Why do we women feel like we have to prove that we can handle anything and everything? I have been struggling with this lately. I have so many hats that I am wearing right now, and instead of focusing on the joy of being involved with the things I like, I have been focusing on where I might be not doing well enough. I know that I am doing the best I can, and that I am not perfect. Logically I know that giving my best is enough, and that's really all I can do. But I feel like if I don't EXCEL or stand out in every area, then I'm a failure.
I think that's partly my personality, but it's also just part of being a woman/mom. We, for some reason, feel like we need to make everyone happy.
I'm glad I figured out that was going on, and nipped it in the bud, because I was getting *very* drained!!
Back to enjoying the holiday season and all that entails...
On a parenting note - I am looking for preschool-type activities or ideas to do with Nat in the new year. Any ideas? I am off of Waldorf, although I do like some of the concepts inherent in that school of thought. But I think I have decided why it didn't feel like a good fit to me - there is something unnatural about the extent Waldorf goes to be natural. Yeah, wrap your head around that for a moment! :) It should feel organic, and it didn't to me. I'm glad it works for some people, but going so far out of the way to re-create a "natural" atmosphere felt... unnatural! I'm all for more time spent outdoors, but we don't really have woods around here to traipse through. We have a sand and water table out back - and that works! And a slide. Both of which are plastic, but that's what we have, and time spent outdoors is time spent outdoors. Also, my daughter loves to read. She looks at books on her own, and if hubby or I sit down to read her one book, she wants us to read 50. I am not going to stifle that b/c Waldorf thinks reading shouldn't start until 6. Every child is different, and to be truly "natural", you have to do what is right for you and your child. Anything else feels forced. Again, just my opinion. :)
So I am going to incorporate some of the Montessori and Waldorf stuff into the house, but need some activity ideas as well. I guess you could say I'm homeschooling for a semester :) but it's really just giving some structure to our day and more activities for Nat.
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3 comments:
I don't know about being a mom, but as a girl, I know my mother raised me to believe that nothing was more important than what other people thought of you. So if you don't excel at everything, someone will be judging you. So that's my reason. I have real trouble overcoming my upbringing.
Being a Mom of three kids I can tell you that not everything will work or "fit" with every kid. Finding things that Nat enjoys and can excel at is the key. If its Library story time, craft time, play group, gymnastics, anything. Confidence is very important and the key is building that confidence is great at this age. Allowing her to accomplish things and be proud of herself will making schooling much easier. Trust me having a kid that walks into an environment thinking "I ROCK!" makes everything go much smoother. As important as learning ABC's and 123's is knowing that she can do anything she sets her mind to is priceless.
I waver between paralysis because there is so much to do (I just don't know where to start and being so busy, I just cannot sit down. I feel guilty for each one because if I am busy playing then I feel like I should focus on getting things done or if I am so busy doing things then I am not playing enough. Balance is hard to find.
It's tough!
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