Mums the Word

I sometimes try to think how I used to describe myself when I was a teenager. At the time my main passions were reading, listening to music and hanging out with my friends.

Nowadays, its a miracle if I read 2 books a year, or go to a concert once every 2 years and those girls I used to hang about with, the only contact I have now is a facebook like every so often.

And while that can all chalk up to different things, people change and move on or whatever you want to say, I believe the main reason I rarely do any of these things anymore is because I don't describe myself that way anymore. I use a single word.

Mum.

I am a mum. That's how I describe myself. Instead of telling people about what I like and what interests me, I find myself telling people about my son and what he likes and what he can do. And that doesn't mean to say I no longer like to read or listen to music or see friends. It means I love to read but to my son, to see him smile when he hears his favorite line and can repeat the word back to me. To read the same book over and over until its engraved on my brain and I can recite it without even looking at the book (Grinch, I'm looking at you, you green bastard)

I couldn't tell you any songs that are in the charts, but it doesn't stop me putting on the music channels and flailing all limbs (its a form of dance, I swear!) to make my boy laugh. And I will sing all the lullabies and cartoon songs (bob the builder, can we fix it?) I can think of to get him to sing with me.

I don't see the same friends I went to school with, but to be honest that was before the baby. I think we can all admit to being different people in high school. People drift and find new personalities. I got new friends. Since having my son it certainly makes it more difficult to keep up with people, even more so when I went back to work. But the majority of my friends are also parents so it's an unspoken understanding that yup we are all busy, that doesn't mean we have fallen out, it just means we are mature enough to realize that people have stuff going on in their lives and don't always have time for a chit chat. And besides, I married my best friend so I still get to see him everyday (aww!)

The reason I tell everyone and anyone about my son, even when they ask about me, is because I love that little person to pieces, he makes me proud every day. I want everyone to know how much I love him and how fantastic he is. Even though occasionally I'll complain about his fussiness/tiredness/general toddler behavior!

I don't expect anyone to read this or like it, I write because it helps me understand what's going on in my head. If I can write my thoughts into a coherent sentence it makes a lot more sense than floating about in my brain! so welcome to my therapeutic release!