You've seen me before.
By Michelle Flood (Mom to Austin, 6 )
I'm the mom dragging her kid out of the car in the school parking lot while he holds on to the interior for dear life.
I'm the mom walking her kid into school wearing no shoes or coat when it's 12 degrees outside.
I'm the mom who issues a sigh instead of a gasp when caller ID shows it's the school calling.
Again.
I'm the mom whose cell phone number is on the school's speed dial.
I'm the mom who has strangers tell her she has the most charming son while caregivers tell her he's exhausting and suggest I look elsewhere for care.
I'm the mom who knows to hold onto the stair railing so she doesn't get pushed down the stairs in her child's rage.
I'm the mom who has put her kid in his room then sat outside crying while he emptied his closet and threw hangers at the door, chipping off the paint.
I'm the mom who had a lock on her kid's bedroom door to keep him in his room at night when he was young.
I'm the mom who knows the best way to carry a 50 lb kid in a manner where she can't get kicked, hit or bit.
I'm the mom who can turn her back for 2 seconds and lose her kid in a hotel, on a cruise ship, at the park, or anywhere that child abductors might be lurking.
I'm the mom who will let her 6 year old go into the men's bathroom at McDonalds alone rather than suffer a meltdown of epic proportions.
I'm the mom who people shake their heads at and say, "That kid wouldn't be doing that if he were my son", or "that kid just needs a swift kick in the pants".
On the other hand, I'm the mom who gets bear hugs and "I love you" with no prompting and right out of the blue.
I'm the mom who gets asked at bedtime, "Will you share some special time with me tonight?"
I'm the mom who has a little boy hugging and kissing her with total abandon - in front of his friends.
I'm the mom who smiles proudly as her son charms the waitress, the mailman and the pizza delivery kid.
I'm the mom who gets to celebrate even the tiniest accomplishments of her son because each one means so much.
I'm the mom who has a son who can make her double over laughing because he has such a great sense of humor.
And I'm the mom who can love her son through good and bad unconditionally.
I'm the mom with an ADHD son.
