The Bump Which Caused a Lump (in my throat)

Every so often I come across a children’s book that gives me pause.  Some picture books are just witty and cute, some silly and fun, some teach the ABCs or 123s . . . most have some sort of lesson, message, or moral to convey to the young and impressionable minds that are being read to- and, once in awhile, the book imparts some food-for-thought to the parents reading aloud.

So it was for me while reading Mij Kelly’s The Bump.

Allow me to set the stage.

Yesterday was a hectic day.  Mira had chess class, we had overdue books to drop off at the library, and I had to meet up with my parents.  The first part of the day was filled rushing the girls along with their school work; throwing a quick lunch together and then rushing out the door.  We didn’t get home until after dark where I hastily cobbled together dinner and got the girls ready for bed.  It was one of the days where I feel my greatest sympathy for “soccer moms”.  I was sick of rushing around, sick of sitting in my car, and sick of driving in traffic and in all honesty, by evening time, I was getting sick of my kids.

I’m definitely less patient on days with a fixed schedule.

So when I was herding the girls upstairs to bed and they asked what book we would be reading I replied that we didn’t have time to read because Mommy needed to shower and get ready for bed.  {In other words- Mommy wanted to veg out in front of the latest episode of Downton Abbey sans children and interruptions.}  I immediately felt guilty but tried to assuage my conscience by stating that we’d  finally finished the Narnia series earlier during lunch and I didn’t have a new book lined up yet.

Mira reminded me that we had recently received a large box of children’s books to review and we could grab one of those.  I sighed and felt extremely put-out but agreed.  Mira ran downstairs and grabbed a book from the collection.

At first I assumed The Bump was going to be one of those books that parents read to young children when they are expecting a new baby.  And in a way you could read it for that, but honestly Mij Kelly’s book is a gentle reminder to mothers about those dreams you carried around inside of you when you were growing big with a new life.  The mom-to-be’s belly isn’t just a ‘baby bump’ but an expanding testament to the hopes, fears, and dreams that are churning in the less-noticeable yet just as rapidly-expanding heart.

Will this book make make me a perfect mother who never feels sick of my kids again?  No. I’m not perfect and neither is motherhood.  But what this book will do is remind me of those dreams I dreamt long ago and help me appreciate the reality of their fruition. After reading Mij Kelly’s The Bump last night, I snuggled with my kids a little longer and hugged them a tad bit tighter. . .

. . .and then I watched Downton Abbey.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Tiger Tales in exchange for an honest review.  The opinions expressed are my own.