Thursday, January 28, 2010

...thinking TOO hard...about too much...

I've been thinking lately.
...and a LOT more than I do normally, I mean:)
---
I have this tendency.
Over dramatize, over analyze, over emotionalize...you get the idea.
I'm not a TOTAL wreck...just partly (he he) and especially when it comes to ANYTHING about children or motherhood.
Out he came...and instantly I was a vulnerable, hysterical mess.
How is that fair?????
---
I have repeatedly (throughout this week) been HIT with thoughts about what
"raising a SON really means". To me.
I have reached this conclusion:
I am overwhelmed.
(and happen to love it more than life at the very same moment)
---
At the most random of moments...I'll think
"This is a little bit trickier than one might think!"
Like today when I was teaching him too pee standing up. He has been potty trained for a year now...a pro in the department you might say...but then again, he's been peeing like his mother. Like the woman who is raising him...the one who shows him how things are done.
This particular task is best accomplished...Sitting down:)
---
I immediately thought as I glanced over at his little cheeks, on his tip-toes...with his jeans around his ankles:
I.am.a.woman--- raising.a.boy.
(this is where the thinking too hard comes in)
Me: Stand there for a minute. (clueless to how and if they wipe...or what happens next, etc.)
Jax: Why?
Me: umm...so you don't get any on the tile.
Jax: What? Pee?
30 seconds go by
Jax: He's all done drippin Mom!
---
See...OVERWHELMED I tell ya.
What do you say to that????
I'll be fixing him lunch and look over at him...and tear up. He's going to be a man. I have to make him that way. Sure Jarom helps...but only for approx. 1.5 hours a day, the rest is up to me. ME.
Am I giving him enough experiences...exposing him to enough...teaching him enough?
Am I teaching him HOW to be like his DAD...or teaching him to properly spritz and then mop the woodfloor?
Does he like to get messy...or does he freak out when food touches any part of his face other than his mouth?
Not that these things aren't useful.
Heck...who wouldn't appreciate a man who takes an occasional turn mopping and actually does it properly. Or a man who preferred eating like a human opposed to a starving animal?
---
... I guess I'm more referring to the BIG things...
* Gaining a testimony
*wanting to serve a mission
*respect for women
*a listening ear
*sesitive
*a love for children
*provider for family
I have so much responsibility.
So much work cut out for me.
...am I capable?
...am I measuring up?
I have so much potential bundled into my little stinkbug...and I've just been thinking...TOO...HARD...this week about doing my best.
---
I hear about too many MEN these days...caught up in stupid things. My husband happens to divorce half of them and take away their children for a living. Good...once upon a time...LDS men who aren't AND weren't ever strong enough. Sure enough of what's truly important.
---
Will I provide a strength...a root deep enough in what's important? Am I building that foundation right now?
I just finished reading "Nineteen Minutes" by Jodi Picoult.
A wonderful, devoted, perfect mother...has a son who is lost. Who is confused, depressed, suicidal and picked on. It vividly describes HIS view of his relationship with his mother...and also vividly describes HER view of her relationship with her son.
Is it possible to be that far off?
Is it possible to think you are involved...think you know everything...assume you are asking the right questions, and not have a clue?
---
How do you achieve the perfect balance of teaching them sensitivity and the ability to express feelings and emotions...while teaching them to be a Boy--who will so quickly grow into a man?
---
All things I've been praying about, things I've been pondering and keeping close to my heart this week.
A few nights ago I rolled over in the dark and whispered to Jarom...
"When he gets older...how will I show him I love him?"
(I S-M-O-T-H-E-R him in kisses right now. I tackle him and tickle him and kiss every last inch of his belly and face and fat fat fat thighs. It's easy. It comes natural. He's my baby.)
What happens when he's 8 and just dies at the thought of holding my hand. What happens when he's 10 and doesn't appreciate me picking him up, swinging him in cirlces and dancing with him like a crazy person around the dining table to "Girls Just Want to have Fun" when it comes on the radio?
I can honestly say that I dread him growing up. It makes my stomach hurt...it makes me cry...and it makes me mad. I think about how much MORE he needed me last Valentine's Day than he does this one...and I recognize how much time is gone. How much time I'm never going to get back. Which is precisly why I am so grateful to spend every waking minute with him. I LOVE spending my days with him. We are best friends. I wish all friendships could love so unconditionally. The most perfect part is our feelings are mutual:):)
---
A Daugher...or girl...is easy. They will always be your best friend. They will stay up late... painting nails, cuddling, laughing...eating!
A SON...now that's work. How do I keep this special relationship that we have...to last....long past toddlerhood (is that even a word...probably not) and into forever.
---
Raising a Son...A priesthood holder...A provider... is not going to be easy.
I am honored with the responsiblity to raise him...and to be his mother.
I am overwhelmed and certain I can't do it alone.
---
I am sure grateful to know that I can plead for help and direction as many times a day as I need.
...and I do...
***
I also plan on smothering him with kisses until LONG after it is considered socially acceptable to do so. Just because. He's mine...and I can if I want.
Jax...you have my heart little man.
MOM

