So not a saint
I was talking with my neighbor yesterday, the nice neighbor. I haven't talked to her since before Christmas, between my kids taking turns being sick and her kids doing the same we just haven't crossed paths.
I went over to talk to her about the neighbor who seems intent on getting us to move (FTR nice neighbor has had similar problems with her). As we cannot go to the annual homeowner's meeting (being renters and all) I wanted to get the scoop on what was going on and if the others who have been abused by her regarding the suspension of pool privledges were going to speak up, I've been told they are. I also found out that some board members are pushing for her removal from the hoa board and pool committee for such actions.
So anyhow...neighbor has two foster babes that are there full-time and they are attempting to adopt, one is 2 1/2 and the other just turned 1 (and they are so ridiculously cute!!!!) Last week they also had a one year old boy and another toddler boy with them. She asked me how I manage to homeschool with so many little kids running around. Then she said it:
"You must be a saint."
I hear this a lot. I hear it almost as much as I hear the old "your hands are full" line.
I am so not a saint. I'm not even close to sainthood. I have the patience of a rabid labrador retriever eyeing a raw t-bone. Literally.
Having 5 kids is easy. I mean the actual HAVING, as in making & birthing. Raising 5 kids isn't even that difficult, they do what they do despite the mistakes we make. Feeding 5 kids is more difficult by far ;)
I'm not a saint. I do what I have to do, some would call it responsible, others call is saintly. I call it necessary.
I guess I never really thought about it, it's just what I do because when I wake up in the morning and when I go to bed at night I have 5 kids. Five kids who get sick. Five kids who argue almost constantly, both with me and each other. Five kids who need bathed and fed and clothed. Five kids who need emotional attention more than physical. Five kids who need medicine and playmates and exercise. Five kids who need to be educated. It's not saintly, it's just what a mom does, isn't it?
4 peeps gave some love:
You know what? This is one of my favourite posts I've read in ages. I've got one little boy, pregnant with another, father-in-law who has lymphoma living with us. And I hear the "you must have your hands full" thing too. Also "how do you do it? I never could". And as much as I'd like to let that stroke my ego, I don't. Because in my experience, you do what you have to do. You find the strength and the patience and the humour, and you just push on.
Thanks for sharing. And good luck with your weird neighbour.
You may not be a saint, but you're a good mother. I'm a little disappointed. When my google reader showed me your title and I saw a reference to your neighbor, I immediately thought of the crazy one and was hoping for some kind of rumble in the 'hood. You are, of course, above such things-but she SO deserves it!
I think you should give yourself more credit than you do. You do what you do for your kids because your a GOOD mom, you love them and care about who they become. It's still a choice. There are moms in the world who don't make that same choice and lots of kids who get neglected both physically and emotionally. You are a good person and a good mom, and for that my friend, you deserve the credit.
Two of my favorites: "Wow, you must be busy" (Only when the kids steal my bonbons or spill their 64 oz Big Gulps of Pepsi on the couch during my favorite 5 hours of soaps) or: "All they all yours?" (No, I just rent them).
My ultimate favorite? "I can't imagine having 4 kids" (Then don't).
Gee...I can't imagine having 5 kids... ;)
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