I have had an interesting journey in the area of homeschooling. I have been dead set against it since I can remember thinking about it at all. I know I made mental notes when I worked with homeschooled kids in church. They seemed like social misfits. I remember thinking how sad it was that a 12 year old girl would stare in wonder at all the other 12 year old girls who were public shoolers, and not have a thing to say to them. She sat with me and told me of her pottery class, and books she was reading. I thought to myself, "I am never going to homeschool!" I didn't want my kids turning out like freaks, who can't talk to others their age. I thought "This poor girl isn't going to have all the great memories I have from childhood." Silly things like, fighting to sit on the heater in the classroom because we were cold and waiting for the teacher. My "I love Robby" club, where we actually trained to chase him, running around the track, and practicing our long jumps, I kid you not! Taking care of our egg babies for a week so as not to break them, and then designing some apparatus that would keep it safe when the teacher launched it off of the balcony. (Mine didn't make it, in case you are wondering.) I remember lunch times with my friends where we would talk about all kinds of things. One teacher did this cool thing where he actually put us through a lite version of boot camp and taught us to march, clean rifles, and do other military things. There are so many cool memories of school. But what I realize, is I can make sure to provide those cool memories for my kids. How much cooler would it be if my kids fondest memories like that, involved me, their mother. How much cooler would it be, if my kids fondest memories like that were my fondest memories as well.
I, unfortunately, seem to be very selfishly driven. My biggest reason for not wanting to homeschool lately, has been not wanting my kids home anymore. I wanted my time to myself. "2011 will be a good year" I always have said. (my 2 youngest turn 5 then, old enough for all day kindergarten) My husband was really in favor of homeschool, and I shot him down. I think my exact words were, "No. I am NOT doing homeschool. I do not want my kids at home all day. I am not giving up my time. My time to myself is important. If I don't have it, I will not be a good mom. I can't do it. It's not an option." ME, ME, ME, ME, ME. Isn't that nice!
Well, for the last month or two, I have been going through this interesting struggle. I joined a homegroup at my church. Half of the couples there either homeschoolers, or are seriously considering it, or have decided but haven't started yet. There are only 6 couples, so really there is just one couple in each of those three categories. Anyhow, they have been constantly talking about it. All the while, I am listening, thinking, "good for them, I am not interested." Then I started feeling completely defensive because they seemed as though they thought less of others who sent their kids to public schools. Now before you misunderstand me, I don't actually believe they thought that of me or anyone else now. I believe my conspiracy theories were imagined by my own conscience feeling less of myself for wanting to send my kids away. The more I heard from them, the more I felt convicted.
The woman who does homeschool got an earful from me about how "I could never do homeschooling" and how "I am just not as organized as her", and "not gifted in the teaching department", and how "I really am not patient enough to do it". "I need to mature more before ever considering homeschooling.", I told her. I might as well have said "It would not be as easy for me, as it is for you". Frankly, I have to give her props for holding her toungue when she probably wanted to strangle me and knock some sense into me. I am sure that she had to work very hard to get where she is now, and will have to continue to work very hard to get better, as none of us are perfect. She probably felt the same about this as I do when people say, "Your kids are so well behaved, you are lucky to have such easy kids.", or my personal favorite "Your twins were full term, and big and healthy? Most people don't have it that easy."
So a week after my conversation with her, which was really just, more or less, me telling her all the reasons homeschooling was easy for her but not for me, and her looking at me like "OK, thanks for sharing, I never asked", I went to a scrapbooking nite with the other 2 ladies involved in the whole "to homeschool or not to homeschool" dilema. They got to talking and I felt the urge to ask a bunch of questions. My attitude was that of wanting to prove my points correct, that it wasn't for me. I asked the lady who has decided to homeschool what her pro's were, since I could think of few that were important to me. She told me about how much time was being wasted in her child's school. Now at first I am thinking, "Yes, but my kids are going to the best school in the state", but it turns out her kids go to the same school. She shows me her daughter's schedule where I see "centers", where they seperate the "smartest" kids from the not so "smartest" kids to do different activities. Now I am all for competition, but my teachers thought I was slow. Turns out I was bored by their [far to easy] assignments. Same thing happened to my husband, who is easily the smartest person I know. We would have been at the "not so smartest" kids table, which would have made it even worse. Same thing happened to this lady's daughter. Not to mention the wasted time, as the teacher spends 15 minutes in each of the 4 groups, the other 45 minutes are just fooling around.
