Being a single parent is hard. It can be physically, mentally and emotionally exhausting. But honestly anytime of parenting can be that way. But one of the hardest parts of doing life five days a week alone is knowing that the kids are missing out. I'm not a perfect parent. (If you don't believe me check out my post about how unperfect I am here.) But even on my best day as a mom, I'm still JUST the mom.
Now don't get me wrong, moms are amazing. We are so many things to our kids that no one else will ever be...healer...comforter...cheerleader...maid... But there is one thing we will NEVER be able to be and that's a Dad. As a completely devoted sports mom, sometimes its hard to digest that my young athletes tend to value the input of their father over mine in this arena dispite the fact that I am the one who gets them to practice day after day, makes sure their uniform is clean and that they have the equipment that they need. But the reality is, no matter how many games I am at, I can tell instantly when my son is scanning the crowd to see if DAD is there and watching.
So last night after Timmy's first ever chance getting to play quarter back in a scrimmage game was slightly less than successful, I knew that my pep talk simply wasn't going to cut it. So when I got a text from his dad indicating he was probably taking a dinner break, I asked him to call. I answered and explained how Timmy had asked if I'd sent a text to let him know "how horrible" he'd done at QB. And he asked to talk to him. I switch my phone (my Samsung Galaxy S III) to speaker and handed it to Timmy. Although he wandered into his room to talk to his dad, I was still able to listen to their whole conversation while I made a late dinner. I loved listening to them talk about how the sack wasn't his fault because the offensive line hadn't given him any coverage. And talking through what happened with an interception. I do wish he could have really HEARD the same message when I'd had almost the same conversation with him in the car on the way home. But, I get it, it's a dad thing! And I'm just glad that even though they can't see him during the week, that there are other ways for them to get what they need from him.
Now don't get me wrong, moms are amazing. We are so many things to our kids that no one else will ever be...healer...comforter...cheerleader...maid... But there is one thing we will NEVER be able to be and that's a Dad. As a completely devoted sports mom, sometimes its hard to digest that my young athletes tend to value the input of their father over mine in this arena dispite the fact that I am the one who gets them to practice day after day, makes sure their uniform is clean and that they have the equipment that they need. But the reality is, no matter how many games I am at, I can tell instantly when my son is scanning the crowd to see if DAD is there and watching.
So last night after Timmy's first ever chance getting to play quarter back in a scrimmage game was slightly less than successful, I knew that my pep talk simply wasn't going to cut it. So when I got a text from his dad indicating he was probably taking a dinner break, I asked him to call. I answered and explained how Timmy had asked if I'd sent a text to let him know "how horrible" he'd done at QB. And he asked to talk to him. I switch my phone (my Samsung Galaxy S III) to speaker and handed it to Timmy. Although he wandered into his room to talk to his dad, I was still able to listen to their whole conversation while I made a late dinner. I loved listening to them talk about how the sack wasn't his fault because the offensive line hadn't given him any coverage. And talking through what happened with an interception. I do wish he could have really HEARD the same message when I'd had almost the same conversation with him in the car on the way home. But, I get it, it's a dad thing! And I'm just glad that even though they can't see him during the week, that there are other ways for them to get what they need from him.
Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Wireless Midwest Savvy Moms program and have been provided with a wireless device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.”
Sounds like it was perfect timing for a dinner break conversation that was much needed! Hugs to you ... keep going! You are doing great!
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you are so mature about the fact that despite your differences - your boys still need their dad in their lives. My brother is in that boat with three young daughters and it makes me sad when him and his ex play manipulation with the girls, it's just not fair to them. Kudos Mom :)
ReplyDelete