The World According to Mom

A friend of my husband joined another friend to start this journey - in short, connecting blogging moms from around the world:


from: Her Bad Mother


In any case, the whole point of this exercise was this: to consider a standard entre-mamans question from my own perspective, and to invite other mothers - mothers from around the world - to do the same thing and share their answers.


David and I - in partnership with Global Voices Online - are launching an experiment to see if we get a global conversation going between moms who blog. We want to see if it's possible to travel the world and make friends, virtually, solely on the Vernian voyage power of the momosphere. We want to see if we can pull together a global playdate in 80 clicks.


I have to say I love this idea, and am very excited to participate.


I too have had the many many mixed emotions of being a mom - the happiest I've ever been, the lowest I've ever been, and everything in between. It's the hardest job I've ever had, sometimes the most frustrating and exhausting one, and yet the most satisfying one. I think we parents tend to talk in extremes when describing parenthood - it's the most [insert whatever emotion here]. Because our children bring us to the extremes, without their even knowing it. And I wouldn't have it any other way.


So... to 5 (of the many) things I love about being a mom:


1) Seeing my children show love for each other: it's rare that they are in that position - to actually show each other how much they love each other. 99% of the time they either ignore each other, or are fighting with each other. But every once in a while, they come together on something - him helping her read, she cheering him on at his favorite video game - and I feel like my heart will explode with love.


2) Watching "kid" movies: I have to admit that I love to watch the movies they love to watch - mostly. We've seen "The Incredibles," "Cars," and each of the "High School Musical" movies too many times to count. But family movie night - on the couch under blankets with bowls of popcorn - is a time I absolutely cherish.


3) Being a "soccer" mom: okay, not a soccer mom exactly, since neither plays soccer. But I love taking my kids to Irish Dance class, or baseball or basketball practices/games. Truthfully, I don't always love it. I'd rather sleep in on Saturday mornings, or be home drinking tea in front of the fire on the crisp (COLD!) fall afternoons than be driving all over the county to a practice or game. But seeing him sink an 8 foot jump shot, or hit a home run, or watching her march and dance in her first St. Patrick's Day parade makes the early mornings and frozen toes fast forgotten.


4) Snuggling.

5) The mom network: my closest friends are moms. And I wouldn't know any of them had it not been for my kids. I thank God I was able to send my kids to the nursery school they went to, because my closest circle of friends are connections I made through their (now former) classmates' parents. I still find it amazing that having children the same age makes you immediately connect. Amazing, strong, talented, funny women that I otherwise would never have met, touch me and share my life through every up and down. I have my children to thank for that.


I could go on, but 5 is 5, so I'll finish up by saying something I've heard a lot before, and mostly from my husband: having children gave my life purpose. I know what I was put on this Earth for. Thanks to God and my kids for giving me that gift.


And thanks to David Wescott and Her Bad Mother for the opportunity to share.



Links to other moms who blog:

Angel At Home - South Africa

Reading the Tee Leaves - USA