nervous
When I was a kid I had this nervous habit of blinking my eyes really hard.
I have no idea why I used to do this but I do know that my parents did everything they could think of to get me to stop.
- They reasoned with me.
- They cajoled me.
- They tried to bribe me.
- They ignored me.
- They made fun of me.
Dinner @ Grand Lux Cafe on Saturday night. Not sure what I’m doing with my hair here but this was better than the pic with my eyes closed.
Nothing worked. Until one fine day, I stopped blinking really hard. I don’t know why I stopped but my parents were thrilled. Or they were for a minute at least, before I started another annoying habit.
And my annoying habits? They continue to this day. Because let’s face it, I’m still not exactly OCD-free.
These days, however, I’m actually a bit concerned that Maya is showing a few of my crazy tendencies. I mean, a part of me is proud of Maya for using a squeegee to obsessively wipe down every inch of the shower doors to prevent mold. And who wouldn’t love a child that uses her elbow to push the Crosswalk button?
Ice Skating to “Gangnam Style.”
But I’m fairly certain Dr. Phil would not approve of this behavior in a 7-year-old. Truthfully, I have more than a little bit of fear that Maya is turning into….me.
And being the kind of person who stockpiles antibacterial wipes is no way to live.
Desperate times call for desperate measure, so I tried my parent’s 5 prong approach to combat the problem. But aside from a giggle at the statement, “Just because Mama is crazy doesn’t mean you have to be crazy too,” and a now broken Slinky from the Target $1 section, I think it’s safe to say nothing is working.
Clockwise: Coupa Cafe, Date Muffins and Banana Muffins at home, Breakfast for One , Dessert at Cafe Roma
So right now we’re full circle back to “ignore.” And I’m thinking maybe Ali might have some insights here? Because he seems to have no trouble ignoring the entire situation.
While I continue to obsess….
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 
You’re not so bad. Maya would be lucky to turn out like you.
Of course, my opinion can’t be trusted because I am also crazy. In fact, I did the exact same blinking thing until one day I just didn’t anymore. Maybe it’s actually normal?
Yes this–I think Maya would be lucky to be like you, Ameena. You’re pretty terrific!
Thank you Jeena…not sure how I missed your comment earlier. But I love it!
Really? Maybe it’s normal? I suddenly feel like blinking again….
Hey, better to be “crazy” than boring. Is what I say as I go back to the stove three times to make sure I turned the burner off making tea…
And on another note I love your breakfast for one. I’d never pull that off in the morn.
I do the same thing with the stove! Its really ridiculous how many times I check the stove in one day.
Mmm, I’m with Maya – think of all those sleazy no hand washing people who would have touched that cross walk button / door handle / anything…..seem to have lost use of hands!! GG
I’m with Maya too…but I just think that a 7-year-old probably shouldn’t feel the way her germ-adverse 36 year old mother does.
She wipes down the shower doors?? You’ve trained her well, Ameena!!! A little OCD doesn’t hurt :-). On a completely unrelated note: I used to think Maya looked like you, but in her recent photos, she seems to be looking more and more like her Dad :-), Yeah, just a random thought 😀
Really? You think she looks more like Ali? Most people thought so when she was younger but now people say she looks more like me! 🙂
I believe that it’s better that our children take on our (meaning you and me being the moms) crazy tendencies than the husband’s crazy tendency. I know how to deal with my brand of crazy. Love Maya’s ice skating pictures.
Such a good point…my husband’s brand of crazy is a whole other set of problems.
Dr. Phil just likes to hear himself talk anyway.
Now how’s about those muffins?
Great photos– the ice skating is cuuuuuute.
The muffins actually turned out really good! It’s one of the few things I can make without a catastrophe…
Put it this way- quirky people are a lot more fun than boring “normal” people! And at least one thing’s for sure- if her obsessive shower door wiping is anything to go by, your daughter is growing up to be very hygienic ….and very chic as per those ice skating pics :)!
Thanks Khushboo…I have to admit though that Maya gets her chic side from her grandmother. I am not nearly as fashionable as either one of them!
What a cute ice skater you have there! Maybe it’s a little bit learning but there is a genetic thing too so not sure how easy it is to approach. But what’s wrong with being a germaphobe? She probably doesn’t get sick as much as my 8yo!
I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a germaphobe but I will say that I see kids eating off the floor and not washing their hands and they seem so much happier…
Ignoring works best. I know, because I try to, while others around me actually do! LOL! Those muffins look lovely. Planning on doing some big time baking this week. *******rubs palms excitedly********
Big time baking? Do you want to send your leftovers my way?
Want it or not, we all turn into our mother when we have our own kids, and Maya is in to be fabulous, just like you! Men are usually clueless about anything other than sports or high-tech thingy! 🙂
Lydia…you leave the best comments. Thank you!
