"The first time I lied to my baby, I told him that it was his face on the baby food jar. The second time I lied to my baby, I told him that he was the best baby in the world, that I hoped he’d never leave me. Of course I want him to leave me someday. I don’t want him to become one of those fat shadows who live in their mothers’s houses watching game shows all day. The third time I lied to my baby I said, "Isn’t she nice?" of the woman who’d caressed him in his carriage. She was old and ugly and had a disease. The fourth time I lied to my baby, I told him the truth, I thought. I told him how he’d have to leave me someday or risk becoming a man in a bow tie who eats macaroni on Fridays. I told him it was for the best, but then I thought, I want him to live with me forever. Someday he’ll leave me: then what will I do?"
Maxine Chernoff.
When my daughter was growing up, I am ashamed to say, I was so caught up in working 60-70+ hour weeks that I didn’t think about it…
But now, as my son is growing up and I am a SAHM home schooling him, I think about how much of my life is centered around him, and what a big hole it will leave when he does grow up and move away…
I wonder what will fill that hole…
My 11 year old (only) daughter wasn't ever planning on leaving her Mummy and Daddy, but last year she said she'd consider her own place, and asking daddy to buy a house with a house next door for her, attached, and could we fit a giant cat flap for her to pop in and out at will?! How funny!
Of course soppy Daddy said yes…..
Are all those lies?? I’ve told all my babies they were the best in the world. Of course to my third I say she is the sweetest little *7yo* girl, because, she can’t be better than (or worse than, for that matter) her bigger sisters. Okay, I’ve known little ones who were maybe sweeter, but they weren’t to me. And, any old ugly diseased lady IS nice when she is smiling because of my child. We can’t all be young and pretty and well.
How do you find all those fun quotes, Alison? I have more fun reading what you write or what you find to share with the rest of us. Thanks!
~from one of your many unseen friends in America~
You break my heart. . .all moms have the same dna! What do we say to these perfect little people??? It’s never perfect and it never will be. We just have to love them and accept their adoration. No guilt. Just make the most of every moment and when the doorbell rings in 20 years you will smile and be glad you baked that cake!
P.S. You find the most amazing vintage photos~~I would like to share them with a link to your blog if that is ok?
Michelle