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| Oh how I long for a simpler time... |
I've been a naughty blogger.
No, not the kind who needs another dip in the baptism fount, but one who has been too busy to update a post. I haven't even turned on the computer in over a week! (I think I heard gasps...)
Normally, taking a few days (or more) to get the kiddies off to school and adjusted to the new, busier fall schedule would give me guilt. I'd feel like I was a "career" failure.
But not this year.
This year, I am hearing far too often, "What's wrong with the kids these days?"
And I have to stop and count my blessings as I realize the time I take out of my schedule to help with school projects, homework, and sports isn't time wasted.
As a matter of fact, I believe it's one of the greatest investments of energy I will ever make.
My kids come first. Their lives, their happiness...those aren't just things I concern myself with when I have some spare time. They are a priority I schedule first.
Doing the Mom (or Dad!) thing isn't at all glamorous. It comes with little glory- the pay is crap. The hours are long. There are rarely many thank-you's....
But! In the end, I will rest better knowing: "I did right by my kids."
And they may one day thank me by putting me the very best nursing home my money can buy.
photo credit: fingle via photopin cc
Good for you, mom! your involvement in their lives will make all the difference in the world.
ReplyDeleteBut I missed your launch :(
DeleteOne regret of a few. But, I have a brain full of ideas and catch-up plans and will get to it all.
Being a mom is crazy hard work. Kudos to you for really making it a priority. I'm meeting a lot of college freshman who say their parents never helped them with so much as a single homework assignment, and that makes me sad. (And your boys are so cute! I hope they got off to school without a hitch!)
ReplyDeleteI used to work in social work and I've seen what some people call "parenting" and it makes me cringe.
DeleteHey Liz,
ReplyDeleteI've never said this before - and I may never say it again, ('cos you'll probably want to pinch my cheeks and say I'm all mushy and stuff) but you *inspire* me as an awesome Mom who's raising(ed) three fine young men.
You've blazed a path for me to follow with my three lads and I thank you for all the advice and laughs.
PS... let me know the name of the Nursing Home once you get there... I'll need to see if there's a franchise near us :)
Well played, Seckman, well played :)
Ah Mark, you definitely deserve a cheek pinching! I'm actually raising five boys...four I gave birth too and the one I married. That one I married is the toughest to train!
DeleteA nursing home in Hawaii...I could handle that!
You're a great mom, Elizabeth. :) Your boys are lucky to have you, and I bet they know it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have good boys and they are good to their mom. No complaints here!
DeleteI hear ya with this post! Being a good parent is such hard work and takes loads of time. I'm sure your boys appreciate all that you do and all of the time you spend with them. They are very blessed to have you!
ReplyDeleteTotally hard work, but well worth it. And I certainly know I am blessed to have them!
DeleteYou've got your priorities straight. Parenting is tough and time-consuming. If they don't appreciate it yet, your boys will one day. :)
ReplyDeleteBeing a mom isn't always the "coolest" thing in our busy working world, but it definitely should be a priority.
DeleteI am so HAPPY to see this post. I'm not a mom, but I think if you have children parenting them has to be the most important thing you do. You are responsible for shaping lives, entire lives. That's an amazing responsibility. My hat is off to all parents. Nothing but respect and love.
ReplyDeleteThanks Libby! You know the first time I got to spend some quiet time with my first baby, it hit me: he wasn't MY child. He was a human being. That I was trusted to care for. The responsibility floored me for a moment, but then I decided to accept the challenge.
DeleteYour post reminded me of the Simpsons episode:
ReplyDeleteHomer (telling his dad to do something): "Do it or I'll put you in a nursing home."
Abe: "You already did put me in a nursing home!"
Homer: "O.k, then I'll take you out of that one and put you in one of those crooked ones we saw on the news!"
I'm sure, when it's all said and done, you -will- be able to say you've done right by your kids. Keeping putting family first, that's the most important thing.
That made me giggle out loud ;)
DeleteMy kids already tell me to be nice or I'll get the cut-rate home. They're so rotten...pretty sure they get that from their dad!
I put a lot in my life on hold while I raised my kiddos. Now they're 17 (almost 18) and almost 23 and I can see what fine wonderful adults they are. Worth every minute of investment. I'm parenting in ways I didn't think I would be this summer, and again, it's put a few things on hold but also again, worth it.
ReplyDeleteOnce a mom, always a mom, huh Julie? And I put work on hold for them too and I honestly wouldn't have it any other way.
