Thursday, May 27, 2010
Lost and found
I did what every parent hopes they never do. I forgot my daughter. I got a phone call at work from my husband asking me why no one had picked my daughter up from school, and I realized that I had never made any arrangements for her to be picked up. My client overheard the conversation and burst into laughter. Who forgets their own kids? Well, I am pretty sure this will disqualify me from winning the parent-of-the-year award. Thankfully, my mother was able to pick her up for me, and my daughter didn't harbor any resentment for it.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Pure Imagination
Check out this commercial...it reminds me of all of the wonderful art my daughter makes for me. It's just so sweet! I think it really captures the imagination of a small child. If only life were really whatever we could imagine it to be...
Friday, May 21, 2010
Eavesdropping
What is it like to have a telephone conversation with a motherwoman, especially one with small children? Well, here are a few of the off-the-wall phrases you are likely to hear abruptly interjected into the conversation at random moments:
What did I tell you about keeping your clothes on?
Don't stick your finger in there!
How did you get up there?
I said NOT RIGHT NOW!!!
Get out of the fridge!
Stop trying to lock your brother in the closet.
Put that down!
Don't hit your sister.
Get that out of your mouth!If you can still manage to follow the conversation despite all of the interruptions, you are a true friend! Be patient and hang in there! It gets better (or so I hear :) )
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
School's Out!
The month of June is fast approaching, and for those with school-age children, it means schools out! Aghhh!...I know, I'm scared too.
There are some wonderful events coming up in the month of June that you can enjoy if you are looking for something to do locally...
June 12
Connecticut Open House Day
Many local museums and tourism destinations will be offering free admission or discounts for service to encourage tourims, so take advantage!You can ctvisit.com for a complete listing of participating venues.
June 12-26
International Festival of Arts & Ideas--New Haven
This is an 18-day event with many free venues that feature music, dancing, food, and various cultural events. There is so much to choose from! Learn more at artidea.org
June-various dates
Elizabeth Park--West Hartford
Elizabeth Park has various festivals in the month of June that include music and even pony rides- who doesn't love a pony? To view their calendar, click here.Enjoy the month of June and please share your adventures with me!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Origins of a MotherWoman
Recently, a friend was sharing the details of a conversation she was having with her two-year old daughter with me. Now, if you have not yet had the experience of engaging a toddler in conversation, I can tell you firsthand, you are missing out on a mind-blowing opportunity to glean the deepest insights into truths about humanity in its most purest and honest form.
That being said, my friend was trying to explain the concept of "woman" to her daughter, who only understood the world in terms of moms and dads. In an effort to illustrate the idea in more concrete terms, she used me as an example of a woman. Her daughter quickly rejected that idea and adamantly declared,
My friend's daughter proceeded to pointedly clarify that I was not a woman, no, in fact, I was a motherwoman.
Oh? Hmm...a motherwoman...After a moment of reflection, I had to agree with her and acknowledge the depths of her wisdom.
What exactly does it mean to be a motherwoman? Well, in a nutshell, everything. Think of the expression, "For you, I will..." It aptly summarizes how being a motherwoman means striving to become everything your child needs you to be in order to care for them and love them in the best way possible for the rest of their lives. My friend's conversation with her daughter made me think back to the time when I first became a motherwoman.
When I learned that I was pregnant with my first child, the unplanned pregnancy was, truthfully, not the most welcome news. I felt completely unprepared and unqualified to fulfill the role of motherhood, to say the least. Even after laboring for hours and finally giving birth to a baby girl, the reality of becoming a mother had not yet become my reality.
I remember awkwardly embracing my daughter against my chest as she was immediately thrust into my arms by an overzealous nurse who wanted her to breastfeed right after birth. My mind swirled with insecurities.
"Whatever you do, just don't drop her," I thought to myself, as I tried to keep a firm but gentle grip on her slippery little body. I questioned myself. Was I holding her tight enough? Too tight? Where exactly is the fine line between firm and gentle?
