I do not have children...yet. However, I do have a truckload of nieces and nephews, am ninang to several godchildren, and am fondly called tita/auntie to by some of the cutest little tots on the planet. I also have dozens of "children" whom I've mentored through the years who've grown to dearly call me "mother." People say momming-mommy na daw ang peg ko. Hmmmm...I often wondered if that were a good thing.
Mommies out there will be quick to say that it isn't the same; I don't claim that it is. I have yet to cross that bridge, I know.
For now, I don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to feed (my breasts and sleep schedule are mine alone—or well someone else's of my choosing). I don't have to calm a kid who's throwing a fit (I think a mother's patience is like wisdom teeth; mine haven't even crowned yet!). I don't have to mediate between catty kid fights (hmmmm...would it work if I just give them a pair of gloves? Matira matibay?). And, I don't have to mop up a mess on soiled sheets (eeeeewww).
For now, I'll sashay unapologetically late into a kiddie party. I'll probably hide the Facebook feeds of moms who incessantly post pics of their kids—unless of course I find your kinds adorable or if you're posting pics of my godchildren (I adore my godchildren!). I'll also probably ask to switch my seat on a long haul flight if I were near rowdy toddlers or crying babies.
For now, while I'm enjoying the spoils of being kid-free, I'm also watching my mommy friends feeling all warm and cozy when their babies hug them tightly. I'll also be in awe of proud mommies celebrating the tots' tender milestones ("Zo! She stood up on her own and is walking around na!"/"Yey! Ninang! First honor!"). And, I'll always be fond of my little nieces and nephews who think I'm their coolest aunt ever!
Recently, I spent time with some of my nieces and nephews. In the span of a couple of days, I witnessed a whole spectrum of mommy powers. Let's put it this way: I knew my cousins were amazing, but I've confirmed that they're actual superwomen! I realized then that most mommies (mine included!) are exactly that--super humans blessed with extra-ordinary patience, powerful immunity, the highest tolerance for ick, and enormous, overflowing hearts!
I only wish that when it's my turn to be a mommy, I'll get to channel all the fab mommies I've had the privileged of knowing. I pray that I'll be as patient, kind, and loving. I pray that I'll love my children as much as these mommies do. I pray that by then, I'll be ready to bid my child-free days goodbye...and welcome mommyhood with as much willingness and excitement (keri ba 'yun, mommy friends?). I hope my children will be as blessed as your children are.
As mother's day draws nearer, I want to salute my mom, all my mommy friends, titas/aunties, and grandmothers who all proudly wear their mommy tiaras with pride. It isn't an easy task, but you get me excited to hop aboard that crazy roller coaster.
People say momming-mommy na daw ang peg ko. You know what? I'll take that as a compliment.:-) If I'm anything like the super cool moms in my book, then I'm on the right track.
Happy Mother's day, moms!
Photo lifted from fabricattic.com.
Mommies out there will be quick to say that it isn't the same; I don't claim that it is. I have yet to cross that bridge, I know.
For now, I don't have to wake up in the middle of the night to feed (my breasts and sleep schedule are mine alone—or well someone else's of my choosing). I don't have to calm a kid who's throwing a fit (I think a mother's patience is like wisdom teeth; mine haven't even crowned yet!). I don't have to mediate between catty kid fights (hmmmm...would it work if I just give them a pair of gloves? Matira matibay?). And, I don't have to mop up a mess on soiled sheets (eeeeewww).
For now, I'll sashay unapologetically late into a kiddie party. I'll probably hide the Facebook feeds of moms who incessantly post pics of their kids—unless of course I find your kinds adorable or if you're posting pics of my godchildren (I adore my godchildren!). I'll also probably ask to switch my seat on a long haul flight if I were near rowdy toddlers or crying babies.
For now, while I'm enjoying the spoils of being kid-free, I'm also watching my mommy friends feeling all warm and cozy when their babies hug them tightly. I'll also be in awe of proud mommies celebrating the tots' tender milestones ("Zo! She stood up on her own and is walking around na!"/"Yey! Ninang! First honor!"). And, I'll always be fond of my little nieces and nephews who think I'm their coolest aunt ever!
Recently, I spent time with some of my nieces and nephews. In the span of a couple of days, I witnessed a whole spectrum of mommy powers. Let's put it this way: I knew my cousins were amazing, but I've confirmed that they're actual superwomen! I realized then that most mommies (mine included!) are exactly that--super humans blessed with extra-ordinary patience, powerful immunity, the highest tolerance for ick, and enormous, overflowing hearts!
I only wish that when it's my turn to be a mommy, I'll get to channel all the fab mommies I've had the privileged of knowing. I pray that I'll be as patient, kind, and loving. I pray that I'll love my children as much as these mommies do. I pray that by then, I'll be ready to bid my child-free days goodbye...and welcome mommyhood with as much willingness and excitement (keri ba 'yun, mommy friends?). I hope my children will be as blessed as your children are.
As mother's day draws nearer, I want to salute my mom, all my mommy friends, titas/aunties, and grandmothers who all proudly wear their mommy tiaras with pride. It isn't an easy task, but you get me excited to hop aboard that crazy roller coaster.
People say momming-mommy na daw ang peg ko. You know what? I'll take that as a compliment.:-) If I'm anything like the super cool moms in my book, then I'm on the right track.
Happy Mother's day, moms!
Photo lifted from fabricattic.com.
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