I started to think about how the teachers already think my son can't talk well and isn't quite there with the ability to pray, sing and other things that he does very well at home. Let me just give you an example of a conversation I had with my son. He was playing with two empty boxes. I stepped in one and started sliding it around. My 3 year old son said "What are we doing here?" I said, "I am just exploring the possibilities" His reply was, "Maybe you could explore the possibilities somewhere else." Now I know I probably shouldn't let my son talk to me like that, but this is a 3 year old. Does that sound like a 3 year old who can't talk very well? His said this all, clear as a bell by the way. He can sing many songs, beginining to end, with almost perfect pitch. He prays at the dinner table, albeit thanking God for ice cubes every time, but none-the-less. He isn't being recognized in the classroom because he's one of 15 kids. The teacher doesn't know my child. How could she? She hardly has time to interact with him one-on-one. Therefore how could she properly asses my child's interests and build on them. The answer is, she can't! But I can!
But I have to tell you, what changed my heart, was when the other woman who is still considering it mentioned being submissive to her husband's wishes. This is one of those areas that I am big on, but yet, I totally overlooked it on this subject. I basically shut the door in his face and said I wouldn't even consider it. The crazy thing is, when I realized this and let go to the idea because I wanted to allow my husband to lead, God literally changed my heart over night. I am now all for it. I no longer have any urge to get rid of my kids. I am so excited to keep them at home and do MY job. I am so happy that I have the honor of doing so. What a privilege to be there teacher. I honestly can't wait to get started. Of course now that I am on board, my husband is not ready to jump in. He is very cautious, but I will just have to wait it out and pray that God's will will be done, and rest knowing that it will.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
I'm Growing Too
Wow. I look back at all my older entries and I realize, not only have the kids come a long way, but I am growing too. I wonder now, if I will look back at this post and laugh at how silly it is, like I do my past posts now. It's funny what seems so permanent at the time. Even if I know things aren't permanent I still act as though they are, and give things stress that they don't deserve. We all do it I think. Although, I am sure my husband would claim he doesn't. And rightfully so, I suppose. :-)
Anyhow, things are going great. I am in a home group now at church, and I am at the tail end of a class in the institute program I was speaking of before. Both have really helped me grow in my walk with God as a parent. It's so hard to overcome the habits handed down from generation to generation in my family. But little by little I am getting there. I often find myself shrinking around other Christian mothers who just seem to have it all together. I wonder how much of it is real, simply because I have never seen it all in action. I know I put up a good front when others are around but when I am alone with the kids, it's a whole different story. I guess none of us are perfect. We all have different priorities in mind and those are the things we strive hardest to perfect. The problems I face are: Looking down on other mom's because they don't do certain things as good as me, and looking down on myself because I don't do certain things as good as them. I think this is a common problem among many women. It's something that holds us back from being the best moms we can be. If only I would just learn to humble myself enough to let down my guard and admit I am not the perfect mom. How many of us have thought that before? If we thought of those strengths we have as opportunities to teach other moms, and the strengths of other moms as opportunities to learn from those moms, we would grow so much faster.
I ought not worry about what other moms would think if I let down my guard and showed my weaknesses. What matters is what God thinks of me. He is the final Judge and Jury. He has given me an example of what to strive for in Proverbs 31. That's what I should measure myself against. The theme I see in Proverbs 31 is hard work, not results. Results will come, but it's the hard work that is rewarded. I am comforted by this, because I realize, that no matter how I measure up to other moms, I am always working as hard if not harder to better myself, and that is all that matters. Flylady always says "progress not perfection".
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”’
Matthew 11:28
What great comfort that is, to know that Jesus asks us to lay all this stuff on Him. To rest on Him. (insert sigh of relief here). God is good. There are no words to describe just how great He is. I can't imagine what parenting without Him would be like.
