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Kids

That’s Not My Sister. That’s My Mom.

Oh boy! Where do I begin? Sidney has almost gotten into altercations because kids (and parents) at school think I’m his sister. To the extent that instead of being physically present at meetings, PTA, etc. I schedule a conference call. If I absolutely have to be there, Sidney pleads for me to wear layers of clothing, a big jacket, and a hat. His reasoning? He wants me to look big, he wants me to like other moms. Apparently, that’s his notion of what a mom should look like.

One summer day, I picked him from camp. He was in the playground with friends when some kids started to shout…”Sidney, your sister is here. Sidney, your sister is here!” There was one kid in particular who was so sure I was Sidney’s sister. You should have seen the way Sidney approached him. I thought the poor kid was about to get knocked out! Sidney said (in an angry tone) “THAT’S NOT MY SISTER. THAT’S MY MOM!” I guess the tone erupted from being fed up of dealing?!

We experience this a lot! I took him to the Doctor for a check up. You know how nurses are with kids. Before they poke/draw blood, they tend to talk and play with the kids to make them feel comfortable and get their mind of what’s about to happen. Well, the nurse said, “wow, you should be really thankful that your sister took time out to come and sit with you at the clinic. Most young ladies just want to hang out with their boyfriends.” (I’m thinking…darn it! You just made your job ten times harder). Surprisingly, he was not too pissed off. He simply said, “no, she is my mom.” The nurse apologized, and said it’s a compliment. “Your mom is beautiful.”

These days, he’d rather hang out with Greg. Before, it didn’t matter who took him where. He just wanted to be out. Now he’ll ask Greg to take him places just to avoid the shenanigans. Unless we are going out as a family, albeit, we still get the stare.

Well, a couple of days ago, Greg and I had to be at Sidney’s school. It was mandatory that I show up. I had been talking to his teachers via email/phone and trying to avoid going in, but they requested for a one on one meeting. As we got to his school, he started walking behind us. I kept looking back saying…Sidney, come on, walk with us - are you ashamed of us? He tried to play it off. He’ll walk with us for a few seconds and then all of a sudden, you see him take a few steps back.

As we walked past the playground, some of his “lady” friends were screaming..Sidney, Sidney :) all the girls flock around him. One girl in particular said, “Sidney, you have an older sister right?” Sidney: Yes. There was a pause and we all kinda knew where this was going. Girl: Is that your older sister? Sidney: (Annoyed) That’s my MOM! We tried so hard to hold that laugh in. I swear, but it came out. Greg and I. Sidney took it well, but…! I tried to come up with - can’t she see that I’m pregnant?!?! But I guess I wasn’t really showing?? I don’t know.

I feel bad, but I shouldn’t. He needs to come to terms with the fact that I’m a young mom, and I appear younger than my age. As he gets older, it’s only going to get worse. What is he going to do in high school? Is he going to get in fights? Will he appreciate it as he gets older? Because I’m not going to change who I am. Granted, I don’t wear revealing clothes, I don’t wear short shorts or short skirts, I dress my age, but I love working out and eating right to stay in shape. I do it for me. What is a mother to do?

How do you other Moms deal with this? I’m sure there are tons of you out there who experience the same kinds of things.

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Discussion

11 comments for “That’s Not My Sister. That’s My Mom.”

  1. WOW!!
    Poor Sidney and poor you!!
    Like you dont have enough to deal with?
    I think the best thing you can do is to continue to talk to him about it and also point out other hot moms even if they are celebrities - it might help! I think its because its really tough to be a yummy mummy and once he realizes that its a good thing and not a bad one…maybe he will accept it better…
    Kudos to the sexy mom. Isn’t there a term for you? MILF - LMAO!!!
    Hopefully Sidney doesn’t know what that means yet :-)
    xoxo

    Posted by Remi Fagbohun | December 12, 2008, 9:18 pm
  2. I have to tell you, that was one of the funniest moments I’ve had yet watching Sidney grow up. He was so bummed, and he saw it coming. As soon as the girls yelled, “Hey Sidney!?” He knew what question was coming…the look on his face…lol.

    Posted by Greg | December 12, 2008, 10:22 pm
  3. Well can you blame the kids, you are petite and have good genes that make you look like a sista instead of a mama.

    Remember I told you that when you were pregnant with Sidney. I recall I saw you at the library at University of Maryland and I recall telling you that you look so chic and good that it is almost not noticeable that you were pregnant.

    Tell Sidney that he should count his stars. He will get more friends for having a hot mom. No offense Greg (LOL).

    How are you? Long time no see.

    Posted by Kemi | December 12, 2008, 10:25 pm
  4. Thankfully Aidan is not at that age yet, so we’ll wait and see. I feel for Sidney because he doesn’t quite understand what his school mates and trying to convey, which , “Your mom is hot!!!”. Their moms probably don’t have “umph” in their swagger and Sidney just happens to have a fashionista mommy . I guess what this means for Sidney is that whomever he marries has to be hot as well, otherwise, I sense the poor girl will feel so invisible.

    But the nurse??? what?? That one..I know you weren’t expecting. At least you know when you are 60…no one will know. great genetics…So,I’ll watching for you in Ebony.. 60 and still fly:)

    Posted by Adanma Okpara | December 13, 2008, 5:54 am
  5. LOL!!! Seriously that’s too funny,I’m sure Sidney will appreciate it has he grows older. I’m sure this youthful gene’s from Mum? Innit sis? Love you loads. X
    Report - Delete

    Posted by Asiyah Alao | December 13, 2008, 5:56 am
  6. @ Remi- Lol! Did you see the tags to this post? Great ideas! Will have to try that out when it comes up again. And you? You’re about to get yours. One more year..

