Two links in twelve hours that have made me teary:
Emily's images of summer
and
What should every four-year-old know?
Obviously you could argue that only a pregnant woman would read an article about early learning and well up, and you would probably be right. That's part of it. But the other part is this: Moms spend so much of the time worrying about banality - is he drinking too much juice? Watching too much Elmo? Do we practice writing his letters enough? Does he not know his colors because I've never told him the names of them? We want the ideal for our kids every minute of every day. We forget what a gift - a tremendous, life-altering gift - it is to just love and nurture them. My children know that not only do I love them, but as long as Brian and I are alive they will be safe, fed, read to, hugged, listened to, shown basic respect. Most of the time I forget that there are so many children who have no source of comfort, no assurance of safety. Our life as a family is not perfect, but honestly, it's a really good place for kids to grow up. In light of all that, who cares about apple juice?
Anyway, go read the links. They're really good.
6 comments:
Wow, 5:26 am! True story. Banality, indeed. It's good to be reminded that we're lucky just to have these gifts. There are so many on both extreme ends of the spectrum, either unable to have children or able to have children, but unable to afford to care for them or unable to find it in them to care for their children. All in all, I'd say we're lucky to be part of the norm.
My OB told us something similar when I was early pregnant and so concerned with my diet. She said "I get parents in here all the time so worried about how much tv is 'too much', how many vegetables are enough, am I reading to my child enough...my best advice is just love them. Love them to pieces. And that will ultimately be enough"
It has really stuck with me.
Also, I am glad you mentioned respect. I think all too often we forget children are people. I see parents getting so worked up over battling with and controlling their children, and forgetting that while they are still little, they are in fact still people who desire - and deserve- respect from time to time.
So true! I feel like I spend half of my time worrying if I'm providing the best path for my child and then I realize I'm not stopping to enjoy the now. It's hard because you want the best for them and you want them to turn out just perfect but no matter what we do, or how hard we try, they will never be perfect. Thanks for the reassurance that my love is invaluable and more than some children will ever experience!
Thanks for the shoutout!!
i needed this post this morning... on the heels of our convo. the other night. This morning, my house is, in my opinion, a wreck and Harper is SUPER WHINY and CLINGY. i was on the phone with my mom and harper was lying on the hardwood floor whining, while i tried to clean up last night's kitchen mess, and mom asked, "whats wrong with her!?!?" and i said, "mom, she is bored. ill have to talk to you later." so i sat on the couch and held her while she sucked her thumb and we talked about what was going on ... on ELMO.
I think we all struggle with the "am i doing enoughs" and i am finding more and more everyday that the key to my contentness and happiness is to stop criticizing and rejoice. in my whiny kids' moments and my "i feel fat and useless moments" ( i wouldnt say that to anyone i know, why do i say that to myself?) i am learning to stop and say, "God... YOU are so amazing and so good" and then love my kids... and myself - because, i've said it before and ill say it again, all of my problems are really still all luxuries.
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