The best version of me

Amelie’s favourite game at the moment is playing Mummy and baby.

We have been through the shop-keeper, hairdresser, bus/train driver, bear, monster and dinosaur stage and now she is either a mummy or a baby, with Justin and I left to play the other roles.

shop keeper/barista

Hairdresser

Bus Driver

Dinasour/Monster?

Mummy


This phase has come at a time when she has begun to understand the relationships in her family. She has checked with me that Nanny is my Mummy and when confirmed, has suggested that I seek her assistance in the same way she would seek mine. I think my favourite example was when she offered, “Do you need Nanny to keep you company on the toilet? Maybe she just come and hold your hand?”

If you ever want to truly know what type of parent you are, play with your child and reverse roles - It tells you a whole lot more about what they think about you than a cheesy “My mum is the best” mug on mother’s day.

It has been eye opening and, as always with Amelie, a bit wonderful.

Lately, I have been enjoying and, so I don’t forget, have been taking note of “Amelie-isms”. She has her own take on words and hearing quite grown up expressions from an almost 3 year old brings a smile to my face.

While playing mummies, I have heard what I sound like and it has made me laugh. Apparently, I say “apparently” a lot - I say “I’m serious!” - I say “for goodness sake!” and (while driving a car) I say “Come on, mate!” … a lot.

According to Amelie, I also sound like this: “Hello, Darling Heart.”-  “I love you in the whole world!” –“You’re my buddaful girl" - "Of course! I’d love to! I do anything for you” –“It ok, I here.”-  "I so proud of you.“ - “Good on you, Sweetheart. Well done!” – “I missed you!”

"It ok, I here, Darling Heart"

Being Amelie’s mum has shown me that I have infinite patience, kindness and love to offer. I can be selfless, have been at my most organised and thorough and most importantly, I am at my happiest.

When I’m in mum mode, for Amelie, I think about nutrition, rest and sleep, I think about opportunities for getting us out of the house – I seek out fun things to do, things to do as a family, catching up with friends and family and making new friends. When you’re a mum, these things are important - these things are always important - being Amelie's mum has reminded me of that*.

If at the end of the day, our children turn out ok and think we’re great, can you ask for any more than that?

Amelie has allowed me to see the best version of me.

Being Amelie’s mum is the best version of me.

Being Amelie’s mum is the best.

And for that I will always be grateful.

*I have to thank my bloggy friend, Peggy from Cake Crumbs and Beach Sand who has probably allowed me to see this stage as not just a cute phase in my child’s development but as a lesson in self love. As mums we have to remember that we are doing an ok job and cut ourselves some slack now and again.