straight. Your post says it very well…they need to come first. I know my little princess is going to outgrow snuggling and bedtime stories sooner or later, and then I’ll wish she still wanted me to read about that dumb bunny every night.
We had that argument this week too. I could not read “Superman in the 70’s” one more time (thanks Elaina).
My plucky duck is very independent hasn’t been a snuggler from day one. We take the snuggles where we can get them!
Have you read The Little Blue Truck? It is one of our favorites because kids and adults love it. I know it my heart now, but never cringe when he selects it.
Beautifully written and timely spoken. Thanks, I too, needed this.
What a smart mommy to recognize the opportunity to snuggle. My boys are grown and gone, I really miss that time. You brought tears to my eyes and sweet memories of Ninja Turtles.
I’m giggling at Ninja Turtles!
Jack hasn’t been a snuggler from day one (they put him on my chest and he pushed off of me and wanted nothing to do with skin to skin contact), so we take them where we can get them!