So here's the thing...
So here's the thing...
I started this blog three (gasp) years ago now as a resource, a commiserating space, an outlet, and a support system for parents because there is no rule book provided for this parenting thing. There is no "how-to", parenting for dummies, or recipe to follow. It's just you and your little darlings figuring life out together, each and every day.
To be fair, while this blog was intended to be all the things referenced above, it's much more an outlet for me. I used to love the quiet evenings once the little darlings were asleep, drafting these blogs and putting everything together, and then something happened. And this is difficult to admit... I allowed myself to let someone else's opinion about who I was and this blog influence me and I stopped. I stopped many things in my life, and I stopped them for a long time. Without going into the ugly details, allow me to lightheartedly summarize the end result:
I started this blog three (gasp) years ago now as a resource, a commiserating space, an outlet, and a support system for parents because there is no rule book provided for this parenting thing. There is no "how-to", parenting for dummies, or recipe to follow. It's just you and your little darlings figuring life out together, each and every day.
To be fair, while this blog was intended to be all the things referenced above, it's much more an outlet for me. I used to love the quiet evenings once the little darlings were asleep, drafting these blogs and putting everything together, and then something happened. And this is difficult to admit... I allowed myself to let someone else's opinion about who I was and this blog influence me and I stopped. I stopped many things in my life, and I stopped them for a long time. Without going into the ugly details, allow me to lightheartedly summarize the end result:
- I am currently single-mothering a now family of 3 babies (aged 15 months, 5 and 6 years), 1 pug (aged 127 - not a typo), 1 turtle, and 3 fish (possibly - 1 might be dead in the tank)
- I up-rooted the family; moved halfway across the country and now rely heavily on the "it takes a village" way of life - which for me honestly takes a small metropolitan city and a serious "tribe" of best friends that boost us up and help us each and every day (and I consider my mommy a best friend - even though we have not had a real conversation outside what the schedule is in probably 4 months).
- I am a full-time (less the seemingly endless hours of sick children) working mother and party-planner/Etsy-shop-owner wannabe.
- I am mostly-vegetarian (Sorry C, sometimes al pastor tacos pull me away on vacations), used-to-be-Cross-Fit'er- now just loves a good mind-freeing jog (read jog, jog, like crazy slow), thinks-yoga and meditation would be good for me but have yet to master that art, loves autumn (but also spring and summer and winter), loves a good day-planner, and cooking, and farmers markets, perpetual patience reeler-inner (but fail at that every day) type of gal.
Current Reality:
Just last night, I was group-texting with my support system and was reminded of how my response to life events (including my absolute disdain for power words) is the only thing that I can control. The Kindergartener is learning how to read and after a long day of focus; power words probably aren't THE THING she is excited about either (especially when Bestemar had given her new Hatchimals - which I similarly disdain - save for another time). Suffice it to say, we were not choreographed quite to the level that I would have liked. My response to power words and her LEARNING them, was noooooooot optimal; my patience was shot. So we put those bad boys away and put on halloween jammies. I was frustrated with myself because I was frustrated, and I was frustrated with my daughter because she's like that dog from UP, "SQUIRREL"!! And was actually distracted by squirrels easily 10 times; no exaggeration.
As a "little", she is doing something tough! She's learning the word "the"- which follows ZERO rules for reading; it's nearly impossible, and she's trying, and I was frustrated when I should have been proud and inspired by her determination and the fact that squirrels still are awesome to her. I'll work on my response, and reflect on what we DID accomplish.
We did finish our Power Words (painstakingly read through them 3 times), ate a pretty amazing black bean and corn taco supper, packed our lunches/back packs/soccer bags/snacks, and prepared stuffed peppers for soccer-night-mayhem tomorrow. We practice DEAR (drop everything and read) together, helped each other, and had a pretty frenzied game of tag outside with our neighbors.
Just like she is practicing her power words, I will practice my perspective and response. My hope, is when some of the dragging realities of life get you down this provides another source of knowledge that we are not alone and we share a similar struggle, no matter if the obstacle is power words or moving the family.
Just last night, I was group-texting with my support system and was reminded of how my response to life events (including my absolute disdain for power words) is the only thing that I can control. The Kindergartener is learning how to read and after a long day of focus; power words probably aren't THE THING she is excited about either (especially when Bestemar had given her new Hatchimals - which I similarly disdain - save for another time). Suffice it to say, we were not choreographed quite to the level that I would have liked. My response to power words and her LEARNING them, was noooooooot optimal; my patience was shot. So we put those bad boys away and put on halloween jammies. I was frustrated with myself because I was frustrated, and I was frustrated with my daughter because she's like that dog from UP, "SQUIRREL"!! And was actually distracted by squirrels easily 10 times; no exaggeration.
As a "little", she is doing something tough! She's learning the word "the"- which follows ZERO rules for reading; it's nearly impossible, and she's trying, and I was frustrated when I should have been proud and inspired by her determination and the fact that squirrels still are awesome to her. I'll work on my response, and reflect on what we DID accomplish.
We did finish our Power Words (painstakingly read through them 3 times), ate a pretty amazing black bean and corn taco supper, packed our lunches/back packs/soccer bags/snacks, and prepared stuffed peppers for soccer-night-mayhem tomorrow. We practice DEAR (drop everything and read) together, helped each other, and had a pretty frenzied game of tag outside with our neighbors.
Just like she is practicing her power words, I will practice my perspective and response. My hope, is when some of the dragging realities of life get you down this provides another source of knowledge that we are not alone and we share a similar struggle, no matter if the obstacle is power words or moving the family.
What I'll try to do with this space is focus on is those things listed above - share the spicy and sweet parts of life; including the recipes and the fun. I want to laud the successes of my other mommy superheros, and how they inspire me and influence my life daily.
So that's what I'll do. I'll share my successes and failures and my crazy; because doing anything other than that is not authentic, and I'll do this for me. I like the sounds of that.
I hope in the years to follow, when I look back and read this I laugh and think, "Man, that was funny, and 'Aw, you're so cute'" (read "bless your heart" -type southern jab). There is a reason the concept of respect your elders exist; because life gives you a marvelous gift every day: experience and perspective . Over time you gather and gain both. Unquestionably, the amount I have learned in the three-years since starting this blog, makes me love myself a little more for who I was back then, and laugh at "what a cutie" I was too.
Am I doing this correctly? The answer, unquestionably - Solid A and still learning, each and every day.
So that's what I'll do. I'll share my successes and failures and my crazy; because doing anything other than that is not authentic, and I'll do this for me. I like the sounds of that.
I hope in the years to follow, when I look back and read this I laugh and think, "Man, that was funny, and 'Aw, you're so cute'" (read "bless your heart" -type southern jab). There is a reason the concept of respect your elders exist; because life gives you a marvelous gift every day: experience and perspective . Over time you gather and gain both. Unquestionably, the amount I have learned in the three-years since starting this blog, makes me love myself a little more for who I was back then, and laugh at "what a cutie" I was too.
Am I doing this correctly? The answer, unquestionably - Solid A and still learning, each and every day.
Kendra if I were your mom, i would be beyond PROUD of you. If i were your child i would be the luckiest kid on earth.
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