Monday, October 26, 2009

Mama Drama

Confessions of a Mama Drama Queen!

When a baby starts growing in teeth it marks a major point in their growth process- they move on to the next phase-infant to baby. It's an exciting time, broken looking smiles and all...

..until they get their full set of teeth, another exciting milestone. Beautiful happy smiles emerge, crooked teeth and all...

..until they start losing their baby teeth and move on to the next phase of growth. I'm not happy or excited. A strange feeling of loss starts to emerge.

This is where I am! My daughter has a loose tooth!!! I can't explain the overwhelming feeling of sadness, denial, and loss that seems to be invading all my memories of my baby and bringing me closer to thoughts of a big girl, 'tween and teen...

Though it may seem premature on my part to have such feelings, I do!

The growing excitement of a baby's first tooth is only contradicted later by the loss of that first loose tooth.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I, Student

Before I am a teacher, I must first be the student. This is a continuous process of growing and learning for both me and my girls. This constant state of parenting will continue for as long as I want to be efficient in parenting my children. I am here to help guide them, teach them, and encourage them. So first, I must know them.

There is no “cookie cutter” way of parenting. There are useful ideas, hints, and help is always welcome, but I’ve learned that I must first discover each individual personality. Each child has their own set of "corks", their own degrees of sensitivity and individual needs.

Sometimes, I can group the girls all under the title- “my girls”, but in reality they have their own individual identity. Each girl is their own character, put forth with a different personality. When I am able to know my girls as individuals, is usually when I am most effective in teaching and taking care of them.

Isabella-Like most first born females, was born 25! Usually a nurturing, yet serious disposition…

Lex- The classic middle child. I always say I have 1, 2, 3 & 3. The twins are both considered 3! Therefore, she takes on the constant struggle between being a big girl like, Belle, and being younger like her baby sisters. Her spirit is unmatched, she rules the world…

Dani & Katie- They are our “babies”. They represent all that a child is- free spirits, which for now are vibrant and brave…

Though, each of my girls share amazing similarities and great parallels in personalities, they each encompass a wonderful uniqueness. Their similarities and differences divide as well as bring together wondrous ideas, thoughts, and great love. When I recognize each of them and appreciate the differences, is when they start to respond and accept what I am trying to teach them. I love and nurture each of them as individuals, and all as my daughters. Isabella, Alexandra, Danielle and Katherine, are my teachers…