Comparing...mom post #01

So this is totally a mom post. Maybe someone can relate, who knows?! So here we go...

As a mom, do you ever find yourself comparing your child to other children their age? This has happened to me since Tanner was born. He has two cousins; one that is a month older and one that is a month younger. It’s inevitable, I think. Every milestone, whether it was when he first rolled over or took his first steps, was compared to his cousins. {Not by their moms, but by me} I think that my child is perfect in every way. What mom doesn’t? I find myself comparing a lot less these days, but when he’s around his cousin(s) I do. His girl cousin is a month older and she is smart as a whip. She talks plain and can sing songs and do many other things. I’m sooo very proud of her! BUT, I realize that Tanner isn’t doing all of the same things. And vice versa.

I’ve heard many times that boys and girls communicate and share different forms of dialogue. It was more evident than ever while I was in GA with my niece. Girls play different and talk different. It seems that girls tell more of a story and boys are more on the lines of grunting or yelling. Girls like to play with their toys gently, boys like to wrestle and roll every where. Meaning, they’re totally different and at times, incomparable.

This takes me to my next point. Just because I can embroider, does that mean that I’m smarter or craftier than someone else? Does it mean that I’m more advanced than someone who can’t embroider? Heck no! It just means that it’s a skill that I’ve acquired by practice. Did I teach myself overnight? Again, heck no! It took me a few years to master the techniques. Therefore, as much as I repeat “thank you” and “please” to Tanner he may not pick it up in 2 days or 2 weeks. He’s hard headed and head strong, meaning he may not say it till he wants to. {And that’s exactly how he rolls…on his terms, not mine}

It makes me wonder am I doing everything I should as his mom. Am I teaching and playing with him enough? Should I send him to school more than one day a week so he can be around other children more? My answer to this one is definitely no! I love my time with him and his grandparents love the time they spend with him. I feel very, very beyond blessed to spend as much time with him as I do. Should I clear out a room and have no toys or TV and put a school desk in there for us to learn for an hour a day? My answer to that is no. He is a toddler, not even two years old yet. I want him to explore and learn through playing and watching his mom and dad and other children. He will be in school for the next 14 years of his life. I want him to enjoy his toddler years having FUN!

Therefore, I vow to myself as a mom to not compare him to others. God chose me to be his mom for a reason. He trusted me enough to put His child in my hands to love and teach while here on earth. I am beyond proud of him. He can name almost every farm animal, he can say please when he wants to, he can tell you yes or no when he wants something {or doesn’t want something}, he can count (kind of lol), he can say I love you, he can tell you many things about a choo choo, and the list could go on and on.

So Tanner, when you read this one day I want you to know that your momma is so very proud of you and I think you’re a genius! You do things that amaze me every day. You’re full of energy and you love to have fun. You love to tell stories and be theatrical while doing so. You love to be outside and run free. You love to learn new things and say new words. And you also love to jabber in a foreign language. And I love every bit of you.

I’m human, as like all moms are. If you have ever felt like this before, know that you’re not alone. My best friend always tells me that Tanner is so smart and yes, we compare our kids {to each other only} because we think they are just amazing little people. So if you ever feel like you’re not teaching them enough because they can’t sing the abc song by the time they’re two, realize that it’s okay. They’ll get there. Maybe not today or a month from now…we all work at our own pace, that includes our little ones.

Such a big boy at the park. I love that little smile :)

**I wrote this post almost 2 weeks ago. As I reflect on it today, I’m in awe of my son. In just two shorts weeks he has morphed into a different child. I’m not saying he’s turned into an angel…go in the other direction. Lol, totally kidding. He is starting to show us and tell us what he wants {and I mean EXACTLY what he wants} and speaks in some sentences now. Just yesterday at the park he said "Daddy go climb". His dad was climbing on the monkey bars.What?! How did he know that?! It’s crazy. It’s so crazy, that I’m over the moon excited about all that he’s doing and the little boy he’s turning out to be. I’m so in love with this child sometimes I think my heart could bust. And then sometimes, like yesterday, I get so frustrated and mad at him that I think he just needs to spend most of his day in time out for his crazy behavior. Oh the joys of parenthood. No matter how he acts, I love that boy so stinkin much and I love being his momma. 

Happy boy ~ loves being outside!

Hope everyone has a great Wednesday! My husband informed me last night that I haven't blogged in a week. He actually reads these...that makes me happy :) I have been dealing with a teething baby who last molars just don't wanna come through. And I've had lots of embroidery orders...which makes me uber happy, by the way! Needless to say, I've been crazzzyyyyy busy. Just the way I like it =) So until next time {whenever that me be lol}....

Magan