With Olivia Steuer
Guilt is a normal part of parenting, as I well understand. No matter what I do, there will always be guilt. Mine seems to be compounded by many factors including: triplets, taking care of an ill spouse, and occasionally taking care of myself.
When I take a few minutes daily to take care of something for myself I feel guilty, even if it helps me be a better mother down the line. I have to remember to play!
For fun, I asked Olivia to help me with this article. I wanted to see what she was looking forward to in May. Olivia came up with seven ideas: Mother’s Day, her tonsils and adenoids coming out, my birthday, the mother of the year award during the Tulip Festival, spring, playing outside and the Kids Bowl Free program.
I asked her to elaborate on the topics, but the only thing she would elaborate on was my birthday: May the fourth. Olivia cracks up every time she says my birthday because she loves “Star Wars.” May the fourth be with you! Now, come on, Mom, let’s go play!
This month, I am going to listen to Olivia and end here with this thought: Being a mom isn’t easy and I should play more. There’s no guilt in that.
Jennifer Steuer is an Albany mom whose busy household includes her husband, Harlan, and 8-year-old triplets Olivia, Benjamin and Rebecca. Follow her on Twitter @Got_Triplets.
