How to keep it together... an essay by a struggling mommy

Okay, that sounds worse than it is... It's just that I'm coming off of 3 days without my hubby. (he's home now, thank goodness) and I'm just tired.

It's also a great segway into these wonderful words of wisdom that I read today in my Parents magazine. It really made me stop and think....

"Memo to Mommy" lessons from our little ones:

• Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean--but how often do we get to make mud pies?
  

  Love me, even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once
  

  Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation
  

  Let me do it. I know you can do it better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher
  

  Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little
  

  Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me--I can't hear you over my own screaming
  

  Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important
  

  Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!
  

  Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes.

I can think of one great example for the "Let me do it" file. Delaney wanted to help me vaccum the kitchen floor with the wand. It was hard to stand back and watch her slowly do it but it was worth it all seeing the satisfaction on her face when she had completed the task. Mommy had to "finish", or so I thought, until I sucked up her polly pocket's doll shoe that she had missed on purpose. Serves me right...I had to dig through the dirt to retreive it for her from the emptied canister. Lord, help me to slow down and enjoy the small, wonderful things in my life... my kids especially.