Dear children,
I love you. Remember that as you read this letter.
You haven’t been in school for your teachers to let you know, but Mother’s Day is almost here. I don’t want to set you up for failure, so I wanted to give you a heads up. Please see below a simple list of ideas to reference for planning or to read through on Mother’s Day.
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I don’t know if any of you know this, but to use the restroom, I don’t actually need an audience or any company. I am not afraid to do this on my own. Today, let’s give it a shot and see how I do.
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In our house, we have this special container that has a very specific use. I know it is so very tough to remember it exists because we’ve only reminded you about it literally every single day of your life, but it is called a trash can. “Well, Mom,” you ask, “what goes inside of said ‘trash can?’” Hold on tight, little ones, this will surprise you — trash. Your trash goes inside of the trash can. Let’s make great use of your precious brain today and put trash where it belongs!
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The cups. Oh my goodness, THE CUPS! Just for today, can you each please just use one? Choose a cup,
put it in a place you’ll remember, rinse it out between uses and continue using the same one. -
While we’re on the topic of one — take a moment and look down. Do you see the clothes you’re wearing? Whatever mismatched combo that may be, go ahead and keep that on until tomorrow. I don’t care if it gets wet. I don’t care if you get marker on it. Guess who is going to see your clothing — the very same people who have been looking at you for the past 7-8 weeks. We are going to judge you no matter what you’re wearing.
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I do a lot for you people. I’m not complaining, I love to do it … well, I love you, and I love to do things for you, but today I reserve the right not to do them. I might do them. I might not.
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Today, I’m going to take a long, hot bath. No, you cannot get in too. No, not even ‘just your feet.’ No, I do not care how many days it’s been since you’ve had a bath. This bath is mine.
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Go outside! Go play! No need to come back in and check on me. Just for today, I can suffer through you playing without me.
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Give me things I like. Back rubs, snacks, gifts, dance parties, quiet. If you’ve ever heard me say, “I love ________.” That would be a good gift. You don’t have to use your imagination here.
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Saved the best for last, and this one is a little more serious. Sometimes I feel like I’m not a great mom, and sometimes I worry that you wish I was different. What I want most today is for you to tell me what you love about me. Tell me how what I do makes a difference to you. You are my very favorite kid(s) in the whole wide world — your compliments and love mean more to me than you will ever know.
put it in a place you’ll remember, rinse it out between uses and continue using the same one.Thank you for reading and for being so cute. I love you!
Mom
Aly Shahan is the associate director of the Wesley Foundation campus ministry at Oklahoma State University, mother of two and wife to a United Methodist pastor. She is passionate about building community with women through vulnerability, honesty, encouragement and laughter. Follow Aly on Instagram: @AlyShahan1
