Carver's needs are so simple. He works hard in school all week and lives for Saturdays. Time to himself. Freedom. Silly, goofy jokes. And skateboarding. He needs me to take him to the skateboard park, and I do not begrudge him the desire. In all too short a time he will be driving himself, and I will be unnecessary. He won't shoot me his signature "thumbs up" sign after landing a tricky move because I won't be there to see it. Right now he wants me to watch him. So I do.
Lily--the middle child. She needs to have her voice--her opinions--heard. She needs to know that she has a role in the family. So when she pipes up that she wants to make dinner, and dinner will be PB&J on Ritz crackers, then that's what dinner is. She will be strong and determined, because I want her to be. And I let her try.
Zinabu wants to be loud and touching me all the time. Fingers on me every minute he's nearby. I need him to give me space, but he needs me to be parenting board, sounding board, and tactile board all rolled into one. He wants to reach out to me in love but doesn't always know how. He needs me to be patient. He needs to know that his exuberance is appreciated. So I try. Because I want to try.
5 comments:
Gosh, your kids are lucky.
You are the best mom! (Of course, it certainly helps that you've also got some of the most awesome kids in the universe!)
Okay, that got me a bit teary. What an insightful mama you are...and that you accept and embrace what your kids need, and graciously step up to the challenges of doing things you don't *want* to. Inspired.
I've said this before but you guys really are wonderful parents!! I know my kids are still young but I'm really trying hard to embrace all their personality traits, good & the bad.
Love this - what a fun picture it gives us into the kids' personalities. Very cool.
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