I went into Kohl's without a daughter or husband (angels are singing right now because that rarely ever happens.) I was using a $10 gift card, which they periodically mail you free when you sign up for their mailers (I highly recommend this because it is basically $10 of free stuff every few months--awesome!)
Of course I got clothes for Zoey. I always get stuff for Zoey. That sounds harsh, but I do it because I want to. Clothes at Kohl's for me are expensive and even though I look, I rarely find much I like anyway. But I am straying from the point...
I got to the register with 24 months/2T clothes and the lady says, "nothing for you mom?" It made me stop for a minute. I respond, "no, not this time." The lady continues talking about how moms always gets stuff for the kids and husband and rarely for ourselves, even though we work so hard and wear many hats (cook, teacher, nurse, etc) we rarely treat ourselves. It seems to me she is talking from experience. And she is saying all of this in a completely supportive, conversational tone with no judgment at all. I find that I like this woman (she's about the same age as my mom).
And she's right. I feel like this has been coming up a lot lately--to do something for myself. I struggle with this, but I am getting LOTS better. For example, I treated myself to Starbucks and writing time before heading home.
This seems so insignificant, but I suppose it is the little things that make a big impact. From the whole evening I realize this...
I am so proud to be a mom!
I mean, I go into this store all by myself and though I come out with stuff for a kid, the lady knows I am a mom. That stuff could have been for a niece, cousin, friend or whatever. But it wasn't, it was for my daughter. I don't think I have too many wrinkles yet to give me away (granted, I don't look in the mirror as much as I once did.)
But the point is, I'm proud to be a mom and I'm proud to be seen as a mom even without my daughter in tow. It's like a club, the moms club. It's a pretty cool club to be a part of I think.
Have you ever had an experience where you were proud to be a mom, or come to the point you could deny being a mom anymore?
This is so sweet- and vulnerable in such a simple way every mom can understand! You and I struggle with a lot of the same things, I think. I have been trying to do more to take care of myself, not just the basics, but extra things too- because that really IS part of good parenting. You want your children to be able to see what healthy relationships (especially the one with the self) and boundaries look like- and that has to start within to become a strong suit. EXCELLENT post! :) I can completely relate to this.
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