Life’s Little Blunder

I was on my way out when I noticed something was different…

 

13 Years of Motherhood and What I Learned So Far

​I was having breakfast this morning when I realized tomorrow is Mother’s Day.  I asked myself what I have learned for the past 13 years that I have been blessed with motherhood… 
Here are the top 10, off the top of my head list.  These are based on MY personal experience and they are not meant to be a professional’s opinion. 😊:

1. Not all kids are the same so you must adjust parenting style according to each child’s personality.

2.  You can communicate with your kids as early as 4 months through sign language.

3. Two of the most useless baby equipment according to MY experience: Baby walker (my kids never wanted to use it.  They preferred holding on to furniture for support when walking) and crib (both felt contained and would scream their lungs out when placed in a crib).

4. It is a myth to let your baby cry out until they stop to teach them independence. I pick up my babies as soon as they start crying. Both were independent when they became kids but they learned early in life that they can depend on me to be there for them.

5. Don’t compare your kids with others in terms of milestones. There are no “late” or  “advanced” kids (except maybe for the geniuses and the certified gifted children).  Some babies start talking in 2-3 word sentences at10 months but walk only at 18 months while some walk at 10 months but start talking only at 18 months.  They will all be (more or less) equal in abilities and skills at some point in their life. Don’t worry too much. 

6.  Kids are more mature than we give them credit for.  I learned some of my life lessons from my children.

7. There are no difficuly kids by nature.  Ask what they need and provide.  If you can’t, explain why.  Remember, children are more mature than we give them credit for.

8.  Be careful how you speak and move.  Your children are ALWAYS watching you.

9.  Be thankful your kids are active – it means they are not sickly.

10. Let your children know you are praying for them.  Better yet, let them hear you by praying WITH them.

Motherhood is a priceless gift. 

Thank God you have been loved blessed to experience it. 

AHA! Moment: A Personal Realization on Raising My Daughter

I recently took my kids to the doctor’s clinic for their annual flu shots. As always, Nancy, the secretary, would weigh and measure their height to see how much they have grown. As my daughter stood against the height chart, Nancy suddenly exclaimed, “5 feet! Wow! You’ve grown taller!” My daughter smiled. Her eyes twinkled. It’s as if a secret wish had come true. It was the same smile she has when she has accomplished or received something she had been wishing for. That’s when it struck me. She is no longer a kid.

It seems only recently when I gave birth to her but now, she is growing up so fast I realized I am not keeping up with her pace. I’m somehow stuck to that point when she was 5 and I have to tell her what to do, how to do it and when to do it without so much as explaining WHY she needs to do it. Today I decided on something: To let her grow and explore on her own and learn as she goes. I will no longer force her to finish her meal when she says she’s full. I will no longer tell her to practice her piano pieces when she wants to play her guitar. I will no longer tell her she needs to tie her hair (or braid it for her) when she wants to let it down to feel the wind blow through them. No, I will no longer tell her when to brush her teeth, wash her face, take a bath, scrub behind her ears, comb her hair or clip her toe nails. I will no longer tell her what to wear, what to eat, what to drink, what to say or what to do. No.

I will still be with her of course, but this time to guide her and not to command her. I will be there to guide her when I see that she is strolling on that path that I know will lead to destruction. I will be there when she is feeling down and she needs a shoulder to lean on. I will be there when she is in doubt and needs encouragement. I will be there to support her on her new interests and to reassure her when she feels she is not doing “well enough”. I will make every effort to know her friends, to encourage her to voice out her opinion, to make a mental note of her likes and dislikes, to let her cry when she feels like crying and to ask her thoughts and feelings.

I have always been strict, discipling with an iron-clad fist with no room for disobedience. But not anymore. Starting today, with guidance, prayer and wisdom from God, I will let her go and explore the world.

I have clipped her wings long enough.

It’s time to spread her wings, fly and soar high.