I am Selfless…Sometimes
I’m not what you’d call the selfless type. I mean, I refuse to let Maya drink from my water bottle, even when she is about to fall over from heat exhaustion. I’ve also been known to hide desserts in the back of the freezer to ensure that Ali and Maya will never find it. And I’ll admit to lying when it suits me:
“Maya, we’re all out of chocolate. I told you a million times!”
You know that as soon as she went to bed I dug out a secret stash.
But this weekend I made the ultimate sacrifice. Not only did Ali dig into my Anthropologie stash to shell out $70 X 3 tickets to see a kid’s show, but I sat through 90 minutes of Dora the Explorer. Halfway through Ali and I looked up from our iPhones to exchange the following:
Me: I wish I could shoot myself in the head.
Ali: I wish I could hand you a gun.
If you think Ali's excitement seems forced you should have seen mine. I'll spare you.
Carson Daly was sitting in front of us and I’m pretty that if asked, he would have happily utilized the gun that Ali so generously offered up.
I will permanently have nightmares about Dora in her pink shorts and orange top singing “Swiper No Swiping!” at the top of her lungs. And if that doesn’t scream selfless, I don’t know what does.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
Ah. The things parents will do for their kids. Sitting through a 90 min Dora Extravaganza may be enough to qualify you for sainthood. 😉
I’m sure Maya LOVED it.
Aw, just look at how happy Maya is!
Oh man – Dora is scary on TV. In person and 5 feet tall? Frightening.
what was carson doing at Dora the Explorer?? Does he have kids?
Man you really are selfless. My child is not even going to be allowed to watch dora on tv. I do NOT need to have the map song stuck it my head for all eternity.
Of course I had to Google him immediately and yes he does have a son with his girlfriend! I was shocked too!
Hilarious. Maya is so pretty – she looks like that little girl that’s been on the Family channel – in “Corey in the House” and in the movie “The Game Plan”…not sure her name…
Carson Daly?! God, you are SO L.A.!
I so admire you! I don’t know if I could sit through 90 minutes of Dora 😉
bahahha. i never want to hear you say that you’re a bad parent again 😉 major props. being selfless is probably one reason why i shall be childless haha
I can imagine a giant Dora would be terrifying. Ugh. But Maya does look like she couldn’t be enjoying it more… that’s gotta count for something. 😉
Judging from your post, I think I’m glad I don’t know this answer, but: Were you seeing a Dora movie? Play?
You guys deserve a night out and a babysitter for that.
This post made me laugh this morning…thank you, brave, selfless Ameena 🙂
St Ameena, I’m voting for you now. Selfless actions of this calibre should not go unnoticed 😉
I still remember when my parents took me to see Sesame Street Live when I was 4. Greatest day of my life. They even dished out money for glow sticks and banners!
Maybe you can hire a person to take Maya to these events. But then again she will remember how much you did for her as a kid that you will all agree was no fun for you, and you may end up getting something out of it.
And that’s kind of funny about Carson Daly. Is it normal for you to see “celebrities” out and about? I’m in North Dakota, so naturally we don’t a lot of that here.
We actually run into celebrities quite a bit! I’d say at least 2-3 a month and more when I worked on the Paramount and CBS lots.
Oh lady, that goes beyond selfless. That goes into self-torture. I walk out of the room when the show comes on. That one act makes up for anything you ever did that you think made you a bad mom. I’m not worthy to comment on your blog.
Haha, I totally don’t let my husband drink my water bottle (he should brought his own!)… I am impressed that you were able to sit through 90 mins of Dora. I doubt I’d be able to do the same!
I’m beginning to learn we need to be selfish sometimes. Its okay and does not make us bad people!
That’s a random Carson Daly sighting!
It’s hard enough to sit through Dora on television; I can’t imagine watching on the big stage. Why does she have to be so boring?
Maya looks so happy though, lol! I bet she loved it.
But that face! She’s just so darn cute! In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I’m scared to actually have a baby, but would love to have a pre-made adorable daughter, so if you’re looking for a new home for her..haha 😉
Don’t be scared of having a baby because labor is a piece of cake…it’s the rest of it that is SO HARD.
my son watches Diego, but we have seen Dora…and the swiper thing..what is it? a fox? we say that to JJ all the time (cuz he swipes stuff)
hahaha
you KILL me lady! I love your sence of humor!
and unfortunately I am that imature that I would be singing whatever goofy songs from a live show way after the kids go to bed.
hahaha
xoxo
Oh the horror! The things you have to do as a parent. I’m sure Maya was in heaven and that makes it worth it!
Yep, that’s selfless. You should have been paid to sit through that much Dora. I’m NOT a Dora fan. And I used to teach Spanish!
