Thursday, January 20, 2011

Dear Me...

Dear 21 year old Shelley,

How are you? Pretty good if I remember right. You're working at Silver Dollar City, painting away on those parasols. You're engaged to Jason, and planning your brilliant wedding. Your mom is still doing your laundry and cleaning the house you live in. Your biggest concern right now is remembering not to overdraw your checking account, but even if you do, Jason will put money in it for you. Oh and making important decisions about which bridesmaids dresses to pick, and do you or do you not go with the dyed shoes?

Girl, your life is GOOD.

I know today you got annoyed by those kids whose parents MUST not care about discipline. I mean really? They totally gave in when that girl named Brittany threw a fit. Don't those adults know that they are just ENABLING her? I know you thought...I will be a MUCH better parent than that!

Yes, yes you said that. I remember.

I remember what you were like. Young. Smart. Sure of yourself and who you were becoming. Planning your life with Jason and your 3 perfect children. Maybe even 4 kids if you can convince him! You were going to be a FUN mom! You planned on scheduled craft times, teaching them piano yourself, teaching them to read by the age of 3...You were going to be a Rock Star Mom!

Yeah...

Sorry to disappoint you, but...yeah.

Don't get me wrong, you still have it pretty good. You are a stay-at-home mom. Jason is a wonderful husband and daddy to your 3 great kids. You do your own laundry and dishes, plus everyone elses, and it Never Stops. Jason still puts money in your checking account, and you know NEVER to go with dyed shoes.

Your almost 34 now, a far cry from 21. You used to be smart, before the mundaneness of life sucked your brain cells away. Now you are "kid smart". You know that if you say They're being so good! That in 10 seconds they'll be fighting. You know as soon as you let your tired body sit down with your semi-warm cup of coffee, that someone will need something RIGHT NOW! Yes, those "kid smarts" come in handy.

You are no longer sure of yourself, and you have no idea what you want to be when you grow up. Your 3 kids are far from perfect, and the thought of a 4th kid sends you into cackles of laughter interspersed with terror in your eyes. You are not a fun mom. Sorry to break it to you, but you yell at your kids, and need at least 3 cups of coffee to make it through your morning. There are no crafts, your 4 year old can't read, and no one cares a hoot about learning to play the piano.

Yep, that is your life.

And that mom of Brittany? No, that's not you.

You are behind her, with your 3 screaming kids. You are about to give in and buy them all whatever they want just to get them to be quiet. You have let them eat sugar all day, and are now paying the price. You are totally an enabler, and you don't give a mouses patootie what that girl painting parasols thinks of you. All you want to say to her is...

Just wait.

6 comments:

Olivia said...

If it makes you feel any better, the kids have eaten lunchables and cheetos all day, we have watched hours upon hours of cartoons and the thought of cooking makes me want to run screaming, don't worry about the girl painting parasols...look in between the screaming and sugar and remember that there really is a fairy tale life you are living. You are blessed beyond measure, and anyway they do crafts at school and George Winston is a fabulous piano player via cd or the internet. Try to remember what makes you smile, take care of yourself too!
Hugs,
Olivia

Janelle said...

This is amazing and so very true! I feel the same way. I thought I would be as awesome as my nanny college self. Those were the lucky kids. I gave them my best years.
At least we are in this together. Love you.

Alana said...

Love, love, LOVE this. You are a wonderful Mom, Shelley. Truly. Don't ever think anything different. Love that last part about not caring what the girl with the parasol thinks...ha!

Josh and Lane Whitlock said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Josh and Lane Whitlock said...

I'm so excited for what's to come!! Lol Love you Shell!! You're a great momma and any kid would be blessed to have you as theirs!!

Jamie said...

Ha. So true.