Things You Should Never Say to a Mother

Apparently, people have no common sense.

Seriously.

There are just some things you should never, ever say to a mother. But people say them. To me, at least.

So please, people, listen up and take note.

Things You Should Never Say to a Mother:

1. You look tired.
Thanks for pointing that one out. Never mind the fact that I spent more time getting ready this morning than I have for the past two weeks. Yes, I am tired. No, my eight month old doesn't sleep through the night. Yes, I've been sorta under the weather for a week and am really not feeling very good today. So thank you so much for the encouraging words. I'll work on that.

2. Don't worry; those extra pounds will come off eventually!
Wow. Yes, I am aware that I am considerably heavier now than I was pre-pregnancy. I did gain a lot of weight while pregnant (earning me the title of woman with the biggest pregnancy belly in the history of the world, apparently). Yes, I'm nursing. But no, I'm not one of the lucky ones whose weight just falls right off afterward. Hmmm...maybe it's the brownies that I have to eat to nurse the wound that comes from your comments!

3. After hearing that we have chosen to homeschool our daughter: Why in the world would you do that?
Do you really want me to go into that? Here? Now? Is it not enough that we obviously believed it would be the best thing for her? Or maybe I should just start acting like some crazy cat lady who won't let her children get out of the house or speak to other children...yeah, that might be fun.

4. Do you work or are you just a mom?
I wake up and feed the baby at least once, somtimes three times in the middle of the night. I prepare lesson plans for my daughter. I do the dishes. I do the laundry. I cook three meals a day. I do all of the grocery shopping. I clean up. I wipe a baby's butt all day long. I teach math, English, history, science, music, home-ec, Bible, and common sense. I read stories. I kiss boo-boos. I discipline. I play outside when I really don't feel like it. I also type for a court reporting firm in my spare time. I vaccuum. I sweep. I make phone calls. I answer emails. I clean toilets. I tuck children in to bed. I care for sick people...but no, I don't work at all. Just a mom.

5. You don't look old enough to have a 10 year old.
Well, I am really so incredibly sorry that you feel this way. I do have a 10 year old, whether I look old enough or not. I'm sure she loves to hear that her mom doesn't look old enough to be her mom. (Although the alternative, "You look too old" may be worse).

So please, America. Use some sense. Think before you speak.

(And please take the sarcasm with a grain of salt. Thanks!)