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Mommy wars are in full swing. For the most part, I’m behind the pack. If parenting is a marathon, I probably should have bought a Segway scooter instead of a pair of Nikes.
Kids who love reading? Yes!
Crafty, Pinterest-worthy art projects? Sure, if putting stickers on construction paper counts…
Limits on Screen time? Somewhat enforced most days.
Making my own baby food? Does opening the jars of Gerber myself count?
Potty training completed by age 2? Not so much.
Children who love their vegetables? Ha. Ha. Ha. Nope!
Angelic, smiling cherubs who follow directions and sit quietly for activities? Maybe; when it is a snowballs in hell day.
Doing everything you can to make your kids happy, no matter the cost. Forsaking all others, putting yourself and your partner last, to make sure your children are #1 . . . .
Hold up. What were my wedding vows again?
I take you to be my lawful spouse, my #1. Until I get my career started by landing my dream job and work late four nights a week. Until we have Kids, and I am overwhelmed with love for these tiny, sticky humans. Until life stops resembling a romantic comedy and dates consist of Netflix and local Microbrew at home in plastic Olaf cups after the kids are in bed. Then we’ll re-assess your position.
No.
No.
Freaking. No.
My kids are not the #1 thing in my life, and they never will be. They shouldn’t be. I love my kids fiercely. From the moment they were born, I have been enchanted with them. They’re hilarious, kind, fun, tiny 50/50 versions of my husband and me. I love them, always and forever, no matter what.
But I love my husband more. And the best thing I can give my kids is an example of the way a husband and wife prioritize their marriage and each other. At the end of the day, my kids will be around for 18 years, maybe a few more during college. And then they’re leaving – heading off into the world for their own great adventures. I am kind of planning for my husband to be around for a bit longer than that.
Yes, the kids are young and they need me. They need a lot of me. But my husband needs me too, and I owe it to him to make US a priority. So I’ll happily come in dead last on this mommy-wars category. Or maybe I’ll just order an Uber and call it a day.
Kelly and Ryan celebrated their 12th anniversary in July; they’re proud parents of Nola (5), Ivan (3) and Callan (16 months). In her spare time, Kelly works as a full-time Communications Director.
