Thursday, September 29, 2011
The one thing she will never learn from me
Today, as the kids were getting ready, I realized something.
My daughter does not know how to tie her own shoes. And she has no desire to learn. Tying her shoes each morning has been a kind of ritual we share. Mom, will you help me tie my shoes-sure-squat-tie-pat her leg. I love to see those little legs each morning and give her a squeeze. Take note of the hem line in relation to her knees, getting taller, I think. When the day comes that she doesn't need me to do it anymore, will I remember to give her that squeeze each morning and to notice her little legs before she heads out the door?
It's been going that way for a while, 8 years and 9 months to be precise. Little independence's here and there, gradually they grow up and away from us. I am all for it. That's what I'd like to portray, anyhow. Yes, I want children who are self-sufficient. Who can do it alone! Without me! But the truth is, left to my own devices, my children will become adults living at home without jobs, wearing velcro shoes and I will be taking care of them forever. Thank God for dads. They DO NOT want to raise adults who wear velcro shoes. Jay would have them working a 40 acre farm at the crack of dawn before they walked to school, in shoes they tied themselves, if he thought he'd get away with it.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for a while... I will be tying her shoes for her. She will need to learn at some point, but it won't be anytime soon or me who teaches her.
My daughter does not know how to tie her own shoes. And she has no desire to learn. Tying her shoes each morning has been a kind of ritual we share. Mom, will you help me tie my shoes-sure-squat-tie-pat her leg. I love to see those little legs each morning and give her a squeeze. Take note of the hem line in relation to her knees, getting taller, I think. When the day comes that she doesn't need me to do it anymore, will I remember to give her that squeeze each morning and to notice her little legs before she heads out the door?
It's been going that way for a while, 8 years and 9 months to be precise. Little independence's here and there, gradually they grow up and away from us. I am all for it. That's what I'd like to portray, anyhow. Yes, I want children who are self-sufficient. Who can do it alone! Without me! But the truth is, left to my own devices, my children will become adults living at home without jobs, wearing velcro shoes and I will be taking care of them forever. Thank God for dads. They DO NOT want to raise adults who wear velcro shoes. Jay would have them working a 40 acre farm at the crack of dawn before they walked to school, in shoes they tied themselves, if he thought he'd get away with it.
Tomorrow is the last day of school for a while... I will be tying her shoes for her. She will need to learn at some point, but it won't be anytime soon or me who teaches her.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
One week before we leave
We are leaving in 8 days. We are not sure where we are heading. The kids are coming with us.
We all have bikes. We are taking a 13 year old dog along for the ride.
What can I say? I am homeschool mom at heart and I so long for those simple days when we had the kids home for the young tender stages two years ago. Before the children started school, life seemed so much easier, so warm and my children were close. They were close to me, close to each other and close to the homefires where we were doing just fine.
Now, our lives are under the constant strain of the schedule. The rise and the shine. The drop them at 8 and collect them at 3. Our evenings are full of homework, athletics, church... and of course, time for friends.
This trip to see more of the country is part of a bigger plan to see more of my family: darling, distracted husband and busy, accomplished children. Time to cancel the schedule. Time to regroup.
I don't know where the bus is taking us this trip, but I know we will be gone for 23 precious days. Each one measured. Every stop an opportunity. And every night, every night, we will dwell in a small, lovely RV with only a good book and each other.
I could not personally be more happy as I consider this trip.
We all have bikes. We are taking a 13 year old dog along for the ride.
What can I say? I am homeschool mom at heart and I so long for those simple days when we had the kids home for the young tender stages two years ago. Before the children started school, life seemed so much easier, so warm and my children were close. They were close to me, close to each other and close to the homefires where we were doing just fine.
Now, our lives are under the constant strain of the schedule. The rise and the shine. The drop them at 8 and collect them at 3. Our evenings are full of homework, athletics, church... and of course, time for friends.
This trip to see more of the country is part of a bigger plan to see more of my family: darling, distracted husband and busy, accomplished children. Time to cancel the schedule. Time to regroup.
I don't know where the bus is taking us this trip, but I know we will be gone for 23 precious days. Each one measured. Every stop an opportunity. And every night, every night, we will dwell in a small, lovely RV with only a good book and each other.
I could not personally be more happy as I consider this trip.
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