When I'm a mom...I'll NEVER do that!

Oh, how I am eating those words!

These are the things that I thought I would never do/say or things I never understood until I had kids of my own. Obviously, not an extensive list.

1. Tucking shirts in. ****I don't do that anymore. I remember thinking it was crazy when moms would tell me that they hadn't tucked shirts into their pants since their children had been born. I mean, how hard is it to tuck a shirt in? I now understand. When is the last time I wore a belt for the sheer purpose of showing the belt off? Too long!

2. I didn't understand those parents who drove with one finger while reaching in the backseat to retrieve: pacifier, sippy cup, doll, book, snack, ANYTHING. I figured I would just let the tot "cry it out" until we reached our destination. ****Um, no way! I am an expert at the one finger driving while stretching my other arm practically out of its socket to get a dropped item.

3. Counting to three. It drove me crazy to hear parents say, "one....two....three....okay, I'm going to spank you now." Don't count! If the kid didn't do something the first time, spank them, they don't deserve the "counting cushion". ****I admit it, I count. I can't believe that I do. I am annoyed at myself for counting. I do NOT go past three though. If she hasn't complied by "three", it's spanking time.

4. Why doesn't that little girl have her hair "done"? Does her mom not allow herself enough time to get herself ready and fix her daughter's hair. Seriously, her daughter just looks like she rolled out of bed. Geez, my little girl will NEVER look like that! ****Okay, I am eating my words. There have been many days, especially since Miss Elyn arrived in our world, that Nora looks like she just rolled out of bed...because she has! I apologize to all of you moms of daughters out there. I now understand! Moms-to-be, it's okay to judge me and my daughter's rat-nest. You'll understand one day.

5. That child is TWO and is still using a pacifier? AND he/she is not potty trained. Seriously, do those parents even realize they have a child because they sure don't act like it. If they were good parents at all, they would have tried to tackle at least one of them. ****I would like for you all to meet my two year old, she still uses a pacifier at nighttime and at naptime. Oh, and she is not even close to being potty-trained! Right now I don't have the energy or the want to remedy either of those. I keep secretly hoping that she will figure out both on her own. I'll let you know how that goes.

6. You mean you let your child watch T.V.!!!!! Do you not have any books/crayons/finger paints/playdough/dolls/interactive toys at your house? How could you let "precious" watch t.v. when you could be using that time instructing him/her? AND you let your child watch t.v. in the car????? Time in the car should be for learning! Point out all the colors of God's Earth, help your child become aware of the letters and numbers on the signs, sing songs together. Do you even love your child? ****Nora can name every single character from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Dora, and Tigger and Pooh. I use the t.v. as a (gasp) babysitter while I am getting ready in the morning, and it works like a charm, thank you very much. We do not have a built-in DVD player in the car, but portable ones work just as well. She only watches the DVD player on long trips, but I have a plethora of children's CD's to occupy her when we are driving around town...so I can think without interruption.

As mentioned before, this list is not exhaustive. I might add to it later. For every mom or dad out there that I judged before having my own children...I am sorry! I've taken off my rose-colored-uterus-never-been-occupied glasses and understand you a whole lot better. Thanks for paving the way!