Meanie Mom

Best I could do for a picture; thank you, Wix.com

"Mom, you never let us have any fun!"

"If it wasn't for Dad, we'd never have fun!"

"Mom, you always say no!"

"Why won't you ever let us do anything?"

"You're not as cool as the other moms!"

"We're the only ones who don't have _______!"

Hello. My name is Mom. I'm a meanie.

Apparently, my children have no fun and never get to do anything.

Their complaints shot into me yet again as I declined a request from my children for something I think they're just not ready to have.

They are the only kids in school without this item, and everybody laughs at them for being without--at least, that's the story I hear from them.

I've had to grow a thick skin right alongside the nurturing part of motherhood. I love to snuggle with my kids. They're super sweet so many times.

Then, no matter what forces are arrayed against me, I have to be a meanie sometimes and say no to something they want.

I care more about their character development than their status at school among their classmates. If they're treating others with kindness and consideration, not bullying, giving their best in all they do, I'd say that's a win.

They don't have to have the latest fancy fashions with just the right logo or the most expensive gadgets to count in real life.

I really want to teach them, far earlier than I learned it, not to be so concerned with what others think.

So, while I have a teddy bear side for my kids when they need it, I'm also an impenetrable dragon when they need some toughness.

It hurts all the same, though.

Someday, they'll get it.

In the meantime, it's about time I thank my own parents again for having a thick skin through all my bad attitude when I was a kid.