Just then, her eye caught mine. I mean "eye", not eyes, because she stared at me with one eye shut, a little hesitant and unsure about her new surroundings, as if it were all too much to take in. Strangely, I felt reassured by the realization that I wasn't the only one feeling a little intimidated and uneasy about being "the new guy". We were in this together.
I didn't know it then, but that was the moment I had embraced my journey into motherwomanhood. I didn't yet feel like a mom, but I did feel like I could become one, that I wanted to be the best mom I could possibly be for that little girl staring back at me with one eye open in wonderment and amazement.
A year into becoming a motherwoman, a friend asked me what I enjoyed most about being a mom. I beamed, not just because I knew the answer, but because I didn't doubt myself.
It's about seeing the world anew, through eyes of wonder and discovery. It's about noticing the wonder beneath the surface of what can appear to be mundane and ordinary. It's also about discovering yourself too, and finding confidence and meaning in your role as a motherwoman.
For all those women who are about to enter this special place, welcome to Motherwomanhood! Welcome to the adventure and the wonder of it all!
For all of the seasoned mothers, in the spirit of embracing Motherwomanhood, I'd love to hear your stories about that first moment when you realized you were a mom.
That being said, my friend was trying to explain the concept of "woman" to her daughter, who only understood the world in terms of moms and dads. In an effort to illustrate the idea in more concrete terms, she used me as an example of a woman. Her daughter quickly rejected that idea and adamantly declared,
"She's NOT a woman!"I shuddered in anticipation of what was about to come next. Not a woman! What could I possibly be if I am not a woman?
My friend's daughter proceeded to pointedly clarify that I was not a woman, no, in fact, I was a motherwoman.
Oh? Hmm...a motherwoman...After a moment of reflection, I had to agree with her and acknowledge the depths of her wisdom.
What exactly does it mean to be a motherwoman? Well, in a nutshell, everything. Think of the expression, "For you, I will..." It aptly summarizes how being a motherwoman means striving to become everything your child needs you to be in order to care for them and love them in the best way possible for the rest of their lives. My friend's conversation with her daughter made me think back to the time when I first became a motherwoman.
When I learned that I was pregnant with my first child, the unplanned pregnancy was, truthfully, not the most welcome news. I felt completely unprepared and unqualified to fulfill the role of motherhood, to say the least. Even after laboring for hours and finally giving birth to a baby girl, the reality of becoming a mother had not yet become my reality.
I remember awkwardly embracing my daughter against my chest as she was immediately thrust into my arms by an overzealous nurse who wanted her to breastfeed right after birth. My mind swirled with insecurities.
"Whatever you do, just don't drop her," I thought to myself, as I tried to keep a firm but gentle grip on her slippery little body. I questioned myself. Was I holding her tight enough? Too tight? Where exactly is the fine line between firm and gentle?
Just then, her eye caught mine. I mean "eye", not eyes, because she stared at me with one eye shut, a little hesitant and unsure about her new surroundings, as if it were all too much to take in. Strangely, I felt reassured by the realization that I wasn't the only one feeling a little intimidated and uneasy about being "the new guy". We were in this together.
I didn't know it then, but that was the moment I had embraced my journey into motherwomanhood. I didn't yet feel like a mom, but I did feel like I could become one, that I wanted to be the best mom I could possibly be for that little girl staring back at me with one eye open in wonderment and amazement.
A year into becoming a motherwoman, a friend asked me what I enjoyed most about being a mom. I beamed, not just because I knew the answer, but because I didn't doubt myself.
It's about seeing the world anew, through eyes of wonder and discovery. It's about noticing the wonder beneath the surface of what can appear to be mundane and ordinary. It's also about discovering yourself too, and finding confidence and meaning in your role as a motherwoman.
For all those women who are about to enter this special place, welcome to Motherwomanhood! Welcome to the adventure and the wonder of it all!
For all of the seasoned mothers, in the spirit of embracing Motherwomanhood, I'd love to hear your stories about that first moment when you realized you were a mom.
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