Haha, you and Ali are hilarious. What the heck was Carson Daly doing there? He doesn’t have kids, right? That’s really weird. Anyway, I have to hand it to you. Plus, I know you don’t drink, right? Being sober for this makes it even more of a selfless feat.
Carson Daly does have a kid! I Googled him while sitting behind him. 🙂
You are a saint. And perhaps a contender for the Nobel Peace Prize 🙂
Hi Deb – it’s so nice to hear from you…we still need to grab that cup of coffee one of these days. Let me know how your schedule looks! Take care, Ameena
Oh what us parents will do just to see a smile on our baby’s faces huh? I must confess, Elmo cane to our area not long ago and I honestly never knew about it so K missed that, but a part of me was happy that I live under a rock. Seems like us moms never win eh? We feel guilty if we miss things, but have to sit through torture when we’re trying to be nice ;). Can you remind me why I had kids again? Lol. All joking aside though, their butterfly kisses and warm I wuv you mommy is enough for us to go through any Dora performance isn’t it. As much as you joke, I know that’s how you feel. Admit it Ameena, just admit it. Lol. Only a mother knows 😉
Haha, you definitely get “selfless-points” for going to see that. I still remember the time that my dad took me to see Legally Blonde 2 in the theater. Bless that man, he deserves some selfless points, too. haha
Ameena you make me laugh out loud every single time. My husband just informed me over the weekend that it’s not normal that the thought of going to Disneyland makes me crazy. XX Archana
Archana – I went to Disneyland last year with Maya and it was even less fun than 90 minutes of Dora the Explorer. You can tell your husband there is another non-normal mother out there!
Dora is creepy enough as a big headed cartoon. The costume version is even worse. You have stored up lots of good mommy points on this one!
haha well at least Maya looks like she had a good time! 🙂
In this episode, only one person got attention is Maya. I have to appreciate you guys for sitting 90 minutes for Dora the explorer.
aw, what a great selfless mom you truly are 🙂 at least you had your phone to keep you company. i think i would have cried if i were forced to go to that and give up $70 from ym shopping stash. i can already feel my kids hatred for me 🙂
this proves what awesome parents you are! I am pretty sure maya should be a model or something.
aww Maya is so lucky that you guys took her to the show!
I don’t think I ever got to do stuff like that haha… I don’t think I would be able to handle it now…you two are brave! And what was Carson Daly doing there?!
Carson Daly has a son! I had to Google him while at the theater…
You had to watch Dora? Yechk, what a snooze. Its like me when i have to watch some stupid action movie with hubbykins. I can only stay awake if i get movie treats–and then, once they are finished, yes, i still fall asleep.
How cool to see a celebrity though (but i guess you see them a lot where u live).
*kisses* HH
That’s AWESOME that you can be selfless…I am not sure if I can handle that! Ali’s response to you was quite hilarious! Was that at a Nokia theater?
That was the Nokia Theater and it is really quite nice. One side benefit of seeing Dora was finally seeing the theater!
I am sure Maya was sitting silently the whole time. You should have made all your important phone calls right them and there!
Please tell me Carson Daly was there because he was stoned and took a wrong turn from a hard rock concert.
Ameena for Mother of the Year!
$210 for 3 tx, really?
No Carson didn’t appear stoned but he is now a dad of a cute little boy! Who knew??
You are more selfless than I’ll ever be! I have zero patience for those types of things. I was never a good babysitter because I didn’t want to watch Spongebob or wipe runny noses or fight about bedtimes. I’m hoping that “maternal instinct” is something you can learn 😉
At least Maya looks genuinely happy!
I’m still looking for my maternal instinct…5 years later and it’s nowhere to be found…
You are a brave, brave mom Ameena. Lucky Maya! I bet it meant the world to her.
I really, really, dislike Dora. Something about her always yelling at me that just doesn’t cut it. You are completely selfless for doing that, i don’t think I could have made it through the full 90 minutes.
I’ve never watched any Dora shows and I have no desire to. I get scared easily and from what I hear, she’s pretty terrifying.
I know Maya’s smiling but even it looks kind of forced. Did anyone TRULY enjoy seeing a giant Dora?
Oh Dora. She’s a handful. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face. I need one today. Maya is so beautiful…seeing her makes me wish the best for my sweet little nephew.
I could pretend that my future children’s no-television rule had high and mighty thinking behind it, but truthfully, all kid’s characters creep the bejesus out of me and I don’t ever want to be subjected to them again. Sesame Street gave me nightmares as a kid. I can’t relive the trauma.
Dora sounds awful, but think of it in terms of major karma points. You’ll never come back as, say, a person forced to wear a giant, felted, kiddie character suit 🙂
And the Mother Teresa of the Year award goes to…Ameena!
