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A privilege for sure

26 Aug 2009 by Leish

Me, Jords, Carli and Emily (one of Jordie’s special friends) just came home from a girls night out at Luigi’s.  What a beautiful evening for me.  It was such a lovely privilege to sit with these three little personalities and watch them interact.  Listening to their conversation, the things that are important to them and being invited into their world for a moment.  I decided that I wouldn’t try to teach or point them in the right direction or question anything that was said.  I wanted to try my best to just be present in what ever shape or form was good for them.

I am so lucky as a parent to be a part of these moments in my girls’ lives. Especially since as they grow older they may become fewer as mom’s are not seen as so cool anymore. But for now I will savour every moment and try to forever remember……….

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The perfect mix

17 Aug 2009 by Leish

We were privileged to spend a week with our dear friends and my beautiful brother, Marlon, at Umngazi River Bungalows.  We also got to meet Solveig (Marlon’s gorgeous girlfriend).  Jords and Carli were in their element as they spent time with “Grim” and Mich, Zara and Kinvarah, and of course their uncle and Solveig.  I could never find them during the week and when I did I literally had to force myself onto them to get a kiss or a hug or a “howzit mom”…….. I loved watching them go about their business in the company of people that gave them so much love and attention and that they were completely comfortable with. Of course the secure environment made all the difference.

What would it take for us to create this idyllic situation back home?  The right mix of people with the right amount of love, the right amount of space to explore and create some independence, and a safe environment to learn and experience life in its fullness and beauty.  Would be nice?

Category: Activities, Children, Education, Parents, Schools, Stress  One Comment

Be warned! It stays busy.

31 May 2009 by Leish

When my girls were little I used to feel overwhelmed by the amount of time all the practical care took to do well. Bathing, dressing, feeding, putting down to sleep, watching what they touched and chewed and then starting all over again.
 
Carli is now six and Jords is nine and although they are past the stage of sucking on anything they can find or falling down stairs, needing to feed at regular times or learning to swim, I’m amazed at how much time it takes to do what I do now.  Their weekly schedules are crazy with trying to fit in all the extra murals and suddenly it’s overflowed into our weekends. Sporting matches and competitions.  Homework.  Now the emotional issues that arise. Chatting about all sorts of things that crop up in their day.  Yes it’s exhausting but I love it.

I love that I can be a part of their little lives.  It is a gift and I will forever appreciate it.  No matter how many soiree’s I have to sit through, netball matches I have to support or early morning gymnastics competitions or soccer practices I have to attend (even on Sundays), I will do so with appreciation and a heart filled with joy.  Forever.

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