My Child Drew Me as the Devil: A Mother’s Day Story
You know those mushy Mother’s Day projects your kiddos bring home from school? The ones so plastered with paint the paper resembles cardboard?
Crayola scribbled across the top, declaring: “My Mom Is…”
I have scrapbooks full of those treasures. If this were my firstborn, the story would include hearts scratched on paper with markers and Crayola-scribbled love notes. I could probably even dig out my “good stuff” for the occasion—yarn strung with Fruit Loop gems!
A New Mother’s Day Keepsake
Instead, in honor of Mother’s Day, I’ll be introducing a new “My Mom Is…” brought to you exclusively by my second born.
How did I earn this masterpiece? It’s a plot that went very, very wrong.
Discipline Meets Destruction
After several long weeks of failed spelling tests, my calm, patient words became tyrannical. I ruled his world with banishments to his room. And one Friday, after yet another failed spelling test, I sent him to his room once more.
But this time, loud crashing followed. I stood in the doorway and watched.
He was ransacking his room—books, LEGO creations, papers, trophies—all crashing to the floor.
Very calmly, I cleared my throat. “Ahem.”
Once I had his attention, I said softly: “The difference between THAT house [his cousin’s] and THIS house is that here, I’m not the mom who plays this game. YOU get to clean up YOUR mess.”
He froze. Then I walked away. Like a boss.
The Devil You Know
After a long cleaning spree, I stepped into his room and found this:
What a keepsake, aye?
I was hurt. I’m pretty sure I cried. The kid was GOOD. Darn good.
A Mother’s Guilt Trip
I stepped up my game—with a heaping smothering of guilt. How could he do this to me?!
Later, small fingers slid a note under my door…
I am sorry about the rude thing I did, and I promise not to do it again. I will try to get 100% on my tests. Love, Your Son
The Comeback (Sort Of)
Two days later, he ran all the way home shouting, “Guess what, MOM?”
He held up a spelling test marked 100% in a red marker. But something didn’t feel right.
I asked, “Why does YOUR paper have NICK’S name written on it?”
Yep. He had conned his classmate Nick into handing over the perfect test and scribbled his name over it.
Consequences and Growth
Armageddon had arrived. Four months later, his punishment was still fresh in his mind, and school was nearly out.
Then came redemption. One spring day he said, “Mom, guess what? Nick tried to get me to give him MY spelling test.”
He held up a paper with his OWN name and a legit 100%.
“I told him ‘no.’ I said I didn’t want him to get in trouble. I know what that’s like.”
The Tough Truth About Motherhood
The kid who once copied a test learned a lesson and stood his ground.
Sometimes, motherhood is a tough gig. Trust me—I have a picture from my child, declaring I’m the devil.
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What’s the wildest thing your child has ever made you for Mother’s Day?
Share your funniest or most touching moments in the comments below—we’d love to hear your story!
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