Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Phyllis Diller Cloned
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
My poor little lamb
Monday, February 7, 2011
In Need of 'Parenting' Skills
A few weeks ago a neighbor stopped by and being the mothers of babies (or semi-babies) we naturally started talking about our offspring. Because really, what else do you talk about? Her little boy just turned a year and she made the comment that when she really had to "parent" she wouldn't know what to do. Her comment struck me and has caused me to think about it since.
I am new to the "parenting" world as of last August. That's when my Matthew started kindergarten. Yes, it's true that I've been a parent for six years but I'm starting to see that in the big scheme of things I probably haven't done much "parenting." So far, I have spent lots of time snuggling and kissing baby feet which I love beyond measure. I occasionally intervene in a toddler meltdown or break up a brotherly fight but I haven't hit that part where it takes a lot of skill--at least in my opinion. Let me clarify that my last statement in no way implies that anything to this point has been easy or unimportant. Quite to the contrary but rather perhaps I should say that I've been able to "fix" most of the problems.
So last night when Matthew told me that no one plays with him on the playground it hit me like a truck. I couldn't jump in to fix it. I wasn't there to fix it. I could only listen and love from the outside of his problem. I HATE that. I like to be overly involved and I'm realizing that as a parent I can't be and it's killing me. I have to parent in a way to help these little people fix and deal with their problems. I may actually have to get some parenting skills! Admittedly his dilemna brought back the times in elementary school where I felt similarly situated. How as a third grader a girl from the fourth grade looked at me funny and how I hated to pass her in the hallway and cafeteria. And how elated beyond measure I was when I stopped seeing her at school and found out she had moved. Woo Hoo Glory Be--it was the best day of my life. And the feelings of how I couldn't wait for evenings and weekends because I knew I would be in the security of my own house. It brought back feelings I have long tucked away in a distant corner of my childhood. But now they are back and I only pray that I can "parent" my little chicks to adulthood.
I am new to the "parenting" world as of last August. That's when my Matthew started kindergarten. Yes, it's true that I've been a parent for six years but I'm starting to see that in the big scheme of things I probably haven't done much "parenting." So far, I have spent lots of time snuggling and kissing baby feet which I love beyond measure. I occasionally intervene in a toddler meltdown or break up a brotherly fight but I haven't hit that part where it takes a lot of skill--at least in my opinion. Let me clarify that my last statement in no way implies that anything to this point has been easy or unimportant. Quite to the contrary but rather perhaps I should say that I've been able to "fix" most of the problems.
So last night when Matthew told me that no one plays with him on the playground it hit me like a truck. I couldn't jump in to fix it. I wasn't there to fix it. I could only listen and love from the outside of his problem. I HATE that. I like to be overly involved and I'm realizing that as a parent I can't be and it's killing me. I have to parent in a way to help these little people fix and deal with their problems. I may actually have to get some parenting skills! Admittedly his dilemna brought back the times in elementary school where I felt similarly situated. How as a third grader a girl from the fourth grade looked at me funny and how I hated to pass her in the hallway and cafeteria. And how elated beyond measure I was when I stopped seeing her at school and found out she had moved. Woo Hoo Glory Be--it was the best day of my life. And the feelings of how I couldn't wait for evenings and weekends because I knew I would be in the security of my own house. It brought back feelings I have long tucked away in a distant corner of my childhood. But now they are back and I only pray that I can "parent" my little chicks to adulthood.
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