Back To Reality

//////////Your vacation is over and now you have to deal with life!

The life of a rookie parent.  You get caught up in the life of the PTA.  They say, it helps your kid value education. Well, if you only have one kid you can't really leave it to chance can you?  If you are a stay at home mom you can't really justify not being involved.  But if this is your first, and worse yet, your only, this is your only chance!

I have a problem with saying no.   I have read the books. I could give you and anyone else a lecture on boundaries.  Can I institute such things in my life?  Maybe, but most likely not.

I have volunteered in the classroom.  It really is perfect for knowing the whose, whats, and whys of your child's education.  But here are some warnings....

If possible, be the co-room mom (unless your are a control freak)
Choose opportunities, as my sister advised, "offer the most reward for the least effort"
Don't assume because someone has a kid they are normal
Always know your boundaries and volunteer for things you enjoy

Don't get me wrong...being a volunteer is very important to you and your kid.  If you want to maintain that as a mother you are " omniscient all knowing" then you had better do your homework.

I unwittingly volunteered for the day after Halloween.....ROOKIE MISTAKE! But then again, that can buy you time off.  I know I had taken a while to recover!  It really is amazing to see what happens.  I thought the crazy behavior was all a myth or Hollywood....WRONG! There were kids writhing on the floor, kids with candy hangovers, kids spinning in circles on the floor, Sugar is a powerful drug!  God help those poor teachers!  There has got to be a special place in heaven for those teachers.  I believe it will be filled with silence!

I also got recruited to the Daddy Daughter Dance.  I guess this is a big deal.  I know my husbands's goal is to arrive late and leave early.  But I now understand that this is like a Prom?!

I never took a prom seriously in my life! I guess this puts me at a disadvantage.  But the key to being successful in such a situation is to do what you are good and passionate at and it can be a success.

I guess child rearing is not only about rearing a decent kid. Equipped to deal with life's  idiosyncrasies, but dealing with your own.   If you cannot model it, you cant teach it.

No one tells ya about how hard it will be, how intimidating, how raw this experience is.  It is just like they say "misery enjoys company".  Being a parent is the hardest thing you will do.  It is the biggest challenge that you will personally face, and the biggest challenge your relationship will face.  Those who are in it,  will not give you the details until you have made that blood pact. Even after you have...I cannot guarantee they will let you know it all until the situation comes.  I believe some of it comes from the grace of God that you just don't remember and some of it comes from some secret society. B.S..

My sister gave me the best advice, get a moms group right away.  She was right.  Because it takes a village not to LOOSE YOUR MIND!  She also said, get friends with older kids for another perspective.  You know the friends with kids that you enjoy seeing and YOU KNOW THOSE  WITH KIDS YOU TALK ABOUT....choose wisely who you seek for advice.  Parenting is about finding your way and humbling yourself to learn.

Having and raising a kid is a blur.  It is like naked and afraid and you would not have signed up had you known.  But still, the reward is great.  You need to raise a decent kid to make a difference.  You also have a kid to realize how right your folks were and develop  a new sense of respect, forgiveness and healing with in your own mom and dad relationship.

Life is full of "I will never do that", "I cant believe"  ....but until you have walked a mile in their shoes.

Parenting is the hardest and most important thing you will do.  It will fill your heart with the most love you can imagine, break you heart like never before, instill fear and insecurities you never imagined, and develop the most amazing relationships you never thought possible,

Go forth, be brave, make mistakes, be willing to admit you are wrong. It is ok!  The hardest part is to enjoy the trials, treasure the moments and believe this is your calling and it will be ok!

From my lips to Gods Ears!!!!