I realize that I have 4 kids, I know that I have mom obligations for all the fall, winter, spring concerts, the track meets, the boy scout meetings, but I feel I am going to go bonkers by the time my 4 yo gets out of high school. I have spent too many hours to count sitting on the bleachers in a too hot gym, for too long, hearing too many grades play or sing too many songs. Hours in den and pack meetings, hours sitting in the rain waiting for the few seconds of one of my kids running by. I know that other moms happily sit and run and do all this stuff but I dont think I am one of them. I know how much it means to them, it is why I try to make as many of them as I can even if it is like chinese water torture. I realized I have gone through 11 years already and have another 14 years to go. Does anybody else feel this way or am I a bad mom all by myself?

By Emily7 on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 12:47 pm:

I have not started to go through this, but something tells me you are not alone.

By Tink on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 02:18 pm:

Honestly, we've barely started this and it already gets old. I'm really proud of my ds for doing a somersault but the fiftieth one looked a lot like the ones before it. I love my dd's paintings and I'm so proud of her for making something for the art exhibit but it's hot in that cafeteria, the scent of all those lunches is overwhelming and I'm sick of listening to all the parents "one up" each other in how smart, talented, or wonderful their little one is. I know how important it is for my children and I love seeing their eyes light up when I attend this activities. That's the only reason I do it. If those are signs of being a bad mom, sign me up!

By Happynerdmom on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 02:19 pm:

You're not a bad mom, Kristen! Just human. I can only imagine how you feel! I only have two, and they are not in a ton of sports/activities. DD has choir concerts and lacrosse, DS plays football, they both have church activities, but that's about it.(No band, thank God!) When DS was in t-ball, I about died! So boring, the games so long, and your kid only does something every once in a while. I used to get so excited when games were rained out! Football is great because I don't have to sit through practices, games are only once a week, and they're pretty short. When he wrestled, the matches took most of the day sometimes, but I enjoy watching wrestling, so it wasn't too bad. My only advice is to pare it down to attending as few activities as possible, but with four kids, good luck! The bottom line...just think how fast these last 11 years have gone by...the kids will be gone before you know it, and you'll look back fondly on these years, wishing you could sit through one more concert. (At least that's what I tell myself, LOL!)

By Tonya on Friday, May 13, 2005 - 02:25 pm:

Timmy is in soccer and scouts so for right now I only have to do the games. Rich does the practices (he is the coach) and the scouts (he will be leader in the fall) I do only scout main functions 1x every 2-3 months. When Jade gets big enough I will have brownies and whatever else she wants. I want to be leader for her troop from start to finish. My parents did this stuff with me and I am so glad.

I will admit doing all of this stuff runs me ragged but they enjoy it and it keeps them out of trouble and we know where they are. The busier they are the less chance they have to be bored and get in trouble right!

But you are not a bad mom cause I enjoy the occasional rain out of activities for sure too!!!