No, really. Do it. Right now. In the comments. You think I’m kidding? I’m not.
You see, recently I was talking to my mom about a woman I know (no, not you) who tends to toot her kids’ horn a lot. And you know what she said? “Well, we all think our kids are pretty wonderful, don’t we?” And you know what I thought? “We do!“
But here’s the thing. When we share accomplishments — in conversation, on Facebook, or even on a blog (who, me?) — it can come off as bragging. Goodness knows, there are hard days we laugh at together. It’s perfectly acceptable to vent about how hard motherhood can be. So why not shout from the blog comments when things are going well, too?
One of the greatest things about being a parent is feeling heart-bursting pride in our kids. So let’s celebrate that — cheer on each other, and our kids — here and now.
What are your kids really good at? What have they accomplished recently? What do they do that fills your chest with that feeling that you must be doing something very right? Because you are, mamas. You are.
after school, the school sells Popsicles. and with the weather being so incredibly, hot, the boys are going every day. For the last 2 days, Seamus has been splitting his double popsicle in two to share with a friend who did not get one 😉
and Finn – that kid may act like a maniac at home, but he is apparently and absolute angel at school – it surprises me, but makes me proud that he’s such a good kid when I’m not around. 🙂
Ah, Seamus. That’s one sweet, generous friend.
And Finn? Awesome. It is great to know that our kids actually internalize all the stuff we work so hard to teach them when they’re out in the world.
Rock on, Hoffmans!
The little things get me. Bravery in the face of a new school for first grade was this week’s point of pride: http://www.flotsamofthemind.com/2013/09/brave.html.
Thanks for asking. 🙂
I find myself complaining about the negative things (my previous blog post was about my inability to effectively discipline the same child of whom I am so proud) but don’t often enough share the positive.
Thank you so much for sharing your great news. I loved your post!
Awww I need to read this. I complain about one of them in particular too much, but yesterday when I was down with a migraine, he made dinner for himself and his sibs (cereal), got dessert for everyone, and read books to BOTH sibs for me. And the boys didn’t fight once all evening. They can be pretty great.
That’s awesome. Not the migraine part, but the other part. I, too, had a migraine and took my kids to Rubios to pick up take out. Their behavior won’t make this post, I’m afraid. I hope you feel better and thank you SO much for sharing this great story!
My older son was the only kid in his preschool that knew everyone’s name. He is infatuated with his baby brother and leaps on him first thing in he morning and always kisses him
Good night.
And my baby boy is a sweet mellow baby just
Like his big bro and slept on the way to AND from
LA today- 1 1/2 hour rides each way.
Sweet. Sweet. Sweet. How lucky you are to be the mom of those two boys!
my 5 yr. old daughter announced last night, “I’m so happy being who I am.” I hope that feeling and confidence stays with her forever. And it gave me the biggest smile on the inside, thinking “Phew, I guess we’re doing something right.”
That may be one of the best things I’ve ever heard. You ARE doing a lot of things right!
I have a son who is an absolute amazing drummer, at age 9. He doesn’t really have any idea how good he is yet. But he rocks. And when he performed in the school talent show last year and everyone in the school hooted and applauded I nearly sobbed. He’s a nervous kid who has a hard time believing in himself. It was amazing to hear and see the support of his peers for his truly awesome performance.
And I have a daughter who is compassionate and generous and patient and just yesterday told me that she moved her seat in music class to sit beside a friend who was by herself because she’s in a wheelchair and couldn’t sit with the other kids. Heart. Burst.
And I have ANOTHER daughter, my youngest, who is 4 and takes on the world in a way that is so self-motivated I can hardly handle it. She can tie her own shoes, write every letter of the alphabet in upper and lowercase, ride a bike w/o training wheels, make cookies nearly unassisted, and do just about anything else that occurs to her. Because it simply never occurs to her that she can’t learn to do something.
Me = one lucky mama. Thanks for the opportunity to brag. 🙂
You ARE one lucky mama. I love all these wonderful words you’ve shared about your kids. Thanks for taking the time to brag. They — and you — deserve it!
WoooHooo! Here I go: Ian, my oldest fought his way through a rotten attitude toward “school” to earn a college degree and started Law School three weeks ago!
Andrew, a go-getter, is slowly recovering from a broken heart, and is exploring all the interests that had been put on hold. Now he’s being noticed and is going to be profiled by #besomebody!
Eric, my baby, returned safely from a year long tour with the US Army in Afghanistan and has returned to college on the GI bill! (You can read about his deployment in my book: The Charm!)
Whew! I feel great!
Lori
this is so great – love that you’ve given the space for this…
can i stretch it a little and brag about my friend’s kids? Running a series on my blog called ‘How to raise your children as world changers’ where i invited some parents of young children to share some of their practices and activities they do to hopefully help see their children raised as those who will really make a difference and some excellent stories have come out: http://brettfish.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/how-to-raise-your-children-as-world-changersintro
keep on, you are doing some great stuff
love brett fish
Very cool, thanks for sharing!