Periodically I have been asked if I miss teaching. Sometimes I do but not because I miss imparting my biological knowledge to high school students or I like to challenge them to think critically. Although that is a lot of fun. Yes...I used the words "fun" and "high school students" in the same paragraph. LOL.
The students. My kids. That is how I thought about them. Interacting with them and having a positive impact on their lives...that is what I sometimes miss.
My husband is great with all kids - even little ones. And they adore him. He is like a magnet or the pied piper where children are concerned. During Parent's Day at my son's school, Simms was constantly surrounded by children that are not ours. They would ask him questions, want to show him something, request that he read to them, etc. He graciously complied and blessed each and every one of them that day.
Are kids drawn to you? Is your house the one where they congregate? It might be due to more than your great cooking. Join us in February for MIA when Pastor Beth Kempf shares her journey of spiritual parenting.
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Motherhood. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
A Time of Refreshment
Remember when I wrote here about taking care of yourself, and having some rejuvenating "me" time, in this post? Well, if you have seen me since then, you can see that my hair is not any shorter and there are no highlights in it! However, that will all change next week! Yes, I finally made the appointment (with a little prompting from me sis - thanks!). I am really looking forward to this!
So, have you done anything that has rejuvenated yourself? If not...then think of something that you could do. Maybe going out shopping by yourself (or with a friend), grabbing a cup of coffee or water, or taking the time to read in that book that you really want to finish. Whatever it is, be sure to take some time out for yourself. It not only is good for you to do it for yourself, but it is also good for your family too...who wouldn't want a Mommy that was feeling refreshed?
P.S. I think that I am also going to make the time to read in a book that I have been wanting to read! :)
So, have you done anything that has rejuvenated yourself? If not...then think of something that you could do. Maybe going out shopping by yourself (or with a friend), grabbing a cup of coffee or water, or taking the time to read in that book that you really want to finish. Whatever it is, be sure to take some time out for yourself. It not only is good for you to do it for yourself, but it is also good for your family too...who wouldn't want a Mommy that was feeling refreshed?
P.S. I think that I am also going to make the time to read in a book that I have been wanting to read! :)
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Funny Happenings
A bowl of cereal at the edge of a counter + a curious 18 month old = a mess on the floor!
Oh my!
I was definitely grateful that no milk was present in the bowl of cereal! I was right there, but not close enough to intercept what I saw happen! I definitely need to remember that his reach has increased quite a bit, and he is interested in the world above him!
Anything funny happen to you today?
Oh my!
I was definitely grateful that no milk was present in the bowl of cereal! I was right there, but not close enough to intercept what I saw happen! I definitely need to remember that his reach has increased quite a bit, and he is interested in the world above him!
Anything funny happen to you today?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
What Have You Done?
Once you get married, life certainly does change. Two schedules suddenly merge into one. Life changes more than you thought that it would...then, when you add kids into the mix, there is a lot more activities to juggle than when you were single! With each new addition to the family, life gets a little busier...but it is a good busy!
There are park dates and play dates, trips to the library and stores, errands to run, appointments to keep, practice and games and performances. These things add enjoyment into our lives, but they also can wear us down a little bit too.
Sometimes, we need to take care of ourselves - not in a selfish way, but in a rejuvenating way...a little bit of "me" time. There are different ways to take care of yourself - today, I am going to focus on the "me" time. What is something that you can do just for you? Paint your nails? Get your hair done? Buy some new underwear - (by yourself)? Go for a jog? Take a nap? Get a massage? What is is that will help you to feel refreshed and renewed?
I am going to make an appointment to get my hair cut! I am so excited to do this. I have put this off for over a year (sad, I know), and I think that it is time to "treat" myself to a nice haircut (and maybe highlights??? We will have to see about that!)
What are you going to do for yourself? It does not have to be anything expensive, but it should be something that helps you to feel refreshed and renewed! Leave a comment and let me know what your plans are!
There are park dates and play dates, trips to the library and stores, errands to run, appointments to keep, practice and games and performances. These things add enjoyment into our lives, but they also can wear us down a little bit too.
Sometimes, we need to take care of ourselves - not in a selfish way, but in a rejuvenating way...a little bit of "me" time. There are different ways to take care of yourself - today, I am going to focus on the "me" time. What is something that you can do just for you? Paint your nails? Get your hair done? Buy some new underwear - (by yourself)? Go for a jog? Take a nap? Get a massage? What is is that will help you to feel refreshed and renewed?