If you are reading this, and you don't know what it is, to have the Savior in your heart, to take those burdens and give you freedom, find out now. Check out the Romans Road
And please don't hesitate to ask me any questions.
Anyhow, things are going great. I am in a home group now at church, and I am at the tail end of a class in the institute program I was speaking of before. Both have really helped me grow in my walk with God as a parent. It's so hard to overcome the habits handed down from generation to generation in my family. But little by little I am getting there. I often find myself shrinking around other Christian mothers who just seem to have it all together. I wonder how much of it is real, simply because I have never seen it all in action. I know I put up a good front when others are around but when I am alone with the kids, it's a whole different story. I guess none of us are perfect. We all have different priorities in mind and those are the things we strive hardest to perfect. The problems I face are: Looking down on other mom's because they don't do certain things as good as me, and looking down on myself because I don't do certain things as good as them. I think this is a common problem among many women. It's something that holds us back from being the best moms we can be. If only I would just learn to humble myself enough to let down my guard and admit I am not the perfect mom. How many of us have thought that before? If we thought of those strengths we have as opportunities to teach other moms, and the strengths of other moms as opportunities to learn from those moms, we would grow so much faster.
I ought not worry about what other moms would think if I let down my guard and showed my weaknesses. What matters is what God thinks of me. He is the final Judge and Jury. He has given me an example of what to strive for in Proverbs 31. That's what I should measure myself against. The theme I see in Proverbs 31 is hard work, not results. Results will come, but it's the hard work that is rewarded. I am comforted by this, because I realize, that no matter how I measure up to other moms, I am always working as hard if not harder to better myself, and that is all that matters. Flylady always says "progress not perfection".
“Then Jesus said, ‘Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”’
Matthew 11:28
What great comfort that is, to know that Jesus asks us to lay all this stuff on Him. To rest on Him. (insert sigh of relief here). God is good. There are no words to describe just how great He is. I can't imagine what parenting without Him would be like.
If you are reading this, and you don't know what it is, to have the Savior in your heart, to take those burdens and give you freedom, find out now. Check out the Romans Road
And please don't hesitate to ask me any questions.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Many Changes
Well, now my children are 6 months older and what a difference that makes. I am really getting the hang of things. Every day that goes by I begin to feel better and better about myself and my abilities. At the same time, I realize that I would have none of these abilities without God. He has blessed me immensely and I will never fully understand why but I am eternally grateful.
Potty training is still a constant battle with my oldest, but it's been quite interesting with my younger 2. They are now showing an interest in using the potty. They fight over it all the time now so I think I will need to get a second potty for them. My girl has already peed in the potty once but she is not ready to go full on yet. She has the psychological readiness but not the physical readiness required. They are only 18 months old.
They talk pretty well now. At least 20 words each of them. Their words aren't very clear. They say keee for kitty, no for nose, ay for egg, and flowow for flower. In fact I don't think any word they say is correct. It amazes me, the difference between their speech and my oldest son's speech at this age. He spoke in clear sentences like "turn it off", and "come see me", and "I want bye-bye". Every word was crystal clear. That's not normal at that age though. But then I look at the physical development of these two and they are almost the same level as my older son, right now. It's very fascinating to me.
I am exploring church involvement again. We have gone through the membership process at a church that we love. It is a Calvinist church. For a lot of my friends that's a problem, but I have been doing a lot of studying in the Word and I have found it to be quite scripturally sound. I believe very strongly that the Bible is the word of God, and it is my last and final resource for making decisions. I am completely open to scriptural argument but if it's not in the Bible it's not a valid argument in my opinion. I feel great about this church. It is completely run on the Bible with no compromises which I have the utmost respect for. I have never seen another church that I felt did this. I am sure it is not perfect and I will see why some day, but it is the perfect church for us right now and I am excited to become a part of it. We will start serving in nursery and then I am going to look into spending time in their institute so I can be more fully educated in the Bible. I have always had a heart for evangelism but I am not armed for it, as my knowledge of the Bible is quite minimal. I am excited to dive in and learn much so I can teach my friends and family.
Potty training is still a constant battle with my oldest, but it's been quite interesting with my younger 2. They are now showing an interest in using the potty. They fight over it all the time now so I think I will need to get a second potty for them. My girl has already peed in the potty once but she is not ready to go full on yet. She has the psychological readiness but not the physical readiness required. They are only 18 months old.
