I have become my Mother!

****disclaimer: my Mother is wonderful and this post in no way implies otherwise, it is merely meant to illustrate how life works and is not intended to slander my Mom.****

The other day we were driving to Target to pick up a few things. Jacob began his usual unending list of questions, half of which even God would have trouble answering.

One of his questions was: “can we look at the toys?”

I told him: “no, we’re going to be quick and just get what we need.”

Now, I realize he’s 4 and that the last time we went to Target he got to spend his coloring contest money so now his view of Target is skewed…he thinks he “gets stuff” at Target.

He responded: “but I want to get a toy.”

I told him: “No, we don’t get toys every time we go to the store.”

“Why,” he asked? (duh, knew that one was coming)

“Because we don’t,” I answered.

“But why,” he whined? (I walked right into that one)

“Because I said so,” I said. Just as the “o” in ‘so’ slipped out I knew something was amiss…some sort of cosmic event had begun. I could feel it.

“Why not,” he demanded? (jeez….)

“Because money doesn’t grow on trees,” I responded. Just then I swear that time stood still and I had flashbacks to every time in my childhood that my Mom said the exact same things to me.

I’m sure everyone has memories of these types of things. Responses from parents that just didn’t satisfy and as much as you tried to get a more concrete answer, there just never was much beyond “because I said so.” I know it drove me nuts and although I never consciously though that I’d never say that to my kids, I thought I never would. What I never realized was how Moms really have no choice but to say things like that. If we attempted to give a concrete answer to every comment or complaint uttered by our children we would either be committed to an insane asylum or be standing in the same spot for about 600 years.

Still….I bugs me that I said those things and likely the reason is not as much because I am unhappy at “turning into my Mother” but that it is proof that I am getting older and have to face the responsibilities that come with it. I do have one thing to look forward to, however. It has always bugged me that when it came to advice or suggestions about life (things big and small) my Mom has always been right. She’s got like a 100% track record. I simply can’t wait for my kids to have that realization about me. I really like being right! :)

Tweet