Tuesday, August 21

Are you a Mean Mom?

Dawn at Treasure Oiler Designz posted this on her site today, and I asked her if she would mind if I posted it too. I saw this years ago, and have loved it ever since. I thought you all might enjoy it too.

Mean Moms

Someday when my children are old enough to
understand the logic that motivates a parent, I will
tell them, as my Mean Mom told me: I loved you
enough . . . to ask where you were going, with whom,
and what time you would be home.
I loved you enough to be silent and let you
discover that your new best friend was a creep.
I loved you enough to stand over you for two hours
while you cleaned your room, a job that should have taken 15 minutes.
I loved you enough to let you see anger,
disappointment, and tears in my eyes. Children must
learn that their parents aren't perfect.
I loved you enough to let you assume the
responsibility for your actions even when the
penalties were so harsh they almost broke my heart.
But most of all, I loved you enough . . to say
NO when I knew you would hate me for it.
Those were the most difficult battles of all. I'm
glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.
And someday when your children are old enough to
understand the logic that motivates parents, you will tell them.
Was your Mom mean? I know mine was. We had the
meanest mother in the whole world! While other kids
ate candy for breakfast, we had to have cereal, eggs, and toast.
When others had a Pepsi and a Twinkie for lunch, we had to eat sandwiches.And you can guess our mother fixed us a dinner that was
different from what other kids had, too.
Mother insisted on knowing where we were at all
times. You'd think we were convicts in a prison. She
had to know who our friends were, and what we were
doing with them. She insisted that if we said we
would be gone for an hour, we would be gone for an hour or less.
We were ashamed to admit it, but she had the nerve
to break the Child Labor Laws by making us work We
had to wash the dishes, make the beds, learn to
cook, vacuum the floor, do laundry, empty the trash
and all sorts of cruel jobs. I think she would lie
awake at night thinking of more things for us to do.
She always insisted on us telling the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth. By the time
we were teenagers, she could read our minds and had
eyes in the back of her head. Then, life was really tough!
Mother wouldn't let our friends just honk the horn
when they drove up. They had to come up to the door
so she could meet them. While everyone else could
date when they were 12 or 13, we had to wait until we were 16.
Because of our mother we missed out on lots of things other kids experienced. None of us have ever been caught shoplifting, vandalizing other's
property or ever arrested for any crime. It was all her fault.
Now that we have left home, we are all educated,
honest adults. We are doing our best to be mean
parents just like Mom was.
I think that is what's wrong with the world today.
It just doesn't have enough mean moms!
-Author Unknown

11 Comments:

Risa said...

This is beautiful Corie!

Anonymous said...

This is really wonderful. I think I will have to save it, print it, and give it to my newly engaged daughter...and maybe my high school soon! Thank you!

Heather P. said...

I hope that I too will be a mean mom! :)

Love your new header pic! :)

Nancy Riley said...

Corie, I've seen this before (years ago), and know I've shared it with my kids too. Thanks for reminding me of it again! I just e-mailed it to my teenage daughter with a big "I Love You"! Thanks!

Little C's Creations said...

i'm totally a mean mom..... Chazz is already cooking, cleaning, doing his laundry and his homework - and he's only 11. hhahaa... my mom was mean too.... at one time in my life, I was NOT happy with her - but now - I'm so glad that she's made the woman I am today!!! thanks mom!!!

hugs,
Jen

jodene said...

Way to true. Thanks for sharing this.

kathleenh said...

Thanks for posting this Corie. I needed to hear this. I have been waging a royal battle with my kids over healthy eating. It looks like I am on the right track. ;)

Dawn Easton said...

I really love this! So glad you posted it too!!

Tina said...

I am totally loving this and am forwarding a friend here to read it. Her daughter is struggling with this very thing at this very moment.
Tina

Shannon McGann said...

I've seen this before too, and I love it. It's so appropriate, especially in this day of "do whatever makes you feel good". Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one who puts limits on my kids, so it's always nice to know there are other "mean moms" out there!

Heidi Blankenship said...

Thanks so much for posting this!! I am a "mean mom" too!! I agree with what Shannon said about feeling like you are the only one who puts limits on your kids and yes it is so very nice to know we (mean moms) are not alone! I will have to pass this one along for sure!!