A record of the incessant and trivial chatter running through my head.
 Earlier this week Chad and I were having a passing conversation (if you have children, you understand that almost all conversations are in passing) in the kitchen. I was talking about things I hoped for our future, the kind of person I want to be, and my constant battle to refrain from comparing myself and […]     “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frigthens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of […]  Lovely snow has been falling all weekend long. Big, beautiful snowflakes have danced slowly through the air before gently finding their way and settling onto the pavement, grass, and trees. It has been a different kind of snow. It’s light, easy to shovel, and even though the snow has fallen nonstop, it seems to disappear […]
 Last night I was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner when I heard the pitter-patter of tiny feet approaching from behind. I turned around to see Meadow showing off her bright smile and her fairly new teeth. She stood proudly before me, completely nude, as is her habit after bath-time. I swooped her up […]  Yesterday, Chanelle, Meadow and I were driving toward my in-laws where we would meet Chad and Charlie for dinner. The temperature was approaching 60 degrees and the sun had finally broken through what had been a mostly cloudy day. Unfortunately, my mood was equally cloudy. We had about five showings at our house during the […]
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Beautiful…
Thank you, Joni.
🙂
You're incredible.
First off, I applaud that you make time to have these conversations. Sometimes I feel like I'm literally FLYING through my life without taking much time for reflection. Your blog helps me to stop… and think.
Secondly, "they will be bruised" resonated with me…
Thick skin. I want my ladies to develop a thick, EMPATHETIC skin.
Oh, this parenthood thing, while incredible and amazing and confusing, it's daunting. Thank goodness that we don't have to jump from 2nd grade to 7th grade. Keep doing what you're doing.
I would imagine your little wee ones are already turning purple…
Oh Ky. . . thick skin. That's a tough one, isn't it? I'm 34 and still haven't found it.
And I know what you mean about "they will be bruised". . . I've thought about it so much since talking with my Dad. I know it will happen, but oh man, I don't want it to.
Thank you, Ky.
Yes. To live it yourself. We are their first teachers and forever role models. I so agree that the world is a different place and that is at times overwhelming and disheartening. At 12 and 8, my kids are dealing with things I didn't even know about when I was that young. I think goodness begets goodness. Children gravitate to friends with similar values, and those core values cross all lines be they socioeconomic, race, religion…With that being said I've been known to give the hairy eyeball to a bully or two!
Evie, I love what you said about children gravitating toward friends with similar values. That is so comforting. Oh, I know it won't be easy–but that single statement truly gives me hope.
Thank you.
So many things to think about, Summer. I do know that raising kids in this period is so much harder than it probably was back in the '70's when I (ahem) growing up. The only two warnings we had to practice in school were fire drills and tornado drills. We had no inkling as to what an intruder/lock down/chemical/whatever else kind of drill was. I mean, we were horrified by the tough kids who (gasp!) smoked and chewed tobacco during class changes. So many things that I wasn't prepared to teach my own kids to look out for, to be aware of. All we can do as parents is to tell them just what you're going to tell your kids: go ahead and do your own thing, we've got your back. But the biggest thing we can do: always have our arms wide open for hugs to get them through the rough patches.
I agree, Katie. Open communication/open arms. Equally important, aren't they?