Nine reasons why kids are the best

I know many stay-at-home moms, myself included, who will acknowledge how blessed we are to be able to stay at home with our children, but in the next breath can talk (at length) about how frustrating and maddening is our job. That's kind of the nature of things, isn't it? We're not here to be buddies with the kids and have fun all day long. We're here to train them to be good people, and that means that sometimes there will be friction.

There's a fine balance between sharing enough with other mothers to encourage camaraderie or raise awareness and just venting in a negative way about your family. I'm still trying to find the right balance, but lest anyone ever doubt it, I love my kids- sometimes so much I can't even describe it. And while some days are bananas, there are a lot of reasons why being around kids all day is really awesome. Here are nine reasons that kids are the best:

1. Unconditional love- This is easily the best and most overwhelmingly beautiful reason why being around kids is so awesome.When I mess up (which is on the daily- maybe more like every few minutes), I miraculously don't have to worry that my kids are going to love me any less or even hold a grudge. It wouldn't even occur to them. If I am becoming a loud and grouchy mama bear, they still tell me I'm their best and favoritist mommy. When I am eaten up with guilt over having lost it again and apologize to them, they forgive me completely and freely, with smiles and hugs. They don't think to compare me to other mothers the way I do myself because in their minds I'm the only mommy for them and of course I'm perfect. It is so precious to have such soft and open little hearts to take care of!
2. No judgment- You don't feel like changing out of yoga pants, doing your makeup, eating healthy like a grown-up, or leaving the house? No problem! Kids could run around naked eating chicken nuggets all day (in fact, that may be child Nirvana), so they seriously don't care if you do the same. 
3. Complete acceptance- I realize this is kind of a double-edged sword. There are bad people, bad behaviors, and bad ideas in the world, and kids need to be taught about them. However, I love watching the complete open acceptance of people. Kids are just open. My dad is Pacific Islander, so he looks different from the rest of our pretty white family. Even if I pointed that fact out, I doubt my kids would notice it. They adore him. We go to an International Moms and Babies group and the kids just don't see any difference in each other, even if they're from vastly different cultures. Are you a different race/ethnicity? Don't speak English? Are you handicapped? Rich? Poor? Who cares? Don't pull my hair, and we'll share animal crackers. I love watching that.
4. Playtime!- If you want to surround yourself with people who love blowing bubbles, painting, running around, or playing in sprinklers, stay home with your kids. They are always up for fun.
5. Human Growth and Development 102- This part is a personal favorite because it's something that I find fascinating. I love watching the way people's brains work. It is amazing to watch three people at three different stages of cognitive development who are constantly learning.  It's like having your own observational study right in your own home. (Nerd alert.)
6. Creating your own family culture- It started with inside jokes and shared beliefs between me and my husband. Now, as a family we share our own special language, memories, nicknames, preferences, goals, values, you name it. And I get to hold a special place in shaping our culture. Dads may traditionally be the head of the family, but mothers are the heart. I find my husband and kids becoming interested in the things I value, and I've become interested in the things they like. It's like creating your own club.
7. Seeing yourself and your loved-ones- This is beautiful and bittersweet. I see my husband in my kids, which is wonderful, because I love him dearly. Liam looks and sounds like my Pacific Islander dad and his side of the family, and acts like my brothers. Diana reminds me often of my little sister, and causes me to dwell a lot on how I treated her growing up. Matthew looks like my mom's side of the family, which makes me wish they were closer so I could share that with them. In my kids faces, sometimes I catch glimpses of my paternal grandmother, who I miss even now. She would have adored getting to meet them. She would have appreciated the fact that Diana loves eating seaweed. I see reflections of myself in them, which can be good and bad. Children are like little mirrors for whatever bad attitudes or habits you might have, which is humbling. Mostly, though, I see in my kids the combination of generations of remarkable people. 
8. Company- Life with kids is never lonely, and not just because they won't even let you out of their sight to go to the bathroom. You're always surrounded by little people who love and need you. And in times that would otherwise be very lonely, that's a great feeling.
9. Physical affection- I remember visiting my mom when I was in college, and she asked for a hug. I thought it was odd, but she pointed out that she never got hugs anymore. She was single and my siblings and I were all either in college or high school, and none of us ever thought to give my mom or each other hugs. In fact, if you're an adult who's not in a relationship, you probably don't experience a lot of physical affection. When you're surrounded by kids, you're smothered in physical affection all day long. Hugs, kisses, climbing, wrestling, snuggling, sitting on your lap, trying to suck/chew on your face/elbow/hands (that'd be the baby), playing with your hair... sometimes it's overwhelming, but I know I'm going to miss all these joyous physical expressions of affection.

After writing all these down, I just want to go give my kids big hugs. Being a mother really is incredibly special. Can you think of any more reasons kids are awesome?