Blessing #177 - A Mom and Brandon Date

A few Mondays ago, Brandon was having a particularly bad day.  You know one of those days where nothing seems to go right for him, and he just seems determined to find some trouble.

After getting into trouble, Brandon cried, "I never get to see my Mommy anymore! I miss my Mommy."

I realize he was probably just trying to manipulate me.  Honestly, that boy is gifted in manipulation. He can get you to do exactly what he wants and make you think it was your idea.  When I was pregnant with Collin, B would say in stores, "Mom, you've been really good today.  You deserve some candy." Sadly, his line would work about 80% of the time.

Even though, I knew he was probably manipulating me, his statement made me think. When I looked at my day, I realized Brandon really didn't get to see me much anymore between his school and my cleaning job in the afternoons.  Maybe his bad day was just him wanting some attention from me, good or bad.  He missed me, and to be honest, I missed him.

There were things I couldn't change, Brandon still needed to go to school, and I still needed to do my cleaning job, but I knew Brandon and I needed some time together.  We were due for a Mom and Brandon date.

Last Saturday, we set out on our date.  When I told B about it, he acted like I told him we were going to Disney World, and that was the moment I suspected I was on to something with this date thing.

On our date, we didn't do anything amazing.  We just ran some errands together, just the two of us.

On the way to the errands, I promised Brandon I would pick him up his favorite breakfast, a cheese biscuit at McDonalds, but then being the super mom that I am, I drove right by McDonalds.
A few miles later, he sweetly piped up, "Mommy, what about my biscuit."  I felt bad about my forgetfulness, but I made it up to him by stopping at a gas station for his second favorite breakfast, a donut and chocolate milk.

As he picked out his donut, he said, "This is the best day ever," and that was the moment I knew we needed this date together. (Later, his excitement diminished when he found out one of the errands was at Michael's craft store.)

 When I had to go to the book store, he asked to ride the escalator.  He had been so good, and it was his date too, so I didn't mind the three escalator rides.  Besides, that is when I got this smile....

.....and that was the moment I knew he really had missed me, and in that moment, I decided Brandon and I needed to go on more dates.  He really didn't need an elaborate place or a major event, he just needed me.   Last week, we went on a date to the grocery store, and Sunday, we went on a date as he hung out with me at choir practice.

Sometimes life slips up on you, and things fall out of balance.  You may want to judge me, but I'm sure you've been there too.

Moms are required to be expert jugglers. With cooking, cleaning, laundry, finances, your health, a job, church, friends, kids, a husband, and your spiritual life it's easy to have a ball drop.  I can't do it all.  Even when I try my hardest balls still drop.

On our date day, I realized I had dropped the ball when it came to Brandon.  He needed me, and I needed him.

I may have dropped the ball, but I know exactly how to get it back up into the juggle. No, I can't do it all, but when I see a need, I promise I will be there to fix it.

Thank you for the reminder that day Brandon even if you were just trying to get yourself out of trouble.