A good friend of mine has declaredMondays as Muffin Monday's at her household. It was her wise thinking to improve the attitude of her family on Monday mornings. What a fabulous idea!
She has inspired me.
I am going to figure out how to make our Monday's manageable. I dont bake so the whole muffin idea, while good is just not something I can see myself doing.
You think Toast Monday's has a nice ring to it? :)
Monday, October 18, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
The Teenage Brain
Ok, I hope I didn't get anyone too excited thinking I had to secret to figuring the teenage brain out. In reality I am sitting here puzzled and wondering how the thought process works in a teenagers mind...or if in fact there is even a thought process.
My oldest is going to be 17 in mere months. As you know from previous posts he moved out of our house into his Dad's almost 6 months ago. He didn't want to live by our house/family rules and that was the consequence. One that he was happy with. He had the view that the grass was greener on the other side and couldn't wait to move out and leave behind all the stupid rules, responsibility and expectations.
There has been a complete role reversal since Austin has moved in with his Dad. Nuckter calls me and I can hear the weariness in his voice, I recognize the helplessness in his sighs. How come EVERYONE else can get it but the one person that NEEDS to doesn't? I had years of that weariness and helplessness trying to raise Austin, but from this side of the fence it doesn't look as bad. Luckily the years of experience behind me I am able to remember just how difficult it was. And it was difficult, but it was difficult for everyone.
I have been informed that Austin is failing classes, skipping entire days of school to stay home and play xbox all day long, stay up late sneaking on the xbox until 4am, missing shifts at work. He is disappointing family and friends. I had to reassure my exhusband that he was doing the right thing. That I know it is a lot of work and often it isn't fair to the rest of the family. I also had to tell him that he has to look at the bigger picture. The "worst thing that could happen" game that I often play in my head.
Austin may not pass all his classes this year. The worst thing that could happen would be that he repeats a year and doesnt graduate as planned.
Austin is missing shifts at work, the worst thing is that he could be fired and would lose his cell phone, car, xbox etc until he gets another job.
It's this worst thing game that has my mind wonder down some darker paths.....
Austin isnt taking his medication, the worst thing would be if he was selling/giving his medication to someone else to abuse
Austin is lying and stealing from family/friends, the worst thing would be if he was arrested.
Austin is very impulsive and without his medication he acts without thinking.....the worst thing would be if he was in an accident.
I pray that one day soon Austin's teenage brain starts to work and he considers the worst thing that could happen.
Until then I just do the best I can with what tools I have.
My oldest is going to be 17 in mere months. As you know from previous posts he moved out of our house into his Dad's almost 6 months ago. He didn't want to live by our house/family rules and that was the consequence. One that he was happy with. He had the view that the grass was greener on the other side and couldn't wait to move out and leave behind all the stupid rules, responsibility and expectations.
There has been a complete role reversal since Austin has moved in with his Dad. Nuckter calls me and I can hear the weariness in his voice, I recognize the helplessness in his sighs. How come EVERYONE else can get it but the one person that NEEDS to doesn't? I had years of that weariness and helplessness trying to raise Austin, but from this side of the fence it doesn't look as bad. Luckily the years of experience behind me I am able to remember just how difficult it was. And it was difficult, but it was difficult for everyone.
I have been informed that Austin is failing classes, skipping entire days of school to stay home and play xbox all day long, stay up late sneaking on the xbox until 4am, missing shifts at work. He is disappointing family and friends. I had to reassure my exhusband that he was doing the right thing. That I know it is a lot of work and often it isn't fair to the rest of the family. I also had to tell him that he has to look at the bigger picture. The "worst thing that could happen" game that I often play in my head.
Austin may not pass all his classes this year. The worst thing that could happen would be that he repeats a year and doesnt graduate as planned.
Austin is missing shifts at work, the worst thing is that he could be fired and would lose his cell phone, car, xbox etc until he gets another job.
It's this worst thing game that has my mind wonder down some darker paths.....
Austin isnt taking his medication, the worst thing would be if he was selling/giving his medication to someone else to abuse
Austin is lying and stealing from family/friends, the worst thing would be if he was arrested.
Austin is very impulsive and without his medication he acts without thinking.....the worst thing would be if he was in an accident.
I pray that one day soon Austin's teenage brain starts to work and he considers the worst thing that could happen.
Until then I just do the best I can with what tools I have.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Happy Anniversary
I am celebrating 7 years of wedded bliss today.
I love everything about our anniversary. I love the fall season - the orange and red leaves, the crisp morning air. I love the memories of the wonderful day we had with our family and friends. I love looking back at the pictures of when we 'officially' became a family. Our marriage has evolved and grown over the past 7 years. I remember over 10 years ago when I met Bob. We were both much younger and weary about calling anything a 'relationship'. We enjoyed spending time together and in the beginning didn't want to even think about getting serious. As the months went on we realized that we both had the same sense of humour and values in life. Before we knew it, we were a couple. Certainly not something either of us had wanted when we started dating, but the heart wants what the heart wants right?
Our marriage has never oozed with romance, but thats because like the sense of humour and values, we also feel the same about the romance. I love the random hugs and kisses for no reason. We both aren't big fans of public displays of affection. It isn't that we don't have those feelings we just choose to show it differently.
Our marriage, while still very important, has taken a back burner to raising our family. We made the choice to raise 4 children. That takes a lot of energy. It also takes a lot of love. We built our family with our 4 children from our marriage. It was the strong foundation on which our family stands.
Like my favorite saying that I have painted on my dining room wall....."Our family is a circle of strength and love".
Today I am celebrating the beginning of that family 7 years ago, and appreciating how wonderful that marriage has been and still is.
I LOVE YOU BOB (this is a DPA, but I'll break the rules just once :) )
I love everything about our anniversary. I love the fall season - the orange and red leaves, the crisp morning air. I love the memories of the wonderful day we had with our family and friends. I love looking back at the pictures of when we 'officially' became a family. Our marriage has evolved and grown over the past 7 years. I remember over 10 years ago when I met Bob. We were both much younger and weary about calling anything a 'relationship'. We enjoyed spending time together and in the beginning didn't want to even think about getting serious. As the months went on we realized that we both had the same sense of humour and values in life. Before we knew it, we were a couple. Certainly not something either of us had wanted when we started dating, but the heart wants what the heart wants right?
Our marriage has never oozed with romance, but thats because like the sense of humour and values, we also feel the same about the romance. I love the random hugs and kisses for no reason. We both aren't big fans of public displays of affection. It isn't that we don't have those feelings we just choose to show it differently.
Our marriage, while still very important, has taken a back burner to raising our family. We made the choice to raise 4 children. That takes a lot of energy. It also takes a lot of love. We built our family with our 4 children from our marriage. It was the strong foundation on which our family stands.
Like my favorite saying that I have painted on my dining room wall....."Our family is a circle of strength and love".
Today I am celebrating the beginning of that family 7 years ago, and appreciating how wonderful that marriage has been and still is.
I LOVE YOU BOB (this is a DPA, but I'll break the rules just once :) )
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)