My goal as a mommy has been to create the most incredible memories with my kids. When they're all grown up and living on their own I wish for them to look back and remember all the fun, crazy, cozy, heartwarming, silly and challenging things we did together. I don't want them to look back in time and remember an empty chair or an absent mother. Everyday is an opportunity to create those memories. Every morning is an opportunity to start all over. Every evening is an opportunity to show our endless love. I believe with all my heart that God gives me a new chance at the motherhood thing with the start of each day, and I choose to take those opportunities. I can't live just because. I want to have a purpose and I want my kids to delight in our purpose. The other day I saw the following quote on Instagram and identified with it instantly: "Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. You do not collect children because you find them cuter than stamps. It is not something to do if you can squeeze the time in. It is what God gave you time for." - Rachel Jankovic.
Parenting is so hard, even more so when our kids learn about hurt and disappointment. Today our little one came back from school heart broken. I so badly wish I could fix the whole situation. Where are my super powers when I need them? I know what rejection and disappointment feel like. But experiencing your child's hurt is ten times worst. My hubby keeps telling me that she'll be o.k. and I know she will. I also know that being an overprotective parent is so harmful to a child. I need to let her live her own experiences which is probably a bigger lesson for me. I'm going to bed praying for wisdom.
So in being a mother, I've tried my best to be involved 100% percent. I have been blessed with kids that excel beyond expectations at school and I take it as my responsibility to make sure that it stays that way. They are raw diamonds. Dirty dishes, laundry and floors can wait after bedtime. My priority is sitting down with them while they do their homework, reading together and reviewing afterwards. It's quite on a task. My 4th grader doesn't require as much of my time, but I'm still here and he knows he can count on me. Yes, it's the teacher job to teach them at school. But it's a parent's job to make sure that the kids succeed as much as they can in all that they do. I intend to keep it this way till the end of high school (College will be a different story). After all, spending time together is creating memories. The way I see it, is a win-win situation. It is not smothering in any way (specially if you know me), but instead it is parenting with a purpose.
I think that early on in life I had my mind set on what type of mom I would be. The one that never yelled, always kept it cool and was her kids best friend. I was not going to be my mom! Well, once I had kids, things didn't go as planned. I still try to stay away from my mother's shadow. Yet, sometimes I find myself repeating my mom's saying and even yelling. I dislike the latter, but kids have a way to push their parent's buttons I tell you. I do work hard everyday in keeping a balance. I want to be there for them, but I also have to set boundaries and build respect. Bottom line, I am an imperfect human and the mom thing is a work in progress kind of thing. There will be good days and bad days but my strength to do my best at motherhood, will always come from God, my strong tower and my hiding place.
Just last week, our 9 year old son tried out for the "upper grades" basketball team. Though he did play basketball this summer, we knew that he wasn't quite there yet. My husband, who attended the tryouts, got to see how the 5th and 6th graders were more skillful than our 4th grader. We never told our son that he was not good enough But we chose to prepare him by letting him know that things don't always work out the way we expect or hope. No matter what the outcome would be, we were proud of him for trying. We had words of encouragement along with a pinch of reality. Turns out he didn't make the team. He was a bit down. But I was relieved to know that our words had resonated in his heart as he echoed to me how he'll just have to work harder and try again next year. He probably won't be the next Magic Johnson, but he's trying out, he's dreaming, he's pursuing. One day, with our total support, he'll find his purpose in life. My kids fall is my fall, my kids success is my success! God has a special plan for each of them, is my job to build that confidence so they can find it.
theater director puts together a musical. My kids were part of the cast last year for the first time. It was a lot of hard work for 5 months, but at the end (after 4 full house performances) they got to enjoy the fruit of their labor. This year they have decided to audition again which means lots and lots of practice. Now our after school routine also includes rehearsing singing a song and learning dancing steps to another song -(music director and choreographer have been added to my job description as a mom). They usually start with so much excitement but after a little while (and I mean a short little while) they loose focus and I get a bit frustrated! Help! I do understand kids have a short attention spam but that's where I must keep my "cool" and stay focus as well. 
