Thursday, April 2, 2009

Security Blankets

I have long been aware that I use my children as a security blanket. In just about any situation that I don't feel quite comfortable, I can pick up a child and entertain him or her and feel just fine. Tending to my children gets me out of interacting as Lisa and gets me an in with other mom's who are feeling the same way (which is "I might not be interesting enough for these people, so I'm going to pretend my children can't be left alone, when in fact I just don't want to feel inadequate around all these beautiful, child-free, world-traveling, dressed to the nines people who believe they truly ARE the world's most interesting people.) Children draw us together, make us feel adequate (and even sometimes, simoultaneously INadequate). They give use comfort, something outside ourselves to place our attention. They are infact, when used properly, an excellent way to avoid all things adult! But what got me thinking about this today is that I noticed in my "followers" box ALOT of profile photos that are either entirely composed of children, or, feature children next to various adults. So, I am drawing the conclusion that I am not the only mother who uses her children to protect herself from social discomfort. Am I wrong?

7 comments:

Lara Neves said...

You're not wrong. :)

Unknown said...

Probably not...social situtations become something new with our kids in tow, sometimes for the better....sometimes for the worse, but nothing gives me joy like my kids do, in the right social setting and seeing them shine. I'd rather THEM shine than me, anyday!

Anonymous said...

I think you're spot on. I'm not sure how I'd begin to interact with people if it wasn't in the context of doing something for my kids. On of the reasons I have few friends here is that I don't want to do the PTA thing anymore. So no friend base. I have ONE "friend" not from my ward and that is #3s teacher. I help out there every week and I just realized that this has become a huge highlight for me not because I'm spending time with 3, but because I get to spend time with her teacher. It's a little sick.

Heatherlyn said...

I found that when I had to take my child somewhere with me it was a natural ice-breaker. I was much less shy. Not as much now. I'm not as shy as I used to be. But I definitely noticed that it helped me a lot in the beginning.

H.K. said...

I use my son as a "security blanket" all the time. It just helps when your in a crowd of people you don't know.

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Yep, I have two security blankets that go wherever I go!

JJuracan and family said...

uh, YEAH! Of course! And we also gave birth to them to do chores for us! come on Lisa, stop blowing my cover! :-)