A Pre-year 2013 ender reflection

I am now a mother. A mother of three in fact. And I now know what my mother underwent having three kids and all. I don't remember complaining about her (or about my father as well) for not having time with us because she was or they were a working Mom/Parents after all.

But not because we are not complaining means that we are OK with it. And I've gone through it, so I think I know, in a way, how my kids feel.That is why, since I am encountering the same problem as hers, I decided to do something about it. Nope, I didn't resign or quit. I just did some extra itsy-bitsy tiny-winy efforts.

My kids goes to school from Monday until Friday. And I go to work on Saturday until Wednesday. Meaning if they are at home, I am not and if I am, they are not. So it is difficult for us to spend quality time together.

So I made out a plan.

Monday and Tuesday after work, since my husband is not working, we spend quality time. Not really big. Just eating out, going to mall, walk in the woods, visiting street of Paris, just the small stuff. Just making a moment for them to have a conversation with us and us, hearing how their days went  or re-hearing stories about school, friends, any circumstances about their life or anything under the sun.

 

And on Friday, since its one of my days off, I decided to volunteer to accompany the class of my son to go to the gym which is a few minutes walk from school and stay with that class for three hours. It gives so much pleasure for my son to see me for himself every Friday. I know, I can see his blinding smile every time. 

And once a month I also accompany the class of my youngest daughter to go either to the "ludotheque" or "mediatheque" or even just to anywhere else. Although I am not sure if she's as happy as his brother, because she's not showing it. She's very different. 

And on Wednesday after work, I accompany my eldest to go to the " conservatoir de la musique" for her guitar lessons and walk with her going home. (I confess, this year I had a hard time spending quality time with my eldest and I won't make excuses for
it. But I promise that I will do better next year.)

Every opportunities that arises, I grab it. Like if the school ask if there is a parent who can accompany them to the an excursion in the forest and I am available, it will be my hands waiving to say, "pick me, pick me." I don't want to be a stage mother but what can I do, I need to create opportunities for myself to be there for my kids.

Small efforts, small gestures, tiring, yes because I spend mostly the days that I should be resting doing something else. But that something else is doing the best thing for my kids. And those best things made them smile.

Here are some collages of happy days this 2013.

As what I always believe in : We create our own happy memories and it's those happy memories that creates who we become as a person. - Romela Pambid