You're Not a Bad Mom

"What happens when you take a pin to a balloon?"

"Ummm...it pops?"

"Yup! Which is what happens to me when you disobey me. Consider yourself informed."

Ladies, if you have ever wanted to run away, you are not a bad Mom.

If you lose your temper from time to time, you are not a bad Mom.

If you have ever secretly flashed the Blessed Mother a dirty look because her son was sinless, you are not a bad Mom.

My children are the light of my life. I have four here on earth and three in heaven, and there is not one thing I regret about bringing these cherubs into the world. They are good children. They do well in school. They are, for the most part, kind and honest. But, they're kids. They test, push back, ignore me, and leave trails of everything around the house. And when they don't obey, the very worst comes out in me, and things do not go well for them (as the scripture says).

Just last week, after being lied to, blown off, and talked back to one too many times, I sat my two oldest boys down on my bed and read them the riot act. "I carried you in my womb for nine months. I gave birth to you, (which was one of the happiest moments of my life, by the way). Countless times, in the middle of the night, I tended to you when you were sick. I fed, clothed, and took care of you since the day you were born. I know your favorite color, what kind of jelly you prefer, and when you are sad. I am the last person in the world you should be disrespecting right now." Sullen faces. Tweaked consciences.

I have had many bad parenting moments. I wish I could be more like June Cleaver, but that stuff's not real.

I'm tired. And you probably are too. We get frustrated with our kids because we love them so much, and because we hold them to high standards.

Keep on loving them with abandon. They will inevitably torque you up. Deep breaths. Pray. And remember, there's nothing wrong with saying, "I'm sorry."