11 comments:

Brittany said...

Not sure if it's pregnancy hormones or the fact that I can see myself feeling the same way you do right now in a couple years but I'm sitting here eating my cearel and crying. All I've ever wanted to be is a mother and because of my personality I'm going to want to be perfect at it though I know that's impossible. I think that's why it's so important that we ask for Heavenly Father's help in raising our children. You are a great mom Krisin and I have all the confidence in you that you are doing a wonderful job raising Jaxson and he'll be a great MAN one day. Love ya!

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say.... having a girl is NOT easy! But go ahead and think that if it makes you feel better... ;)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Kristin Bishop said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Kristin Bishop said...

Anonymous-
You must have taken me wrong. I'm sorry. I did re-read my thoughts and that is not what I said. I DID however mean to imply this: A daughter is yours forever. A close friend of mine, who has 3 daughters, talks often of how they will her best friends forever! A SON...well it's only natural that they grow and you (his mother) are no longer the main woman in his life! They must move on...to a future wife and family. I can't wait to have a daughter and the list of things I'll need to teach her is just as long and are just as important. BUT I'm sure you already new that:) Thanks for the not-so-nice comment on my heartfelt feelings though.

kristin

The Wells Family said...

loved this post! you put into words exactly how all us mom's feel about any children we have...especially ones (like me!) with boys.

and please don't apologize for someones random comment. you are a mother of a BOY...and that is what you know and think about it. :)

Jamie said...

My goodness, what a writer you are. Can I just say I wonder those things every.single.day. You just know how to put it into words beautifully like I don't;) I think you are doing a pretty amazing job at the mothering (an adorable little boy) thing. It's not hard to tell:)

Anonymous said...

How rude was that annonymous comment? I sneak over to your blog from a friend's, so I don't know you, but I adore your blog. You're terrific. Keep it up :)

Anonymous said...

I truly apologize, I did not mean my comment to be malicious in any way. It just made me giggle that you said "A daughter.... or girl... is easy" My first thought was "Daughters are not easy, they either hate you or love you, there really is no in between." and I wrote that without thinking much about it. I am sorry, I really like your blog, and you are a great writer, but I'll keep quiet :)

The Christensens said...

Oh you couldn't have put it any better, I dread my kids growing up and cry about it almost once a week, I Never want them to not need me, and its happening right before my eyes, it also make me sick to my stomach to think of them getting big and I so so so wish i could do something about it... girls definatly are not easier, but they definatly want to be your best friend, and want to be just like you,( which not sure if that is easier or harder, its definatly alot of preasure) I love how you are so good about putting things into words, I feel that way everyday but would never be able to put it into words like that.... you are such a cute fun mom I love all the cute little ideas you come up with, you are so creative!!! Jaxson is one lucky little boy to have such a fun cute mom :)

Cory and Lindsey said...

Kristin
I love your blog. I read your posts and I'm either laughing or Crying. Its funny how motherhood brings us so many emotions. As soon as that baby come out. We are forever a train reck. Reading this post reminds me of two talks from GC. The first one is from Pres. Monson about Enjoying the Journey. The other one on my blog. It talks about as mothers all you can do is your best. And then God will do the rest. You are an amazing mother. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Linds