Monday, March 23, 2009

".... just one more thing."

I rolled my eyes after hearing it for the twenty-fifth time in twelve hours.

"I have just one more thing, I would like suggest to you." My mother nonchalantly whispered across the table at breakfast in her broken English.

I have told my mother to hush before. The best thing about living six hours away from her is that I am able to escape her everyday "suggestions" on parenting. But, alas, she had a tooth ache this weekend and drove hours to see her most favorite dentist. MY husband. Under my roof.

".... just one more thing. Your pancakes are little raw."

Nothing like your mother to visit and tell you that you screwed up adding too much water to the super simple Hungry Jack pancake mix and ewwww she would not feed my pancakes to her grandchildren.

"... just one more thing. Her blanket is rough and her mattress so little bit stiff." My mother said in regards to Fifi's toddler mattress and standard cotton comforter.

"... have you started think about dinner?"

".... just one more thing. Do you enjoy floors so being dirty?"

".... just one more thing. Don't you think they should wear the socks? Runny noses happen when children are running on the bare foot."

"... the kids. They don't listen to me. I tell them. But. They don't listen."

"... what are you going feed them for breakfast? The pancakes are raw a little too much."

".... just one thing. You should take care of yourself."

I rolled my eyes, just like I did when I was a disobedient sixteen year old. My mother, in return, bent forward and made sure that our glances crossed paths. She was staring at me, I at her, the contest would have to be broken soon and who would be the first stubborn woman to extinguish the fire?

"... just one more thing. You are much better mom then I was but. But...."

"But, what Mom. Geez!" I cried in despair. "I am doing the best that I can."

"... just one more thing.... they should be wearing the undershirts and don't you think you should be doing the laundry before your husband gets home and ...."

"Mom!"

".... just one more thing. I promise."

73classy comments:

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

I love the way she speaks. The "suggestions" would drive me crazy! But she says it in such a cute way...lol.
You ARE doing a great job.

Anonymous said...

We love it but we hate it don't we? The advice. But seriously, is it true about bare feet? I mean do kids get more sick when they dont' wear socks. I have to know the answer!

Jeni said...

I do try not to boss my daughter around -not too much anyway -and with the two little ones, we actually agree about 99% of the time on how to handle them. So that's a good thing. Because I do the bulk of the cooking here -my daughter isn't exactly fond of the kitchen -I do often ask for suggestions what she or her husband might like for supper but I get really frustrated when no ideas are usually forth coming. Some days, I don't make any mores towards the kitchen and try to compel my daughter to fix the meal because some day, it will be fully her responsibility and 9 times out of 10 then, we end up having tacos! LOL
Now, another little story too -my Mom was a registered nurse. When I was a kid, she tended to overlook injuries I had that probably should have had a stitch or 2-3 or so. But the kicker for me was when my older daughter was about 10-11 years old, she had gobs of mosquito bites all over her legs and my Mom actually wanted -was insisting -that I take her to the emergency room because ya know "people can die from that many mosquito bites!" We had one hell of an argument over that one. In her defense, I have to say this too, I think she was in the beginning phases of Altzheimer or some such otherwise, she never would have suggested something that crazy!
Peace!

Chiloe said...

My mom tells MY husband how to broom ! :-o hilarious !!!!!!!!!!!!

kim-d said...

Today is March 23, 2009--which means it has now been 11 years since my Mom died at the young age of 61. When I was much younger, there were many years where we didn't get along all that great. Nothing I did seemed to please her, and I would go out of my way to do things to displease her. But all of that was long behind us and she had turned into one of my very best friends; the one I knew was always in my corner and who would always have my back.

I tell you this just so you know not to take your Mom's "just one more thing" suggestions too much to heart. Nobody else will ever love you like your Mother loves you, but sometimes it's still hard! :)

Lynette3boys said...

At least it's not the MIL giving you that. Suggestions from a mom have to be a little easier to swallow.

Indy said...

