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Welcome to the January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Learning From Children
This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared the many lessons their children have taught them. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.
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Learning From My Children: I Am So Honored
Since becoming a WAHM, I've been learning lessons that are sometimes hard to take. It seems balancing a business and motherhood requires a tightrope walking act that is a bit fun and exciting but very precarious. There are times I feel like I have everything under control and laid out perfectly. Then there are times I feel overwhelmed, disorganized and totally discouraged.
Through all this, my children are seeing their mother change. Sometimes it's for the good, sometimes it's not for good. All in all, my children have helped me.
My children have shown me who I am. Not who I want to be or who I present myself to others as...but the real, hard core me.
And sometimes, it ain't pretty.
There are times when I lose my patience and hurry one of them away while I try to tackle the more "important" things. When I notice that child being a bit more demanding than usual later in the day, I'm reminded how each and every little act of harsh parenting, like shooing them away, affects their tender hearts. Only then, do I look into their eyes and see the hurt, hope and forgiveness that's there.
So, I ask for forgiveness and am granted it, so easily, with a big smile and hug.
My children remind me that all we really need is love. Love, in vast amounts. Love, in the tiny small gestures. Love, in the short time it takes to make your child's day.
Today I made the decision to shoo the computer away so I could sit and enjoy a tea party with my preschoolers. Just one of the many special moments I have to share that will all too soon be gone, never to be experienced again.
My children have taught me what really matters. And it all begins and ends with them. The reason why I do what I do.
My children teach me love.
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What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
Children are more important than deadlines.
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I have to consciously remind myself every single day that Kieran takes precedence over self-imposed deadlines. It's silly, too, since I left my career ...
Love is so important
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Yes, Love IS so important, and our children are endless sources of love :)
"My children have shown me who I am."
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Isn't it true? My little guy sees right through me and also reflects me back to myself, and so I am always striving to be both real AND better than I am....
It's true.
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As a WAHM, it can be so hard not to obey the urgency of computer work vs. the fleeting moments of childhood. Which is really more important? Thanks for ...
Thank you!
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That was such a lovely post and one I can relate to a lot. The love our children come with is astounding. I realize more and more how conditional my love ...
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Visit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!
Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:
(This list will be live and updated by afternoon January 11 with all the carnival links.)
Affection — Alicia at I Found My Feet has finally become a hugger and kisser, now she has someone sweet and small to snuggle with. (@aliciafagan)
Learning from Daniel — Amy at Anktangle hopes that she and her husband will always be open to learning from their son. (@anktangle)
The watchful Buddha boy — At Dreaming Aloud, they are learning to cherish their thoughtful, sensitive child in a action-driven, noisy world. (DreamingAloudNt)
What My Children Taught Me — Dulce de Leche's children have taught her to value herself for the wonderful person and mother she is.
Lessons from Loss — Erica at ChildOrganics learned so much from the love — and loss — of her sweet Bella, five years ago. (@ChildOrganics)
The Socratic Baby — Erin at Multiple Musings has so-called "identical" twins to serve as a daily lesson in nature vs. nurture. (@ErinLittle)
Learning to be a Mother — Farmer's Daughter learned the type of patience that enabled her to calmly eat one-handed for months and change clothes seven times a day, before noon. (@FarmDaughter)
I Feel You — Motherhood has taught Jamey from At the Bee Hive empathy, and it extends beyond just her child. (@JameyBly)
Lessons From My Child… — Jenny at I'm a full-time mummy shares the inspiring ways she's learned to expect the unexpected — and have a camera ready! (@imaftmummy)
Life Lessons From My Children — Kristen at Adventures in Mommyhood has learned that every slug is fascinating, doing the dishes is fun, and sharing a banana is a delight. (@crunchymamato2)
From my children, I have learned — Mama Mo at Attached at the Nip has a litany of beautiful lessons, from selflessness to sleeplessness.
The Little Things in Life — In a simple and lovely prose poem, Mandy at Living Peacefully with Children shows how adults worry about the wrong things and forget the little, important ones: watching ladybugs, jumping in leaves, cherishing each moment as it comes.
My Kids Have Taught Me That It's Time To Stop Blogging — Melodie at Breastfeeding Moms Unite! has learned that childhoods fly by too fast to blog. We'll miss your wonderful online presence, Melodie, and we wish you much peace and happiness. (@bfmom)
We Could All Learn from the Children — Momma Jorje takes time to get on the floor and play so that she can see the world through her child's eyes.
Teaching Forgiveness — Mrs Green at Little Green Blog has a daughter who's taught her unconditional love — even when she feels like she does't deserve it. (@littlegreenblog)
Beginner's Mind — Rachael at The Variegated Life learns from a child who builds bridges to nowhere, calls letter magnets his numbers, and insists dinnertime is truck time. (@RachaelNevins)
A baby's present — RS at A Haircut and a Shave presents a short poem on the differences between a baby's mindfulness and ours.
Self-Confidence Was Born With My Daughter — Sara at Halfway Crunchy learned to trust her instincts by responding to her child's needs — and saw her self-confidence bloom.
From the Kids — Seonaid at The Practical Dilettante has one list of earnest and one list of silly things she has learned as a parent. (@seonaid_lee)