And I totally agree on the sports/technology thing…
maya is lucky to have you! honestly, the fact that you can identify your own weaknesses will give her the strength she needs to grow into a fabulous young woman. she will learn from you for sure but you’re a team with ali right? i know it’s hard sometimes to just let go but honestly, the most pivotal moments in my life were when my parents just allowed me to free fall and then pick myself back up. i was and still am a strong willed person…when that energy is channeled for the good, there will be no stopping her! 🙂
I have a gift for identifying all of my weaknesses…it’s fixing them that seems to be a problem for me. 🙂
But I’m definitely going to try to let Maya “free fall” more often. I think your parents are totally right to have done that…
I sometimes have eye twitches, which I imagine comes from the same kind of place as hard eye blinking. Oh well.
On another note, I can’t believe how tall Maya is getting!
I get eye twitches too! Among about 1000 other strange problems.
Well her mama came out okay so Maya should be fine OCD tendencies and all. The good news is that they aren’t debilitating so it could be a lot worse. Aint it crazy to see your own traits passed onto your daughter. Genetics!
You think I came out okay? So nice of you to say. 🙂
Maja is just adorable in the pink outfit.
Let’s hope Sawyer doesn’t get my OCD tendencies..he’ll be ruined for life!
I’d say Sawyer would be lucky to get your OCD tendencies!
OCD tendencies keep you alert and healthy. I’m not really sure how people can be all relaxed when there are germs all around! Maya has got the right idea 🙂 And just in case you couldn’t tell, I grind my teeth when I’m nervous so yes, there is definitely some OCD in my blood 🙂
I grind my teeth too…my OCD-self has a night guard for just that purpose!
I see my daughter behaving like the hyper child that I was when i was young. I never got diagnosed because I didn’t try but I am sure I have ADHD and I increasingly worry that my daughter is showing the same tendencies. We’ll see how that goes. I share your worries Ameena. I worry all the time. Its a crazy thing to be parent. I am glad I am one but at the same time the stress is mind busting
I often wonder if I have ADHD or some other un-diagnosed attention disorder…and I freak out that Maya will get it as well!
Sorry you are stressing too but it’s nice to know it’s not just me.
I’m trying to think of an area where I have any OCD tendencies and the only one I can come up with is the bed. When I turn out the light, my bottom sheet has to be absolutely flat (I hate feeling the wrinkles), my pillow perfectly placed, with the pillow case wrinkle-free as well, and there’s an entire process to pulling up the sheet and blanket just right so it tucks under my chin correctly. Luckily, Dudette hasn’t grabbed onto that one. She sleeps. Period.
I’m with you on the bed…I am very particular about my sheets and pillow. Maya is too…unfortunately.
I had no idea I was OCD until I grew up and looked back on my behavior. If I stepped on a crack in a certain area of one foot, I would have to step on the same part of the other foot. And I stared at the smoke detector every night for years to make sure it blinked and the battery was working.
“Step on a crack and you’ll break your mama’s back?”
That little phrase caused me far too many sleepless nights…
Oh my goodness. There are worse things for Maya to turn into than you, sister. Besides, Shaila used to be really weird OCD. Like she would go down the stairs and have to hit every rail in the banister. If she missed one, she would go back to the top and start over again. Yeah. Cuckoo. Stuff like that has stopped though. She is ok now. Not “normal” but not too crazy.
Yet. I mean, she’s only 5.
Kiran
If we had stairs I bet Maya would be doing something weird with the banister as well.
Perhaps. Well, at least she will be a really cute kid with OCD if that’s any consolation.
I totally blame my mom for my weird OCD tendencies! But it’s all good because I see that she’s relaxing with age, so there’s hope for me! 🙂
Sometimes I feel like I’m relaxing with age but then other times I think nothing has changed!
doesn’t everyone do the thing with the elbow and the crosswalk? it’s pretty much as important as getting a piece of paper towel under your arm before you wash your hands so you can open the bathroom door… my mama taught me that one 😉
I do the paper towel thing too! And I taught it to Maya. Not sure how people are okay with using their hands to open a public restroom door??
i never did the elbow crosswalk thing….maya is onto something there.
Really? I use my elbow as much as possible out in public. 🙂
i love the ice skating picture! could those white tights be any cuter!?
Thank you Kate. 🙂
Sounds harmless to me!
And you are a certified expert! So I really do value your opinion SAW!
My son has been doing this weird neck thing lately, but at least he seems to have given up chewing his nails! Also, I’m pretty neurotic, too. Aren’t we all in our own special ways?
Well I certainly am but I was hoping to spare Maya…I guess that’s not going to happen?
Who cares what Dr. Phil would say anyway. He’s creepy.