They talk pretty well now. At least 20 words each of them. Their words aren't very clear. They say keee for kitty, no for nose, ay for egg, and flowow for flower. In fact I don't think any word they say is correct. It amazes me, the difference between their speech and my oldest son's speech at this age. He spoke in clear sentences like "turn it off", and "come see me", and "I want bye-bye". Every word was crystal clear. That's not normal at that age though. But then I look at the physical development of these two and they are almost the same level as my older son, right now. It's very fascinating to me.
I am exploring church involvement again. We have gone through the membership process at a church that we love. It is a Calvinist church. For a lot of my friends that's a problem, but I have been doing a lot of studying in the Word and I have found it to be quite scripturally sound. I believe very strongly that the Bible is the word of God, and it is my last and final resource for making decisions. I am completely open to scriptural argument but if it's not in the Bible it's not a valid argument in my opinion. I feel great about this church. It is completely run on the Bible with no compromises which I have the utmost respect for. I have never seen another church that I felt did this. I am sure it is not perfect and I will see why some day, but it is the perfect church for us right now and I am excited to become a part of it. We will start serving in nursery and then I am going to look into spending time in their institute so I can be more fully educated in the Bible. I have always had a heart for evangelism but I am not armed for it, as my knowledge of the Bible is quite minimal. I am excited to dive in and learn much so I can teach my friends and family.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Life After Surviving the First Year
Well, I have reached a point now where I can finally breathe! The babies only nurse once a day now. I have so much more time now. The house is finally a little bit cleaner. I get out more. We go to the park 2 days a week. Life is good.
Now I am working on potty training. What an experience that is. If there was a true secret to convincing your child that it is perfectly safe to poop in the toilet, the person who discovered it would be an instant multimillionare! What is with kids and their fear of pooping in the toilet? I know someday I will look back on this whole process and realize it wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it was so I am trying to relax about it. However, I just can't help but count every minute I spend sitting in the bathroom with him, singing songs about pooping and peeing, reading books about pooping and peeing and just talking about, you guessed it, pooping and peeing!! And it's not me who suggests all this, it's my son! He is obsessed with it. However he still won't poop. He pees occaisionally. 2 times a day, sometimes 3. We put stickers on a chart which must be filled to go to the zoo. I can't wait until he finally gets it. Any suggestions are welcome by the way!
I wonder what potty training the twins will be like. Harder because there is 2, or easier because they help each other? That will be an interesting experience as well, I am sure.
We are looking into putting our 2 1/2 year old in preschool. That will be wonderful all around. I think he would love getting out and away from us. He will love learning and showing off his new findings to us. I think he will like getting away from the babies as well. I can't wait to see what he thinks, and how he changes and grows. Parenting really is a fun experience. I thank God that He has given me this blessed opportunity. I will never understand why He trusted me with so many little ones all at once. I guess because He knew I wasn't alone. He'll never leave my side through the whole journey. Thank You Lord!
Now I am working on potty training. What an experience that is. If there was a true secret to convincing your child that it is perfectly safe to poop in the toilet, the person who discovered it would be an instant multimillionare! What is with kids and their fear of pooping in the toilet? I know someday I will look back on this whole process and realize it wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it was so I am trying to relax about it. However, I just can't help but count every minute I spend sitting in the bathroom with him, singing songs about pooping and peeing, reading books about pooping and peeing and just talking about, you guessed it, pooping and peeing!! And it's not me who suggests all this, it's my son! He is obsessed with it. However he still won't poop. He pees occaisionally. 2 times a day, sometimes 3. We put stickers on a chart which must be filled to go to the zoo. I can't wait until he finally gets it. Any suggestions are welcome by the way!
I wonder what potty training the twins will be like. Harder because there is 2, or easier because they help each other? That will be an interesting experience as well, I am sure.
We are looking into putting our 2 1/2 year old in preschool. That will be wonderful all around. I think he would love getting out and away from us. He will love learning and showing off his new findings to us. I think he will like getting away from the babies as well. I can't wait to see what he thinks, and how he changes and grows. Parenting really is a fun experience. I thank God that He has given me this blessed opportunity. I will never understand why He trusted me with so many little ones all at once. I guess because He knew I wasn't alone. He'll never leave my side through the whole journey. Thank You Lord!
