Leigh Ann: UNDER CONSTRUCTION

"To thine own self, be true."

Okay, so when Shakespeare wrote that, he was obviously NOT a parent.
     You see, being a parent is hard work.  And I don't mean the 2 a.m. feedings, the never ending fights about bed time, the colic, the back talk, etc.  Basically everything that babies and kids do to make messes and make you wanna pull your hair out. (Don't get it twisted, all that sucks and is hard work.)  No, what I'm referring to is the amount of restraint and patience it takes EVERYDAY to be a parent.
     When you become a parent, no one tells you that you have to change your mentality.  It's like everyone thinks that as soon as you see this new wiggly bundle of joy that you are immediately transformed into this different being.  No one tells you about the "oh shit" moment.  In case you are not familiar with this particular moment, allow me to illuminate:  Imagine when you graduated high school, you are now an adult.  You have the world at your feet, and you have ZERO idea what you're gonna do.  Multiply that by a million and you'll have a vague conception of the "oh shit" moment.
   In psychological terms, when you have a baby, you have to go from id to super-ego instantly.  But it's not just your kids to which you have to show restraint; it's everyone and everything.  Why?  Because you have to set an example.  It is a mental workout, if you will, everyday to be a parent.  It's just like the Direct TV  commercial:  Don't have a grand kid w/ a dog collar.
   See, before kids, I had a big mouth and a bad temper.  I still have them, but I can't cuss people out just because I'm mad.  I have to "use my words."  Gone are the days of "tellin it like it is" no- now the name of the game is diplomacy.  And this is not just being a parent- it's being a grown up, too.
   Now, when I say all of this, I am in no way bashing kids or parenting.  Truth be told, at the end of the day, I love my little family.  It's all in good fun that I say the things that I say.  See, parenting is like class.  Upper class would be your parents that love love LOVE being parents and were blessed with perfect, well behaved kids.  The lower class would be the ones that go out all the time, leave their child with whomever, beat their kids, etc.
Here's the funny part about being a parent:  Everyone thinks that you are an "upper class" parent until you do something that they don't do or agree with and just like that (snap fingers) you are a lower class parent!  Fact is, we all, for the most part, are middle class parents.
     Middle class parents have structure- somewhat. (hey kids are chaotic, they have off days)  My children have structure because I discipline them!  And I do like a little sporadic "me time" (hey, who doesn't?)  But at the end of the day, when the fighting over bed time is over and i get hugs and kisses from those awesome little boys, I get a sense of accomplishment because they still love me and my hair is still in tact- so far.

So this is me. My life. My opinion.  This blog is not meant to be all about parenting; it's just what was on my mind tonight.  This is about my journey of becoming a better woman, daughter, wife, parent and friend.  I hope you enjoyed and stay tuned...