That Mom...

I don't know when it happened, hard to pinpoint the exact moment. Somewhere between being hellbent on an epidural-free birth and against my newborn using a pacifier I have found myself with a two-year-old that regularly wears pajamas to the playground and a four-year-old that still uses her beloved binkie. Before I had kids I vowed to never be "That Mom". Now it is the little things that I give into or let slide that have taught me the most about the important things about parenting. I have become "That Mom".

I am that Mom that allows her kids to get ice cream from the ice cream man when he comes to the playground at 4:30 in the afternoon.

I am that Mom who slept on the floor holding my daughter's hand through the slats of the crib until she fell asleep - for months.

I am that Mom that will bust out the "teacher voice" to yell at older kids at the playground if they are swearing or acting inappropriately. I might even tell them if they continue to swear in front of my kids I will have them arrested just to scare the shit out of them.

I am that Mom that allows her two-year-old to eat lollipops and her four-year-old chew gum.

I am that Mom that sometimes wishes I worked.

I am that Mom that believes the outfit my daughter chose and dressed herself is beautiful because she thinks it is - even if it is leggings, frilly socks and a too-small t-shirt that are totally unmatched.

I am the Mom that lets kids have a good old run around in their birthday suits even if it means the rugs get peed on occasionally.

I am the Mom that allows her daughter to believe that she comes from a long line of mermaids.

I am that Mom that buys the gaudiest, tackiest character themed clothing for my children - because it makes them so happy.

I am that Mom that goes to McDonald's drive-thru to feed the kids fries as I drive so I do not lose the nap to the car ride.

Sometimes I am "That Mom" that gets glared at by other Moms as my kids stand around eating their ice cream right before dinner in their neon officially licensed sleepwear. No, my kids don't chew gum everyday or eat McDonalds french fries whenever we are in the car. I indulge my children probably more than I should. In the end the excitement of standing in front of the vivid pictures of ice cream novelties and weighing the options of a Spidermand vs. a Bomb Pop is not going to last forever - so yes I indulge because right now a little goes a long way and I want to relish in that.

Although sometimes I am the Mom staring. I admit, it is difficult not to judge sometimes. What I have learned is that I find myself still gawking, but more out of understanding and sisterhood with other Moms. We have all been "That Mom" at one time or another. If you haven't then you are "That Mom" that thinks she is better than everyone else and you can suck it.