Mommy Dearest

Several things in entertainment news have gotten me thinking about what it takes to be a mom.  Halle Berry is pregnant.  Paris Hilton is "preparing her body for a child".  Britney Spears seems in denial that she is a mom.  We all get frusterated by the boundries of being a parent.  My circle of friends is limited because I have kids.  My employment opppurtunities are limited because I have kids.  My body is changed because I have kids.  But it is all worth it, every little bit.  I don't understand celebrity moms sometimes because I don't see how they are able to have such large lives outside of their kids. 

I wonder if celebraties have a similar daily routine to mine.  Everything that I do revolves around my children.  I wonder if the inclusion of nannies and housekeepers affects their relationship with their children.  I look at awesome celebrity moms like Jada Pinkett-Smith, who takes a very large role with her children, and I am impressed that she is "keeping it real".  Then I see moms like Britney Spears and Posh Spice and I feel so bad for those little ones who may never know their mom except for the celebrity persona that they keep up.  

In my 6.5 years of being a mom, I have learned so much and I pray that my mistakes will not have a permanent negative impact on my kids.  I am nervous about the upcoming months because my partner in all of this, one of the best Dads on the planet, will be gone for 6 months for his military training.  I know at some point my son will tell me he is having a bad day and eventually will say he misses his Dad.  I know my reaction will be too say I miss Dad too, probably with some tears and hugs. 

Kids are so wonderfully unique, I know there is no way to have a 100% foolproof parenting guide.  I thankfully had great parents, but I didn't know how great they were until I was challenged by my own kids.  Being a mom is the best thing that ever happened to me.  Without it, I would have never settled down.  Being a mom has brought back my inner child that I lost when my parents split.  Being a mom has helped me to appreciate MY mom in a way I never saw before I had children.  Being a mom has helped me open my heart and live my life less selfishly.   Being a mom has made me see life with a future beyond my own.  

Thanks for reading....WOOT WOOT and WORD.

Claire