The Mom Rule Book

I heard it throughout my childhood.  And every time I did, I burned with anger.  I will never, ever say those words, I thought to myself.  NEVER.  Those words that, when uttered by my Mom, would send me into a tailspin.  “Because I said so.”  In my little somewhat childlike logical mind – that phrase never made sense.  Just give me a reason!  Tell my “why!”  “I will never say that to my own kids,” I told my Mom.  She just smiled, making me fume even more.  So…you can imagine how I felt the first time that phrase came out of my mouth when addressing my then toddler daughter.  It was like I was outside of my body, watching and hearing myself use that same mis-logic I had had to endure as a child.  And then I smiled.   Ah-ha, I thought to myself.  I get it.  There are just certain things that are reserved for moms.  It was a light bulb moment - - Moms get to have their own set of rules!

Here are just some of the rules from my own mom rule book :

I WILL yell at you for asking me the same thing three times in a row, however,  I CAN ask you three times if you’ve brushed your teeth.  Mom Rules.

I WILL sing along to your hip-hop, super-tweeny radio station.  Especially if you have friends in the car.  Mom Rules.

I WILL watch your Disney/Nik/Cartoon Network shows with you and complain about them and ask annoying questions.  Mom Rules.

I WILL tell you to take a sweater.  No matter what the temperature.  Mom Rules.

I WILL wave at you while you are trying to perform or play a sport.  Mom Rules.

I WILL do the grocery shopping and bring home fruits and veggies for snacking and not cakes, candy and soda.  And then I WILL get mad when your Father goes out and gets the cakes, candy and soda.  Mom Rules.

I WILL do the checklist every time you are going to leave the house for an overnight --- Underwear? Toothbrush?  Socks? Etc.   Mom Rules.

I WILL tell you to go upstairs and change if I don’t like the outfit you have chosen to wear.  Mom Rules.

I WILL cry at the Hallmark commercial about dropping your child off at college, while I am feeding you your bottle at age 3 months.  For that matter, I WILL cry whenever  I want at whatever I want, usually having something to do with “my baby” growing up.  Mom Rules.

I WILL have to stop at every public restroom we pass on our errands.  Mom Rules.

 I WILL love and care for you and worry about you from the minute you are born until the day I die.  Mom Rules.

I WILL say “because I said so,” without giving you an explanation, anytime I want.  And I WOULD give anything, anything in the world to hear my Mom say it one more time.

MOM RULES!