Don't ever under-estimate what good mummies you are...

[Moomin]

Been thinking about starting this thread off for a while but haven't had time to try to put it into words. Here goes:
My mumm died when I was 9 and my lovely lovely dad brought me and my brother up on his own from this point. He was an older dad (52 when she died) and so from a different generation but he didn't think twice about giving up his very good job overnight and looking after us full time. In this respect he did an excellent job, (also seeing as I was such a mare in my teens) and I love him so so dearly. I always buy him cards and pressies on fathers AND mothers day because he's done so well in both areas, IMO.
BUT, since I've had dd, I've started seeing all those little things that mummies do and that I missed out on, through absolutely no fault of my dad.
Whatever criticisms you mummies have of yourselves and the way you bring your babies up, always remember that the way you stroke their hair and the way you make sure they have nice things to eat and the way you arrange their brithday parties and the way you check their homework and talk to their teacher and the way you make sure they say please and thank you and all the other millions of things you do just as naturally as breathing means the world to them, even though they might not know it yet....... but they will!

I agree, and it's really nice to hear it.

What a lovely post, moomin.

butterfly

That's a lovely post Moomin, your dad sounds great. You've brought a tear to my eye now, I've been having such a bad day with my kids and you've made me think that perhaps I get things right sometimes.

Thank you Moomin, it's just what I needed to hear this week. I've felt like I've been so utterly utterly crap with my ds the last week or so (been really tired and snappy with him - relied too much on telly when I'm shattered, yelled at him for normal toddler type stuff) and have been very down on myself. It's good to remember how important I am to him and how much I do actually do for him.

We're our harshest critics really, aren't we?

Your dad sounds really lovely.

Moomin, that is such a sweet post.

It's lovely to hear how much you appreciate your dad but, yes, you are right about a mum's little touches...my DH is a great dad, but he is a dad and not a mum, and I can see every day what the differences are.

My kids are getting older now and the girls, especially (18 & 21), do know what you mean and do say so now. It's nice!

What a lovely post. After a couple of glasses of wine it did bring tears to my eyes too. Your dad sounds really fab.

I am very lucky that I was brought up with two fantastic parents around all of the time.I hope DH and I can do the same for our DD.

Thanks Moomin - you've made me smile and feel a warm glow. Your dad sounds great, and you sound like a lovely daughter.

That is such a wonderful thread moomin, it's the type of thread a really good mummy would start
Your dad sounds out of this world. I've been horrid to my kids all week and you've made me cry, and feel a bit less useless as a bad tempered over tired snappy mum

Lovely.
We should bookmark this thread so when we feel we've been crappy mothers we can have a look and remind ourselves that we are doing a damn fine job
Thanks for that.

Moomin, thank you for those words, they really touched me. How wonderful your Father sounds.
I sometimes beat myself up over the times when I've said a harsh word to ds, it seems to cancel out all the good things that have happened between us that day, and I feel like the worst mother in the world ... but that's so wrong to feel that way - thank you again for cheering my heart (even though I'm typing this with tears streaming down my face).

Moomin, YOU are the bestest

Moomin, hi, i visited a school today for dd , (she'll be going next year), and i've been depressed all day thinking how the time has flown! I was crying tonight looking at her asleep and now you've made me cry again! Your post was so moving and true, your dd is one lucky little girl

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Lovely post Moomin.

Lovely thread moomin. Your Dad sounds fab

Moomin, I lost my mum at 8. My Dad brought myself and my sister up by himself. He also was an older dad. He was early fifties when my mum died. It was very difficult for him having two girls and we both rebelled when we were in our teens. I got on well with my Dad after I left home, but it was only when I had children I realised how hard his job must have been to look after us all by himself. He never married again or met anyone else. He died four years ago at 69 and I miss him terribly. I still go to reach for the phone sometimes and have to remind myself that he's no longer there. I might be 32 now, but I still really miss having parents. Its so easy to get wrapped up in our own lives with our partners and children but parents are so important.

Thank you moomin for making me smile,what a really sh*y day im having but least i have smiled and felt before i go to bed.Thank you

What a heartwarming thread,my cheeks are still wet from reading all of the comments,And it is so true,Just the thought of seeing my dd(10 months)beam her biggest smile at me makes me feel really warm inside,and i would do anything for her to keep her smile alight..

Moomin thanks for starting this thread! I've just had a bad evening/night and this has really cheered me up!! It's hard remembering sometimes that the tiny things sometimes mean the most. You must be so proud of your dad and he must be proud of you.

Your dd is sooo lucky have a great mum!

Moomin this is a lovely thread
Your dad sounds fantastic

That is so nice- thank you for posting that. I think we all underestimate ourselves and it is a wonderful reminder of how lucky we are to be with our children

I have just lost my dad and although I am 34 I feel a terrible hole in my life and cannot imagine losing a parent so young. Thank you for sharing your thoughts - your dad sounds like a very special man too.

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