Mom/Mum Award from Hijabi Apprentice

I did a double-take when I saw this, but it really did make me smile, mostly because I just love talking about being a mum and about my kids even if it bores the heck out of everyone.


Here are the rules of this tag:

1. Admit one thing you feel awful about (involving being a mom). Once you have written it down, you are no longer allowed to feel bad. Remember you are a good mom!

2. Remind yourself that you ARE a good mom, list 7 things you love about your kids, you love doing with your kids, or that your kids love about you.

3. Send this to 5 other moms of the year that deserve a reminder that they too are the best moms that they can be. Remember to send them a note letting them know you have selected them, and also add a link to your post that directs people back to the person who nominated you!
So:

It has to be the yelling. When I was a kid I used to watch Michael Crawford play Frank Spencer in the hilarious Some Mothers Do Have ‘Em. He was always very weedy until I saw him years later. In an interview he said he could never play the role of Frank again because his opera singing had made him so barrel-chested. I think I am going the same way. I never knew I could shout so loud until the kids got old enough to fight like football hooligans. I am sure my lungs must have expanded, I shout so loud I can make my own ears ring. I often wonder if it’s something I am doing wrong that makes them fight this way, but then I can hear the neighbours on both sides shouting at their kids and I am reassured that it’s the same old story all over.

1. I love Little Lady’s confidence, if she doesn’t like something she will say, if someone is bothering her she will let them know. She knows what she wants: everything pink shiny and uber-girly. She really is my dream come true.
2. I love Little Man’s enthusiasm for life. He loves school (and seems to be smitten by one of the little girls in his class). He’s not shy at all and has made friends with everyone in his class, the teachers and the librarian. Oh, until I hug and kiss him and he comes over all embarrassed. I also love that he always tells me I look nice even when I don’t
3. I love Gorgeous’ cheekiness. I can tell him off as much as I want, he will just grin at me as if there is nothing wrong. When I put him back in bed for the 12th time he will get out again and run away giggling loudly. I wish everyone could be that happy mash’Allah.
4. I love the peace I get from holding, hugging, kissing and listening to my children. I can feel such moments washing away all the stress, anxiousness and small irritations of life.
5. I love watching old movies with the kids (Errol Flynn’s Robin Hood, Christopher Reeves’ Superman and The Princess Bride). We wait till their Dad’s out, then find a pile of food and gather round the computer. The best bit is when the children start keeling over with sleep one by one.
6. I love taking the kids to the countryside to the farms, for fruit-picking and to the markets. The fresh air and running around makes them eat better and sleep better and it nourishes my soul knowing they are breathing good clean air and that I don’t have to stress that they will bump into someone, knock something of a shelf or get lost – there is just space everywhere.
7. I love the unconditional love I get from my children regardless of whether I deserve it or not. There is no judgement about whether I am a good mother or not, whether I was being fair or gentle enough. It is just natural, assumed and total.

In turn I tag:
Umm Nassim
Umm Nour – Hollie Moore
Sister Rainbow
A Learning Muslimah
Umm Hibaat