Parenting, is something I signed up for when I had kids. In my mind "Parenting" is a lofty word that means things like, making sure the kids don't kill themselves on the power sockets, get educated in decent schools and participate in extra-curricular activities. "Parenting" is showing them the world and teaching them to survive in it, much, I guess like what a Lioness does for her cubs.
What I was not completely prepared for was a slightly smaller subset inside "Parenting" that I call "Mothering". Some would call it Nurturing, some days this is easy to do, and somedays it is Just So Hard.
Mothering is listening to everything your 5 year old says and responding appropriately.
Mothering is comforting the 2 year old every time she slips and falls.
Mothering is laughing at the same jokes every time.
Mothering is getting more food for a child 20 minutes after lunch was cleaned up. Every Day.
Mothering is holding a child who gets up and down and up and down from your lap 20 times in 5 minutes in a church meeting that you would like to listen to.
Basically what I'm saying is, it's being constantly annoyed and putting up with it.
What I was not completely prepared for was a slightly smaller subset inside "Parenting" that I call "Mothering". Some would call it Nurturing, some days this is easy to do, and somedays it is Just So Hard.
Mothering is listening to everything your 5 year old says and responding appropriately.
Mothering is comforting the 2 year old every time she slips and falls.
Mothering is laughing at the same jokes every time.
Mothering is getting more food for a child 20 minutes after lunch was cleaned up. Every Day.
Mothering is holding a child who gets up and down and up and down from your lap 20 times in 5 minutes in a church meeting that you would like to listen to.
Basically what I'm saying is, it's being constantly annoyed and putting up with it.
3 comments:
Amen!
thank you for putting into words why I am not enjoying my job today. Exactly.
I am going to quote you because you're right.
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