Things Not to Say to a M.O.M.

M.O.M. is an insider's term for "Mom of Many."  Just how many is many?  Well, I guess that's subjective.  With nine children, and eight living at home, I think we qualify.  We're well over the national average of 1.25.

M.O.M.'s are just like other moms.  We do the same activities, just super-sized.  We cook a lot, clean a lot, wash a lot and fold a lot.  We drive a lot, pick up a lot, and sleep a little.

So here's The List of Things Never to Say to a M.O.M. 

1.  "Are they all yours?"  I really want to answer, "Who?"  I think that would be rioutous.

2.  "Do you now how that happens?"  Of course we know and must be pretty good at it.  We keep doing the same thing over and over again with the same results.  I'm thinking about answering, "No, would you explain it to me?" 

3.  "Better you than me."  That is just offensive.  Please don't say things like that in front of children.  It hurts their feelings.

4.  "You've got your hands full."  Believe me, I know exactly how full my hands are.  I don't really need a  sweet blue-haired lady at Sam's to remind me.  I'm thinking about asking the next one if she's available to help me load the car. 

5.  "You're brave!"  Firefighters are brave.  Soldiers are brave.  Policemen are brave.  Are we really that afraid of children? 

Try these comments instead. 

1."What a beautiful family."  That's so encouraging!

2.  "You've got so many helpers."  What a great comment to make children feel worthwhile.

3.  "You are so blessed."  Remember children are blessings.  Life is about relationships, and there is nothing more precious that a parent-child bond.

4.  "You must have so much fun."  This is actually my FAVORITE comment.  Childhood is FUN!  It only lasts a few years, then onto maturity.

5.  And how about, "You're children are so wonderful!"  They are, you know. 

So in the spirit of today's blog, I would like to remind you that all people started out as children, including you.  Take a moment to reflect and maybe you can remember a bit of that.  Be nice to kids.  You used to be one.