Random Thoughts and Other Rantings

Happy Birthday Mom!!  It's my Mother's 66th Birthday today, and we all hope it's a beautiful day!

Family is one of the epitomal aspects of being human. Family relationships often become all-encompassing--whether for better or worse. Our children rely on us, their parents, for nearly everything--love, guidance, food, clothing, fun, toys, hope, explanations, encouragement, answers, clean laundry, excitement, new crayons, blank paper, ice water...the list goes on and on.

But as parents, how often do we meet our childrens' requests with a happy and joyful heart?

How often do we react out of exhaustion, or with a cranky and "not again" attitude?

As a working Mother, who works because I'm the breadwinner of the family, this is my biggest, current challenge--being able to meet the requests (as well as needs) of my kids with a heart that is open, full of joy, and unconditional love. I strive for this constantly. But it doesn't always come easy. Sometimes I am exhausted. A night of poor sleep combined with brain fatigue after a full day of work, and domestic obligations greeting me at the door can sometimes make for a grumpy mama. I struggle with this dilemma because I am particularly sensitive to desiring the absolute best for my kids.  I want them to know what unconditional love, true respect, and be able to pursue their on interests in a safe, and encouraging environment.

For my Mother's birthday we went to my grandmother's house, which is nestled among the cottonwoods along the Pojoaque River.  I was fortunate to grow up a few hundred yards away, as the Raven flies, and explored every inch of their wondrous property when I was kid. Horses, chickens, kitties, and aging cats and dogs abide there, along with my Aunt and Uncle. We don't get down there often enough, and as such, my kids are still cautious about exploring on their own, and request that I accompany them to visit the variety of animals. And that I walk them to the bathroom, and help them fix their plates, and get their ice water, and...

As we were leaving, my Grandmother said she hoped I got a break every now and then, and that caused me to ponder time and family and what it truly is that I hope for and actually do when it comes to my own (family and time).

It seems to me that when my Grandmother was raising her children, time must have traveled a little bit slower. Life, lately, has seemed frantic.  Rushed, frantic, hurried, overwhelming. Not just for me, but for many people that I speak with. Everyone seems to have schedules that are jam-packed and catalogued into every compartment of the day...whether they are homeschoolers or not. So much of me wonders whether my hurried days are a result of working and parenting, but even the moms I know that don't work complain of the same thing. I so wish I did not have to work outside the home 32 hours a week, but I am so thankful that I can work part-time and support my family, and still have quality time with my kids.

And this, too, may someday change.

Unschooling: Doughnuts and Peanut Sauce | Life Learning with Wendy Priesnitz

Unschooling: Doughnuts and Peanut Sauce | Life Learning with Wendy Priesnitz

Thanks Wendy for taking the time to do what I don't have the time to do at the moment.