Motherly Advice: Mommy, as Beautiful as a Princess

Out of the mouths of babes...

The other day I was folding laundry and listening to Christmas music. As I was folding a big quilt and had it draped around me as I slowly swayed to the carol streaming on Pandora, Darling 2 said to me with a big grin on his face, "Mommy, you look like a Princess!"

Oh, talk about melting my heart. Not many others, if any at all, would think such a thing about me ever, much less at that moment in the late afternoon of a weekday wearing a sweater and jeans with an old quilt draped around me like a big princess-y skirt. But Darling 2 meant it; and what he was thinking of was Belle, Cinderella, Snow White and the other Disney princesses, who are beautiful to him.

Any time I wear a skirt or a dress or big, sparkly jewelry my Boys tell me how pretty I am. In their child eyes, there is nothing more beautiful than the mommy. Isn't it amazing how strong the love and bonds are between a mother and child. That adoration acts like rose colored glasses.

They don't see the bags under your eyes or the wrinkles staking claim across your forehead or around the corners of your mouth or the crazy gray hairs sprouting from your scalp or the extra pounds on your hips. They see the person who reassures them when they're worried, nourishes them when hungry, makes them laugh, holds their hands, reads their favorite stories and lavishes hugs, kisses and cuddles on them every day.

So often, the mom is missing from the family photo albums. Perhaps she feels too fat or doesn't have makeup on or her hair is a mess or she's wearing sweats or she's just always the one taking the photos. What the mom doesn't realize is how important photos of her are to her children, both now and later. If God forbid, the mom was suddenly taken from the family, those photos would become the children's most treasured belongings.

It can certainly mean swallowing my pride sometimes, but I have begun allowing my boys to snap photos of me with them and alone. Of course, I have also figured out how to tilt my head and smile prettily when they start aiming the camera my direction. Another advantage I have that my mother didn't have is the digital aspect, which means I can delete the most dreadful shots. My mother just used the rip up the photo and dispose of the evidence approach when she didn't like it a photo of herself.

So, as the holidays approach be sure to put yourself in front of the lens and get some sweet shots of you and your kiddos and spouse. If you don't allow your child to handle your camera, consider getting a disposable version or cheap digital point and shoot for their use. And never underestimate what your kids see when they look at you, their mommy; more beautiful than all the {Disney} princesses in the world. Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[TLM]

Love this! And in my eyes too, you will always be my beautiful princess!!

[Gussy Sews]

oh Anna, this is so sweet. i'm excited to meet your DD's this week. and i've seen you dressed up, you DO look like a princess with your sparklies on :)

your comments about letting photos be taken, and the little note about tilting your head (hah!) are right to the point. moms are awesome and they need to be a part of the photo albums :)

*let me know if you need any tips, like adding Cyndi Lauper-inspired lip gloss ;D