    @ Greg- I know! I can’t stop playing that day in my head. So funny!

    @ Kemi- Long time! Howdy? Your son? Yes, I do remember the day at the library. How time flies, huh? BTW, Do you know what comes to mind when I think of you? How freaking smart & intelligent you are (school days). Such a go-getter and never gave up. Keep up the good work!

    @ Adanma- Thank you, mama, but I think you are in my shoes (give it time) 1. You are hot! 2. Aidan??? It’s a wrap! That kid is too darn handsome.

    @ Asiyah- Yes, got it from my mama. Seriously, she looks like she is in her 30s, and my siblings & I look like we are quadruplets. No one can figure out who is older/younger. Unless, of course, you know my family well.

    Posted by folake | December 13, 2008, 6:16 am
  7. I believe he will eventually come to terms with it and appreciate the postive aspects of having a mom that cares about her looks as well as her health. I am not quite in the same position as you (much older) but I care a great deal about my health have done since my late teens when I stopped eating beef and chicken and to date myself it has been more than 20 years since I made that decision. I have always exercised and my brother tells me I came out of my mum sprinting : ) I can tell you that it pays off in the long run, skintone, energy level, etc there are so many benefits too numerous to mention. I had my boys later in life so I don’t get the same questions or stares you get however people or just astonished that I can have 2 young boys (6 and 3) and still wear a size 2/4. It is possible. I am not sure how old your Sidney is but I am sure when he approaches teenage years he will probably be more appreciative of having a youthful mom even though she might be mistaken for his sister. Who knows …. he might even come up with creative ways to work it to his advantage.

    Posted by Kwavi Christy Agbeyegbe | December 14, 2008, 2:17 pm
  8. @ Kwavi- Wow! I must say, you are stunning! Your skin is amazing. You definitely have to share some tips with us. I’m sure a lot of my readers will be really interested. I do want to give cutting off chicken/beef another shot. I tried it before and started eating lots of tofu & fish, but read in several articles about the disadvantages of tofu. That scared me. I got bored of eating just fish :)

    Yes, I do think being a size 2/4/6/8 is possible. Especially if you were these sizes pre motherhood (in some cases). Let’s also keep in mind that genetics plays a role for those that may not be able to achieve the size 2-10. I just want our readers to make healthy choices and feel good inside because it reflects on the outside.

    Btw, my son will be 11yrs in a couple of months.

    Posted by Folake | December 15, 2008, 4:29 am
  9. Darling…I actually didn’t see the tags!DUH… It’s great to see a whole new generation of women taking their bodies so seriously .

    I’m sure Sidney will learn to come to terms with it. Go on hottie mommy…

    Posted by Remi Fagbohun | December 15, 2008, 10:11 am
  10. Thanks for the compliment. Yeah it can be boring just eating fish but I mix it up with veggies. Tofu I eat but not too much. What are the disadvantages of tofu??? Do they outweigh the advantages ? I also eat alot of beans - all kinds of beans. Beans can have some disadvantages (if you know what I mean) but they are a great source of protein.

    I drink alot of water and stopped drinking sodas many years ago. Drinking water really helps the skin. You are right about the size issue it is not really a matter of being a size 2/4/6 or 8 but possibly being the size you were pre-pregnancy or being at a healthy size/weight. I will be the first to tell you that being slim does not necessarily mean you are healthy. Most people do not believe that but it is true. I have seen women at the gym who are not a size 4, 6 or 8 but are healthier than someone who is a size 4. It is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle regardless of your size or weight. I have a dear friend who has been exercising consistently for the past year 3 -4 times a week and you can just see a glow about her that was clearly not there before she was exercising. She is a size 10/12 and looks absolutely stunning and she know it too :)

    Genes play a role in all of this, for some it some plays a role that does not promote a fast metabolism. We just have to remember that we can change that by exercising and eating the right food. Exercising might not be your favorite thing to do but most people will tell you once you get into an exercise regiment you feel energised afterwards. It is a great feeling and you notice this especially when you stop exercising and you feel lethargic and the bounce in your step is missing :)

    To everyone out there reading this just realise that one size does not fit all on the pursuit of a healthy weight/lifestyle. Be true to yourself and do what is right for you and you will feel more comfortable and happier for it.

    Posted by Kwavi Christy Agbeyegbe | December 15, 2008, 10:14 am
  11. @ Kwavi- Well said. We appreciate your pointers. In re the tofu, yes the disadvantages outweighed the advantages. I will find the article and post a link to it for everyone.

    Everything you said is totally on the money. I run up to 10miles a day myself (not now while preggers, though I did with my daughter) in addition to weights. Exercise and a healthy eating habit is definitely a prerequisite, and so is being in the right state of mind and seeing exercise/food has a lifestyle choice and not a chore.

    It is also important for me to point out that when we all leave a comment, it automatically updates on http://blog.weweclothing.com
    So you are not only addressing fb, you are addressing the rest of the world too :)

    Many thanks.

    Posted by Folake Kuye Huntoon | December 15, 2008, 12:07 pm

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