Day 31

Something learned:

Over the past year and a half, I have determined that the kid's learning situation is very similar to my own when I was her age. However, unlike my parents, who basically left it up to the school system to handle it, I have taken a much more proactive approach in educating myself on typical characteristics and symptoms, various approaches and potential outcomes. It's at times overwhelming and frightening, but I have found strong communities online with many other parents in similar circumstances, and feel like I've learned a lot by listening to their stories. I learned that with the information that is available nowadays, I can be an expert and advocate. 

I wonder though, what sort of difference it makes. Would she be intellectually and emotionally stronger and healthier than me? Would she be better poised to take advantage of her opportunities? Would she accomplish more in life? Would she successfully navigate through all of society's pitfalls, prejudices and obstacles? Or maybe she will turn out pretty on par with me, but all this might be what I need to do for that to happen, because I can't just rely on sheer luck that her path will end up as smooth as mine was. I'm not really willing to take that chance.


Today I was grateful for:

1. Learning that where I live doesn't have the worst air quality and that our family's choice to go electric makes a difference
2. Getting Christmas gifts wrapped
3. Working at a place where the employees are willing to be anonymously generous. The lounge is completely filled with gifts for charity. Brought a tear to my eye, it did.
4. Kiddo finishing the remaining of her handmade gift
5. Figuring out the remaining gifts that I need to buy for family

A hope:

I want to learn to live with less stuff. I know it bugs my husband that I own so much, but I struggle with figuring out what I don't need to own. I'll keep trying though.

Day 10

Today I was grateful for:

1. Being able to see the irony in the fact that while my own teachers struggled with every report card to find a new and creative way to express that I was too quiet (self-possessed, needs to participate more, good listener etc) my kid apparently suffers from the completely opposite problem of constantly talking in class. Sigh.
2. The opportunity to the do the Angel Tree project at work again this year. I like buying gifts for specific people, and my kid enjoys helping pick things out for less fortunate kids.
3. The kid learning how to cook dinner, and being able to do almost everything, except carrying the heavy pot.
4. Toilet paper being cheap enough, that the kid dropping the entire roll in the (unflushed!) potty while trying to change it by herself didn't drive me TOO insane.
5. The kid reading to ME at bedtime after I told her she'd worn me out today.

Something learned:

A parenting class I took a while ago had the fundamental message that a child's primary emotional goal is to achieve belonging and significance. I think that learning this has empowered me so much in how I relate to the kid. It helps cut down on a lot of frustration as she is consulted and kept in the loop about family decisions (though she sometimes has trouble compromising gracefully)

She has developed a good sense of our family's values and how they affect our decisions, e.g. why Mommy or Daddy work more than other parents might, why we don't spend frivolously, how we make our food choices, etc. Perhaps it's just a big plot on our part to instill our own values in the kid, in the guise of decision making exercises. *conspiratorial wink*

I came across a Facebook discussion today where some people were convinced that any child-led philosophy is a recipe for disaster -- e.g. pre-pubescent alcohol and illegal drugs, and that children need coercion to do what's good for them. I think those adults give kids far too little credit. Do they not believe that they are able to pass on their values, or to give their children the tools to make good choices? Or that young humans simply are not able to overcome biology and their lack of brain maturity before the age of 25? Or perhaps, it's just a straw man fallacy at work.

A hope:

I want to publish a book some day. Preferably fiction, but if not, then any subject I'm qualified to write about, I suppose.

Day 2

Today I was grateful for:

1. Mark S. gave me a screen protector for my phone. Now it's completely protected!
2. Finding a winter camp for the kid to attend since I have to work during her winter break.
3. A fantastic evening ice skating with my kid

4. Having Google Glass to be able to record the kid skating and having my hands free to catch her.
5. Yummy dinner at Benihana with my birthday $30 off coupon (with requisite embarassing song from the servers)

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." - Thornton Wilder

Something learned:
As I had to tell the kid as she stood back up on the ice. "Everyone falls. It's up to you to decide if that is enough to make you quit, or if you're going to work hard enough to get better."

A dream for today:
To someday sing in a chorus.

Day 1

Today, I was grateful for:
1. Running into my friend Michelle L. at lunch. It was really nice talking to someone who gets some of the things you say.
2. Free birthday cupcake from Sprinkles that was really tasty.
3. A relaxing family day at Hancock Park, all for the great price of FREE!
4. Many many birthday wishes, I feel so loved... Especially on Facebook.
5. Husband and kid straightening up the house while I got to relax a little.

Something learned:
The kid was introduced to watercolor pencils today, and her first attempt was disappointing enough that she was ready to quit. I surprised myself by successfully calming her with an explanation about how mistakes are ok, especially when learning something new. I pointed out how awesome it was that she was learning to use a new art medium.

A dream:
I have always loved the ocean. Some day I want to stay at the Jules Verne Underwater Lodge in Florida. Spend the night at the bottom of the ocean, looking out at the fish... sounds like so much fun.