For almost everyone, school is now back in session. Each day, our kids are busy learning (we hope!). They are studying numbers, words, science, and history. They are learning about social dynamics and following directions. Hopefully, they are filling their minds with lots of valuable knowledge.
A couple of weeks ago, when we were on the brink of this new school year, I read this post from AnnMarie who blogs over at Tidbits From The Queen of Chaos. In it, AnnMarie writes about the things she has learned from each of her children. Her post inspired me. As I send my children off each day to learn new things I began to think about all the things I have learned from my children and from motherhood. So, for today's Tuesday Ten, here are . . . .
Rachel has taught me:
1. Determination - When she sets her mind to something, she will not let it go until it is accomplished. For example, she LOVES animals and has plans to become a zoologist. At age 7, she learned that eating meat meant killing animals and decided to become a vegetarian. She has stuck to it now for almost four years. I realize that I may be a little biased, but I don't know many eleven year old kids who can "stick to their guns" that way. It's impressive and reminds me to not give up.
2. Self confidence - I'm not always the most self-confident person. However, Rachel is. She is not concerned what others think of her outfit or her decision to be a vegetarian. She is confident in her decisions. She is confident in who she is and doesn't let other people or what's "popular" sway her.
Megan has taught me:
3. How to be silly - As a mom, I have a lot on my plate. Most days, I'm too focused on schedules and logistics. Megan, on the other hand, is a lot more "go with the flow." She loves to be silly and, even when I don't want to, she makes me laugh. When she was 4, I went into a conference with her PreK teacher and, honestly, expected to hear that Megan talks too much or doesn't focus. Instead, her teacher started off by saying, "I love Megan because she is just so joyful!" That's true. Megan makes people smile. Megan makes me laugh. Megan reminds me that, sometimes, it's o.k. to be silly.
4. Bravery - Megan has no fear. She started playing soccer last spring and, when the team was short a goalie, she jumped in without giving it a second thought. It turns out that she loves to play goalie, but she never would have known if she hadn't tried it so fearlessly. She tries new things with very little hesitation. I strive to be a brave as she is.
Emily has taught me:
5. Faith - As an adult, I think it is only natural that we questions things we cannot completely understand. Not Emily. She seems to have this innate faith in God and goodness. She once told me that the best things in life are God, Family, Red Velvet (frozen yogurt), and Firehouse Subs! In her sweet mind, those are the most important things in life and I think it's pretty special that she put God first even at the age of six. Faith that strong is not easy to achieve.
6. Princesses do exist - Emily is most certainly the "girliest" of my three daughters. She only wears dresses or skirts/skorts - the fancier the better. She dislikes bugs and getting dirty. She loves all things pink and frilly. Of course, she loves princesses and castles, too. She is my little princess and reminds me that anything is possible with a little imagination.
Motherhood has taught me:
7. Patience - I think most parents would agree that nothing can try your patience like a child. From temper tantrums to whining to sibling rivalry to constant messes, there are time when we want to yell or curse or just run away. Parenthood takes a great deal of restraint sometimes. When we think we are completely out of patience, we have to dig deeper and find more.
8. Strength - Childbirth itself is an act of physical strength, but that's only the beginning. We have to find strength to keep going after sleepless nights and through sickness or injury. We have to find emotional strength to endure letting them "cry it out" or to let them go to school for the first time or to put our foot down despite hearing "You're the worst mom!" As a mother, I have found strength that, previously, I didn't know I possessed.
9. Not to be judgmental - I admit that I am often too quick to judge. Children, however, are not unless we teach them to be so. Knowing that children are always in earshot has taught me to choose my words carefully and wisely. Seeing things through their eyes has taught me to see the positive and to not judge so swiftly.
10. Unconditional love - I love my parents and my brother. I love my husband. However, there is absolutely no love that compares to the love you feel for your child. It is a love that you cannot fully comprehend until you have experienced it firsthand. Sometimes I look at them and think my heart may just burst. Being a mother has taught me the true meaning of unconditional, all-encompassing love.
1. Determination - When she sets her mind to something, she will not let it go until it is accomplished. For example, she LOVES animals and has plans to become a zoologist. At age 7, she learned that eating meat meant killing animals and decided to become a vegetarian. She has stuck to it now for almost four years. I realize that I may be a little biased, but I don't know many eleven year old kids who can "stick to their guns" that way. It's impressive and reminds me to not give up.
2. Self confidence - I'm not always the most self-confident person. However, Rachel is. She is not concerned what others think of her outfit or her decision to be a vegetarian. She is confident in her decisions. She is confident in who she is and doesn't let other people or what's "popular" sway her.
Megan has taught me:
3. How to be silly - As a mom, I have a lot on my plate. Most days, I'm too focused on schedules and logistics. Megan, on the other hand, is a lot more "go with the flow." She loves to be silly and, even when I don't want to, she makes me laugh. When she was 4, I went into a conference with her PreK teacher and, honestly, expected to hear that Megan talks too much or doesn't focus. Instead, her teacher started off by saying, "I love Megan because she is just so joyful!" That's true. Megan makes people smile. Megan makes me laugh. Megan reminds me that, sometimes, it's o.k. to be silly.
4. Bravery - Megan has no fear. She started playing soccer last spring and, when the team was short a goalie, she jumped in without giving it a second thought. It turns out that she loves to play goalie, but she never would have known if she hadn't tried it so fearlessly. She tries new things with very little hesitation. I strive to be a brave as she is.
Emily has taught me:
5. Faith - As an adult, I think it is only natural that we questions things we cannot completely understand. Not Emily. She seems to have this innate faith in God and goodness. She once told me that the best things in life are God, Family, Red Velvet (frozen yogurt), and Firehouse Subs! In her sweet mind, those are the most important things in life and I think it's pretty special that she put God first even at the age of six. Faith that strong is not easy to achieve.
6. Princesses do exist - Emily is most certainly the "girliest" of my three daughters. She only wears dresses or skirts/skorts - the fancier the better. She dislikes bugs and getting dirty. She loves all things pink and frilly. Of course, she loves princesses and castles, too. She is my little princess and reminds me that anything is possible with a little imagination.
Motherhood has taught me:
7. Patience - I think most parents would agree that nothing can try your patience like a child. From temper tantrums to whining to sibling rivalry to constant messes, there are time when we want to yell or curse or just run away. Parenthood takes a great deal of restraint sometimes. When we think we are completely out of patience, we have to dig deeper and find more.
8. Strength - Childbirth itself is an act of physical strength, but that's only the beginning. We have to find strength to keep going after sleepless nights and through sickness or injury. We have to find emotional strength to endure letting them "cry it out" or to let them go to school for the first time or to put our foot down despite hearing "You're the worst mom!" As a mother, I have found strength that, previously, I didn't know I possessed.
9. Not to be judgmental - I admit that I am often too quick to judge. Children, however, are not unless we teach them to be so. Knowing that children are always in earshot has taught me to choose my words carefully and wisely. Seeing things through their eyes has taught me to see the positive and to not judge so swiftly.
10. Unconditional love - I love my parents and my brother. I love my husband. However, there is absolutely no love that compares to the love you feel for your child. It is a love that you cannot fully comprehend until you have experienced it firsthand. Sometimes I look at them and think my heart may just burst. Being a mother has taught me the true meaning of unconditional, all-encompassing love.
