The sweet assurance that maybe I’m actually doing something right as a mom
Every mother has hopes and dreams for her children. Even though I would love for my kids to share many of my pastimes, I am most invested in instilling a passion for skiing and hiking. This is because we spend most of our family time in the mountains.
And the fact that I suck at pursuits such as golf, dance and tennis.
I was thrilled when my daughter Hadley took to the slopes like a fish in very slippery water last winter but I also want my kids to develop their own talents. Hadley excels in art so I went to the mat to get her in a sold-out, week-long art camp at her school this summer.
This, from the mom who only passed sixth grade art because her best friend did her projects for her.
Three-year-old Bode is a Babe Ruth in the making and I will enroll him in T-ball this summer. He can hit 9 out of 10 balls pitched correctly to him.
I say “correctly” because my pitching skills are lacking.
And he lets me know it with every wayward pitch.
I hate baseball. I mean, give me a Rocky Dog and a box of Cracker Jacks at a Rockies game and I can hang with the best of them. But the thought of enduring countless innings of baseball, year after year?
Maybe I should take out stock in Cracker Jacks.
Of course, I am most invested in their physical and spiritual well-being and am trying to raise them with strong morals and values. But I recently received the confirmation that maybe, just maybe, I am also doing something right with instilling my passions in my children. I was in Utah over Spring Break and took the kids to my alma mater, BYU. Hadley spotted the “Y”prominently etched on the mountain. I excitedly told her she was finally old enough to hike it with me. She pensively stared at it for a while.
“Do you know what it stands for, Hadley?”
“I think so.”
“Really?” To be honest, Jamie and I don’t talk about BYU so I was pretty surprised.
“‘Of course, I do, Mommy. ‘Y’ means ‘YES’ for hiking!”
Let’s give ourselves a shout-out. What are you doing RIGHT with raising your children? Aside from health and happiness, what are your aspirations for them?
The biggest thing I wish for my daughter is that she grow up with both of her parents present always.
My oldest is 18 and I’ve done all the “raising a productive member of society” that I can I do. I mean, there will be other moments where I MIGHT be able to make a difference, however it’s up to her on whether or not she listens.
So far, I can say, she’s learned to love her siblings, to appreciate and honor the military and not accept the status quo just because it is the norm.
When she says to me, “Mom, I’m scared to go to college away from home because I will miss you guys.” It makes me realize that she isn’t just looking at college as a way to escape. She knows it’s for her future, but is looking forward to coming back to the area to be close to her family.
I raised a child that loves her family…. that is willing to do what it takes to better herself, but when the time comes, I know she’ll be the rock… the matriarch of the family when I am gone.
Great comments, ladies. Keep the feedback coming and give yourself a pat on the back!
Y for yes, you’re on the right track!
I feel like a lousy mom a lot…but the other day my oldest tell me he made the right choice about telling the truth even though his peer group wanted him to lie. While I think the credit really lies with him…I felt like maybe I am doing something right, ya know?
“Y” for Yay!!
Don’t you love it when their colors begin to show brightly?! I love that you instill in them your love of the outdoors…. and take them with you as you pursue your passions. It’s one of the many things that I believe makes strong (and fun!) family bonds. You get to take them & show them your passions ~ and they will do the same, taking you with them as they discover what moves them.
Their zest and enthusiasm for life? All comes from you ~ a life long legacy to be proud of.
Love it!
Thanks Kim! And Lauren, you’d better believe you had something to do with the good choice your son made.
I love it! Thanks for the pick me up! This morning i feel like I’m doing everything wrong.
First and foremost I want my children to be happy and to understand that there will be challenges in their life. I want them to know where to turn for the the help to deal with those challenges.
I also hope they will understand that joy that comes by giving to others–that they will be serving and helping those around them. I hope that I have taught them the joy that comes from serving their family.
Life is wonderful–I want for each of them to make the most of all they are and all they can be.
Well put, ladies!
☺ I LOVE it! ☺ Now, we can say we graduated from a hiking school