Someone this week gave me a compliment on being a good mom. It got me thinking about how all is not how it appears to others.
I'll admit that I do some mothering things well: I'm good with nap schedules, balenced meals, spending scheduled time playing with and teaching my children academic things. We do family prayer most of the time and I read them scripture stories every time I give them a morning snack (which is only about 3 out of 7 days or so--I could do better there).
But today I was thinking about the home in which I am employed as an RN for a medically-needy baby. The caregiver of my little patient does not do any of those things that I listed above that I "do well", however, she does 2 things well that I realize that I fail at:
1. She makes my little patient giggle every day.
2. She spends non-scheduled non-productive just-plain-old-quality-1-on-1 time with my little patient every day.
I realize this about myself: I'm way too type-A personality. I have to have a list of goals and every minute of my day must fit into meeting those goals. So I spend my scheduled 10 minutes of play with Kiera (trying to squeeze in academic moments)and then move on to the laundry or the dishes. I know, it is ridiculous. I'm hoping that by admitting this fault I'll be more aware and try to relax a bit and just enjoy my darling little girls.
I have great childhood memories of saturday mornings in my parents bed with my siblings. Not doing anything productive: just spending time together. Also, I would lay on my mom's lap on the couch and my mom would stroke my hair and we would talk. Productive? Not officially. Only productive for relationship-building.
Goals: 1. Spend non-scheduled non-productive time with my girls (and Steve) every day.
2. Do something to make them giggle every day.
I realize that the track I'm going on right now I'm more like a personal-trainer than a mother. Time to change.
5 comments:
You need a vacation from so much structure--I agree:)
You are a good mom...better than most from what I see. I remember all the kids gathered in the bed on a Saturday or Sunday morning as well. It was lots of fun. I think your "plan" of some structured and some unstructured is a good one. I *think* that's how your mom did it. I was too busy workin', playin', etc. to pay much attention. I was vaguely aware of some short people around the house that made me laugh and were fun to play with from time to time. Wonder where they came from?.......
Sometimes I wish there were a couple more hours in the day. I admire your organizational skills. It's something I really haven't been good at. And yes, you are a fantastic mom!
I have seen your girls laugh with you, so I think you're already doing great. :)
Wise article!
Post a Comment