OH, I think you deserve praise for only saying "hush." I don't handle suggestions from loved ones well. I am screaming for you in my head right now. You are a great mom but just a modern one. We just don't do certain things anymore. :) Barefeet is fun!!!

amanda said...

ahhh yes. my mom always makes sure to ask the kids if their feet are cold when i don't have socks on them. i'd be pretty surprised if my five month old answers her!! :0)

Rhea said...

Moms. We don't know when to stop, right?!!

Miss Lisa said...

I kind of have to agree with your mom on the pancakes--raw is not good ;)
Good for you keeping it at 'hush'--I'd be much less patient ;)

haniaski said...

Funny,I love this woman !

GypsiAdventure said...

So sweet - yes, it would drive me crazy, but she cares...at least she cares enough to tell you. :)
~K

Tara R. said...

Exactly the reason I live not six hours from my mother, but 12. The 'suggestions' are endearing, but frustrating. You are a great mom!

Katie said...

That just made me laugh cuz I too would have TOTALLY been rolling my eyes at my Mom! (I always have! ;) )

Kelly said...

Deep breaths, deep breaths. I'm sure in her way she thinks she is being helpful. I know it would drive me crazy though.

krissy said...

This is totally my mom and mother in law. But after my hysterectomy and all my crabbiness....they have backed off immensely. Why? Because I told them too. And they don't want to mess with a menopausal, explosive, protective mother like myself. What cracks me up the most is that when I was a kid, my mom was not nearly as protective. I played outside since 1st grade from dawn til dusk in the summer. Now. If Sheylee plays outside for more then an hour with her friends, my mother and in law are in a feiry. Weird grandparents.

But really, I just told them to back off and I meant it and it wasn't disrespectful because they did the same to their parents. They just won't admit it. :-)

Tyne said...

Oh! I hear you on this... my mom just came and stayed with us for TEN days after the baby was born and I thought I was going to lose my mind. Love the suggestions, I am sure you will incorporate each of these into your parenting.

Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious? said...

At least she got a little compliment in there, right?

Now the ultimate question is...do you think you will be able to avoid doing the same thing?

Amy said...

She sounds so cute -- from way over here!!

"Do you enjoy floors so being dirty?" -- is my favorite.

Diva Ma @ Mommy Fabulous said...

SO SO SO SO SO glad my mom does make many "suggestion" when it comes to the way tha I raise my twerps. I would ban her from visiting!

Becca said...

You just described a day with my mom. Seriously, she drives me nuts sometimes. However, I am sure I will be the same way. To a certain extent anyway!

I loved the dirty floor one though, that is cute!

Lisa said...

oh my......how much wine did you drink over the weekend???

Marcy Massura said...

Take away the broken english and that is my mom pretty much. Although now she has taken to sending me well RESEARCHED emails to make her points.

I can't hit DELETE fast enough.

Hey are you participating in my online blog proposal tomorrow???

Say yes!!! Throw up a link to my space.....tomorrow and help a gal get engaged!!!!
http://marcywrites.com

:)

Melissa @ I Pick Pretty said...

Oh, too funny. Things obviously said with love, but must be sooo annoying nonetheless.

Coincidentally, thank you for validating my / my husband's choice to move a good drive away from my lovely but occasionally very, um, involved in-laws. ;-)

Anonymous said...

Do you think it a coincidence I live a minimum of 5 hours away from my mom?

Grace {Formerly Gracie} said...

You mom should come over to my house. She would have a field day of suggesting... hehe! Hang in there!

Why not said...

hahahha
is a mother, she can't help it!
At least she has a funny way to say it..or so it seems...

Anonymous said...

Memories that you will cherish some day...

You are a great mother and a great daughter. And personally, I enjoy my floors being dirty and my kids being sockless.

Stephanie said...

LOL! At least she's trying to be polite. My mom would have said, "Stephanie. These pancakes suck. don't you know how to do ANYTHING?" hehehehe

Blessings From Above said...

Oh, the endless suggestions would drive me crazy! I hope you had plenty of wine on hand this weekend.

Don Mills Diva said...

