fantasy vs. reality

So sometimes we’re not perfect.

Ok, most times.

And being a mother challenges our belief of who we are all the time!

My children have the ability to bring me joy I have never known

And also anger I never thought I’d have. Hahaha!

It’s fun to pretend how we would’ve acted or behaved in a situation with our kiddos

But even funner-er to realize we’re only human and that means not being perfect.

here's the set up to my scene the other day: 

I was putting laundry into the dryer when I heard Belle start crying downstairs. Here is my rendition of what happened next,

in fantasy AND realilty…

fantasy: I glided down the stairs in my vintage dress, cuz i wear dresses even whilst doing the laundry...my tippy-toes barely brushing the steps, my hair flowing perfectly behind me as I made my way over to the sad crying child on the floor

reality:  I half-stomped, half-ran down the stairs with no bra on in my pj's and my greasy hair in a messy bun

fantasy:   I scoop up Belle in my arms and say in a sing-songy voice “oh my sweet 3yr old Belle, what has happened to you dear child?”

reality: I stand there with arms crossed,  eyeing the big girls for a traces of guilt on their faces and ask, “why are you crying belle?”

fantasy: Belle tells me what happened, that Lily has pushed her stomach so I ask Lily nicely, “why did you lay your hands on your sibling? How are you feeling after seeing how much she is hurting? Are you both ok??” Let’s all hug.

reality: Belle cries, “La-lee (Lily) pushed my stomach” as she continues to roll back and forth in the fetal position.  So I whip my head around with angry eyes and say, “Lily, why did you push your sister???”  she replies, “I DIDN’T!!”

then I say, “Ya RIGHT!” (cuz apparently i go immature and lose vocabulary with my comebacks when angry)  to which she says, “I mean, I didn’t know she would fall on the ground”  to which I say, “GET ON THE WALL” (timeout)

fantasy: I quietly whisper that although we’ve hugged, Lily still needs a consequence for accidentally hurting her sister, so please go in timeout, but just for a little bit, cuz I love you and want you to keep playing with your sisters as soon as possible.

reality:  I hug Belle, wipe her tears and place her on the couch as Lily starts crying and plops down on the floor in the corner.  “NOBODY ever believes MEEEEEEEEEE” she is wailing in the most dramatic voice ever. I can’t think of anything amazing to say so I say, “ya well, OH WELL” and head back upstairs as she starts bawling more, cuz obviously her life is so hard and frustrating. Psshhh.  And thennnnn 25min later I hear her voice call to me upstairs, “Mommy, can I get up now?”  OOPS I forgot she was in timeout. Awesome.