Having Twins
I cannot tell you how many people I have met that are so impressed at how big my twins were at birth. It honestly makes me very sad because it doesn't have to be such a rarity. I really don't get it. How can so many doctors just sit back and watch women give birth over and over to tiny premature little babies and just let them think it's just how it has to be, with multiples? Can it be that they don't know the truth or that they really care more about the money they'll make off of premature babies and c-sections.
If any women are pregnant with multiples, and reading this, please know that you don't have to have premature babies. It's all about nutrition. Most women have no clue what they need to eat. A lot of women are simply instructed to watch their calorie intake so as not to gain too much weight. It's really not about just your calorie intake but the value of the calories you take in. Low birth weight is caused by not getting enough protien. Babies come prematurely because they aren't getting what they need inside the womb. A woman pregnant with twins needs about 130-140 grams of protien a day. Birth weight is as simple as that! Brain development however relies on the proper amounts of all 4 food groups. And no, bread and cereal group should not include things like wonder bread and captian crunch. You need whole grains. Not just wheat, whole wheat. Anyhow, all the information you need can be learned in Bradely birthing classes or the Bradley website. http://bradleybirth.com/
I would love to hear what OB/GYN doctors have to say for themselves though. I just don't understand why they don't provide the proper care needed to ensure healthy babies. I had midwives and they helped me with everything from nutrition to excersise to preperation for birth and mental health and they were paid a lot less. With my first child I had an OB/GYN and all she did was weigh me, have me pee in a cup and send me on my way. While my insurance charged me a lot less, she was paid at least 10 times more. I will never understand that! Sure, doctors have more education but is that really worth more than proper care that ensures healthy babies and proud moms. Not to me!
By the way I carried my babies to 38 weeks, and they were 8 lbs 6 oz, and 7 lbs 4 oz., and no, it's not unheard of. In fact, it's quite common in settings were mothers are cared for by midwives intsead of doctors. Hmmmm........ I am not saying you can't have healthy babies under the care of a doctor but I am saying you should NOT trust that your doctor is telling you everything you should know. You have way more control of your babies' health than you think! Look into it, and take responsibility. Beat the statistics!
Please!!!
If any women are pregnant with multiples, and reading this, please know that you don't have to have premature babies. It's all about nutrition. Most women have no clue what they need to eat. A lot of women are simply instructed to watch their calorie intake so as not to gain too much weight. It's really not about just your calorie intake but the value of the calories you take in. Low birth weight is caused by not getting enough protien. Babies come prematurely because they aren't getting what they need inside the womb. A woman pregnant with twins needs about 130-140 grams of protien a day. Birth weight is as simple as that! Brain development however relies on the proper amounts of all 4 food groups. And no, bread and cereal group should not include things like wonder bread and captian crunch. You need whole grains. Not just wheat, whole wheat. Anyhow, all the information you need can be learned in Bradely birthing classes or the Bradley website. http://bradleybirth.com/
I would love to hear what OB/GYN doctors have to say for themselves though. I just don't understand why they don't provide the proper care needed to ensure healthy babies. I had midwives and they helped me with everything from nutrition to excersise to preperation for birth and mental health and they were paid a lot less. With my first child I had an OB/GYN and all she did was weigh me, have me pee in a cup and send me on my way. While my insurance charged me a lot less, she was paid at least 10 times more. I will never understand that! Sure, doctors have more education but is that really worth more than proper care that ensures healthy babies and proud moms. Not to me!
By the way I carried my babies to 38 weeks, and they were 8 lbs 6 oz, and 7 lbs 4 oz., and no, it's not unheard of. In fact, it's quite common in settings were mothers are cared for by midwives intsead of doctors. Hmmmm........ I am not saying you can't have healthy babies under the care of a doctor but I am saying you should NOT trust that your doctor is telling you everything you should know. You have way more control of your babies' health than you think! Look into it, and take responsibility. Beat the statistics!
Please!!!
