Their Childhood Versus Mine

I need to record their reactions when I tell my children about my childhood. Seriously, they look at me like I have 3 heads.

Wash dishes *by hand*
Do all the laundry, including iron and put away
Change my brother's cloth diapers
Then wash them out
Babysit my baby brother without my mom around
Vacuum all rooms
Walk to school without an adult
Cook
No air conditioner
No cartoons on demand
No computer

My childhood was way different than their childhood is. It is just interesting to note the differences.  Time and technological advances changed so much.

Oh, they cannot fathom their nana spanking or screaming! She is a sweet lady with them filled with hugs and makeup.

I am thankful for my mom being strict. I am thankful she taught me how to take care of a home so it wasn't such a shock when I grew up and did it alone.

My kids have a list of chores to get done on a regular basis. They often grumble about it (as I did as a kid) but it is good for them to have some responsibility. Responsibility doesn't just magically appear when they turn 18 and leave home. It has be encouraged, nurtured, taught. Each family has their own way to trying to accomplish this. Each parent hopes they are choosing the right way for their children to grow into kind, responsible adults.

I hope they will realize one day just how much love and care we put into raising them. I hope they understand why we made them work hard at school and taught them how to take care of a home. I hope they see how much we worked on our marriage to make sure we provided a stable home for them. I hope we are modeling a decent marital relationship for them.

 

These four have my heart and I only want the absolute best for them.

 

Thank you, Dax

Thank you, my sweet Dax, for teaching me that there is more than one right way of doing things.

 

 

Thank you for teaching me to seek out happiness and find joy.

 

 

Thank you for showing me to step out of my comfort zone.

 

Thank you for helping me find smiles as we navigate these food allergies.

 

Thank you for teaching me to look for adventure in a day of play.

 

Breastfeeding is Bliss

I had my first baby when I was 16 and knew I wanted to nurse my sweet baby.

I knew no one who nursed their baby. I do not even remember seeing a picture of anyone breastfeeding.

I read about it in a book and they talked about it in birthing class. That was my limited knowledge of the whole thing.

I had no idea it could become a controversial thing. I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

I just decided to go with it and see what I could do.

It was the most amazing thing.

It was just so natural.

I was in awe that my body could grow a tiny human being and then nourish him fully.

It was more than nourishment though.

Nursing my babies brought them comfort when they were upset, calmed them when they were overwhelmed, brought smiles and joy to tiny faces.

I loved our bonding times over nursing my sweet babies.

I am very blessed that I was able to nurse all 4 of my children.

There is nothing better in the world that seeing your newborn baby smile with content and joy as they satisfy their tummy.

Each of my children nursed for different amounts of time. Each came with their own set of difficulties. I am still nursing my 28-month-old son even though I swore 24 months was my maximum nursing limit!

Funny how babies change their mamas.