public control.

If you ever see me out in public, don't assume that I have it all together and my kids are just perfect. It may seem that they're behaving and I have it all under control, but if only you could actually see what I'm thinking, you might be shocked...

I hope Charlie doesn't start going wild
Lincoln, please don't start yelling
Gosh-- is Ruby going to start screaming when I tell her no
Where is Ethan
I need Parker to help me
What if Jasper's fussing turns into crying and I need to nurse him right here
Please don't let the kids start fighting
Please stop staring at me
Why did Pearl have to bring all those toys she keeps dropping
Great. I should've stayed home

Sometimes I have expectations for me as a mom and a few too many for my children. Sometimes I forget that's what they are...children. And yet I keep coming back to this way of thinking. Worrying that they may have a meltdown in Target, fall off the bleachers at a football game, or hit their sibling during church.

The funny part is that these are the things that normal children do. I know it and you know it. Yet in public, us Mom's worry when our child is having a meltdown and the whole store is witnessing it. Honestly, I have become compassionate for that Mom. When I see it happening, in my head I'm thinking: I know what it's like, honey...I have 8 of them. Instead of staring, I usually try to give the struggling mommy the courtesy of appearing as if I don't even have the slightest idea of what's going on as she tries to corral her wild child.

So, the next time you see me with my 8 little ones and think that I possess some special skill because you can't handle your 2-- just remember that the same thoughts of potential disaster run through my head too.