Dear Kids,
Someday you will have to teach your own children so many little things that you didn't even realize that I taught you, until you have to teach your own little child yourself.
For example.
Trying to be somewhat more organized, I made cleaning sheets and put them up in the various rooms in the house so you can refer to them as you are doing your jobs. One of the items on the bathroom list is "shake rugs".
Talia had the bathroom and I was walking by as I saw her referring to the sheet. I could hear her whisper to herself, "shake rugs". So I watched as she walked over, picked up the rug, shook it like a fish out of water, with everything falling on the floor in front of her, and then she promptly put the rug back on the floor.
She was very proud of herself for doing this, and I just laughed to myself. I didn't even realized that I had NEVER taught her the point of shaking out the rugs! So I went in the bathroom and told her that we need to shake the rugs outside so everything on the rugs goes out of the house outside for the wind and bugs to eat. So I bent over, showed her how to fold up the rug in half and carry it so nothing falls out, took it outside and had her shake it, then brought it back and put it back in the bathroom.
It never entered my mind that she didn't know how to do that until watching her. It was so good for me to sit back and realize how many little details all of you need mentoring on in your lives. I can do better at that for sure, because I forget all those little details that you haven't learned. To me, it's obvious (like shaking the rugs), what needs to be done. But for you, it isn't.
I think that is how it is for so many things in life. How many times do I get frustrated with you because you didn't do what I asked you to do, but in your mind you have no idea what I'm talking about? I'm sure it happens much more than I want to admit. I have decided to do better at mentoring, "lead me, guide me, walk beside me" parenting is so much what this is all about.
The other thing I have to tell you about is Elijah coming in and giving me a flower to put in my ear. He is all about giving me flowers lately... which is probably good because he has been HARD. He is pushing so much, he is a fighter. He knows what he wants and he will fight and "poke the bull" until he gets it. But he found a flower and brought it to me to put in my hair.
I want to capture more of THOSE moments.
I love being your mom. Thank you for teaching me all the time.
Love,
Your Mom
