Ah, parenthood: the best and hardest job there is. Let’s face it, if any other job came with a list of responsibilities including ‘wiping smelly bottoms’, ‘being woken repeatedly in the night until the notion of ‘eight solid hours of sleep’ becomes the stuff of fairytales’ and ‘having people sneeze directly in your face then smear the snot over your only clean jumper’ we’d run a mile.
Yet we cheerily sign ourselves up to it, congratulate others who take on the same job and then – most shocking of all – actually enjoy it. Ok not all the time and certainly not ALL aspects of it, but even so…
I think one of the main things I’ve learned since becoming a parent is to expect the unexpected. Children are so creative, and I never really know what mine are going to come up with next. I’m often surprised by the things they say and the ideas they have, and I’ve found myself experiencing all sorts of things that pre-motherhood, I would never have expected. This past month has brought the following ‘gems':
- Being awoken from my slumbers when a strawberry-scented fluffy dog was stuffed in my face. Said dog was holding a flashing light sabre, dressed in a hoody and belting out “You Don’t Know You’re Beautiful’ by One Direction. (Thank you ‘build-a-bear workshop’!)
- Asking my sons: “So, what did you do at school today boys?” to be met by the answer: “Mostly just farted.”
star chart designed by the 6yo and 4yo for the 10mo!
- Having to wait my turn to use the bathroom because the toilet was currently in use by an imaginary grasshopper.
- Discovering a star chart designed by my sons for their baby brother. He is so far doing quite well with “eat all food” and “do not jump in your high chair” but progress with “croll (crawl) soon” is very slow!
- Finding my way down the stairs blocked by an array of handmade greetings cards on every step, all covered in pictures and proclamations of ‘Happy Birthday’. You might assume that this occurred on my birthday and be thinking ‘Oh how lovely!’ Nope. In fact, this happened one Saturday when my sons ran out of soft toys to throw imaginary parties for and instead were ‘celebrating the stairs’.
- Being required to have a religious debate at 7am. Pre morning cuppa. With a six year old. “Do people think that God made trees because people didn’t?” “Yes… I mean, er, no… hang on.. what was the question again?”
Yes, being a mum is a funny thing. Some days it makes my brain hurt. Some days it makes me cry. Often it makes me exhausted and even more often it makes me laugh, but underneath whatever else is going on, it’s always worth it. Parenthood: the best, hardest and most rewarding job there is.
I’m linking this up with Wot so Funee over at Actually Mummy and #PoCoLo over at Verily Victoria Vocalises
Is it wrong that I am thinking I need to go to build a bear?
Kids love it but, be warned, you could spend an absolute fortune on unnecessary bear accessories!
This has made me really chuckle. Loving toilet humour, loved the response to the school trip. Fab post #funee
Thanks! I’m almost tempted to use the response ‘most just farted’ sometimes myself – he really made me laugh!
they are so funny – especially loved the farting at school one, and celebrating the stairs, oh and the croll one. in fact they’re all hilarious. xxx
Thank you!
Ahh I love this post. Your boys sound lovely – so glad to know the baby is doing well with the star chart, is everyone else managing to achieve the same?
Thanks for joining in.
Actually, the ‘build-a-bears’ that woke me up were a reward for completed star charts (plus having christmas money to spend) for the big boys. Thanks for commenting.
Nothing wrong with farting at school, I say
#Funee
I agree… although not so much fun for the teacher!
Ha ha this is very funny! I am loving that star chart – so cute
Not come across your blog before, will be following 
#POCOLO
Thanks Suzanne! Re: the start chart, the baby has started to ‘bum-shuffle’ which is gaining him stars in the ‘croll soon’ section!
Love it, especially liking the birthday celebration for the stairs. Very ingenious! It’s a great job isn’t it parenting, covers pretty much every emotion and situation you can possibly imagine and even some you can’t?!
Thanks Iona. Yes I agree!
hahaha!! So funny!! #PoCoLo
This is hilarious! I love it – I am sitting here with my family and reading the PoCoLo and cracking up laughing, they are now wondering why! Thank you for linking to PoCoLo x
Thanks Victoria, I’m always impressed that you manage to get round everyone’s posts!
I do my best!
x