To All Those Who Have Borrowed My Mother:

Gosh. It's a touchy subject. For everyone involved.



My mom is obsessed with kids. In my professional opinion, it has to do with her having such low self esteem and getting her self worth from children. It's unhealthy and I'm sure it stems from her having such a crappy husband and a ton of responsibility when she was growing up. Anyway.



My mom has had a number of kids that weren't technically her's live in her house, under her care. I will be the first to admit that my mom is not perfect. She's dramatic, (sometimes) judgemental, etc. But. She is a good mother. GOOD MOTHER. This is not an easy task. As any of us moms can attest to, being a good mom takes some work. A lot of work. Especially when there's not a supportive partner involved and you work full time while taking care of your parents.



The fact of the matter is this: There were times growing up when I felt that my mom cared more about other people's kids. I'm happy to say that I got over it quickly as I grew up, but it was there and something I had to deal with. There were double standards. I had to eat what she made for dinner, but for other kids, she'd make specific meals for them (even if it meant making 4 dinners). I had to work growing up. A lot. That wasn't the case for other people's children. I had to abide by her rules, I gave in to her guilt. I was well taken care of and developing nicely and now I know that those are the reasons why that sometimes, I got the shaft.



What is ironic is that now, years later, these same children of other people want to blame my mom. Or ignore my mom. Or pretend that she caused their issues. Yes, my mom is over bearing. Yes, she is dramatic. Yes, she talks a lot of shit. But the bare facts show that she loved each and everyone of them. She put herself out for all of them, those children of other people. She went to their sporting events, gave them money, changed houses to accomodate space needs. She fed them, protected them, and loved them as best as she could. And in the midst of all her faults, I can say that she is a GOOD MOM. Just because she may not have gotten to the children of the other people early enough does not mean that she didn't try. And she's still trying. She uses the phrase "my kids" still. I'd be lying to say it didn't bother me. But I also know that I'm blessed to have a mom that was willing to step up to the plate for other people's kids.