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Acceptance. A Letter to Teens.
We all want to feel accepted. Acceptance is love. We want to feel connected to others and not separate. We want people to like us, and depending on our life circumstance, whether we have good parents or role models in our life, a safe environment, opportunities available to us, they all combine to form our self-perception. Do we see ourselves as loved? Do we love ourselves? To all the kids who have a parent who loves you for exactly who you are–you’re lucky. It’s up to you to be a good friend to those who don’t.
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Thankful Moments with My Kids
I’m continuing my Thankful Moments with my Kids posts. This is week three. Click on the links to read thankful moments week one and week two. Talking with My Kids After School Sitting at the table, eating pita and hummus, listening to Arielle and Kai talk about their day at school or talk about music, politics, religion, potential colleges…those days were the best! For an hour or so I had an opportunity to glimpse into their teenage world. Whether I spent my day writing or substitute teaching I always tried to make sure I was here when they got home just in case they felt like talking. Most days they did. I’m lucky that Arielle has…
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The Hardest Part of Parenting is Understanding Your Children are not Yours
The hardest part of parenting has been understanding that my children are individuals, separate from me. As much as I want to control their behavior and who they are and what they do–I can’t. Kai began teaching me this lesson early on. His humor, his temper tantrums, his speaking exactly what was on his mind, refusing to eat healthy foods or wear a jacket– I found shocking. I wanted to control him, make him eat the broccoli because then I’d be a good mom. But from the age of three he let me know it wasn’t going to happen. I could try but I’d have a huge, unnecessary battle on…
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Falling Apart
I can’t sleep. I know why. I read until my eyes close and the book hits my forehead. I wake, put the book down, close my eyes, and my mind takes off running. The words bouncing off the walls of my brain like a racquetball – I’m falling apart. The pieces of my life that have fit together for nineteen years are about to come unglued as one little bird gets ready to leave the nest. My life is about to change and I feel like I want to rewind, go back and see precious moments from the past. Did I enjoy them enough? Did I soak in every smile and do all I…
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Having Teens
As I stuffed the last of the nachos in my mouth I remembered that just yesterday I had decided I was going to cut back on my salt intake. Oh well, so much for that. Starting… now… wait there’s one last crumb… okay now – I’ll cut back on salt. At least until I go grocery shopping. These summer days have left me free to write, eat, feel and attempt housecleaning. The feeling part is necessary in order to be a good writer but it can also be painful. The walls of denial come crashing down forcing me to look within. Why am I so scattered? Why am I eating…
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Wonderful Mom Moments
My inspiration for this post comes from The Book of Awesome. I have discovered the magic in delving into thankfulness and recognizing the extraordinary moments that take place every day. In celebration of Mother’s Day, I’ve decided to make a list of special times that have grabbed my heart and made me especially thankful to be a mom. Moms feel free to add to the list in the comment section or on my Facebook page. I wish I could remember every detail of when my teens were younger but I can’t. Even Kai’s little boy voice escapes me. So please join in and help jog my memory of those precious moments shared with our children. …
