Dear Most Moms on the iPhone

This post has been circulating around the internet.  It rubbed me the wrong way.  So I decided to write my own.


Dear Most Moms on the iPhone,

I see you over there on the bench.  Are you like me and at this park because you realllllly need your kids to burn off some energy??  You've been home with your kids all day....changing diapers, playing dolls, building with Legos, fixing meals, fretting over sleep (or lack thereof) habits, eating chicken fingers (because who wants to cook two lunches?), and you just need a break.  Am I right??!!

I can't see your phone, but I imagine you are checking Facebook or Twitter or Instagram.   How wonderful that moms can connect so easily with the outside world.

- Your best friend from college you, unfortunately, haven't talked to in months because your relatively normal kids become screaming banshees when you pick up the phone.....can you believe how big her kids are getting?? And, goodness, aren't they cute??

- Your sister who is doing her part to change the world....how cool is it to see her protesting going to war with Syria??  Don't you enjoy watching your nephew grow up from afar??

- Your friend that lives 5 minutes away that you don't steal away nearly enough time with....her status updates keep you sane.....am I right??  THANKFULLY, you aren't the only one whose son thought peeing in a public place is acceptable.  (You may want to look up....your son is peeing on the tree.  Actually, keep looking at your phone and pretend you don't whose kid that is.)

You know what??  This mothering gig is HARD.  Yes, it's awesome.  Yes, it passes quickly. Yes, the years are short.  Blah, blah, blah.  It's also HARD.

And there are days when you're on the verge of losing your mind.  Those days don't pass so quickly.

Which is why they invented parks.

So your kids can run freely, climb stairs, go down slides, dig in the dirt, meet other kids.

And so you, overworked, tired mama can get a break.  And, yes, check your phone.

Because your daughter who is twirling around, looking so beautiful......you watched her perform an impromptu play for 45 minutes this morning.

And your son who is begging to be pushed in the swing.....I know you cuddled him while watching Toy Story for the 4000th time last night.

And that same child who is begging you to "watch this".....you watched him learn to walk, learn to swim, learn to ride his bike.  You've watched him for so many sweet moments. And those are just the big ones.  You also watch him dance to Kung Fu Fighting.  You watch him laugh and laugh at the same knock knock joke he's heard 436 times.  You watch him.  A lot.

Let me just say: you don't have to watch your sweet, precious, they'll-be-grown-before-you-know-it children every waking moment of the day.  They don't need a constant audience.  They don't need to be the center of the universe.

I see your sweet child befriending the shy child who just got to the park.  Obviously, you taught him that, sweet mama.

I also see that child helping up his friend who just fell down.  You're doing a great job.

Wow, your kid can count to ten in Spanish??  Ok, let's be honest.  She learned that from Dora. Cheers to educational TV!

Sweet mama, you are doing the best you can.  I know you love your kids.  I know you care deeply for them and get teary eyed at the thought of them leaving for college.

And I also know checking your iPhone does not convey it's more important than your child anymore than taking a shower does.

Yes, your children will grow up.  And, yes, there will be thousands of moments you miss......because you're taking a nap, reading a book, hanging out with a friend, on a date with your husband, eating lunch, or, gasp, checking your iPhone.....but there are millions of moments you soak in and enjoy because you're an awesome mama who delights in her children.  You laugh with them.  You read to them.  You teach them.  You pray with them.  You wipe their bottoms and clean up their puke, for crying out loud.

Sweet mama on the iPhone, I see you over there on the bench......in the brief moments I look up from my phone.


Sincerely,
The mom whose toddler is eating dirt
(it's nutritious, right?)