"Dear Morgan," I began my morning email, "Here's My Mothering Down Your Throat for the day, tee hee." I forwarded him the CatholicExchange.com Homily of the Day. With his departure for his first year of college a few weeks away, the messages of the homily — discerning wisdom, not judging abruptly — seemed timely. And though he's "of legal age" and "leaving the nest", my job as his mother is not done. Evolving? Changing? Shifting? Absolutely. But far from done.
I started thinking about how my messages to my children also evolve, change and shift over time….and the vast differences and yet ironic similarities of parenting my Toddler Boy vs. my Young Man Boy.
"Sit on my lap, Sweetie. Mommy wants to talk to you." vs. "I'm your mother so you have to listen to me."
"Look both ways before crossing the street." vs. "Look both ways before driving across the intersection."
"Do you know what this is, Sweetie?" vs. "I know you know it already but I still have to say it. It's my job."
"Do you still want ice cream after dinner?" vs. "Do you want to eat for the rest of your natural born days?"
"Does Mommy need to take away your dump truck?" vs. "How you likin' that cell phone there, bud?"
We will never get angry with you for telling the truth. But if we find out you lied to us, we'll be very upset. Would you like to try and answer that question one more time before flames start to shoot out my ears?
"Say ‘Mommy'! That's right, ‘Mawwwm meeee'!" vs. "Go ask your father."
"Want Mommy to wash your blankie?" vs. "You know where the laundry room is, why are you telling me?"
"Who loves you the mostest in the whole wide world?" vs. "Excuse me? And just who was it that covered your fanny with your father the last time you pulled that stunt?"
"Honey, you can't leave your tricycle in the middle of the driveway." vs. "And that thing in the driveway with four wheels and an insurance policy just magically appeared there for your pleasure because…?"
"This is how we all pitch in and take care of our house together." vs. "You live in this house too, Mister."
"Who loves his new puppy?" vs. "Who begged for this dog?"
"Come on, do that cute little nose scrunchy face for Mommy!" vs. "Don't you look at me that way young man!"
"Because I have eyes on the back of my head." vs. "Yes, I do still have eyes on the back of my head."
"Did you brush your teeth?" vs. "Did you brush your teeth?"
"Wash your hands." vs. "Wash your hands."
Because, despite the passage of time, some things, with a son, just never, no matter how great of a mom I was or how much I want them to, change.
"Say your prayers!" vs. "Say your prayers!"
And then there are those you hope (and pray) never will.
"I love you!" vs. "I love you."
