My hope for my children

Sometimes, it feels a little bit like I live in a time warp.

Last night I went to sleep with a new born baby, as a first time mother, nervous, overwhelmed and in awe of the life Stephen and I had created.

This morning I woke up 5 and a half years later, with two kids who go to preschool, think for themselves, and have wonderful idea's on what they should eat, play with, and do with their day.

Time flies doesn't it?

I worry about the world my children will be raised in.
I worry about the world my children will raise their children in.

I worry about my competence as a parent, and as an example of how a woman should be.

I hope my children always love me, and respect me, even when they don't like me.

I want my children to be good people. 

To be strong, kind, loving, independent, confident, honest people.

I want them to think for themselves, formulate their own ideas, fail sometimes, learn the hard lessons and build character.

I want them to understand the value of hard work, how to earn their keep and pay for themselves. 

I want them to learn to apologize, admit when they are wrong, to never be too proud to say sorry.

I want them to live their dreams, be successful and to truly find happiness.

I want them to be proud of their heritage and understanding of others.
I want them to be open to new experiences and enjoy all the first's life has to offer.

I will say no to them. 

I won't debate with them ... right now. 

Because they are 3 and 5, and I'm right.

When they whine and tell me "I want to do that" sometimes I will tell them " I don't really care what you want" .

Not because I don't care about their wants, it's important to learn that just because you want something, doesn't mean you'll get it. 

I'll focus on their needs.

And whining is annoying.

I'll try my hardest not to pressure them into do things just because I want them to.

But, when they decide to play a sport, or take music lessons, I will make them stick to it for a couple of years and not just give up. 

I will help them learn the value of commitment, help them learn the importance of their word and help them understand that doing things you don't always want to do, will build character.
I want them to be humble when they win, and gracious when they lose.

We will teach them the value of the dollar. 

The importance of paying tithing.

The satisfaction of saving money to buy something you want.

We will also teach them as children, just because you have the money to buy something, does not mean you can buy whatever you want (M15+ video games for a 10 year old? NO).

Sometimes, they'll think I'm old fashioned, and my values are old school, and I won't care.

I will teach my kids to read, and hope they develop a love for it much as Stephen and I do.

I will teach them to use their imagination, and to enjoy being the age they are.

I will encourage them to have real life role models. 

Their father, grandfathers, uncles, good men who have real life influence over them.

Sometimes my kid's aren't going to like me.

In fact sometimes I think they'll actually believe they hate me. 

Sometimes, I'm going to make decisions for them that make them feel justified in their feelings of hatred. 

I will always put their safety first, and make decisions based on what I feel is right, and if they don't like me because of it, I'm okay with that. 

I'm here to be a parent, to raise my children to learn right from wrong, and then trust them to make good decisions ... when they turn 18  ...or maybe 30?

I will teach them to be accountable, for their words and their actions.


Some advice from my Grandma on endurance, words of wisdom I hope to impart on my children: You keep going because you have to. What, do you think someone else is going to do it for you?

In short, my hope for my children is love.

That they love each other, love themselves, and love life.