I am going to make an appointment to get my hair cut! I am so excited to do this. I have put this off for over a year (sad, I know), and I think that it is time to "treat" myself to a nice haircut (and maybe highlights??? We will have to see about that!)
What are you going to do for yourself? It does not have to be anything expensive, but it should be something that helps you to feel refreshed and renewed! Leave a comment and let me know what your plans are!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Motherhood: What YOU DO IS Significant!
I was having a conversation with someone the other day, and something that was (innocently) said, kind of struck me - especially with what I began to write about last month. (Before I continue, I do want to say that this person did not intentionally mean to offend me, and I am not upset with this person at all. )
The said person was telling me about a former classmate of theirs. The statement below is what really stuck out to me:
"I never thought that she would do anything significant in her life...I figured that she would get married and have a bunch of kids...but she is a town clerk - which is an elected position!"
This really hit me. It made me realize what some people really think:
SAHM = Insignificant Job
As a former high school teacher and a current SAHM, I have to say that I completely disagree with this thought process. Spending time with our children and choosing to raise them ourselves is a very significant job! We are responsible for instilling so many things into them including: our faith, love, confidence, humor, respect for themselves and others, love for one another, and the list goes on.
Instilling love and values into our children is an important job, and I will change the equation above to:
SAHM = SIGNIFICANT JOB!
The said person was telling me about a former classmate of theirs. The statement below is what really stuck out to me:
"I never thought that she would do anything significant in her life...I figured that she would get married and have a bunch of kids...but she is a town clerk - which is an elected position!"
This really hit me. It made me realize what some people really think:
SAHM = Insignificant Job
As a former high school teacher and a current SAHM, I have to say that I completely disagree with this thought process. Spending time with our children and choosing to raise them ourselves is a very significant job! We are responsible for instilling so many things into them including: our faith, love, confidence, humor, respect for themselves and others, love for one another, and the list goes on.
Instilling love and values into our children is an important job, and I will change the equation above to:
SAHM = SIGNIFICANT JOB!
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Motherhood: "So, What Do You Do?"
What is your response when someone you have just met asks you this question,
"So, what do you do?"
If you are a SAHM, I bet that a thousand things could come rushing into your head that may include (depending on your kids' ages): get the kids up, change diapers (throughout the day), dress the kids, feed the kids, clean up the dishes (or pile them in the sink for later), have a playdate, run errands, play with the kids, go to the library and try to make sure that your 16 month old does not take every book off of the shelves and dump them on the floor (maybe that one is just me!), make the kids lunch, put the dishes in the sink, nap time - or more play time if your kids do not nap, laundry, get dinner ready, feed the family, clean up the dishes for real this time, family time, bath time, brush kids teeth, get kids to bed - read books, sing, pray, etc, and then you have some time to do whatever else needs to be done...and I am sure that my list is not complete! (Whew, I am tired after writing all of that!)
Getting back to the question that you were just asked by someone that you just met...how would you answer that? Would you tell them all of that or make up some cool sounding title? Or, are you unsure of how to answer that question...maybe you say,
"I am JUST a Mom."
Whatever you may give as an answer, do you ever feel that you feel less significant than another person who works out side of the house?
I have to admit, that when I first began to stay home, my answer would be something like, "Well, I taught biology and chemistry for the last 7 years, but now I stay at home with the kids." I don't feel that there is anything wrong with saying that, however, I have also realized that there is nothing wrong with saying,
" 'I am a wife and mother and proud of it!'
(With great pride in our chosen career, we must share with people that we are in the profession of motherhood)." (p. 18*)
How have you responded to this question in the past? Are you ready to shift your way of thinking...if you haven't already? If you have shifted your thinking, please share your thoughts too!
This post contains ideas and quotes from the book Professionalizing Motherhood, by Jill Savage It is a continuation from my original post about Motherhood that you can read about here.
"So, what do you do?"
If you are a SAHM, I bet that a thousand things could come rushing into your head that may include (depending on your kids' ages): get the kids up, change diapers (throughout the day), dress the kids, feed the kids, clean up the dishes (or pile them in the sink for later), have a playdate, run errands, play with the kids, go to the library and try to make sure that your 16 month old does not take every book off of the shelves and dump them on the floor (maybe that one is just me!), make the kids lunch, put the dishes in the sink, nap time - or more play time if your kids do not nap, laundry, get dinner ready, feed the family, clean up the dishes for real this time, family time, bath time, brush kids teeth, get kids to bed - read books, sing, pray, etc, and then you have some time to do whatever else needs to be done...and I am sure that my list is not complete! (Whew, I am tired after writing all of that!)
