boys

Being a mom is hard.

When you think about it...it is the combination of so many different jobs.

I would list all of the chores and jobs and responsibilities of motherhood...

but ladies...

We all already know how difficult and exhausting and rewarding it can be.

We already know that we wear so many different hats in one day alone.

Since I became a mom almost 12 years ago...(wow...12 years!)

I have wanted to apologize to my own mother for the times when I was nothing but a stinker.

sorry mother

I think my mom did a pretty good job with me.

I'm a nice girl...

a good homemaker and decent cook in the kitchen.

I help my neighbors and volunteer at my children's school.

I'm fun and easy going...I like to be creative and send my children back to school with some of the best projects that you will ever have seen.

My mom did a great job...

preparing me...

for motherhood.

She sent me off into the world with homemade lessons from the kitchen, tips on being a lady and

taught me all she knew about this world we live in and how to navigate through it.

I learned what was most important in this life.

So...one day...I found someone and left my mother's home and started my own.

Then...one by one...I made these 3...

Mikey

Morgan

and

Landon

I love my job as mom to these guys...they really are great.

They aren't perfect...not even close.

But they are great.

In developing my own mothering skills...

I have always said that my job with my boys is to keep them soft.

Many friends have heard me say this.

Over and over.

I want boys who aren't afraid to show emotion and care for others around them.

I want them to hug.

I want them to love.

I want them to feel okay abut crying when their hearts are that sad.

I want them to be able to empathize with others.

I think that we always give girls the okay to be emotional.

It's what's expected of us sometimes.

Last night at the School Spring carnival...

baskets were raffled off to generate money for our school's teachers.

Mikey had his heart set on the 3rd grade basket.

Valued at $850.

and

It was the basket that Mr C and I were put in charge of and put together for the carnival.

Mikey didn't win it.

My sister did!

He was so upset and fighting back tears.

The tears won and Mikey let it all out.

Right there at the school.

He sobbed until sobbing turned to a mini breakdown.

That led to hyperventilating and Mr C asking (in a very impatient boys don't cry over losing a carnival basket kind of way)

"Dude, why are you crying over this?"

It wasn't said out of concern or empathy...but because Mr C is a die-hard fan of being tough (or tuff...if you will).

Mr C doesn't think that boys should cry...about anything.

(His biggest flaw in my book)

Mr C just couldn't understand why Mikey was so upset about this.

As a mom...I get it.

I can understand that Mikey has had a hard 2 weeks that have included his dad moving out of state for work.

He was heart-broken at this news.

He has been emailing his dad almost every day and calling him at night to say that he misses him.

His emotions (which he has been programmed to keep inside because he is a boy) are pretty raw right now.

Not winning the basket was just the last straw.

He let it all out last night.

I have never felt so sad for this boy.

So...when I make it priority to keep my boys soft...

It is so that when they are men...they are sensitive and loving and not afraid to feel what's inside.

I hope that their future wives appreciate this someday and I will not hesitate to step up and take credit for emotionally in tune men.

Really...what's the point of keeping it all bottled up.