Mom Time

A few years ago, I instituted Mom Days. It’s times throughout the year where I take only one kid somewhere. It’s not always a special event, sometimes it’s just a trip the grocery store, but it is always uninterrupted time with one kid that I believe is necessary for them to really feel how much I adore them. Regular days, that adoration gets lost in the shuffle of minding three people. Mom Days are a time for them to tangibly see that they are still the center of my universe.

Often, Mom Days happen around some event invitation for the blog. I get to review a show or go to a new store opening or learn about new video games and I take a kid with me as my plus one. Recently, we noticed that the oldest and the youngest have gotten more of those opportunities than The Middle One and we needed to address that. Especially after the day last week where he lost his marbles (figuratively) on my bedroom floor and cried for hours (literally) about how no one wanted to spend time with him and all he wanted to do was, “play with you guys.”

It was divine intervention then when my best friend called to say she was bringing her boys up to NYC and could she stay with us for two days? Not only are her boys perfect peers for my middle one who would provide hours of play, but a day in the city with just mom and said friends is just what the doctor ordered.

What I didn’t realize at the time was the the doctor was ordering it for me. I was so focused on what a Mom Day would do for my son, I forgot how much Mom Days restored mom as well.

I’ve spent a lot of the summer in battle with this boy. He argues everything and, as he indicated last week, he’s been pretty unhappy this summer so he’s not been the easiest person to be around. The Middle One is my angel guy, so when things are tough with him, they are extra tough.

Yesterday though, I got to fall in love with him again. I was allowed to say yes every time he asked. There was no fighting with his brother or bothering his sister so the only parts of his personality I got to experience were the dreamy parts. We held hands and wandered the streets of Manhattan. I watched him intently follow the audio tour of Liberty Island with the distinct curiosity and focus that he has had since infancy when he first stole my heart.

Our time in New York City yesterday was priceless. We spent an incredible day with good friends. We saw sights that we’ve taken for granted for three years. We laughed and connected and spent real, quality time together. Mom Day was a success for the kids, but, as it turns out,  mostly for the mom.