Compliment

I took the kids to IHOP this evening for dinner. I do that a couple of times a month to get them adjusted to eating in restaurants. Overall, they did well. Tyler became a little impatient while waiting for his "Chicken Fries" (chicken strips and french fries).

There was an older couple sitting across the way from us. I marvel at couples who have been married for years. I watched the husband has he still looked adoringly at his wife. When their meals were complete, the woman walked up to me and said, "I just want you to know that you have well-behaved children. You deal with them very well." She then turned to the children and said, "You have a wonderful mom." Both kids said, "Thank you."

I nearly cried because I felt they were a bit disruptive. Tyler had a bit of a "moment" but he corrected himself fairly quickly. A couple of times they were loud and had to be reminded to use indoor voices. It is hard to not think of myself as a bad mother. I get so irritated at times when I just want silence. Instead of silence I hear, "Ma, may I have this. Ma, Tyler hit me. Ma, Sissy took my toy." Besides, no one tells me I am good mom so sometimes I feel like I am not. However, a friend told me, "If you think you are a bad mom, then you are a fabulous mom. Bad moms do not care and do not think they are bad moms."

That was a very truthful statement that has stuck with me. Bad moms do not buy Christmas toys beginning in September. Bad mothers do not forgo their own needs to ensure their children have Hananah Montana and Spiderman bed sheets. Bad mothers do not work 3 jobs to support their children. Bad mothers do not pursue a higher level of education to make a better life for their children.

I am a pretty good mom!