Take Time To Just Be!

I read this and had to share. The words that this teacher shared are spot on!!!

Written by a Pre-School Teacher – It says it all!
I was on a parenting bulletin board recently and read a post by a mother who was worried that her 4 1/2 year old did not know enough. “What should a 4 year old know?” she asked.
Most of the answers left me not only saddened but pretty soundly annoyed. One mom posted a laundry list of all of the things her son knew. Counting to 100, planets, how to write his first and last name, and on and on. Others chimed in with how much more their children already knew, some who were only three. A few posted URL’s to lists of what each age should know. The fewest yet said that each child develops at his own pace and not to worry.
It bothered me greatly to see these mothers responding to a worried mom by adding to her concern, with lists of all the things their children could do that hers couldn’t. We are such a competitive culture that even our pre-schoolers have become trophies and bragging rights. Childhood shouldn’t be a race.
So here, I offer my list of what a 4 year old should know.
She should know that she is loved wholly and unconditionally, all of the time.
He should know that he is safe and he should know how to keep himself safe in public, with others, and in varied situations. He should know that he can trust his instincts about people and that he never has to do something that doesn’t feel right, no matter who is asking. He should know his personal rights and that his family will back them up.
She should know how to laugh, act silly, be goofy and use her imagination. She should know that it is always okay to paint the sky orange and give cats 6 legs.
He should know his own interests and be encouraged to follow them. If he could care less about learning his numbers, his parents should realize he’ll learn them accidentally soon enough and let him immerse himself instead in rocket ships, drawing, dinosaurs or playing in the mud.
She should know that the world is magical and that so is she. She should know that she’s wonderful, brilliant, creative, compassionate and marvellous. She should know that it’s just as worthy to spend the day outside making daisy chains, mud pies and fairy houses as it is to practice phonics. Scratch that– way more worthy.
But more important, here’s what parents need to know.
That every child learns to walk, talk, read and do algebra at his own pace and that it will have no bearing on how well he walks, talks, reads or does algebra.
That the single biggest predictor of high academic achievement and high ACT scores is reading to children. Not flash cards, not workbooks, not fancy preschools, not blinking toys or computers, but mom or dad taking the time every day or night (or both!) to sit and read them wonderful books.
That being the smartest or most accomplished kid in class has never had any bearing on being the happiest. We are so caught up in trying to give our children “advantages” that we’re giving them lives as multi-tasked and stressful as ours. One of the biggest advantages we can give our children is a simple, carefree childhood.
That our children deserve to be surrounded by books, nature, art supplies and the freedom to explore them. Most of us could get rid of 90% of our children’s toys and they wouldn’t be missed, but some things are important– building toys like lego and blocks, creative toys like all types of art materials (good stuff), musical instruments (real ones and multicultural ones), dress up clothes and books, books, books. (Incidentally, much of this can be picked up quite cheaply at thrift shops.) They need to have the freedom to explore with these things too– to play with scoops of dried beans in the high chair (supervised, of course), to knead bread and make messes, to use paint and play dough and glitter at the kitchen table while we make supper even though it gets everywhere, to have a spot in the yard where it’s absolutely fine to dig up all the grass and make a mud pit.
That our children need more of us. We have become so good at saying that we need to take care of ourselves that some of us have used it as an excuse to have the rest of the world take care of our kids. Yes, we all need undisturbed baths, time with friends, sanity breaks and an occasional life outside of parenthood. But we live in a time when parenting magazines recommend trying to commit to 10 minutes a day with each child and scheduling one Saturday a month as family day. That’s not okay! Our children don’t need Nintendos, computers, after school activities, ballet lessons, play groups and soccer practice nearly as much as they need US. They need fathers who sit and listen to their days, mothers who join in and make crafts with them, parents who take the time to read them stories and act like idiots with them. They need us to take walks with them and not mind the .1 MPH pace of a toddler on a spring night. They deserve to help us make supper even though it takes twice as long and makes it twice as much work. They deserve to know that they’re a priority for us and that we truly love to be with them.


I  found this on Facebook. I do not know who the actual author is.


Have a fun weekend. We are off to Vegas to visit family.  :)

Cathy

The Road Less Traveled

They say sometimes you should choose the road less traveled. It makes you stronger and makes you a better person. I tend to agree. However, I have taken that road a few times in my life and I never veered off of it. I traveled along the rocky road and put my best foot forward. I waited for the prize at the end only to find disappointment. Don't get me wrong I have also chosen the one that is traveled by many. The easy one. I think we all do from time to time. I sometimes feel as though I am entitled. I mean, after  a horrible out come from the one less traveled I feel that taking the easy way is due to me.


I am finding myself on the road less traveled again. My life, for the last four months has been consumed by my waking every morning, taking a shower, getting ready and spending the day at the home with my mom. The mom that use to be independent, dressed to the nines, and ready to go out shopping or to lunch everyday. The mom that lays in a bed now, unable to stand, walk, or even go to the bathroom by herself. The mom, that I think is giving up one day and then giving it her all the next.


I am having a hard time understanding why God would allow her to suffer so much. Allow me to have to watch her suffer everyday. Then, I am quickly reminded of how God sent his only son to die on the cross and suffer like no one ever has. I suddenly start to understand this whole thing called life. At least, I think I understand it. I have come to realize that we really do have to leave it in God's hands. I no longer pray for a healing. Instead, I pray for his will to be done.


Is that the road that is traveled by many. The easy road? I don't think so. I think it is the road less traveled. It is hard to let go and just let God. It is a rocky hard thing to do. I think hoping and praying that my mom will be ok is the easy way. It is easier to keep a positive mind. It is easier to have expectations of happiness again with her. Instead, I have let it all go. I am still there everyday. We still talk. I still hold her hand and take her for walks in her wheelchair. But, I also have come to  terms that this is not going to last for long.  In her case, when I say goodbye, I'll see you tomorrow. I never really know if I will or not. This road is the road less traveled. This is the road I wouldn't trade for the world. I have learned so much from my mom, but never has she been able to teach me what she has taught me in the last four months. She has taught me love in a way I never knew with her, and we are really close. She is also teaching me that no matter what tomorrow brings. That love will always be there. In spirit.


I chose, again, the road less traveled. I would trek down that road a 100 times over if it meant loving and learning what I have from a beautiful woman I call, Mom!