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Showing posts from September, 2020

I don't know your story

I started this morning on Instagram sharing my feelings about this meme which I've seen shared quite a lot on Facebook lately.  My insights consisted of blaming moms for saying yes too much. For signing our kids up. For not asking for help. My line of thinking was that if we're drowning, why don't we just get out of the pool? (I didn't use that analogy actually, but now that I type it I realize how silly it sounds!)  I stand by that, for some moms.  But I was pleasantly proved wrong by a few friends who were willing to share their own experience and point of view.  One friend sent me a message about how it's usually the emotional aspects of motherhood that really ware us down and make us tired. And those are usually things we can't just say no to, or ask for help with.  Another friend commented and told her story about being the mom of a boy with disabilities (the cutest little guy!). Her words were powerful.  She wrote about how tiring it can b...

Raising independent kids

This is a picture of my daughter Anna, age 3, barefoot. She and my older daughter (7- also barefoot) and I walked around the lake yesterday. There were some REALLY tough spots. I'm talking trees to climb over; slippery slopes, etc.  It was an exercise in building resilience and confidence. Each time we faced a fork in the trail, I let them choose which way we should go. Each time we passed an obstacle I raved about how hard that was, and "we totally did it!"  I gave them the choice to turn around and go back the easy way. Almost to the end, Anna caught a ride across the lake on a kayak with big brother. Rebekah and I made it the whole way!  I hope they remember how empowered they felt. I hope they recognize and internalize that they can do hard things. I hope they see me as a cheerleader and coach.  I was talking with my friend at the lake yeah, while the kids were off kayaking, fishing and enjoying themselves. She mentioned how they were so independent....