The other afternoon while Mike and I were playing around with Mini, I started my usual game of “toddler 20 questions”. It’s one of my favorite games because the answers are so ridiculously funny. On this particular afternoon I decided to ask some different questions… I started out with some easy ones.
“What is your name”
“Juliana”
“Juliana what?”
“Juliana Bambino”
Close. I’ll let that one slide.
“What’s your brothers name”
“Baby Joey”
“Does he have a last name?”
“No”
I assume his first name is Baby? Last name Joey? She didn’t specify.
“What is Daddy’s name?”
“Daddy”
Smart ass
“Mini, what’s his real name?”
“Ohhh, Michael.”
“What’s mamas name?”
“Mama”
“No, what’s mama’s real name?”
“Mommy”
“Does mommy have another name?”
“No.”
Seems innocent right? I spent the whole day thinking about that harmless conversation. How in a matter of seconds my 2 year old daughter stripped me of my identity.
I am Danielle.
But she does not know that. To her I am mommy. I am the house chef. I find the missing stuffed animals. I am the afternoon craft coordinator. The chauffeur. The booboo fixer. Bedtime story reader.
I am Danielle.
As a mother, I have become so consumed with the needs of my children that I have given up on my own needs. Have I willingly given up on myself?
I am Danielle.
I am a mother. I do put the needs of my children before my own. As I believe a mother should. But does that mean I do not need?
I am Danielle.
I am 28. I am a wife. I am the mother to two children. I am a daughter. A sister. A friend. A voice on the other end of the phone call. A full time employee. A business owner. A blogger.
I am Danielle.
I have dreams. I have goals. It is easy to forget. To get caught up in the daily grind and lose yourself. Have I lost myself?
Do I even know who I am anymore?
I am Danielle.
I like to wear make up. Dress up. Feel pretty. Sometimes I look down and realize I have been wearing the same pajama pants for 48 hours. I got caught up. In meal planning, doll dressing, laundry folding.
I am Danielle.
I am a mother. It is my proudest accomplishment. One day my children will be grown. Get married. Have their own babies. Who will I be then?
I am Danielle.
Who will I be when there are no baths to run? Juice boxes to pass out? Tushies to wipe?
I am Danielle.
I will not lose sight of myself. I will not allow myself to give up who I am. I will not allow myself to lose balance of the different aspects in my life. I will not allow my entire life to revolve around the lives of my children. That does not mean I will not continue to be the best mother I can be. It just means I need to be Danielle to do so.
I am Danielle.
Who are you?
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