Who is really Mommy’s favorite?
There is a statement that permeates throughout my house that makes my blood boil, my heart race and my head hurt: Who is Mommy’s favorite? This question is usually followed by a statement, “I am Mommy’s favorite,” or “You are Mommy’s favorite” and then, generally, it moves into an argument, followed by yelling and then finally: Mom, Who is really your favorite; in which I answer none of you are my favorite, or I do not play favorites. Why are kids so obsessed with the question? Do they really think that upon delivery, I looked at one of them and said, “yup, you, you are the cutest, so you are the favorite….and you, you are definitely not my favorite; when I looked at you I felt much less than what I felt for him/her. Well, here’s the truth kids:
- When you, my oldest child, were born, the world was so rosy and happy and I cried tears of joy.When I put you on my chest and felt your heart beat, I was so deeply in love and proud to be a Mother. I fed you, burped you, clothed you and nurtured you. However, then I got postpartum and became scared. Then you took a tumble down the stairs and bumped your head…And then you took your first steps and held onto me. However, then you fell down and cried for what seemed like hours, but then you blew kisses to Mommy on your first day or school. And then you got into this phase when you hated the world or wanted to be surrounded by skulls…but then you made honor roll and took the highest grade in Math class. However, somehow you developed a back-talking mouth…but then you told me that I was your hero.
- When you, my middle child, were born, you were a stubborn, little firecracker from the door and you had so much strength and willpower that you broke your changing table diving into your crib, but every single night you insisted on sleeping underneath my chin just to be close to me… And then, you had night terrors and screamed to the top of your lungs, while I held you close to me; however, then you scaled the refrigerator to get the snacks off the top of the fridge, but then you would meet your little brother under the table and make sure that he would get a snack as well and make him happy. But then, you would rip your diaper off and decorate the wall, and then you would tell Mommy that I was the best Mommy in the whole world, and then you told me that you hated me…However, then you received honor roll and collected over $1,000 for endangered animals while accepting an award for Science…and looked at me, and told me that you wanted to run a business just like me.
- When you, my youngest child, were born, you were as quiet as a mouse…to the point that I called my doctor concerned that there was something wrong. However, then you cried the minute I stepped away from the bassinette to call the doctor until I picked you up and held you close. However, then you got in trouble in school for saying potty words (literal potty words)…And then, you ran your first base in baseball. When you gave up Baseball, I was sad, but then you were tested for gifted programming and became involved with Robotics…And then you got in trouble again for speaking your mind in school, and then you took care of your sister when her hamster died…But then, you left your room like a pig-sty…However, you made me the most beautiful picture for Mother’s Day telling me how much you loved watching movies with me.
- You are my kids…the day I became a Mother, I found my soul; without each and every one of you, a piece of me would not exist. Some days, it is the middle child who puts the brightest smile on my face and the youngest who makes me want to pull out my hair; and some days, it is the oldest child who makes me blush with pride, while the middle child follows me around begging to have a friend stay over. Some days, it is my youngest, who as my only boy, gives me a giant hug while your sisters fight about this and that. Some days, you all drive me crazy and I cannot wait to hang out with my girlfriends; and other days, I am the happiest I have ever been rolling having a nerf shoot out….The word “favorite” expresses that one of you hold more value to me than the other, and the truth is…I would be lost without all of you…I love you all equally!
