This week at school we
are talking about growing and changing. The children and I bring in our baby
pictures. They draw their self portraits, and I paste their baby picture
alongside to observe our growth and how our bodies have changed. I write
their thoughts, hopes, memories, ideas. One little girl said when she
grows up she wants to learn how to peel potatoes. What a goal!
This got me to
thinking about when my children were babies and toddlers and preschoolers, and
everyday brought another issue.
Some days, regardless
of age, it isn't any easier being the mom than it is being the kid. When my children were very young I often felt
like one of the countless P.B. and J.s I served them. I was oozing in all directions,
sandwiched between this and that, spread thin between chores and tasks that
never seemed to end...
Then one day, it did
end. My daughter and my son grew up. No more wiping sticky grape jelly off
little hands and peanut butter smudges off tables...
Recently I sat down
with a cup of tea and old photo albums, and I reflected on motherhood...
I will develop this into an essay, but I
wonder, do YOU have any reflections to share with me?
10 comments:
The potato peeler cracked me up. Reminded me of when my son was 3. He loved to empty things into other things, such as the dirty clothes in the laundry hamper into the laundry basket. His goal? To be a garbage man. lol
I love the PB & J simile...
My son wanted to grow up to be the "Breadstick Boy" at Fazoli's, so he could eat unlimited breadsticks. His fondness for that bread has not changed, but his goals HAVE...
This will make a marvelous essay and or memoir...
One of my sons used to say he wanted to be a locksmith when he grew up because he liked playing with keys and unlocking things. :) He's in college now studying information science (computers) and business.
This makes me look forward to parenthood so that I can someday reflect back in this manner like you are :)
My oldest daughter writes a letter every year to her son and her daughter on their birthdays. She plans to give them to each of them when they marry. Wish I had thought to do this.
Hello Linda.
The project you are doing with the kids sounds great.
When we are in the middle of parenting young kids, there's so much to do and to worry about that we don't really concentrate that much on the blessings.
It's when they are all grown up and gone that we realize what we are missing.
I always said that if I could re-live one day of my life, it would be a day when the kids were small. Instead of housework and meals and blah blah blah, I would sit down with them and PLAY. And have fun and laugh and just enjoy each precious second.
Of oourse I get to do that with my little granddaughter and it is sheer joy. Susan
Being a parent is a job description that never changes, no matter how old the "kids" become. My own have grown up to be two very wonderful, hard working, and caring adults. I feel very blessed.
Pat
Critter Alley
Oh, the days went by so fast although it did not always feel like it. Wiping faces and dealing with tots was easier than being unable to help much when they are grown. It is their life and we have to stand back. It was easier to help run the production than be the audience!
I miss that little hand reaching out to grab mine, no matter where we were walking to or from.
Like the children you teach and inspire, you have a gift for packing so much into such a small space, Linda! This really touched me because I was just thinking the very things just the other day. That PB & J metaphor is simply amazing. My daughter used to want to be "the ice cream man."
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