Mother’s Day Interview

9 May

Come check me out over at Associated Content. I interviewed my amazing mother for this post. She’s also mom to my three brothers, so she’s got a wealth of maternal wisdom and knowledge.

Were there any surprises about being a mom?

(Lots of laughter) It was just not what I expected.

What were you shocked that I liked as a child?

Vegetables. As an infant, grits, because your aunt and grandmother were them to you, and they laughed when I got mad.

Do you have any advice for young mothers?

Stay close to the Lord. I’ve seen a saying on t-shirts at Target that I really like. “Stay calm and carry on.”

What’s the hardest part about being a mother?

Lack of sleep.

What’s the best part about being a mother?

Spending time with your kids.

Are there any gadgets, tools or toys available now that you wish you’d had when I was a baby?

I haven’t used it so I don’t know if it’s as good as it looks, but the car seat that snaps into the frame of the stroller so that you don’t have to wake the baby. Something that would have been nice are all these vans with built in booster seats. Or those mini vans that have washers and dryers.

Which is easier, raising teenage boys or teenage girls?

In my case, girls, but I don’t think that’s normal. (Does that make me abnormal?) Maybe part of it was the fact that I’d never been around boys. (My mother has two sisters.)

Did you panic a little bit when Brother #1 first grew taller than you?

No! I didn’t. I was so glad that he’d done that, so I wouldn’t have to listen it. Why is that every child’s goal? Then it was, “I can’t wait to be taller than dad!”

What is the funniest thing I eve said as a child?

You last baby words “sungollies” (sunglasses) and “fry cheese” (french fries). Or when you were a year and a half old and we were at a restaurant with people from church. I was going to the salad bar and you said, “Would you bring me some olives, please?” One of the women asked me, “Did she just say that?” I thought it was normal.

Was there a moment when you felt like you were a successful mother?

No! Never. (Yikes! Sorry mother.)

Which is better when you’re stressed? Chocolate or Diet Pepsi?

You can’t have one without the other.

Happy Mother’s Day!