Tuesday, February 03, 2015
Children
Mommy Time
Motherhood
Parenting
Reflections
Motherhood For Two: On Adjusting, Balancing and Learning
You may ask me and any mom, and we will tell you the same main
reason why our Mommyhood department is joyful. The answer is, our
CHILDREN.
Parenting style and communication are different for these two stages. They are almost a decade apart. So when we're together in a room, I consciously shift my tone and even the extent of my patience to both. But one thing I am mindful at all times is how I express my LOVE, admiration, and fairness to both boys. I don't want any of them to think or feel that one is more loved or that I pay more attention to the other. I know it will be a continuous process until such time when they are both mature enough to know the magic motherhood tricks I do all their growing up life.
From as early as the little one was still
in my womb and while my then seven-year old awaited his younger brother’s arrival, I
already conditioned my first-born and prepared him for the next chapter of our
family life.
I involved him every step of the way (talking and singing to the baby in the tummy, purchasing baby items, nursing, and even bathing). He welcomed his brother lovingly and it was
such a great feeling to witness how much happy it made him to see his tiny baby
brother.
Forward to when the baby moved to toddler stage, while teaching
the younger one how to walk, talk, sing, the ABCs, 123s, colors, and simple
manners, I was teaching a different set of values, lessons, chores, money
handling, and friendship matters to the older one.
Today, both of them are undergoing transition in their childhood
stages. Kuya is entering adolescence in
less than two years and the younger one will start his formal schooling in
June. I am preparing the psyches of both
my boys at the same phase and (hopefully) in the same amount of attention and
time.
I may have gone through what I am going through now with the
younger one because of my parenting experiences with his Kuya, but it’s still
different because they have different personalities. So it’s like a totally new experience all
over again with the little one.
FOCUSING ON MY (almost)
ADOLESCENT SON
Presently, I teach a different set of lessons to the older
boy. It now focuses on topics about
serious studying habits, household chores, attraction to the opposite sex,
relationships, developing his skills and talents, and being more matured. I also talk to him about love for family, responsibilities,
priorities, consequences of actions, value of trust and current events. I was told by a parenting guru, that at the
child’s age of 10-11, my clock is already ticking until my older son stops
wanting me around, starts doing more activities outside family and wants to be
with other people more such as his friends or maybe a crush, a special
girl. That NOW is the time for me to
make my last hurrah in making sure he’s ready for the next stage in his life.
Just the thought of this is breaking my heart. But I am preparing myself already for that
stage too. I cannot stop my children
from growing, from discovering things for themselves, and exploring what’s out
there for them.
LEARNING ALONG THE WAY
You see, as I make an effort every single day to be a present parent
to them and intentionally teach them only the good and practical things about
life, I also learn from them and the experience at the same time. It’s a cycle of loving, teaching and
learning. I want to share so much and as
much as I can to my children because like any parent of a child, I want my
children to grow up as fine young men who are God-fearing, kind, intelligent, talented,
smart, compassionate, honest, honorable, responsible and hopefully as good
leaders in their respective fields. I
want them to be able to contribute to the community, to the society, and to the
country in their own little ways. It
starts by having a good heart and a strong will to make a difference.
Any parent aspires that for their children. As I work through achieving at least half of
what my dreams are for them, of course I have to self-study, I have to learn
from the success stories of others, and most importantly learn from the dynamics
and uniqueness of my children individually.
I have to learn how to adjust to their different personalities, moods,
skills, intellectual capacities, talents and every else that make up their
individualities. In learning from my
children, I would be able to fulfill my mother role to them accordingly.
MOTHERHOOD AND PARENTING ARE BLESSINGS
I love my children so much and if you're a parent too, I can just imagine how you always wept tears of joy whenever your child says "I love you" back, kisses and hugs you or reaches a milestone. It's pure joy, an indescribable amount of internal happiness, when you always think of and prioritize what's best for your child. It's a blessing to witness these gifts of God grow and learn with you.
They will not be with us for as long as we want them under our care, but by surrounding them with LOVE and teaching them well, our children will make us proud and will forever make our hearts full and happy.
~These are the adjustments I make and wonderful experiences I have each day. Do you have more than one child? What are your thoughts on motherhood and parenting? I'd love to know, please do share. ~
4 comments
aww... such a beautiful post, Louise. Motherhood talaga would change us....into the better. we dont have books to tell us what to do nor equations to follow. we just go along the way.
ReplyDeleteWomen go through the most selfless moment in their lives,as they conquer the challenges faced during "motherhood."
ReplyDeleteMOTHERHOOD is a choice you make everyday to put some else's happiness,and well being ahead of your own, to teach the hard lessons, to do the right thing even when your not sure what the right thing is, and to forgive to yourself over and over again for doing everything wrong.
Thanks so much Nerisa!! That's true, it changes us talaga, into the better, even best persons we could be. :)
ReplyDeleteHello Edralyn, I agree in all levels on putting the children's happiness first. And doing the right thing even when it breaks your heart to see the children cry because you just had to discipline them. It's a roller coaster lovely gift we have as mothers! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting my blog and leaving your wonderful comment!