I know it probably wasn't meant to be funny but I cracked up at "Do you enjoy floors so being dirty?"

CLASSIC.

katydidnot said...

"just one more thing. Do you enjoy floors so being dirty?"

oh hellza yes i do. i loooovvvee dirty floors. i want to take off my clothes and roll around on the crumbs and bits of dried grass.

i hope that's what you said. also? so funny. i'm sorry though.

Dandelion Momma said...

Goodness. My mom doesn't even ask. She would just go put the socks on them herself. Or start feeding them something from the cupboard. Or go pull the weeds in the backyard. Heck, maybe I should go call her... my yard is looking a little weedy.

Irene said...

I love this post!!! Your mom sounds so much like my mom..I think it is the eastern European thing.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

Oh my Word.

Our mothers are absolutely different, but I can feel how much you guys love each other.

Jen said...

oh gosh this makes me cringe because my mom is coming to visit this week. I have a feeling nothing I have done so far to prepare for baby will be sufficient. And oh the horrors we still don't have a name picked out - arg.

Jill said...

Oh the barrage of questions - my favorite! My mother is nowhere near as bad as my MIL... I'm already getting hounded with tons of them about my trip to California, and I'm not even there yet!

At least your mom sounds loving... my MIL is just intrusive!

Crystal D said...

Why do those we love the most tend to drive us crazy in the exact same proportion?

Lynn C Mama to 3 said...

Just one more thing... I think you're fab, my pancakes are the frozen kind and my kids are both sockless!!!

Jessica said...

Oh goodness! God bless you for putting up with that for a weekend. I assume she's gone back home...? Hopefully. :) Gotta love Mom!

A Crafty Mom said...

Mother are the best :-) And daughters are the best for loving them and accepting them.

Morgan said...

Ha, this totally makes me laugh!! My mom always offers her suggestions too, but I know she genuinely has my best interest at heart. Even if it gets a little annoying at times!! You're a great mom!

Caroline C. Bingham said...

good thing we love them, right?

Lisa said...

Oh, I know exactly what you mean. I dread my mom's visits because at times I feel so frustrated by the constant criticism, even though I know it she means well. Or trys too, anyway.
But if I hear that they need to wear undershirts ONE MORE TIME... !!!
I know my mom doesn't believe it, but I have managed to keep children alive for 11 years just fine, despite the fact that they do not wear UNDERSHIRTS!

Mom said...

just one more thing ... listening to your mom will get you into heaven I am convinced! cause that is how I am getting in. Our moms must be related! LOL

Tami said...

My mother-in-law calls my husband to remind him to wear his old shoes when he mows the lawn. He is 45 years old for goodness sake!

You are a great mom. And it seems your mom loves you very much. It is the ones we love the most that we are most critical of it seems :)

The 5 Bickies said...

Does your Mom tell your husband how to fix teeth?

I love this post and love how she sprinkles in there what a great Mom you are....because....you are!

.jimaie.marie. said...

your mom made me laugh, i LOVED this post LOL I know it's so annoying but you GOTTA admit how cute it is, how she REALLY isn't trying to be annoying ;D lol! "just one more thing...
priceless

carrie said...

Just one more thing...

She does this because she loves you.

I know you know that. :0) And, my mom does the same thing - at times I WISH there was a language/interpretation barrier so I did not have to hear her criticisms (she calls them "suggestions"). But, I know she does it because she cares.

Marinka said...

Oh GOD!
This is all too familiar. My mama told me this weekend that she was shocked that my kids would rather use the computer than help her sweep. WHAT THE?

Marinka said...

Oh GOD!
This is all too familiar. My mama told me this weekend that she was shocked that my kids would rather use the computer than help her sweep. WHAT THE?

Marinka said...

Oh GOD!
This is all too familiar. My mama told me this weekend that she was shocked that my kids would rather use the computer than help her sweep. WHAT THE?

Ashley said...

