Well, here I am about to join the Chicago Moms blog. I think that it is the best place for me to be, because despite the myriad of titles linked to my name the most important one is “MOM”. I am mother to Skyler almost 11, Kaiann who is 8, and Jaedyn who is 6. They are absolutely the be all end all for me, even when they are wearing me out, (and believe me they can wear me out!) But that’s what it’s all about, the good and the bad. Motherhood is a tough job. Tougher than we ever think it is going to be when we start making those babies. Mainly because you can never prepare fully for what is ahead, because each day brings something new. I look at my children and I am amazed by how distinct they are becoming as individuals, and yet they still posses recognizable traits of mine. For many of you this may be non-plus, but I am adopted. I didn’t grow up around people who said I looked like them or reminded them of how they were when they were children. This is all very new and surprising for me to be amongst people in whom I can see glimmers of myself. It is humbling and awe inspiring all in the same breath. But the trick, I think, is to understand what we recognize of ourselves in our children, good and bad, while welcoming that which we don’t; the traits that are unique unto our children, that make them who they are. Those individual characteristics need to appreciated and celebrated. Though are children act like parrots at times and mimic that which we say and do, bottom line is they are separate people, with their own fingerprint to place on the world. It is our job as parents to mark a trail of learning and development for our children from birth, preparing them for the life ahead. But ultimately the goal is for our children to forge a new path, one specific to their own needs and desires. Amazing isn’t it? That the mark of a really good parent is not how close we can keep our children, but how willing we are to let them move away.
SMILE On!
ML
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