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Light at the End of the Tunnel
Happy New Year! It's been a long last year for me. I gave birth to twins and have managed to make it almost through the first year of their life. Here's a look into a day in the life of a mother with twin infants and a 2 year old.
I nurse them each for 30minutes each feeding, so there's about 4-5 hours a day right there. Then I feed them in their high chairs as well as making food for my 2 year old, who still requires me to feed him sometimes and still makes huge messes. That takes about 4 more hours a day. Then I change 15-20 diapers a day. That's about another hour and a half. Then of course there is bed time and nap routines for all 3. That accounts for about 2 hours of the day. Also about 2 hours a day just dealing with all their other needs and keeping the babies safe from my 2 year old's lovely acts of brotherhood. 13 hours a day at least! Now you have to add the 3 hours a day I spend, eating enough and drinking enough just to nurse these 2. 16 hours a day. It is soooo exhausting.
But, there is light at the end of this tunnel. I hate to say this but I can't wait to wean! I have been pregnant and/or nursing for the past 31/2 years now. I am so looking forward to having my body back to myself. To eat what ever I want and drink whatever I want and not worry about how it will affect my milk. But more than that, I will free up that 4-5 hours of my day!! Imagine what I could do with 4-5 hours a day. Maybe I will finally get control of my house. Plus, I could give the babies their sippies of milk and throw 'em in the stroller and take my 2 year old son to the park. The possibilities are endless.
I often fantasize about the day everyone goes off to school and I can get a few hours a day of quiet time. How awesome will that be. I also can't wait until my kids come home and tell me about their days at school and to meet the friends that they make. I can't wait to learn who my kids are. To see what they come up with when asked to do projects or pick a musical instrument to play. Or what sports they'll like, if any. I can't wait to have an actual conversation with them. It's already interesteing to listen to what's on my son's mind when he rambles on an on.
I have never been much of a baby person. Of course my own, I love, but even so, the older they get, the more I love them. My favorite age group is 12-14. They are at such an awkward time in their life but I beleive that is the most important age for people. What happens then either makes them or breaks them. Not that they can't break free of that, but that is the time that they start shaping who they are, in hopes to fit in. They have broken free of elementary school life, where teachers and parents make all the decisions for them. They start picking their classes and extra curicullar activities. They prepare for high school, which at the time, seems like the ultimate goal. When they are allowed these freedoms they start to take shape and learn more about who they are. I have always had a heart for this age group. I used to work with them in church. Back when I had time on my hands. I can't wait to work with my own at that age. I know most people are scared of that age but I feel like God has allowed me to remember that age vividly so that I could relate to them and not be intimidated by them. I remember what was important to me and how most adults didn't care. I also remember those adults who did care, and did understand. To this day, the things those adults said to me, affect how I live my life today. Unfortunately those who didn't care and didn't understand still have an impact on me as well. I remember most of my childhood from 4 on. I remember huge events that happened before 12, and I just don't think they affected me as much as stuff after 12. I know they had some impact but 12-14 was when things started to really count. Everything before then just set the stage for that stage of my life.
That's just my theory. I'm open to see what life has to show me. I have a lot of theories. I know I still have a lot to learn and I look forward to continuing my journey as a mother. So far, it has made me a stronger woman. It has also changed the way I look at life. Things that seemed so important to me before are so trivial now. And things that seemed trivial before are precious to me now.
I nurse them each for 30minutes each feeding, so there's about 4-5 hours a day right there. Then I feed them in their high chairs as well as making food for my 2 year old, who still requires me to feed him sometimes and still makes huge messes. That takes about 4 more hours a day. Then I change 15-20 diapers a day. That's about another hour and a half. Then of course there is bed time and nap routines for all 3. That accounts for about 2 hours of the day. Also about 2 hours a day just dealing with all their other needs and keeping the babies safe from my 2 year old's lovely acts of brotherhood. 13 hours a day at least! Now you have to add the 3 hours a day I spend, eating enough and drinking enough just to nurse these 2. 16 hours a day. It is soooo exhausting.
