How Motherhood Has Changed Me – Part I
I swore that when I became a mom I would not, absolutely not, become one of those moms who could only talk about her kids; one of those moms who had the almost supernatural ability to steer any conversation whether it be about classic literature, politics, or lingerie, back to her offspring.
Well, guess what. I am there.
In fact, I am so there that I have started this blog to help me accomplish just that.
It is not that I don’t love literature and politics. I mean, I do. (I do admit, though, that it is my husband who likes the lingerie, not me). I used to be an avid NPR listener. I used to read Shakespeare for fun, for goodness sakes. But when faced with the chance to bring up something funny my four year old son said, or to lament with another mom about the perils of 13 year old girls, I cannot resist. It is like a reflex. At first, I tried my own intervention. But all I could come up with was a subscription to Entertainment Weekly and so now I can talk about my kids and the entertainment industry, not exactly the Ivy-league solution I was hoping for.
So, there is no doubt that motherhood has changed me. I feel that in many ways I am the sequel to myself. The first part of the story was the flashy, sexy version that knew something about wine, music, and art. Someone who wore heels and drank fancy beers and drove a sports car. But, part II (as most sequels tend to be) is a bit “off” from the original. Not bad, not bad at all, just so wildly not what you expected that it causes you to tilt your head and wonder is this comfortable-clothes-wearing, covered-in-sweet potatoes, messy-ponytail, PTA mom the same person as before?
Well. I am the same person but different, too. I can still talk about Barrack Obama, Dante’s Inferno, and the pros and cons to wearing thong underwear. But, I can also steer each and every one of those conversations back to the 5 most incredible, wonderful, amazing, awe-inspiring people I know…my kids.
The Kiddos: Age 13, 12, 9, 4 (the only boy) and a baby!
Great. Now the whole world knows about my fondness for lingerie…
Love it!! My early version of myself was a Jeep drivin’ (the old cool kind), warehouse urban apartment, architect with kids on the side. Kids are now def. the main course and I’m so happy to be your neighbor in our very nondescript suburb! Your Old Bloo, Christiana
I absolutely love it!! There are so many things to relate too. The new version and the old version (the old version was younger but I think the new version is wiser). I don’t think an hour could go by without talking about the kids in some way. Unless of course I am asleep and even then I will wake up in the middle of night remembering something or afraid I will forget something.
Even as I type this my kids are yelling at me to hurry.
I look forward to following the blog!! Way to go Kari!
Looks GREAT Kari! Congrats on your new endeavor!! :D
Kari,
You go girl – way to embrace the gifts that God has given you!
Kari,
Love the blog! I can not wait to hear more.
Well, bring back the sports car for goodness sakes. Then you have an escape vehicle when necessary that can outrun the mini-van. Love the pic of some of my favorite kids in the ‘hood.
Welcome to the club–do you have a hair clip i can borrow?
Though I still listen to NPR. Where else would I learn random facts to impress friends and influence…well no one? ;-)
content, organization & sentence structure=4
conventions=2
Total=6
Oh My Goodness! There’s that teacher in me!
Your mom says, Excellent and good job for your never ending creativity, hard work and wisdom. Proudly with great love-mom
I think I begged you to blog your adventures a few years ago. So glad you finally can. Can’t wait to read more!
Wonderful! Your mom must be so proud… By the way, I think parenting changes one for good. Although I have been an attorney for 25 years and a mother for only 16 1/2 years, my identity is so firmly tied up in being “mom” that I can’t imagine what life would have been like without my children. I could walk away from my career without much angst (if only I didn’t need a paycheck and insurance!) but never my family.
Go gettum Kari!
Love it! Can’t wait for more!!
I can’t believe that my mom gave me a WASL score…. ah geez…. I guess I should be glad that I passed!
Kari, I am so excited for you and for ME! I live to read a comment on my blog from you! Now I get to read your posts a few times a week! Does the public know what is in store! I am serious, your writing is gold, and I can’t wait to read more. Thanks for taking the risk as a woman–for having the faith to move toward that “creative goal that shimmers”. The world is going to be much better for it. I am, every time you post or send me an email. And this means everything. I love you Kari!
I love the photo of your kids! I realized you were one of the families we photographed in MeRa’s workshop in June! Can’t wait to read more Congrats on the new blog.
Kari,
I’m loving this post and this site. I heard about you from Me Ra Koh’s blog! I don’t think of it as an old and new version, I just think of it as a natural maturation and growth… with new dimensions and changing priorities. Sort of like a distillation process. I understand what you mean though about how different we seem now as mothers than we were before. It’s an incredible journey. I am constantly awed by children in general and by my son in particular. And so grateful for the privilege of being his mother!
Congrats on the new blog! Excited to follow along with you Kari! =)