Getting back to the question that you were just asked by someone that you just met...how would you answer that? Would you tell them all of that or make up some cool sounding title? Or, are you unsure of how to answer that question...maybe you say,
"I am JUST a Mom."
Whatever you may give as an answer, do you ever feel that you feel less significant than another person who works out side of the house?
I have to admit, that when I first began to stay home, my answer would be something like, "Well, I taught biology and chemistry for the last 7 years, but now I stay at home with the kids." I don't feel that there is anything wrong with saying that, however, I have also realized that there is nothing wrong with saying,
" 'I am a wife and mother and proud of it!'
(With great pride in our chosen career, we must share with people that we are in the profession of motherhood)." (p. 18*)
As a SAHM, I think that what we need to realize that motherhood is a profession, especially if a profession is something that we feel is "Important enough for our time and our energy, and it also enriches our lives in some shape or form." (p.28). Motherhood definitely fits that definition of profession and what we need to do is shift our way of thinking. What we do has value. We have chosen this career, and we may not get paid monetarily, but it is a career, and we can be proud of what we do.
There is no shame in being a SAHM...and may I add, there is also no shame in being a working mom - you need to be doing what the Lord has called you to do for your family. It does not matter what other people do or think...it really only matters what God thinks of you and what you are doing.How have you responded to this question in the past? Are you ready to shift your way of thinking...if you haven't already? If you have shifted your thinking, please share your thoughts too!
This post contains ideas and quotes from the book Professionalizing Motherhood, by Jill Savage It is a continuation from my original post about Motherhood that you can read about here.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Parenting 101...Repeated.
Have you ever fooled yourself into believing that you have parenting figured out? I did...once. Obviously this heinous mistake wasn't made when Jeter was born. He was our firstborn and I wasn't so bold to think I had this parenting thing down. But when Barber came along approximately three years later, although I knew things might be a bit different, I did believe I had the upper hand. What would cause me to think otherwise? I already had three years of on-the-job training and should be able to steer around the mountains and bypass the valleys. Right?
Wrong.
I mistakenly trusted my set of honed parenting skills to enable me to avoid certain childhood obstacles. As if a childhood utopia is possible. Ha!
Specifics. When Jeter was barely four years old he threw the worst temper tantrum ever. I wish I was kidding. My parents were watching our boys while I surprised Simms with a night out for his birthday. Jeter didn't want us to leave and protested for over 1-1/2 hours. My mom put him in the guest bedroom where he continued his defiant, ungrateful, self-absorbed protest until he feel asleep. Then he woke up and started all over again. Our night was cut short. Allowing my parents to endlessly endure that was not an option. What did we do? First we prayed a lot - the entire ride to my parents house. We knew that what we needed to deal with wasn't simply a child that was crying a lot. Rather the attitude(s) behind the display of tears needed to be addressed.
After relieving my parents, we calmly told Jeter the consequences of his attitude and behavior. Simms kept him in the family room while I removed every item from his room - all toys, books, stuffed animals, etc. Everything. He also lost his privileges - TV, computer, swimming with Daddy in the pool, etc. These were then earned back over time as he learned and displayed positive attitudes and behavior.
Fast forward three years. Barber is now 4-1/2. Simms and I truly believed that we would never have to use this tactic again. Until this past Saturday. Barber didn't want to wear long sleeves or pants. Quite frankly he mistakenly believed that he didn't have to do anything we said. After all, we are only the parents, right? This same defiant, ungrateful, self-absorbed attitude raised its ugly head and continued the entire ride to Jeter's soccer game, and for the first five minutes of the game. Meanwhile, I was conversing with the Lord as to what action I needed to take so that he would cease this behavior - this time not behind the closed door of my parents guest room but on the sidelines of a well-attended soccer game. I almost wanted to throw a temper tantrum when I heard the Father remind me of the attitudes being displayed and the need to do a repeat. I hesitated. Am I so flawed as a parent that I couldn't prevent this from happening with my second child?!? Plus this consequence is not easy. It's a lot of work for me!
His protest continued. I warned him of the consequences should he continue. He did not yield and I followed through. One thing is certain in our home - we never simply threaten. If we say something is going to happen....it is! I told the team moms to let Simms know where Barber and I went.
We drove home. I thoroughly explained the consequences while he soberly listened. Barber sat in a family room chair downstairs by himself while I moved EVERYTHING out of his room and into the guest room. He was quiet and compliant the entire time - except when he called up to tell me that he was sorry and had changed his attitude. I called down to tell him that I forgave him but was still removing all of his things. He simply replied "I know."