DeleteHey Elizabeth,
ReplyDeleteWell said and our children should always come first. I know how difficult it has been raising my son by myself. Yet, my commitment, like your commitment, pays positive dividends and we know that one day, if not right now, they eventually appreciate what we did for them.
And from my observations, many of the kids these days are a lot politer than a number of so-called adults. I've seen kids minding their own business and have older folks pass judgement on them. All the kids were doing were skateboarding off to one side.
Nice to see you around these here parts, Elizabeth.
Gary :)
It's nice to be around Gary. I missed your wonderful comments!! Heck, I didn't even have time for Farcebooking.
DeleteIf you're half as supportive as a dad as you are a bloggie friend, well then, you have one lucky boy!
Good for you for taking the time for your kids. Family is always, always first.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Be it kids or parents or siblings, it's important to remember your family!
Deletenow hold the dang phone! you said i was your priority before your kids! oh, wait, was that a hush hush statement you didn't want them to know about, and you are covering it up with this ode to them? okay, gotcha. *wink-wink*
ReplyDeleteSee if I tell you anymore secrets! ;)
DeleteYou should never feel like you have to explain yourself when you want to spend more time with your kids. Like everyone else said, when you have a family it should always take priority. I envy you! I don't have any kids
ReplyDelete:( x
Suzy, I once knew the sweetest lady who wanted desperately to have children and couldn't. I think knowing her and understanding the pain of not being able to have them made me better appreciate the gift I was given. (that same lady ended up taking in a couple of children in desperate need of a home, so maybe there was a reason she didn't have any of her own)
DeleteGood that you take time for your kids. There isn't anything more important. And I think the blogging world will forgive you ;)
ReplyDeleteWhew! (Though I always knew you guys were sweethearts and I wasn't truly thinking I'd be shunned or anything!)
DeleteYour last line made me laugh. :D
ReplyDeleteI echo others saying "good for you." You clearly have your priorities in order.
It's a priority that doesn't add to my pay check, but it's a got to do what ya got to do sorta thing.
DeleteYour priorities are straight, Elizabeth. Yeah, maybe we don't get enough thanks, but one day you'll be really happy for every moment you spent with them.
ReplyDeleteNot enough thanks, or sleep, or cash...LOL. It's all worth it!
DeleteYou're doing the most important work in your life, Elizabeth; I only wish other parents were as conscientious as you. That's half the problem with the world today. Parents are too caught up in themselves, their careers, etc., and leave the kids to their own devices. Kids are KIDS and need guidance. Seems like you're right on track.
ReplyDeleteM.L. Swift, Writer
I have to agree with you Michael. There's a reason God made our young defenseless so long...because they need us!
DeleteThanks for this post Elizabeth. I love my daughter to bits but she's been very trying for me the last few days. It's good to get a reminder of why we put the effort in.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait until she goes back to school, and then we can get a bit more structure back.
Trust me, this whole back to school chaos has been trying my every ounce of patience. Not to mention the need to shell out money every time I blink my eyes!
DeleteNo gasps from me as I'm just as guilty.
ReplyDeleteGiggles - reading the end of your post.
Then I'm in good company :)
DeleteTaking care of your kids is #1. We still love you and blogging can wait.
ReplyDeleteAwww...you always make my day!! <3 u chick!!
DeleteIt sounds to me like you have your priorities straight and in order!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer Cathrina!!
DeleteAmen to that--and thanks for the reminder. That's why I'm currently juggling a math lesson, overseeing an English writing assignment, and advising my oldest with Latin WHILE trying read blogs. Ah, homeschooling... (I wish I could survive without turning my computer on for a week. I really do.)
ReplyDeleteLatin? I've always wished schools taught Latin. It'd make the science so much easier!! You are a super special mom Crystal. Home schooler and writer? you make my head spin!
DeleteYou're doing the right thing! Kids do come first. Mine go back to school next week. I'll miss them, and I won't. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI miss them, but then I get back into my work and I'm good. Takes my brain a bit of time to switch gears!
DeleteLove it! And I couldn't agree more! So many people ignore their kids, it's frightening!
ReplyDeleteAnd then we ask, "What's wrong with the kids these days?"
DeleteThanks for the support!
I loved reading this. As a teacher, I see all types of neglect which isn't good for the children. I wish all parents put their children first.
ReplyDeleteThanks Medeia! As a teacher, I'm sure you get the blame for a lot of that parental neglect too.
DeleteYou're such an awesome mom. Your boys are very, very lucky :)
ReplyDeleteI tell them that all the time! Sooner or later they'll buy it, right? :)
Delete