I have, from time to time, written on this blog about being a bad Mum.
It’s true that we rarely eat breakfast at the table, preferring to bolt something down in the car. We don’t do homework. I don’t iron. In fact, the first time Flea saw an ironing board at my brother’s house, she gasped, in tones of wonder: “Uncle Jim, what is THAT?”Â
But today I think maybe, just maybe, we’re doing okay.
Flea’s taken to writing stories and diaries recently. She’s decided she’d like to be an author or a screenwriter when she grows up (she told me last night her favourite thing about The Muppets movie was that it ‘breaks the fourth wall’).
Anyway, this morning I found “The Story of My Life, by Flea” on the dining table when I came home from the school run.
The story of Flea’s life includes vivid descriptions of our trips to Germany and New York, her most recent sleepover, the jumping game at Stagecoach this weekend, and this – possibly the best closing line to a story EVER:
In case you’re not able to decipher 6-year-old writing, Flea’s life story ends with:
“Life is great. I love everything about it. But still there are more surprises to come.”Â
So, yeah, my child might be a bit late, and just a bit crumpled. She may sometimes have toast crumbs down the front of her blazer. But she’s basically just really happy. How cool is that?
That is AWESOME. You’re doing a great job!
Thanks, Kate!
That’s fab, Sally – you don’t need to ask for any more.
I know, it made me smile.
That is wonderful, indeed. Can we swap? I usually get ‘poo poo’ and ‘I hate you and Daddy and Eleanor and Wesley and I everyone in the world’. Right. I think I’m going to ban breakfast and homework (don’t iron so I have a head start there) and book a trip to New York. Do you think that will work?
Oh dear. I would certainly try that, even if it doesn’t work, you’ll be happier.
that is awesome!
Isn’t it?
Oh love… and more surprises to come!!! Clearly you are doing a great job!!!
Well, I got very lucky with Flea, I must admit!
I’m so impressed by that, there’s literally no better gift as a mother than hearing something like that. It also makes me feel better that I rarely iron either!
It’s just the best feeling to think your kids are happy, isn’t it?
THAT is very VERY cool indeed. You are obviously getting it absolutely right.
Well, I’m not sure I’d go THAT far 😉
That is super cool – and who says the odd crumb and being crumpled makes a bad mother???
Fair point.
That’s brilliant. I’d be well chuffed with that!
Me too!
Read words are lovely so powerful so sweet. x
Thanks Claire.
She is a keeper that girl. Love the new look too, very clean
She certainly is – and thanks!
Made me cry ! Obviously being an evil overlord is the way forward as an example to us all.
Wonderful post Sally, you are doing a great job. (Now all you need is twins) Minion smiles and evil smile xx
Thanks, minion.
well that is just fab!
I agree!
Oh. I bet even YOU welled up a le-e-e-tle bit. How amazing is that?
Make sure you ave that stashed somewhere ve-e-ry safe and special. You’ll need it for daily reading in approximately 7 years time…
Perhaps just a tiny bit…
I love that and your daughter does sound pretty amazing! I would put myself at the same place as you in terms of mothering (I have a very similar story of my 8 year old son seeing someone iron) but also realise I’ve not done a bad job of dragging him up!
Indeed, it’s nice to be able to see they’re doing okay despite the dodgy parenting, I think.
WOW, what an awesome diary… And has clearly inherited a gift for writing, you’ll let us know when her first novel is published, won’t you?
Ha! the girl does love a good story.
That’s super cool 🙂 Love the new look blog too.
Why thankyou kindly!
Just adorable, and I’m sure she is right!
Hope so!
Love the new look and this post made me want to give you a big big hug! 🙂
And why can I still not subscribe to comments on this new lovely looking blog??? 🙂
I’m still tinkering, need to sort out the feeds this week, I think.
Hmmm, no acknowledgement of the “made me want to give you a big hug” part.
*Wonder why?* 🙂
Blooming fantastic. I’d be over the moon if my children wrote something like that when they are bigger
It’s great isn’t it – I suspect all of us just want to think our children are happy.
Wow-you are a good Mum, a great Mum in fact. I am a screenwriter and was impressed with the Muppets breaking of the fourth wall. If Flea needs a job I can point her in the right direction (www.vpsarias.co.uk)
oh wow !! im so pleased for you well done ! as a simgle mum also, that would make my life if my son wrote that 🙂
The problem is that there is that we have this idea if what a good mother is. How can there be one size fits all? Sounds like you’re doing a bang up job to me.
That finishing line is just brilliant. I think the girl needs her own blog.
That is just lovely! I’d be a happy Mum if Z wrote that 🙂
Finally able to comment on this post. I absolutely love it, and am crying just reading it. Very impressive thoughts ;)))
Very sweet! Can I take a leaf out of your parenting notebook?
Aww a really lovely post. It sounds like you’re doing a brilliant job. I don’t think of parenting as a learning curve more like a learning vertical line!
That is awesome. Just about the best thing you could hear from your child. It made my heart sigh.