One of my favorite parts about Mother’s Day is the “All About My Mom” questionnaires. It is incredibly enlightening to hear what my kids think about me. This year, I got them from my oldest four, ages 12, 14, 16, and 18. I had a few good laughs and a few ah-ha moments.
Because I like to keep things real around here, I thought it would be fun to post their answers. That way, you get to know me a little better from my kids’ point of view.
Let’s get to it, with the understanding that the kids (who are teenagers, remember) are in no particular order:
My Mom’s name is:
Child 1: Lynnette Sheppard
Child 2: Lynnette
Child 3: Lynnette Sheppard
Child 4: Lynnette
Phew, they know my name, and it is even spelled correctly. A few weeks ago, I had to teach one of my teenagers how to spell my name. I don’t know where he has been, but I’m glad it stuck.
She is ________ years old.
Child 1: 39
Child 2: 39 (40 was crossed out)
Child 3: 39
Child 4: 21
Child 4 is never sarcastic, as you will see.
Mom and I like to_______________
Child 1: Go to Kneaders and other breakfasts
Child 2: Laugh together
Child 3: Laugh
Child 4: Endure hour-long suffer fests at the gym together.
Oh, good, they do know I like to laugh. And eat breakfast. And suffer.
Mom likes to say, “______________________”
(Here we go….)
Child 1: “Max, put on your seatbelt!” (A daily carpool plea) “Do you really have NO time?”
Child 2: “Pick up your crap!”
Child 3: “Get off your phone!”
Child 4: “Pick up your crap!”
I am happy to know I am teaching them good life lessons, such as wearing seatbelts, picking up after themselves, and putting their phones away from time to time. I will count that as a win.
My Mom really loves_______________________
Child 1: Painting nails, cooking and baking, writing her blog
Child 2: When I stop at stop signs
Child 3: Writing her blog
Child 4: To write embarrassing stories about me on her blog
I hate painting nails, stopping at stop signs is important, and I try to keep the embarrassing stories to a minimum.
She likes to eat____________________
Child 1: Healthy, CHOCOLATE (all in caps)
Child 2: Food
Child 3: Lasagne
Child 4: Lasagne
Perceptive; I tell you.
She likes to drink__________________
Child 1: Water
Child 2: Water
Child 3: Water
Child 4: The wine from her French cooking class.
I do judge a restaurant by the quality of their water, and I don’t drink alcohol. Like I said; never sarcastic.
My Mom’s job is_____________________
Child 1: Mom
Child 2: To raise me.
Child 3: Mom – taking care of us.
Child 4: Making sure I don’t fail at life.
Not so sure I’m succeeding, Child 4.
If she had time, she would like to_____________________
Child 1: Go to Paris or Hawaii
Child 2: Go to the store
Child 3: Write a book
Child 4: Enjoy peace and quiet…just kidding! That is not a real thing.
Child 1 is on to something. Child 4, I’m on to you!
Mom is really good at____________________
Child 1: Cooking, writing
Child 2: Shopping (“Being a mom” is crossed out)
Child 3: Making me feel better.
Child 4: Noticing my unfinished chores
I am happy to know that some of my kids notice my better qualities as quickly as I notice unfinished chores.
If I could go anywhere in the world with her, we’d go___________________
Child 1: Scuba diving
Child 2: Disneyworld (“To the store” is crossed out)
Child 3: New York City
Child 4: Goodwill, the happiest place on Earth
Apparently, I have a shopping fetish, but I hate shopping. (I’m looking at you, Child 2!) And don’t ask me about Child 4.
I love my mom because____________________
Child 1: She is so sweet and supports me in all I do
Child 2: She is the greatest, most caring individual I know.
Child 3: She is so kind and patient with me. I love her.
Child 4: She can read this letter and still loves me anyway.
Warm fuzzies.
So there you have it. The truth is out, right from the horse’s mouth. Teenagers are hilarious! I hope you got a good laugh like I did!
