I am supposed to be writing my post for the day about prematurity but I have been completely distracted by this.

25 Rules For Mothers Of Boys

It just made me sob my heart out.

I am blessed with three beautiful children that I love equally but there is something magical about a mother and her boy.

William, my boy, is very poor at the moment. He has had a stomach bug, followed by a horrible cough and cold and now conjunctivitis. He is really out of sorts.

I love him so much. His gorgeous smile, his glorious giggle, his cheekiness, his love of the outdoors, his affection for his sisters, how wonderful sticky, sicky, snotty cuddles. His honesty. His curiosity. His clumsiness.

He really is adorably cute.

He can also be quite naughty but not in a nasty way. He likes to test his boundaries, see how far he can go.

I wrote a post yesterday about wanting to be a better mother for all my children.

I know there are some changes that I need to make.

And reading the 25 rules just made me really realise. It is not about having a good day today, planning great activities for tomorrow.

It is about making the most of every minute, planned or unplanned, because you cannot ever get them back.

And he, they, are going to remember.

These are my children, this is my boy.

One day they will be grown and I will not get this time back.

They will not remember the specific things but they will remember being loved, being happy and having a mummy who was there. Really there.

I love my children so much and I want to be there for them in all they do.

I need to remember this

Be an example of a beautiful woman with brains, determination, and integrity.
You already are all of those things. If you ever fear that you are somehow incapable of doing anything – remember this: If you have done any of the following: a) grew life b) impossibly and inconceivably got it out of your body c) taken care of a newborn d) made a pain go away with a kiss e) taught someone to read f) taught a toddler to eat with a utensil g) cleaned up diarrhea without gagging h) loved a child enough to be willing to give your life for them (regardless if they are your own) or i) found a way to be strong when that child is suffering…you are a superhero. do not doubt yourself for one second. Seriously.

because believing in me will help me do all that I need to do to make this so

You are home to him. When he learns to walk, he will wobble a few feet away from you and then come back, then wobble away a little farther and then come back. When he tries something new, he will look for your proud smile. When he learns to read, he will repeat the same book to you twenty times in a row, because you’re the only one who will listen that many times. When he plays his sport, he will search for your face in the stands. When he is sick, he will call you. When he really messes up, he will call you. When he is grown and strong and tough and big and he feels like crying, he will come to you; because a man can cry in front of his mother without feeling self-conscious. Even when he grows up and has a new woman in his life and gets a new home, you are still his mother; home base, the ever constant, like the sun. Know that in your heart and everything else will fall into place.