As a mom I spend a LOT of time thinking about my children. There are millions of tiny things I do every day with my kids best interests at heart. But sometimes I do some things with and for my kids, but there are ulterior motives at work.
Mom Things I Do That Have Ulterior Motives
- While the girls are brushing teeth, or when I’m doing a good round of hair brushing, I’ve been known to spend a few extra minutes running my fingers through their hair. Sometimes they like it. Sometimes they tell me to stop. But what I’m really doing is a really quick head lice check. I know, it would be super sneaky if the kids didn’t already know I’m amazingly paranoid now about the tiny bugs in their hair.
- Every night when I go check on my daughters before I go to bed I will give them a kiss on the forehead. It’s one of the sweet, lovely mom things I do that have ulterior motives. Placing my lips on my daughter’s head gives me a real quick check on their temperature. Yes, every night I check my daughters for a fever. Unless they’re sleeping in a really weird position where I can’t reach a forehead without actually climbing on the bed.
- Fold the laundry. I know, that sounds like a weird one. Folding the laundry is an easy task to share with the kids, right? It’s true – and Emma knows how to fold and put away laundry (doesn’t mean she does it, though!) But taking the clean laundry hampers upstairs, turning on my radio, and just folding and sorting laundry is a task I like to do when everyone else is home and has been driving me bonkers. No one comes and bothers me because they don’t want to get stuck helping. It’s like taking “me time” without the fun of a glass of wine and a good book.
Maybe I’m weird, but these things give me a measure of comfort in my day. Routine is a wonderful thing for keeping stress levels down. And I’m sure there are other mom things I do that have ulterior motives, but they don’t jump out at me.
There must be some things you do in your parenting life that serve a few purposes. Care to share them with me? I’m happy to read others experiences and habits. Leave me a message in the comments!
~Jess
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