Baby Mama

I remember when I was 13 I got my first gig as a babysitter and I was simply hooked. I guess from that day on, I found myself drawn to children. I was blessed, and I mean blessed, to really feel and be a part of two families in Grants Pass on a regular basis as their "babysitter".

Fast forward 14 years later, and here I am with 3 of my own kiddos and I have a "word of advice" {I'm not that wise, but this is serious} for young girls...

Babysit, girls. Babysit as often as you can. Talk to the mothers and fathers you "work" for and glean their wisdom. While you might think all you're doing is giving some mama a little break while you play Go-fish and cook macaroni and cheese, what you're really doing is changing that mother's life and your own and you don't even know it. 

I can't tell you all the things I've learned from the two mothers that I spent my growing years alongside, watching their children for afternoons and date nights. I saw how their children loved them. I saw how they weathered the storms of little ones and their fits and craziness. I saw them wave the white flag of a spotless home in exchange for attending that dance recital and being present 100% for their children. I saw them struggle and I saw them succeed. I saw them love their husband amongst the chaos...I saw a lot and its all become invaluable.

And now that I am on the other side of the fence, I see the help, that young girls who you can trust, who love your kids and who come and babysit for you, really are.

I have my sister in laws close by and they come and I can have a moment of sanity to clean the house with out having to turn around and clean up {again} where I just came from. Or a moment to drink an entire cup of hot {unmicrowaved} coffee and read more than the first 3 words in a Bible verse.

I'm not the only one that's being helped though. As a young woman, I saw the work it is to be a mama. So when you're babysitting next time, and that mother opens the door to your arrival and just exhales and smiles, know you're more than just another girl who can play slap jack 190 times and read The Very Hungry Caterpillar, just the right way...

No, sweet little mama in training, you're learning to be a mama one day, and the lessons you take away from these moments are treasures, and you'll appreciate your own "Baby Mama" who comes to help you all the more one day.