Tuesday, March 29, 2011
And then life catches up again...
I wrote this post about 10 times. No matter what I say it sounds like whining. So I deleted it again. So there.
Friday, March 25, 2011
A proud moment
Everyone knows that raising teenagers is sometimes a frustrating experience (to say the least!)
However, there are times when you just simply are SO PROUD of your child, that you have to say 'something' about it. I had one of those moments yesterday... :)
D-Dawg, my 14 year old, is your typical young teen. A bit of attitude, a bit of selfishness, and the kindest heart and sweetest soul you'll ever meet.
He was recently invited to go with a friend on Spring Break - an opportunity that I can not provide for my children. The trip was even more enticing as it included kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, and a chance to visit a famous restaurant belonging to a cook/chef that my son really enjoys. Not to mention the fact that it would be 7 whole days of no-sisters, no-brother, no-mom fun!!
He was also asked to go and work for a family friend, planting trees and doing general yard-scape and hard labor work, for the same days.
As a mother, it's very hard to 'not' make a decision for your children. I felt that he 'should' help the family friend, who has been very kind and generous to our family for a number of years... but I knew that the opportunity for a vacation with a friend was a very strong pull for my young man. We discussed the pros and cons, and I left the decision up to him.
Late yesterday, he told his friend he was sorry but he would not be able to go on vacation with him.
I am extremely proud of this very difficult decision, and I know how much it hurt him to give up the opportunity. Additionally, his friend was hurt and upset, but we are hoping they will be able to patch things up. In turn, I am hopeful that this family friend will understand what a difficult choice this was for my son, and include a bit of fun along with the hard labor.
I have to say that I am truly amazed and humbled by my son today. I am not sure I would have been strong enough to make the same choice at his age.
However, there are times when you just simply are SO PROUD of your child, that you have to say 'something' about it. I had one of those moments yesterday... :)
D-Dawg, my 14 year old, is your typical young teen. A bit of attitude, a bit of selfishness, and the kindest heart and sweetest soul you'll ever meet.
He was recently invited to go with a friend on Spring Break - an opportunity that I can not provide for my children. The trip was even more enticing as it included kayaking, swimming and snorkeling, and a chance to visit a famous restaurant belonging to a cook/chef that my son really enjoys. Not to mention the fact that it would be 7 whole days of no-sisters, no-brother, no-mom fun!!
He was also asked to go and work for a family friend, planting trees and doing general yard-scape and hard labor work, for the same days.
As a mother, it's very hard to 'not' make a decision for your children. I felt that he 'should' help the family friend, who has been very kind and generous to our family for a number of years... but I knew that the opportunity for a vacation with a friend was a very strong pull for my young man. We discussed the pros and cons, and I left the decision up to him.
Late yesterday, he told his friend he was sorry but he would not be able to go on vacation with him.
I am extremely proud of this very difficult decision, and I know how much it hurt him to give up the opportunity. Additionally, his friend was hurt and upset, but we are hoping they will be able to patch things up. In turn, I am hopeful that this family friend will understand what a difficult choice this was for my son, and include a bit of fun along with the hard labor.
I have to say that I am truly amazed and humbled by my son today. I am not sure I would have been strong enough to make the same choice at his age.
A frustrating activity
So the latest activity for my Roo seems to be the newfound 'gift' of sneaking things he feels he is entitled to.
Case in point: Tuesday afternoon Roo was picked up from the bus by his grandfather, a favorite thing!! Grandpa brought him home and gave him yogurt and a banana for a snack. Being the only child in the house, there was no argument about what was for snack. A while later, sister and brother arrived at the house with Grandma. There was no offer of yogurt or a banana for the elder children, and Grandma gave them permission to have a cookie while she was preparing dinner.
After realizing that the elder children received COOKIES from Grandma, Roo decided he was entitled to cookies as well, although he had already eaten yogurt AND a banana, and it was nearly time for dinner. Grandma refused, telling him that after dinner he could have a cookie.
So... whilst everyone else was busy in the house, Roo took the box of cookies and ate them ALL (TEN COOKIES!!!) and helped himself to not just one, but TWO cans of soda as well.
Of course, at dinner time, he was not hungry and did not finish his meal. But Grandma, being Grandma, felt that perhaps she had given him too much food, and allowed him to not finish his plate.
After dinner, Grandpa gave him ice cream!! And you can bet that he ate EVERY SINGLE BITE!!
Is it any wonder the child was wired for sound?
We're all a bit wiser now that the empty cookie box and empty soda cans have been found stuffed behind the piano and couch - the snacks and drinks at my house are now under lock and key, and Grandma and Grandpa are doing the same.
Little stinker....
Case in point: Tuesday afternoon Roo was picked up from the bus by his grandfather, a favorite thing!! Grandpa brought him home and gave him yogurt and a banana for a snack. Being the only child in the house, there was no argument about what was for snack. A while later, sister and brother arrived at the house with Grandma. There was no offer of yogurt or a banana for the elder children, and Grandma gave them permission to have a cookie while she was preparing dinner.
After realizing that the elder children received COOKIES from Grandma, Roo decided he was entitled to cookies as well, although he had already eaten yogurt AND a banana, and it was nearly time for dinner. Grandma refused, telling him that after dinner he could have a cookie.
So... whilst everyone else was busy in the house, Roo took the box of cookies and ate them ALL (TEN COOKIES!!!) and helped himself to not just one, but TWO cans of soda as well.
Of course, at dinner time, he was not hungry and did not finish his meal. But Grandma, being Grandma, felt that perhaps she had given him too much food, and allowed him to not finish his plate.
After dinner, Grandpa gave him ice cream!! And you can bet that he ate EVERY SINGLE BITE!!
Is it any wonder the child was wired for sound?
We're all a bit wiser now that the empty cookie box and empty soda cans have been found stuffed behind the piano and couch - the snacks and drinks at my house are now under lock and key, and Grandma and Grandpa are doing the same.
Little stinker....
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Decided it's time
to create my own blog...
of the ups and downs of life as a single parent... with four wonderful children... and the joys and triumphs of raising them!
This blog will be dedicated to the craziness, hilarity, laughter, tears, fears and tragedies that are my life.
I hope you will join me from time to time, for a look at a day in my life.
As always, I am honored to share your time, and I thank you for reading
of the ups and downs of life as a single parent... with four wonderful children... and the joys and triumphs of raising them!
This blog will be dedicated to the craziness, hilarity, laughter, tears, fears and tragedies that are my life.
I hope you will join me from time to time, for a look at a day in my life.
As always, I am honored to share your time, and I thank you for reading
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