I thought I could quit. But I can't. I've been trying. My Mom couldn't quit either. And all my sisters.
I can't stop parenting. They are on their own and yet I still try to manage and "help" them solve life stuff.
I really want to interact in the parenting of today. I want to help the "whole world" with their little people. Parents whom I see in the grocery line, the toy store, in church , and at the barber. Struggling. I want to say, "Do it this way. It will work better. Or try this, it might work."
In my heart of hearts-I believe this-There is no greater gift to our future than to present it with wonderful children who have been reared well. With manners, maturity, compassion, diligence, and a sense of humor.
So...I'm on a blog. With perhaps as many questions as answers. It feels right. It feels good.
2 comments:
Hi Catherine- I'm a mother of three boys. My husband and I like cleanliness and unfortunately my little boys don't. I know I always overreact when there is a spill in the kitchen or a stain on clothes. What would be an appropriate response to my sweet boys?
No, I don't know any little boys who value cleanliness as much as their grown ups. What do you want to happen? How old are they?
Do you want them to clean up after themselves or is this just a matter of how you respond?
If it is just a matter of how you respond-try releasing the tension with a big, groaning sigh on your part. "Ohhhh" "This is so awful!" The stain or the spill is the awful part, not the little boys.
Then set to work cleaning, spotting or what ever and let (expect) them to help if that works for you.
Any humor you can bring into the "sticky situation" will bond you with love and laughter. I would try covering the mess with a towel and saying, "Do you think this will go away by itself if we walk away?" Have one of your little, sweet boys go back and check in a second to report. Then everybody clean up. (Unless it really does go away and then please report back to me)
Good Luck!
Catheryn
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