Before I had kids I said, “wow what a commitment, 20 years of your life”.   But now I have one.  Yesterday I was reading about a mother of a 9 year old and she said, “yeah at this age they don’t really want to hang out with you as much”.  And I know that.  My friend has a nine year old who runs out of the house to her friend’s and isn’t seen for the rest of the day except for a quick check-in call.  My friend spends the time sleeping.

It ocurred to me yesterday that next school year will be my son Angus’ last one at home before Kindergarten or Preschool or whatever it is.  I guess I’ll find out soon enough.  He’ll be halfway to not wanting to hang out with me as much any day now.  That’s crazy talk.

There are parts of motherhood that are so intense, I think I will *never* forget them - surviving them is challenging enough. 

It doesn’t seem like that long ago we were changing his diaper every couple of hours and now he’s slamming the bathroom door in my face because he can pee on his own thank you very much.  So I spend the time sleeping. 

When my Mom visited recently she said, “wow Angus is so busy”.  Seeing a sentimental bonding opportunity I said to her, “well us kids must have been busy too right?”.  Now let’s look at the background here - I had three - count ‘em - three brothers.  They were *all* busy.  I probably had my moments too.

And she said, “you know I don’t really remember”.  What??  How the heck do you forget something like *Busy*?  We’re not talking about an odd occasional thing.  A Busy kid is busy 12 hours a day, 7 days a week.  It’s only when they’re sleeping that they’re still and angelic.  The rest of the time it’s Manage the Business (wear them out) or Try to Cope (alcohol helps).  I was stunned.  And no my Mom doesn’t have Alzheimers (diagnosed).

And the crazy thing is that I do remember.  I have two little brothers 4 and 6 years younger than me.  I remember her bathing them and me and my older brother would shake our heads in amazement while we listened to the friggin’ tsunami happening in the bathroom as they splashed and back stroked and dove like whales. 

And the funny thing was that my mother had already transformed.  While she would have hung us up by our big toes, for them, she was holding her cool.  She either became alot more Zen or the alcohol was helping. And she’s transformed even more now if she can’t remember how crazy they were. 

But that’s why they make such good grandparents.

HoneyBunny and I snuck out in a snowstorm the other night because his Mom was visiting and we *always* take advantage of free babysitting.  And the thing that takes new parents a while to figure out is a) your kid is always going to be better behaved for other people, and b) if it’s a grandparent, they don’t really care anyways. 

They just don’t get too freaked about the things that drive you nuts.  Your kid is not going to sleep?  They think it’s a sign their grandkid loves them and doesn’t want to be without them.  Heck, take advantage I always say.

The fact is, Motherhood messes with your head.  What seemed like a long childhood for my kid, now seems practically over except for homework and the loud music.  Here’s hoping I’ll choose to remember the right things too.