But, there is light at the end of this tunnel. I hate to say this but I can't wait to wean! I have been pregnant and/or nursing for the past 31/2 years now. I am so looking forward to having my body back to myself. To eat what ever I want and drink whatever I want and not worry about how it will affect my milk. But more than that, I will free up that 4-5 hours of my day!! Imagine what I could do with 4-5 hours a day. Maybe I will finally get control of my house. Plus, I could give the babies their sippies of milk and throw 'em in the stroller and take my 2 year old son to the park. The possibilities are endless.
I often fantasize about the day everyone goes off to school and I can get a few hours a day of quiet time. How awesome will that be. I also can't wait until my kids come home and tell me about their days at school and to meet the friends that they make. I can't wait to learn who my kids are. To see what they come up with when asked to do projects or pick a musical instrument to play. Or what sports they'll like, if any. I can't wait to have an actual conversation with them. It's already interesteing to listen to what's on my son's mind when he rambles on an on.
I have never been much of a baby person. Of course my own, I love, but even so, the older they get, the more I love them. My favorite age group is 12-14. They are at such an awkward time in their life but I beleive that is the most important age for people. What happens then either makes them or breaks them. Not that they can't break free of that, but that is the time that they start shaping who they are, in hopes to fit in. They have broken free of elementary school life, where teachers and parents make all the decisions for them. They start picking their classes and extra curicullar activities. They prepare for high school, which at the time, seems like the ultimate goal. When they are allowed these freedoms they start to take shape and learn more about who they are. I have always had a heart for this age group. I used to work with them in church. Back when I had time on my hands. I can't wait to work with my own at that age. I know most people are scared of that age but I feel like God has allowed me to remember that age vividly so that I could relate to them and not be intimidated by them. I remember what was important to me and how most adults didn't care. I also remember those adults who did care, and did understand. To this day, the things those adults said to me, affect how I live my life today. Unfortunately those who didn't care and didn't understand still have an impact on me as well. I remember most of my childhood from 4 on. I remember huge events that happened before 12, and I just don't think they affected me as much as stuff after 12. I know they had some impact but 12-14 was when things started to really count. Everything before then just set the stage for that stage of my life.
That's just my theory. I'm open to see what life has to show me. I have a lot of theories. I know I still have a lot to learn and I look forward to continuing my journey as a mother. So far, it has made me a stronger woman. It has also changed the way I look at life. Things that seemed so important to me before are so trivial now. And things that seemed trivial before are precious to me now.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Introduction
This blog will almost be a diary of the things that go on in my life as a mother. I will talk about my feelings of joy, frustration, accomplishment, disapointments etc. I will talk about the funny things that happen between my 3 children and the realities of life. I will be compeletly honest and sometimes will present somewhat controversial issues concerning different parental philosophies.
Just for an intro to anyone who is reading this and doesn't know me, I am the mother of 3 children, ages 2 1/2 and twins 11 mo. I am a very schedule oriented mother, although I am starting to lighten up a little. I am against attachment parenting and child led households. I believe that parents should be in charge but kids should be presented with many choices. I believe kids should be allowed to reap the consequences of their choices as a form of disipline. I am all for corporal punishment although I don't think it's always necesarry. In my opinion there are many other ways to discipline children that are often more effective than spankings. I think it's important to make the effort to find those other ways when given the opportunity. This is how children will learn to live in the real world. Anyhow, I just wanted to introduce myself and give a brief discription on my background as a parent.
I will start my posts at the beginning of the year. I hope to do them weekly, but we'll see. My children keep me busy!
Just for an intro to anyone who is reading this and doesn't know me, I am the mother of 3 children, ages 2 1/2 and twins 11 mo. I am a very schedule oriented mother, although I am starting to lighten up a little. I am against attachment parenting and child led households. I believe that parents should be in charge but kids should be presented with many choices. I believe kids should be allowed to reap the consequences of their choices as a form of disipline. I am all for corporal punishment although I don't think it's always necesarry. In my opinion there are many other ways to discipline children that are often more effective than spankings. I think it's important to make the effort to find those other ways when given the opportunity. This is how children will learn to live in the real world. Anyhow, I just wanted to introduce myself and give a brief discription on my background as a parent.
I will start my posts at the beginning of the year. I hope to do them weekly, but we'll see. My children keep me busy!
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