#8 Postby Miss Mary » Mon Dec 01, 2003 10:15 pm
2 stories to share:
After my first baby, Jim's mom came to help one day. She went about "her work" quietly, so I could rest. Did my laundry, dishes, tidying up. And took care of Nina. Allowing me precious hours to sleep again. She also brought along food for a home cooked meal - a fresh chicken to roast, side dishes, bread. She set our table, lit a candle or two. My husband Jim, and her son, walked in the door from work. He could barely ask how our day went and I could barely ask my mother-in-law to pull up a chair to sit with us and she was grabbing her coat and purse. She said - oh no thank you, but this is your time to be a family. And out the door she went! I thought I had offended her but Jim said that was her way of helping out - to give us our privacy.
My mom came a few days later. Started telling me how to care for my brand new baby, how she cared for us as infants. She fixed me chili (I was nursing, couldn't eat it) and expected me to sit down to a big lunch. I was still very sore (sorry guys!) and didn't want a big lunch. Couldn't understand how "this generation" was nursing babies, her generation didn't bother with that. She fixed us "dinner" too, but ended up clogging our disposal with raw vegetables. We had a near flood. She didn't know what to do with Nina and would promptly hand her to me. I was exhausted and just wanted a nap. And my mom wanted to sit and visit, talking endlessly. I was very relieved when she went home.
What I wanted was my Mother-in-law back!!! I took a page from Jim's Mom's book after that day. I honestly want to be just like that when my girls have their kids.
Mary
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