How to Talk to Moms

This is the book lj. picked out at the bookstore the other day. We were on a hunt to find a poetry book for his homework (more on that later...) and he found this and really, really wanted to get it. It's chock-full of all kinds of good wisdom written from the perspective of a 10 yr old boy (by a 10 y/o boy). It begins with this preface:

Sometimes your mom seems like the most wonderful woman in the world. But sometimes you think she is mean and wants to ruin your life. Really, it is both.

In a very serious, concerned way lj. asked me, "mom, when you were a kid did you think your mom was both trying to ruin your life and also the best mom in the world?" Uhhh...yep. At times.

Some more of my favorites:

Some moms are easygoing. Some moms freak out a lot. If helps if you understand what your mom likes and doesn't like. If you understand your mom, you won't get in trouble as much.

Kids try and say no to Mom all the time. You might try to protest or make up an excuse. But beware of the backfire! The backfire is when your plan goes very wrong.

(The backfire happens about 45% of the time with Dad, and maybe 1 percent of the time with Grandma...everybody knows that grandmas spoil you.)

And best to remember my favorite:

Moms take care of you and feed you, give you advice, help you with your homework, and help you sort out problems. Plus they love you no matter what.

Lj. and I have been going through some rocky spots. I have been having a very hard time understanding him and he has been having a very hard time complying. Thanks to a little perspective-getting (on my part)...I am hoping to keep my eye on the prize. The big picture, so to speak. This little dude is an amazing gift. An amazingly perceptive soul in a 7 year old body. It is hard to remember at times that he is just seven....not thirty-seven. I am doing my best....but at times, that best just isn't very good.

Last night, we curled up in bed and went through his baby book. I read these entries aloud to him and realized again just how much love a mommy heart can hold.

(from his 1st birthday entry: Looking back on baby's first year...)

"wow!" Can it be a whole year passed?! It has been a blink and so much has changed. I am amazed everyday at the new concepts and things j. puts together. Everyday my heart grows bigger and more in love! I never knew how much you could possibly love your child."

I read this to him and he gave me the biggest bear hug and an "I love you mom" to make any mom's heart melt to mush.

And some insight into lj's perspective about growing up from his baby book:

He asked his doctor for a "second opinion" and said "getting big is a process..." at 3. And at 4, he said, "You know why we don't have a baby brother? We aren't ready for one yet. I prayed to God and sometimes He says no to things we aren't ready for."

So much going on in that little head. And so much love to give. I hope I can handle it all.