Oy that would drive me insane! Luckily my mom keeps MOSTLY quiet...but we live within 45 minutes from each other and talk daily, so any suggestions she has are slipped into daily conversation so it doesn't seem like so much at once! lol

Clare said...

she sounds like a typical mom, and oh so sweet at the same time...i wish i could look at my mom like that!

Unknown said...

Oh the mother/daughter relationship is a "special" one, isn't it? ; )

I like her broken English though, so cute!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Love her broken English....I could just hear her saying this!!

Yes, Mothers and Daughters.....what a relationship we have with one another. I know I couldn't live without my Mom....she is a tremendous help, but much like your Mom, she offers her opinion, WAY TOO MUCH!!

There is always ONE MORE THING!

Hugs Girl,

Lisa

Kelley @ magneto bold too said...

Babe, why do you think I returned to work 5 days after getting out of hospital.

My mother 'looking after' me.

Yeah. I understand your pain my lovely.

Big smootchy kisses.

Ronda's Rants said...

So priceless...
I am the Mom and I am sure my daughter feels the same...
I try...I really do!
just one more thing...You are very funny!

Cynthia said...

I don't get that so much from my Mom, my MIL...now that's another story:P

Anonymous said...

Aaahhh, mothers. GOTTA love 'em!! LOL

Kari said...

Man. I would tell my mom to hush, too. Ha ha. She did say that you were a better mom than she was, though. That's pretty awesome for your mom to say that. My mom would never be able to say that. My mom doesn't nag me about stuff like that though. But, don't consider me lucky just yet. I get "it" from her in other ways. Worse ways. My mom is CRRRAAAZY. No, seriously, she is nuts. She calls me and she is always dying of something. I fear for my children, because I see myself acting like her in little ways!! ha ha. Anywho. I just wonder what kind of mother I will be to MY children when they are grown.

Unknown said...

They never, EVER, let you feel grown up. Always, they treat you like a child. Matki. Gotta love 'em.

Momo Fali said...

You know, someday you're going to catch yourself saying this to your kids and you'll smile when you think of your mom (and you may roll your eyes a little too).

Kari said...

Just one more thing...I love your blog.

Michele said...

The one about the socks and bare feet is so my grandmother. "Michele, I know that is why the girls and Stephen keep getting colds and sore throats. They don't wear slippers." I do make my girls wear slippers but they usually come off. I really don't think that is how one gets a cold. It is hard all the advice you get. My mom was really young when she had me so I get more advice from my "Nana".

3 Peanuts said...

Oh my goodness..we have the SAME Mom!!!!! Mine tell me I load the dishwasher wrong too!

tiarastantrums said...

oh cripes - she sounds like my MIL - broken English and all!!!!!!

Jaina said...

That would drive me absolutely insane! Best of luck ;)

CC said...

hee hee! My mom just left me today after a 5 day visit. I do wish she lived less than 500 miles away though :(

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truly blessed said...

Hi, I just found your blog and had to comment. This post was SO funny! Our Mom's must be sisters. Except mine is from Puerto Rico. :) I'm an Ohio native (just outside of Cleveland), but transplanted to Georgia many years ago. I miss the pretty Fall season and snow.
I'm a mom of 5 girls and completely understand chaos. Thanks for the chuckle today. Know you are not alone. :)

Mama Smurf said...

My mom lives right down the street from me...as in, I can see her home from my porch...only, my mom speaks her volumes of suggestions through a look. Just a "look". And sadly, 9 out of 10 times her "look" is for good reason. =(

Amy said...

I found a lot of peace with my mom when I realized that she doesn't REMEMBER what it's like to have little kids. She thinks she does, and she remembers the big stuff (it's not like she has Alzheimer's or something) but she doesn't remember the day-to-day stuff the way she thinks she does.

It started when I asked her simple questions about what it was like for her after I was born, and several times she said, "Honey, I don't remember, it was thirty years ago!!" then when she started in with the "just one more things..." I was able to think, "She doesn't remember, it was thirty years ago!" and mentally mute her.

God love 'em, they drive us as nuts as our grandmothers drove them, even though they swore they would NEVER... Ha!

 

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