Listen to the Mustn’ts Listen to the mustn’ts, child
Listen to the don’ts
Listen to the shouldn’ts
The impossibles, the won’ts
Listen to the never haves
Then listen close to me–
Anything can happen, child
Anything can be. -Shel Silverstein
parenting
6
May 12
Anything Can Be
Listen to the Mustn’ts Listen to the mustn’ts, child
Listen to the don’ts
Listen to the shouldn’ts
The impossibles, the won’ts
Listen to the never haves
Then listen close to me–
Anything can happen, child
Anything can be. -Shel Silverstein
4
May 12
On Enjoying the Ride
Imagine how sweet this journey would be if we quit second-guessing every one of our decisions. What if we reveled in the things that went well for longer than we stewed over the things that went wrong. Continue reading →
1
May 12
A Tale of Manifesting
“Mom, didn’t you say you were going to take us to a play about Camelot?” Continue reading →
26
Apr 12
Selective Attention and Homemade Tea Bags
When I brew a cup of tea, Jenny runs over to stand next to my cup. Her turned-up nose hovers over the steam as she inhales deeply. She loves the smell of tea but isn’t fond of the taste. She often asks if she can dunk my tea bag while she watches the hot water take on the soft yellow of Chamomile. She likes knowing the color comes from flower petals. Continue reading →
23
Apr 12
So You Say…
So you say… that you wish you could find extra hours in the day to maybe carve out a compost pile in the backyard, learn to play the fiddle or compile all those photos into scrapbooks; yet you never miss an episode of your favorite TV show. Continue reading →
18
Apr 12
It Isn’t Fair But It Is Good
We’d gone in search of lavender fleece. We came home with jewelry making supplies, three unpainted birdhouses in need of jazz, and half a yard of turquoise fleece for, “You know, mom…. more projects.” Continue reading →
15
Apr 12
The Crux of the Matter
Me: “He’s demonstrated that he is more than willing to put in the time. When other kids his age beg to play Xbox, he searches the internet for tips on golf swings. Clearly, this is one of his top three passions – it may be the thing he is most passionate about. We’ve been told by a couple instructors that he is blessed with some natural talent. We don’t spend money on soccer or baseball or football or guitar or karate. I really think it’s time we get him some lessons and support him in this thing he loves.”
Him: “My parents would never have done that for me.”
10
Apr 12
When Enough Is Enough
She could remember when seeing his name in her Inbox made her heart race with excitement. Now seeing his name in her Inbox made her palms sweat. She let the cursor hover over his name. She didn’t want to click to open his email.
She’d have to decide what to write back.
Did she even want to write back?
Being nice was her thing. She’d been supportive. She’d been there. She’d listened and responded.
Was there anything positive coming out of this relationship? If this was positive, why did it feel bad?
Were there healthier places to invest this energy?
Was she opening and answering emails because she was afraid there wouldn’t be another to come along.
She closed her laptop and stared out the window at the park.
__________
Her daughter came up and said, “Mom… are you interruptible? Can I ask you something?”
She looked into her daughter’s blue eyes and found the answer she’d been looking for:
Would she – one day – want her kids to
pin their hopes on this kind of relationship?
She opened her laptop and deleted his email before opening it.
19
Mar 12
homekeeping 8
Three bags, nine days, and no laptop.
We’re headed off for another adventure.
Jenny has packed her favorite Barbie, a new floppy sun hat, a swim suit and sundresses.
Will is taking his skateboard. I’m concerned he might try to sneak Nina in at the last minute.
I’m packing Sophie’s World by Jostein Gaarder. I’ve had it for a long while. Something tells me it’s time to read it.
The kids plan to go horseback riding, golfing, swimming, hiking and skating. They hope to hang with a mom who doesn’t have her nose in a laptop. I’m going to make sure that happens.
I also plan to walk, read, swim, write in a spiral notebook, and pretend to hit a little white ball with a metal stick and try to avoid saying bad words while doing so.
As I write this post, it is snowing, and that means our timing couldn’t be more perfect. I got to shovel walks this morning, and soon we’ll be boarding a plane to head south – another example of the good being better because of the bad. ;)
If you leave a comment on the blog while I’m away, please know that I’ll reply when I return.
I’ll miss you all.
Happy Spring.
;)
13
Mar 12
Riding With Tigger and Marcel
She’ll pick up her school papers and take herself off to her room to work. He has never willingly gone to his room. In fact, when she goes to her room, he follows her and only stops when his nose comes within inches of her closed door. Continue reading →