It took me about 20 minutes to clean out his room. For the next 30 minutes he told me multiple times how much he loved me. I just took away all of his stuff and he tells me he loves me. My eyes filled with tears as I responded "Barber, I love you sooooo much." The tears almost overflowed when he said "I know Mommy. You love me so much that you can't let the enemy have even this much (showing a tiny space between his thumb and pointer) of my life." You're right honey. I can't. I then continued to tell him how special he is and affirmed him in the ways that he has been created and called by our loving Father.
48 hours later. This is a lot of work. He is working on his five daily goals:
1. Telling the truth. No lying.
2. Thinking of others. No selfishness.
3. Being a good listener. No talking back.
4. Being obedient. No disobedience.
5. Self-control. No temper tantrums.
He has earned back one toy - he selected his green toy truck. We've got a long road ahead of us but there is peace. I have done this before and I know that the results are positive. I originally thought I could avoid this part of the journey with Barber. Now I realize that my parenting experience is better utilized to aid him in the journey.
Barber is different from Jeter and how he navigates may vary but he too needs to grow and mature in his walk and relationship with the Lord. My role is the same. To facilitate and unconditionally love them in each twist, turn and bend of the journey.
Wrong.
I mistakenly trusted my set of honed parenting skills to enable me to avoid certain childhood obstacles. As if a childhood utopia is possible. Ha!
Specifics. When Jeter was barely four years old he threw the worst temper tantrum ever. I wish I was kidding. My parents were watching our boys while I surprised Simms with a night out for his birthday. Jeter didn't want us to leave and protested for over 1-1/2 hours. My mom put him in the guest bedroom where he continued his defiant, ungrateful, self-absorbed protest until he feel asleep. Then he woke up and started all over again. Our night was cut short. Allowing my parents to endlessly endure that was not an option. What did we do? First we prayed a lot - the entire ride to my parents house. We knew that what we needed to deal with wasn't simply a child that was crying a lot. Rather the attitude(s) behind the display of tears needed to be addressed.
After relieving my parents, we calmly told Jeter the consequences of his attitude and behavior. Simms kept him in the family room while I removed every item from his room - all toys, books, stuffed animals, etc. Everything. He also lost his privileges - TV, computer, swimming with Daddy in the pool, etc. These were then earned back over time as he learned and displayed positive attitudes and behavior.
Fast forward three years. Barber is now 4-1/2. Simms and I truly believed that we would never have to use this tactic again. Until this past Saturday. Barber didn't want to wear long sleeves or pants. Quite frankly he mistakenly believed that he didn't have to do anything we said. After all, we are only the parents, right? This same defiant, ungrateful, self-absorbed attitude raised its ugly head and continued the entire ride to Jeter's soccer game, and for the first five minutes of the game. Meanwhile, I was conversing with the Lord as to what action I needed to take so that he would cease this behavior - this time not behind the closed door of my parents guest room but on the sidelines of a well-attended soccer game. I almost wanted to throw a temper tantrum when I heard the Father remind me of the attitudes being displayed and the need to do a repeat. I hesitated. Am I so flawed as a parent that I couldn't prevent this from happening with my second child?!? Plus this consequence is not easy. It's a lot of work for me!
His protest continued. I warned him of the consequences should he continue. He did not yield and I followed through. One thing is certain in our home - we never simply threaten. If we say something is going to happen....it is! I told the team moms to let Simms know where Barber and I went.
We drove home. I thoroughly explained the consequences while he soberly listened. Barber sat in a family room chair downstairs by himself while I moved EVERYTHING out of his room and into the guest room. He was quiet and compliant the entire time - except when he called up to tell me that he was sorry and had changed his attitude. I called down to tell him that I forgave him but was still removing all of his things. He simply replied "I know."
It took me about 20 minutes to clean out his room. For the next 30 minutes he told me multiple times how much he loved me. I just took away all of his stuff and he tells me he loves me. My eyes filled with tears as I responded "Barber, I love you sooooo much." The tears almost overflowed when he said "I know Mommy. You love me so much that you can't let the enemy have even this much (showing a tiny space between his thumb and pointer) of my life." You're right honey. I can't. I then continued to tell him how special he is and affirmed him in the ways that he has been created and called by our loving Father.
