Just you wait...

 As a mama of two young toddlers, I was feeling a little overwhelmed with the task of being constantly available to soothe my young ones souls. I was in a conversation with some other mamas in different stages of life, and as conversation does, the opportunity came to voice a portion of my feelings. I started to share, and as I paused to take a breath to control the tears that wanted to surface, I was met with the dreaded words. Just wait until they are in school, just wait until they are teenagers, just wait until they are in the youth! My heart sank and all desire to share was gone. Conversation continues and more comments are thrown my way such as, enjoy these days, these are the best days of your life, you can't ever go back to the simplicity of those days!! I leave the conversation feeling beaten down and with little desire to go on.

Let me explain my day to you, and you can explain yours to me. 

The first sound I hear in the early morning hours is my smallest toddler crying. I clench my teeth and hold my breath as I hope and pray that her slumber continues just a little longer. Soon the door to the children's room opens and two tousled children stumble out. They both can't wait to see their mama and they crawl enthusiastically onto her. All is adorable and cozy and precious until the baby girl gets a little too close to brother and he immediately yells that I'm HIS mom. The argument finishes when mama tells them that she has room for both of them. We go to the kitchen to start breakfast, and brother offers to set the table. Baby girl gets furious that he won't let her eat cereal out of the bird bowl, brothers cries when mama pours milk into his bowl because he wants it dry. Breakfast continues with conversations about who the cat belongs to, what daddy is doing at work, and how long it is until lunch. We leave the table and the baby girl can't find her blanky and needs another cuddle. Mama gives the cuddles and starts gathering laundry for the day or tidying up. The children fight over the orange truck, so mama gets a truck for both of them. They both refuse the truck they are given, so the trucks get put away and the tears flow. Mama gets a tissue for the snotty noses and notices the milk is still on the table 30 minutes later. She tries to quickly clear the table, but is interrupted in the middle by the children wanting to get dressed to go outside. She finally ushers them out the door and takes a deep breath. Kitchen. Clean the kitchen. She gets the table cleared when she hears wild wailing from outside, and lest the neighbors think someone is dying, she rushes outside to see what is happening. Brother wants the gate closed, baby girl is seriously offended. They are tired of being outside now, so they pile in leaving a trail of boots. The baby girl walks into the kitchen, trips over her baby and falls. She needs more cuddles. Mama cuddles the baby girl and finally finishes tidying the kitchen. Brother begs for a story so everyone settles for a story. It's the coziest joy filled minutes with the precious babies so close. Laundry must be done so mama starts a load. She makes a mental list of all the things she sees along the way that need to be done. She walks back to the living room to see them playing so sweetly together with brother teaching in a way only brothers do. She watches until she's scared of being caught and then hurries to finish more tasks. Soon more tears and more cuddles are needed. It's finally 11:30, and only 30 minutes until daddy comes to distract us. Mama organizes a quick clean up and the children jump in delightedly to help. Daddy is running a little late and nothing can calm the hungry, tired children. Finally, daddy walks in the door and mama rushes to get lunch ready.

Ok, I'll stop there because I think you get the point. I know that I got more love this morning from my children than you probably did from your teenager, but I also think I was required to give far more love and attention than you were. Your children 'love' you by unloading the dishwasher or folding laundry. They 'love' you in silent ways that I think you might be missing.  

You will make supper without children hanging onto your skirt, and you may even have help. You will put laundry away without tripping over a two year old. You will leave the kitchen after supper and when you come back later, dishes will be done, maybe not the way you would do it, but it's not all o

n you.