Someday that picture of Ali and Maya is going to take you somewhere. In the meantime, I’m going to laugh until I snort.
you’re hilarious. and a saint. you know that, right? way to go, mama! *she* does look happy! 🙂
you’re a good momma, Ameena, i would’ve waited till the movie came out on DVD so i wouldn’t have to watch it myself. (talk about selfish…:p)
Yes, my dear, that is quite a sacrifice. Especially at $70 a pop! Holy cow. They should have paid you 🙂 Anyway, your beautiful daughter looks truly happy. Good Job Mom 🙂
Ugh! Dora the Explorer! Why…WHY?!?!? And you know what’s worse than 90 minutes of Dora the Mop-head Explorer? It’s ‘Dora the Mop-head Explorer translated into the lamest Tamil I have heard by a person with the squeakiest voice on the planet, and re-telecast on local kid’s channels every evening’. Believe me, you’ll need more than a gun to save yourself from THAT misery!!! And I undergo that at least once every week….sigh.
Wow Jane – I can’t imagine Dora in a different language. I think you are actually the selfless one here, I probably need to hand you the gun….
Haha! You and Ali look like you’re making the ultimate sacrifice here (I’m just imagining turning the camera around and seeing the “thrilled” look on your face in that picture). I think a show like that would give ME nightmares, too. Don’t worry, you’ll totally get brownie points for this 😉
hi Ameena, i love reading your blog. your stories are funny..i guess we have something in common with the whole secret chocolate and anthro stash:)have a nice day sweetie.
Maya is very pretty and beautiful hair too. She’s going to be a heart breaker to many boys in the future.
I was planning to take my niece to a Dora show at the Nokia Center, is that where you went to go watch the show? I showed the picture of an actor dressed like Dora and my niece said “Who’s that?”. I guess the actor didn’t look Dora enough for my niece to recognize her.
Wow… 90 minute of that.. you deserve an award my friend.
OMG that’s hilarious, but that is one experience I am sure Maya will forever be thankful for…maybe
You really are a selfless mom! My mom won’t even stand for my obsession with Harry Potter. T_T But Maya looks so happy!
Things mothers will do for their children/child! I sat pretty comfortably through two annual show of The Wiggles. The best part of it was everything was free in the Corporate box with food and drinks. The Wiggles were very entertaining. I would not shell out $70 per tix to hear “Swiper No Swiping.” Funny – I do use that phrase to remind my kid not to swipe things.
Can you handle another award? I done gave you one and it’s on my site. Go pick it up, chicklet. You deserve it.
LOL. — II can’t stand Dora the explorer. I use to edit video children’s parties at a small company I used to work for and a lot of them had were dora themes. I tired of it pretty quick.
If labor is the piece of cake then the rest of it is the icing 🙂 And I enjoy both very much. Lovely read, and nice to be here. Best wishes.
Hats off, LOL! Honestly, your blog always makes my start into the day more happy! 😀
Ameena, was there any pay off in Maya’s glowing smile?! She sure looks happy.
Your daughter is just way too cute! I love anthro and I’m not so sure I could sacrificed the same haha
Hahaha!
You might disagree, but I totally think you’re the best Mom ever 😀
You are too kind Gabriela!!
Dora … ugh! the only thing worse is (are?) the Gummibears: http://www.gummibar.net/
But who am I to talk, I had to sit through teletubbies when my youngest was younger.
Oh my-the things we will do for love. I saw Dora on tv ONE time and wanted to gauge my eyes out with a spoon. A whole show of her–that’s very impressive.
Oh goodness….I would have asked that you shot me too. I can’t handle these things. I am not really sure what Dora is all about, but I used to have Blues Clues running through my head after I would nanny in the summers. I still cringe 🙂
I love carson daily!
xxoo
I am terrified sometimes of the patience required to raise a child in our world with constant access to the fears and knowledge of things that can “go wrong” and always the pressure to do “what’s right” which equals PERFECT….
I couldn’t handle that!
Or maybe I could….sometimes
🙂
your exchange with Ali just MADe. MY. DAY!!! I love it, wahahaaha! At least Maya looks so happy! It is a sacrifice well-made…one day you can blackmail her with it! 😉
HAHAHAH I love how you both looked up from your iphones…Please don’t tell me dora was doing the question then silence soyourchildcananswerback during the live show…I hate it!! Not that I watch the show or anything….Did Carson look manorexic?
Very good mother! Years from now, you won’t even remember your pain. I don’t. 🙂
My son is still too young for things like this, but when the time does come I have a feeling my husband and I will be sitting in the audience thinking the same thing 🙂 And, wow, those tickets aren’t cheap, are they?!
By the way, your daughter is beautiful! Although I’m sure you hear that all the time!