Wonderful (and not-so-wonderful-but-necessary) Parenting Moments

Music and Latin and Bible and Math!
Oh, what a full, full day.
Puzzles and maps and chocolate and globes.
Yea, yea, yea!

We tore apart a book of mazes today and slipped each page into a plastic page protector. Good thing, too, as every maze had been completed inside of fifteen minutes. I love, love, love dry erase markers. "Here, kids, have a paper towel and wipe 'em clean!" Then we mix 'em up and they're ready to go again. (Because when you are five and four, it's always a new maze, no matter how many times you've done it before!)

It was just good, all the way around. Kitchen looks like hell, but that empty spot in the living room where the desk was moved sure does come in handy! The children are fed, the hubby has clean socks. I have fresh coffee and the house is quiet. Wow. And it's only Tuesday, you say?

Thank you all for your comments about the Carthage/geo-centricity issue. So much insight out there- y'all are just great! Rebel, I giggled until my cheeks hurt reading your comment. I have done the same thing to the boys when I've found something that just fascinated me no end and they were completely non-plussed by it all, just sat there looking at me like something was trying to escape from my head while I bobbed about, gleaming and grinning, shouting, "Isn't this NEAT?!?! LOOK!"

Well, now the boys now want to make glass. Um, I should've seen that coming. What can we use as a crucible for melting the sand? Anyone? Anyone? Please? The boys (Zorak included) are really wanting to try this! (It does sound like fun, but oh, how I'd like to actually be prepared!)

Parenting isn't a job with a clock to punch, or seasons off. It's a nonstop, ongoing, highly demanding endeavor. The benefits, such as a quiet head resting against your shoulder as you read, or the sticky otter-pop flavored kisses bestowed as your child bolts off to another activity, are certainly worthwhile and precious. Sometimes, though, the things that do not feel like benefits or blessings can be quite galvanizing to the heart of a parent, can pull you up short with a glaring reminder that even when you are too tired or whiney to feel like doing your job, you MUST.

The panic and fear that will pass through a parent like a bolt of lightning when you even think something may have happened to your child can yank you from the most self-congratulatory justificational whine fest imaginable. You must be diligent because your children are, after all, only children. They aren't statistics, and they aren't adults. They are children, and they are yours. Defend them, protect them, nurture and guide them. It's your job and nobody will do it as well as you can, if only you will. That's another benefit of parenthood.

On a related note, several bloggers have noted this article, and while it's certainly Christian-based, I think it raises some excellent points on parenthood in general.

Anyhow, we had a great day enjoying the children, and I hope you did, too. See you in the morning!

~Dy