Yes, I joined a mom's group when I moved back to California in an attempt to meet other moms in my neighborhood. Originally, my bestie and fellow new mom Lisa was attending the events with me so I felt like I had one of my peeps in my corner. But she has since started a new job so her availability is limited and she couldn't make it to the party. So as excited as I was for Jack to go have fun, I was less than thrilled for myself. The thought of having to make small talk with all of these "mommies" was more than I could bear. But it's a small price to pay for my child's happiness, right?!
You see, I had it in my head that they were all crazy moms - the kind that only talk about their kids, never drink or swear and are card carrying members of the La Leche League. Soooo not my peeps, right! So I was dreading having to go it alone and talk about potty training, nursing and losing the baby weight. But I forged ahead with my best mommy armor on.
So we went inside and surveyed the crowd looking for the safest group of moms to talk to. I fully anticipated to not enjoy myself. Jack on the other hand was just beside himself with excitement because it was at a bouncy house place. So he immediately took off his shoes and he was at it, bouncing around, going down slides, freely making friends with kids he had never met. So here I am standing there judging these women, while my awesome kid who lives only to play and have fun, is jumping and laughing with kids he has never met. He didn't care who they were, what race or gender they were. He didn't judge at all. He just went in full force and had fun.
And it hit me....all my years of living and judging other people has left me slightly jaded and sometimes I expect the worst in people before I even meet them. Instead of engaging them whole heartily, I was aloof. But what I really needed to be doing was just jumping right in like Jack and getting to know these women for who they really were instead of who I thought they were. And in that moment I was so proud of Jack for showing me what it was like to live freely, without judgement and to just have fun!
So I did just that. I talked to everyone, played with their kids and even went down the slide a few times. And can I tell you that I had a really great time and met some very nice ladies. Don't get me wrong, we did talk about breastfeeding and the trials of being a working mom...because ya know we ARE moms! But we also managed to squeeze in some discussion on shopping and the drama of the Real Housewives of Orange County! And I realized that these moms really aren't much different than me and that we're all in this mommyhood together. I actually look forward to seeing some of the moms again at the next function.
I hope to always remember that day and what I learned. Kids have such pure hearts, not yet tainted by the world. And it allows them to live in the moment and do things that just make them happy. I love that Jack is still in that place...the place of purity and innocence. But just because I am 37 doesn't mean I can't live there too. I just need to make a conscious effort to go there more often. Because I don't want to miss out on any more great life experiences because I'm too afraid to let my guard down and jump right in. Thanks Jack!
As usual I didn't get great pictures....do you know how hard it is to take pictures of a toddler jumping in a bounce house while holding a baby! Plus my camera sucks! Anyway, here are a few that I like...
Jack met this little girl right when we got there and played with her all day...
Just having fun...
As you can see, he didn't put that ball down all day...
So all the kids gathered for a group picture. But you know Jack has to do things his own way....do you see that little figure in the bounce house between the two red bars. That's my boy, always going rogue!
He did manage to put the ball down long enough to inhale goldfish, juice, pizza and cupcakes. The kid was in hog-heaven...
He sat at a table of all girls. So I said to him, "Buddy, you're sitting with all girls. Do you know that girls rule!" His response, "Mama, I rule too!" I can't argue there. I love this kid...
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