POWER SOURCE

Chloe's seeking power from the world, Caleb's power lately derives from an evil anger monster, and Conrad uses his power to punch any face that will welcome it. She tries to wear short skirts I'm constantly telling her to pull down, Caleb clenches his teeth and burrows his brow in his eye sockets with a grunt, and the wee one giggles upon each punch. 

So many sources invade our children on a daily basis: society, emotions, innate behaviors. And by the end of the day, after teaching how to present yourself, how to cope, and how to behave for over 9 hours to ears that hear 1% of what you say, what energy do we have left to keep going?

I propose, us parents, need a higher power to help us through. This is one reason I rely on God. His energy keeps me going right when I ask. When I feel I have nothing left, He is there.

Today's Prayer: "Lord, as You know, Conrad's very into cords and sockets, but he plugs the USB cord into the light socket and the computer cord into his belly button. (Clearly a subconscious indication that his main power source is still his mommy :)). He, along with others, may be confused as to who is powering them up and keeping them going. I pray it's made clear that it is You."

WORK OF ART

My daughter texted this picture to some friends yesterday, preaching "never do art in the wind."

Isn't that what parenting is?

They are our works of art. Each new experience we offer, a brush stroke; each punishment we afford, a layer; each accomplishment they attain, a masterpiece. Their colors change moment to moment. One minute, they're red with fury, another yellow with happiness, and ending in green with envy.

Now for the wind, my mood. Am I relaxed aqua, pissed magenta, or sweet violet? I suggest the color of my mood (the strength of the wind) in response to the shade of my child (the canvas) depicts the outcome of our collective tint (unity or a paint splattered face).

 

Let's look at basic color theory: Blue, Red, Yellow. Mix 'em and get: Purple, Orange and Green. Let's say Caleb's blue and pouty and I respond in red and fed up, we get purple, the color of a deep bruise. Now, if Caleb's blue and pouty and I'm red and fed up, yet hold back my "hot air" so to speak, and respond instead in yellow sunniness, we get green the color of fresh cut grass.

My kids' colors are impulses, my colors are a choice. 

As Cher says in "Clueless" the movie, "she's like a Van Gogh, ok from far away, but up close, just a big ol' mess." I don't want a mess, I've been one. And now I know how to cope with emotion. I plan on teaching them early to do the same and by showing them by example.



Today's prayer: "Paint splattered faces aren't all they're cracked up to be. They may shock, but they're heck to clean up and can leave stains. Help me to keep my wind gentle even if I may be experiencing a hurricane inside."