48 hours later. This is a lot of work. He is working on his five daily goals:
1. Telling the truth. No lying.
2. Thinking of others. No selfishness.
3. Being a good listener. No talking back.
4. Being obedient. No disobedience.
5. Self-control. No temper tantrums.
He has earned back one toy - he selected his green toy truck. We've got a long road ahead of us but there is peace. I have done this before and I know that the results are positive. I originally thought I could avoid this part of the journey with Barber. Now I realize that my parenting experience is better utilized to aid him in the journey.
Barber is different from Jeter and how he navigates may vary but he too needs to grow and mature in his walk and relationship with the Lord. My role is the same. To facilitate and unconditionally love them in each twist, turn and bend of the journey.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
God Winked At Me. He Really Did!
oH mY woRD had a great post recently about how God winked at her. She had been fretting, as all moms like to do, about sending her youngest to school. And then God winked at her and let her know it was okay, this was part of his plan, He would take care of her.
Well, I had my own wink from God yesterday. I've been fretting about Brown Sugar going off to school and going back and forth about whether she is really ready to go this year. Those fears intensified this week when she didn't behave at a class mixer party the way I thought she should. I thought it was clearly a sign that she just wasn't ready. So yesterday, I became overwhelmed with doubt and decided that I was going to pull her out. Yep, pull her out and wait another year. That was the answer.
However, there was one major obstacle: money. We had already paid her tuition in full for this school year. I contacted the school's treasurer and confirmed, like I suspected, that if we pulled her out we would lose the money and it would simply become a donation to the school. No exceptions.
Hmmmm...as you can imagine my accountant husband wasn't keen on that idea.
But I was still fretting and was ready to make the sacrifice. And that was when God winked.
A teacher at the school, who is also a good friend, called and told me their in-service that morning had focused on kids' personalities and, in part, how to work with kids who are shy. Painfully shy.
My friend then shared a conversation she had with Brown Sugar's teacher, Mrs. M, later in the day and she just wanted to assure me that Mrs. M has been giving great thought to how to draw the best out of Brown Sugar this year. We talked in more detail for awhile, but the thought kept going through my mind, 'he just winked at me. God really winked at me.'
On a day when I was ready to throw in the towel and abandon ship, God came gently beside me and assured me I was doing the right thing. That sending her was His will and that I should stay the course.
God is good.
Well, I had my own wink from God yesterday. I've been fretting about Brown Sugar going off to school and going back and forth about whether she is really ready to go this year. Those fears intensified this week when she didn't behave at a class mixer party the way I thought she should. I thought it was clearly a sign that she just wasn't ready. So yesterday, I became overwhelmed with doubt and decided that I was going to pull her out. Yep, pull her out and wait another year. That was the answer.
However, there was one major obstacle: money. We had already paid her tuition in full for this school year. I contacted the school's treasurer and confirmed, like I suspected, that if we pulled her out we would lose the money and it would simply become a donation to the school. No exceptions.
Hmmmm...as you can imagine my accountant husband wasn't keen on that idea.
But I was still fretting and was ready to make the sacrifice. And that was when God winked.
A teacher at the school, who is also a good friend, called and told me their in-service that morning had focused on kids' personalities and, in part, how to work with kids who are shy. Painfully shy.
My friend then shared a conversation she had with Brown Sugar's teacher, Mrs. M, later in the day and she just wanted to assure me that Mrs. M has been giving great thought to how to draw the best out of Brown Sugar this year. We talked in more detail for awhile, but the thought kept going through my mind, 'he just winked at me. God really winked at me.'
On a day when I was ready to throw in the towel and abandon ship, God came gently beside me and assured me I was doing the right thing. That sending her was His will and that I should stay the course.
God is good.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
If I had my child to raise all over again, I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes of my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power. And more about the power of love.
by Diane Loomans
I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes of my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd model less about the love of power. And more about the power of love.
by Diane Loomans
Thursday, June 29, 2006
The Truth will Set You Free
Remember, before you were a mom, and you would be in the checkout at Wal-Mart and the kid next to you in line would throw a royal temper tantrum? I usually rolled my eyes and declared under my breath that when I had kids, they would never, ever act that way. Especially in Wal-Mart! Well, fast forward a few years and you know how the story ends. Now I'm the mom with the bratty kid who is having a"Wal-Mart Melt Down."
That's why I could identify with Sara, a guest blogger on Lisa Whelchel's Web site. She is reading my mind with this humorous look at how pride can go before the fall.
tag: Motherhood
That's why I could identify with Sara, a guest blogger on Lisa Whelchel's Web site. She is reading my mind with this humorous look at how pride can go before the fall.
tag: Motherhood
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