I live in a state of “super moms” where if you are not part of a mommy and me aerobics class or a neighborhood mommy club that goes on twice a week outings with their kids, you are considered to be a boring, neglectful, and just plain uncaring mommy. The normal household here consists of two (at least) kids, possibly one on the way and more twinkling in daddy’s eye, a daddy that works way too much overtime (at least that’s the normal excuse for why they aren’t home), a mommy that wasted four or more years of her life getting a degree she’ll never use because now she stays at home breeding children. I am not normal because there is no daddy in my home to “bring home the bacon” so I work full time. Right there are two strikes against me according to law here. But… I am coming to realize that spending every waking moment with your kids isn’t what makes a good mommy. I split custody with their dad so there are days when I don’t even see them. There are days when all the kids do is watch t.v. because I feel like crap when I wake up. There are days that they are out of control (seemingly) and spend the day playing inside because I’d rather die than let the public see the way they’re acting that day!! But, at the end of every day I am with them, I read them a story, sing them a song, tuck them in, kiss their little heads and tell them I love them. And…no matter what kind of day we had… one full of shouting and time out or one full of outings and picnic lunch…they tell me they love me too. They are both so smart and articulate, well mannered (as in please and thank you), spunky, loving, affectionate… the list goes on. I think I am a good mom…on my way to becoming a GREAT mom. On second thought maybe I’ll keep this goal here. It will be one of my life’s ongoing goals.