scribblechic

Sometimes a little discomfort creates moments of greatness.  Sitting among parents and educators gathered together to listen to a speaker on the subject of resilience, I quietly encountered emotions unexpressed that had lain dormant without a voice and hidden behind good intentions.  Fear, doubt, uncertainty, hope.  Am I parenting properly?  In teaching resilience, mistakes are mandatory.

Education is a subject of importance to each parent invested in their child’s future.  I have found myself frequently looking outside the box for ways to facilitate my children’s educational experience in the hope that they will gather the tools and life skills to create their own future.  The greater lessons are taught outside of class, unprinted in text books.

I could outline for you the schools we have chosen and the teaching styles we have explored but I think there is something to be said for my children’s raw materials.  Bottom line:  I am blessed with two curious children that love to explore their world, have faith that they can approach new experiences with ability, and a willingness to create with spare parts.

My children’s greatest challenge was me.  I am a grown-up stereotypical “good girl” with an eagerness to please and a need to be accepted.  Luckily my spunky children are comfortable with an uncomfortable mother.  They are secure in their imperfections and aware of their needs and limits.  I have become comfortable with imperfect grades, unfinished homework, and simpler schedules; putting my children’s needs before other people’s standards of excellence.

In our house we do our best, work hard, sleep well, relax, play and have family time.  We also argue, fighting for what we believe in. We apologize for causing hurt and do not apologize for our differences.

Today I listened to someone tell me we will be okay and I felt immeasurable relief.  I hadn’t realized I was holding my breath.  This job of parenting is impossibly imperfect and perfectly rewarding.  We do our best and fight for what we believe in.  We make mistakes and carry on.

Tagged: Children, Education, Family, Motherhood, Resilience, Values