“This self-loathing moment has been brought to you by your local Smug Mama; those moms who will look you straight in the eye and say, ‘Oh, my child doesn’t watch TV.’” Stefanie Wilder Taylor, Naptime is the New Happy Hour

Admittedly E has not watched television (well, it has been on, but the Food Network doesn’t really seem to hold his attention) for a few months now.  When we lived in our old apartment, one of the few peaceful times during the day was when E was in his exersaucer and PBS was on.  Yea yea, only for about 10/15 minutes a day, that was all I could bring myself to do.   But when I read this quote, it struck such a chord.

The author goes on to say that the more the parent claims the children abstain from said activity, the more the children actually partake in it.  HA!  Damn parents.  Don’t we have enough to worry about without feeling judged with every decision we make (am I the only one?)!?

I also judge, more than I should, but not as much as I used to.  Parenting has brought a new aspect on people into my life.  Whatever that parent is doing with the child, by letting her scream, or him eat a donut, makes perfect sense at that moment.  The child will not fail out of college because of this choice (however, putting your 2 year old to bed, every night, at midnight is utterly unacceptable and may be why he runs all over the house, demanding things of you-see previous post).

And I used to be a Smug Mama (partially at least), or felt like one.  As time has passed, I am hoping the smugness has as well.

“There are going to be days upon days when you can’t believe how much you love your toddler. It’s a giddy new romantic love, a blinding love where they can absolutely do no wrong.” Stefanie Wilder Taylor

Today is one of those days.  Could be the ‘happy chemicals’ from ‘exercising’ this morning.  Maybe it’s because E has been happy all day, but today has been such a happy day for both of us (minus trying to get him to nap…otherwise…).  It’s reassuring to have days like today.  Makes me appreciate being at home with E and not wishing I were elsewhere.

I just finished up Naptime is the New Happy Hour by Stefanie Wilder Taylor.  I read her previous books a few months back.  I admit it.  I enjoy the cynical mommy books.  Makes me feel validated when I happen to have similar thoughts.  This is the quote in the book I was able to relate to most…

“You thought it would be different, right? You thought once the first deliriously draining, sleep-deprived, sex-deprived first year was behind you, you would get back to some semblance of normalcy, right? Not so fast my friend. In fact, let’s all have a good laugh at how delusional we were.”

Seriously.  I thought that it would be hard for a little while, then get easier.  It hasn’t.  It has changed.  But it hasn’t gotten easier.  It’s gotten to be a ton harder in completely different ways.  Yea, I was delusional.