Realizations and Reasons

So I have come to realize lately that there are certain realizations that I have in my daily life as a mom that I never even begun to grasp as a single woman. Additionally there are realizations as a second time mom in my thirties rather than twenties that I have had. So having had these epiphanies as they were I thought I might share one or two each week or so with you all....maybe you can relate or maybe it will help you with dealing with your realities. But with each realization I also will add a reason, not for the realization but for why being a mom is the best job I could've ever been hired for.

Realization #1

No matter how much bug spray you put on your kids the mosquitos will always get them in the one place you couldn't spray and you will always feel guilty about it so just accept the guilt and try to ease the itching as much as possible. And remember Meloderma.

Realization #2

No matter how much you warn your 11 year that their gonna get burned if they don't put on more sunscreen it will always take that first horrible sunburn ( that scarred her gorgeous shoulders) before she decides that she needs SPF 75 on before she goes out and exposes her lily white skin.

Reason #1

You will never hear "I love you" sound better than when your 2 year old says it clearly for the first time and smiles her beautiful crooked smile at you. That memory will get you through more frustration and teen age bull headedness than you ever thought possible.

Julie

Step Parent

Jeremy and I got into our upteenth millionth fight about Mikaela the other night and it got me wandering what the whole step parent side was like.

I don't think that it has ever dawned on me how difficult it must be to be a "step-parent." I mean just the name makes it sound difficult. "Step." I don't have any idea what it would be like to have to justify or think through each and every parenting decision just there is no question as to your intentions. It is often so trying for Jeremy to balance his time with Hannah ( his beautiful baby) and Mikaela, my amazing daughter. Jeremy more so than me has to be sure to balance his time with the two girls just so it is obvious to Mikaela and me that his love is equal for our girls.

The life of a step parent must be a constant high wire routine. Walking the fine line between parent and step-parent. If Jeremy over disciplines Mikaela it can be construed as cold and unfeeling because she is not "his." Whereas if he doesn't step into discipline she will feel she can walk all over him because " well he's not my real dad so what can he do." It must be extremely difficult for Jeremy considering Mikaela isn't the easiest child to get along with or understand at times.

I think about when we first met and I told him that I had an 8 year old. He did what I thought he would and he said ok no problem, if he only knew what that really entailed. Within the first few months he was helping me get ready for dance recitals and birthdays and school plays.....not exactly what a bachelor has in mind for weekend activities. But he stuck with it. He poured love upon her and it just made me love him that much more.

Although, Jeremy fell in love with me he always understood and welcomed the fact that I was a prepackaged deal with Mikaela. I know that he loves her with all his heart and if Mikaela had been the only child we had he would have been thrilled. Over the past four years I've watched them grow closer. Each day I see their love, respect, and understanding blossom between with. Having a loving wonderful husband has meant so much to me but having a loving wonderful father to my little girl has meant the world and more to me!!