So glad I’m not the only one who thinks so…
You are a wonderful mom, Ameena and if Maya is taking up after you, I dont think you should worry about that..Meanwhile, I dont think I have any OCDs, is it normal?
You are a wonderful commenter. Thank you for making me feel so much better!
Oh girl, you’re not crazy, I’m super freaking crazy and I think you’re pretty special! I love your posts!! xxoo Kris | iheartwellness.com
Thanks Kris. 🙂 I appreciate your nice comments!
Ameena, I love that picture of you it’s sexy. And if Maya is like you that’s awesome! Because you are great. Ameena, seriously, though, I know what you mean. I see my kids doing things and it kills me. For instance I noticed my oldest daughter sighs a lot like she’s put out. Guess what? It’s because I do it and bonus, I hate that I do it, but my mom did it, bless her heart, and I hated that she did it and here I am with the habit and my daughter and it’s a vicious cycle. Life. We do the best we can and then we still go around sighing!!!! I love you creativity with your posts. You have such a great way of posting about your life, including pictures but in a dynamic way not like the rest of us that just blog the moment to moment to include pictures of those moments. You are very clever, I love it. I hope your preparations for the holidays are going well.
Ameena, I also wanted to thank you for your sweet comment! It made my day to see you comment!!!! Take great care,
Shauna xoxoxoxo
First off, thank you for appreciating my pictures. I think that Instagram has massively improved them because all of my bad photography is now camouflaged!
Secondly, I sigh all the time but still get mad when Maya does it.
And finally, I hope your holidays are fantastic as well!
I think Maya is going to be an awesome and beautiful person if she takes after you. And I think it’s great that she knows how to use a squeegee well. I also think kids today are exposed to a lot more- so they are more aware of everything, from mold to OCD. The first time I heard about OCD was when I watched Ally McBeal in middle school! And those muffins look real yummy 😀
Ally McBeal! I loved that show…and learned a whole lot about things I probably shouldn’t have known about when I was that age!
And thank you Meenakshi for the compliment. 🙂
Take a deep breath and give her time to grow out of it! Maya looks Adorable in her flirty pink skating outfit!
Thanks Fran! I’m taking a deep breath. Here’s hoping it helps!
I think it’s soooooo cute that she loves to clean the shower doors… awww. I would love a child who cleans. It’s okay, kids are a reflection of us, it’s cute. You guys look so cute in the first pic.. Maya looks adorable on the skating ring. Was this at Rockefeller?
Also, how do you create those instagrams with 4 boxes? SO cool!
The skating picture was from last weekend here in Los Angeles (indoor rink of course)!
And I use an iPhone app to do the instagrams. I think it’s called Instafun? I’ll double check.
I am a little OCD about some things too … although I am dating someone who is not OCD about anything, so I am learning to change a bit!
Even Ali has his own little OCD habits…which makes me feel better about my own!
very cute pictures. A little OCD is actually good 🙂 those date muffins look yummy.
Thanks ELB! 🙂
Maya is blessed to have you as a Mama, Ameena :)) We all have OCD to some extent.
for example, I am obsessed w/ blogs. xx
I am also obsessed with blogs! Wish I could find a full-time job reading them….
And if she turns into you, what would be so bad? Only I don’t think you’d look as adorable in a skating outfit. And the food photography, is this instagramming? Date muffins, yum.
Yes it is Instagramming…love it Lauren. It makes my terrible pictures passable!
My kids annoying habits seem to pass so I am fairly certain Maya will grow out of it, or forget it. It is true though how kids are just a big, fat mirror. I have a dreadful habit of picking at my hair, it’s the most annoying thing ever and I have to consciously tell myself not to and I for sure don’t do it in front of the kids because if they picked up on it, oh my gosh I would lose it.
I am constantly fiddling with my hair too. I think it’s inevitable! But if that’s the most annoying thing you do Marie I think you are ahead of the game!
I for once must say you’re being too hard on yourself. (Well you always are!) Maya is and would only be a greater person if she turned out like you. I think this is me on a Christmas high btw. 🙂
A Christmas high…I love it. I’m on one too…it’s making me slightly less critical and negative. Slightly. 🙂
But those crosswalk buttons…they’re so gross, and oh my gosh, what about those public toilet doors (not the cubicle doors, but the door leading to the sink area)!!???? I wish they were automatic, really. I think you could give yourself a break though, Ameena, Maya being a kid like that is a million times better than a kid who picks on his nose and eats it, a bully, etc….
I can’t touch the doors Asuma…just can’t do it! Maya won’t touch them either.
Haha, I just wish there was some way to go around it!
Perhaps you could talk to her about the good germs..? Funny, I just did a post about bacteria being the good guys lol but.. there are way worse things that a child could be obsessed with 🙂
So true…there are so many worse things! I try to remind myself of that constantly…