It's Happening: Fast Forward - and Little Girls Become Mommies
By Julie Perine on May 10, 2015 from It’s Happening via Connect-Bridgeport.com
After about 20 years of gymnastics, cheerleading, slumber parties, proms, late-night chit-chat - and lots of other girl stuff – our daughters moved out of the house to start their own families.
Through every stage, there were new things for them to learn and for us to teach them – from their ABCs to putting toilet paper on the seat when we traveled. There are lots of memories in the kitchen; dragging chairs across the floor so they could cook and bake with me. Boy, did we make a mess.
As the girls went through each grade in school and took part in activities and classes, there were new friends to be made. At each birthday party, lots and lots of little girls – and eventually bigger girls – would fill the house or ShowBiz Pizza or the YMCA. Those gals would sing in unison, lick icing off the birthday candles and often spend the night with us. Through the years, we watched movies, popped popcorn, danced, played baby dolls and dress-up - and giggled a lot. First, they were cartoon and Disney movies and as they got older, we watched more grown-up movies. But even those rated PG13 weren’t always suitable in their entirety, so I would keep the remote in my hand and fast forward through parts I didn’t think they needed to see.
Fast forward in real life and those girls were driving and I remember taking all their car keys – or so I thought –so they would all be safe under our roof. The conversation then focused on things like music and boys. They still ate lots of food and they still giggled. And they still played dress-up.
Fast forward again and they’re all grown up and many are mommies of their own little girls and boys. And so it all starts again. Recently, I asked some of the little girls who spent time under our roof what it means to them to be a mom.
Becky Byard Coburn, who I remember as a lively little red-head who could tumble and flip like a pro, is now a mom to four little girls; 10-year-old Abi, 8-year-old Jordan, 6-year-old Sydney and 4-year-old Ella – all who love gymnastics and compete like their mommy did. Becky said:
“We are defined by so many things in our life and motherhood is one of those things that you can never separate yourself from. You work all the time, worry all the time, think about them all the time, pray for them all the time, and probably feel guilty about something all the time. But it's such an indescribable thing that swells up in you the moment you become a mom and it just takes you over. I love my life. I believe God gave me these girls. I was chosen to raise them and teach them 
and guide them. That's a big job, and the most important thing I'll ever do. So even though I feel inadequate, I was chosen and given the privilege to be their mom. Motherhood definitely refines me in every way. And if you think you have patience, just have kids ... you'll realize you didn't even know what that word meant before. But I love them! I wouldn't trade it for anything.”
and guide them. That's a big job, and the most important thing I'll ever do. So even though I feel inadequate, I was chosen and given the privilege to be their mom. Motherhood definitely refines me in every way. And if you think you have patience, just have kids ... you'll realize you didn't even know what that word meant before. But I love them! I wouldn't trade it for anything.”
She said her house is always full of loud laughing - and that she loves it. And, yes, there is drama. And that she absolutely wouldn’t have her life any other way.
Well, I couldn’t be any prouder of her than if she was 10 years old and scored a 10 on the parallel bars.
Robin Smith, who my oldest daughter has affectionately called “Tree” for as long as I can remember and who created lots of laughter in the Perine house through the years, is now the mother of two children; 14-year-old Alyssa and one-year-old Gabriel.
She said becoming a mommy was amazing long before her babies were born.
“It’s that amazing – really indescribable - feeling you have when they are in your belly and then all of the sudden you are holding these precious gifts in your arms,” she said. “You feel such an unbelievable closeness and so much love in those moments.”
Love, Robin said, is the No. 1 important element in a mother-child relationship and loving one’s children is the easiest thing about being a mother.
What is the most difficult thing?
“I would have to say when you know in your heart, mind and soul that the answer is no and you have to tell them ‘no’ and they don't understand why,” she said. “It’s too hard to explain to them in that moment because you don't want to burden them with anything negative.”
Robin also pointed out the importance of showing children good role models and examples of the characteristics desired for them as they grow and mature.
Well said, Robin. I see you are still casting a positive light - under the roof of your own household.
Then there’s Brittany Tout, who still comes to mind as a little 8-year-old blonde who cheered on our Jerry West cheer squad and who went on to become a very good friend of our youngest daughter Brittany. She is now raising two children, 5-year-old Isabella and 4-year-old Matthew – both who love the outdoors, camping, swimming and fishing. Isabella loves gymnastics and since she wants to grow up to be a teacher like her mommy, she also likes to play school. Matthew is a soccer player.
“I love everything about being a mom,” said Brittany Tout Hardy. “I love spending quality time with my kids. I was fortunate enough that I was able to be a stay-at-home mom until they started school. Now that they have both started school, my favorite part of my day are my daily hugs and kisses I get before and after school. I get so excited to pick them up every day after school and see their faces light up when they see me.”
I cheer this special girl - and the others mentioned above - on to a life of loving motherhood. I would love to hear from more of you young mothers who grew up before my eyes. You are welcome to leave a comment on this post. What does being a mom mean to you?
Julie Perine can be reached at 304-848-7200, julie@connect-bridgeport.com or follow @JuliePerine on Twitter. More "It's Happening" HERE. 