It's one of the truest sayings in the universe, "Children are our future." I have to admit I ranted a bit on another post about how adult things affect our kids. THEY ARE KIDS! What do we teach them when we take out our frustrations and/or attitudes about adult issues on them! They literally are sponges and soak up everything their parents, teachers, all elders around them do, how they react to things. The world does need more patience, thoughtfulness, kindness. I try like crazy to teach my girls that and get so frustrated to see people, everyday, with out any regard, common sense or thought for those around them.

It is comforting to me to come here and see ...as d said...that there are people who are still trying and to know that at least in our own corners of the world there will definitely be some "good people" as the next generation comes into adulthood. As my mom would say to everyone here - "You all do great work!"

Scottmom - congrats on your son's award! And, I totally agree with you on the whole cell phone thing. I don't even have mine on most of the time. It's for emergencies and here's what cracks me up...someone calls my house or work for me then gets on my case because they tried to call me on my cell phone and couldn't get through!?!?! Well, duh...why didn't you just call the land line to start with?

I have to thank everyone for listening too - I'm on some sort of kick today and not necessarily a good one. PMS? Long week? Sick of winter? Probably all of the above but I do have one more thing to say -
HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY tomorrow!!! Enjoy, be safe whatever your plans are and MEAD FAILTE (a thousand welcomes).

Very well said (as always ), d.
Please allow me a moment to rant. Has anyone noticed that since the popularity of cell phones that many adults expect instant gratification when it comes to getting ahold of another person? Today I took my kids to school and came home, took out the trash, fed the dogs, and took a shower (I always wait til they leave so I can get an uninterupted shower). In that time, I, of course, was away from all forms of communication let's say for a total of 20 minutes. In that time, I received 3 calls and messages from the same person (a parent at the school) wondering why I wasn't answering my phone when they needed me to help them!!! Once I heard my phone beep, I answered it but the parent had left the school and didn't leave a number for me to reach them! So I politely let the school secretary know that I don't carry my phone into the bathroom with me incase that parent calls again. She laughed. I just don't understand. How does cell phone = instant gratification, instant problem solving, etc? If I weren't away from home so much, schlepping my kids around, I wouldn't even have one. Ok, thanks for listening!!! Have a glorious day.

Having done tons of different things at this point in my life, I continue to be amazed at how many demands there are when children come into your life. My neighbor last night said she sees families react two ways--they either change to become a family oriented group or they (the couple) continue to move forward like they always have dragging the children along. I know which category most of us fall into...Sounds like Anne Morris had it right....we have comitted and have to "free (ourselves) from the tyranny of (our) internal critic". Of everything I've done I know my children will be the most dramatic way I impact the next generation...I'm glad your children will be there too Scott, Justa, PTOONA, Silver, CC...they might just make it a little bit better out there....
d

Justa...
Thanks for the nice words, they mean a lot! You want to know the truth, out of roughly 35 kids getting awards, only 5 parents showed up and 2 of them kept talking the whole time. To be honest, I had a good idea that I wouldn't get to stay, but I didn't want my oldest to think I had anything more important to do than show him I support him and am proud of him. He received an award for All A Honor Roll AND a citizenship award. He was really excited and we had taken him out to celebrate the night before at his favorite restaurant. I was thinking about it today and I get asked to do all kinds of things for the school and very few of them is my 3 year old allowed to tag along. Why do they think I stay home if not to be the one taking care of my child? My oldest's teacher is the best, she always makes sure to let me know when my youngest is invited, and he sure loves getting to sit with his big brother during class parties, etc.

Scottmom#1:

Sounds like you are one pretty terrific mom! It is tough fitting everything in, and some days it isn't possible ~ but it sounds like you definitely go above and beyond what is expected. I am sure your son appreciated that you did come to see him get is award ~ even if you did have to leave before he actually got it. i am also sure he appreciated you not letting his little brother go through "melt down" while the award ceremony was going on (and I can bet every mom there sympathized and understood what you were going through, because none of us want to go through the "no nap fits" ~ they aren't any fun for anyone.) Hats off to you for being such a Fantastic mom and a great example for your boys!!!

And in all actuality being a "stay at home mom" is one of the toughest jobs... you take care of the kids, the house, the bills, the yard, the hubby, school activities (PTO, Extracurricular), the pets, and when you have those extra moments ~ yourself! How do you get it all done? You should be very proud of yourself, because you thought enough of your son to go to the award ceremony (knowing it might not go well, since his little brother would need a nap....) and when things got rough, once again you thought about your sons (both of them ~ the one receiving the award and the precious little guy who needed his nap) and left because you knew what needed to be done. Pretty FANTASTIC mom showing her love for both her boys!

So, what award did your oldest son receive? I am sure you gave him big hugs and congratulated him when you picked him up after school!! Keep up the great work and don't be so hard on yourself!

Maybe we are all here because we have a lot of the same values that other people are losing.
My oldest got an award at school today and I had to take my 3 year old who happened to have a melt down because it was during hsi nap time. I was a little frustrated because the ceremony date was changed and I was stuck without a babysitter (because I'm an intelligent person who understands that my kid needs a nap). I had to leave before the award was given out because my son was a mess and I wasn't going to embarass my son getting the award. An hour later, when I came to pick up the boys for the day, I happened to say something about it being really sad that I'm a stay at home mom and I still can't get it all done. Our school nurse overheard me and she said I must have some high standards because if she were a mom now, she would have failed and I would have swept her under the rug! She made me feel so much better!