Being A Momma
My sweet little curly girl is in the third grade. Last night I attended her teacher conference. I'm fairly "in the loop" where my kids and school are concerned as I ask daily about homework, spelling words, time on the playground, what did you have for lunch... You may know this drill. I am not just asking to fill air space. I am asking because I genuinely care. I want to hear how they are doing, if there is something to be excited about or comfort them over. Now having shared my sweet thing is a GIRL in the THIRD grade, you surely have put pieces together already... there is much comforting as there is much drama. WHY are girls like this?? Anyhoo... I enjoy hearing about their days.
So we yes, WE (she is insistent on joining me and I feel this is perfect, if there are questions or something that I am shocked by she is near to explain) head to the classroom. We are met by two wonderful super lovely most incredible teachers who are a rarity- in they not only love kids, but love to teach and both are fantastic at it! How can I be so sure? My daughter comes home with an excitement about what she has learned, and what she is about to accomplish in learning. She isn't ever upset or discouraged by her teachers - I love them! We meet.
I pull up a little chair, which is perfect timing to keep me in check with the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. YES! My butt fits ; ) However, if I wanna fit in the spring, I need to be pacing myself this winter!
I learn about her reading skills, her math skills, her excitement for art and her compassion for her friends. She is doing exceedingly well and shining like a bright North Star as she learns and works at a level that is a bit above her, but both teachers feel is a good "challenge" for her. I agree. Sis bores easy so to have that little bit of work to achieve is a good thing for her.
The teachers share some of her writing, how it looked in the beginning and how it is looking now. Oh her penmanship is beautiful. I love that she enjoys putting a pencil to paper and she enjoys writing as well. Her favorite subject for writing, is her love of family. (AWE!) It warmed my heart to see page after page of how she adores her family, admires her brother and yes indeed, she does find her momma funny! To have shared in her short nine years what is most important, FAMILY- It made my momma heart fill with pride.
I received a report card for which is was sparkling with As and a B. SO proud of my daughter and the pride she takes in doing her "job" and doing it so well.
On Sunday I spoke with my son, who is a freshman at the College Of Idaho - GO YOTES! I don't pressure him about homework or grades, accomplishments or otherwise. My general questions is most often "How are you?" and "How are things going?" Blake has always been rather independent. Much like his sister after school the drill was "do you have homework, how about we work on those spelling words" aside from that, as he went through school he had an independence about him and a pride in doing the job and doing it well. The best he could. I recall once him hiding a paper from me because he didn't do so well. I of course found it and questioned him, asking why he threw it away? He replied "I didn't want you to get mad at me". I never had recalled getting mad, or ever needing to, so the comment really came as a shock to me. Come to learn through conversation, he was working so hard because he felt that I would become upset if he didn't get "A's or B's". We had a long talk that afternoon about pride in your work. About ownership and doing your best and about the gift of being SO smart. (My children, their momma is not genius material!) I explained to Blake that I wouldn't be upset if he received a C if he's really worked hard to earn it. And I wouldn't be upset if he failed at something, as long as he had tried he very best. I explained my expectations for him were because he is so smart, he is such a hard worker and he has all of the capabilities of receiving good grades. It was a good conversation to share and one which should have happened long before the paper he was so "un proud of" came along. It had me questioning myself as a mom, are my expectations too high? After going to conference after conference and hearing teachers say he has ability and he uses it, I didn't believe it was my expectations, but our understanding - he was/is capable. ** I was pleasantly encouraged when he shared on the phone this weekend he continues to remain an A, high B student YEAH BLAKE!
Now for as much as I'd like to think I have anything to do with my children and their accomplishments. I know I have very little. I have simply instilled in them, if you are going to go, never go only half way. If you are going to do something, be the very best YOU can be at it. If you wish to achieve, you must work hard. Never hesitate to challenge yourself and always appreciate those who help along the way. Have pride in yourself, your choices and your work. If you are proud of what you are doing, you will do exceedingly well. And they do!
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
God blessed me with two very independent, smart, compassionate and driven children. It is through my children that I find myself working harder, wanting to achieve more and putting great pride into my work, and in myself. SO blessed to have such gifts in my life who teach me daily. *I love being their momma!