I was thinking about Andrew and the ways he is willing to take Bobo to the water, figure out his schedule and how he can work Bobo into it, pursue which board he needs, make calls, talk to people, and on all in an effort to support Bobo in his water pursuits.
Andrew can relate from an athlete perspective. He grew up as an athlete with a focus of basketball and I believe he understands the mentality of what is required and the focus that is involved when taking on a sport that you are passionate about.
I so appreciate this about Andrew and how he cares for Bobo in this way as a dad and encourager.
I also had the thought that parenting really is a "once go around" gig. We only have his window of time our kids needing us in these ways. Sure, they will always need us in degrees but not in the way or even close to the ways they need us now. When you are in the middle of it, the need can feel unending and relentless which translates to a lack if urgency and a belief we have all the time in the world and we can let the moments pass.
But the reality is, it is a short season our kids will really need us.
Then this led me to my last thought. Homeschooling. This is one of the reasons to be home with my kiddos. I can say on paper why I homeschool but at times it doesn't feel as though I can articulate it well. And the tenor of our days often cannot paint a shinny picture of evidence for homeschooling. But I have felt the pull and desire to continue. And when I was re-reminded so vividly that this time is fleeting, something clicked that I want to pour into our kids and I want this to be my full time job for this season because it will end.
The need is so great in helping them each navigate so many things. From Cambria on how to say a word, sit on the potty, re-direct her from hitting her brother and sister, to figuring out a puzzle, and just follow her around for fun so she can be in charge. And Bobo, to reflect how his behavior affects others, to help him get through his dreaded book work, listen as he explains his different surf boards, and watch a surf video with him. And Dev, discussions on relationships, how to be a generous leader, push her to be diligent, to be kind with her bother, and allow her to stay up and watch a show even though I want a quiet house.
They all need so much and such different things from me. Often, I can feel the overwhelming weight of it. But I can also pause and say, I have some days to fulfill some of this because we are home together. I am still trying to figure out when to push the schedule and when to allow two hours of our time to be taken on a project I didn't plan but there is learning happening and cooperation. To trust the process, oh to trust the process!! And to ask, 'Did my kids learn something? Enjoy the day?
(dev trying out the OC1)
I pulled up a quote I had read a few days ago. I guess this was on my brain already when I had the "ah ha" while brushing my teeth.
Said so well by Jennifer Pepito,
"Parenting can be scary. One ways I've worked through the many options on my parenting journey is knowing my end goal, knowing my why. Homeschooling is one of those big, scary decisions. You can find so many reasons for and against, and opinions vary on its efficacy. Efficacy has never been my big why, though, and while my children have done well once they've begun college classes, the chance I've had to spend with them, and to develop a relationship with them has been the great motivator for me. If you are trying to figure out school for next year and standing on the precipice of a big decision, take a minute to think about your end goal. A good education isn't that hard to come by, but time with our kids is finite and fleeting, and worth preserving."
I want to embrace that the time is fleeting and thus embrace time well spend with Deveraux, Bobo, and Cambria.
And remember they will not always look up at me and say, "Mom, look!" "Mom, can you come here?" "Mom, can you help me?" "Mom, I need...." "Mom, can I talk with you privately?
And I have the opportunity to say, "I'm coming", and "yes". and "wow, so cool, and "I can think of nothing I would rather do than help you."
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