Ever have one of those days while raising your kids, that you feel like you might be creating monsters?? Second guessing all the parenting decisions that you make?? I had a bit of that this afternoon. My kids were grating on every nerve. I am sure my headache was making everything they did, much more exaggerated and exasperating. While they were outside playing I had myself a good cry, took a deep breath and resolved to have a good and productive night.
The kids had been looking forward to the start of the new "Survivor" series. Part of my plan, after feeding them a good health meal, was to spend time with them. We could all watch Survivor. By 8:00, they were all calm, ready for bed, of course not ready to go to bed, as the long awaited first episode was going to be on. You can just imagine their sighs, when first they were going to have to listen to George W. update us on the current status of the War on Terrorism. I figured that it would be good for them to hear, since I feel they need to be aware of what is happening in our world. I do not want them oversaturated with news, but I do not want them to be totally sheltered from the realities either. They did not complain too much about watching the President's speech. As a matter of fact for quite a while it kept their interest, all except the youngest one anyway. It may have kept their interest longer than mine. Their big concern was if he kept talking I would send them to bed, before they got to watch Survivor, or before it was show was over. I have to admit, that thought had crossed my mind more than once. As for the President's speech, I think they did stayed focused longer than I did. I kept thinking about the things I still needed to do before the night was through, like dinner dishes. I went out to the kitchen figuring, I could keep an ear and an eye tuned to the TV, which was in a straight line across the house. I heard Bush talking about the Afghani children. I heard him ask for every family to send one dollar for those children. I heard him give the address. Send the money right to the White house. That sounded impressive, important enough to headquarter this relief funding right in the White House, not at some agency down the street or across town. The most impressive part of the talk going on across my house, I did not hear. As the children listened to the President, Brian's heart was moved. He said to Emily and Michael, that he thought that they should donate part of their $25.00 grass cutting money, that they had earned this month, to the children in Afghanistan. Emily replied, that if she had her way, she would donate it all. Brian then ask Michael what he thought of the idea. Michael replied that, he didn't care, "that would be fine" by him. That quick it was settled. My children determined they would take their money, all $25.00 of it, and donate it. Brian eager to follow through with this plan said to Emily, "I'll get a paper and pencil and you can write down the address where he (the President) said to send it." Emily told Brian not to worry. "I already have it memorized," she said. It is as good as done, they know what they are doing with their next "paycheck."
Part of the conversation I heard, after Brian came out to the kitchen where I was doing dishes, and told me of their plan. I took a deep breath, and a peace flooded over me. Maybe as a parent, I am doing something right!!! |
