Random thoughts
I've been thinking about all of the mistakes I have made as I have meandered through this thing they call motherhood. A LOT and I do mean A LOT!
One mistake I have not made was not loving my children enough. There isn't a mother on the face of this earth that has loved her children more than me. I know it.
One of the things that I have done, plagues many of us. That is mistaking over-protecting for love.
In my current avocation, I am fortunate to be an observer of college students who are just leaving home. I manage a college bookstore and it is very, very interesting. How so?
Mommy brings in "little Johnny" into the bookstore to buy his books. After all, she did register him and choose his classes, because at 18 he is still incapable of making those kinds of decisions. Doesn't SHE know what's best? (Of course, this conversation is only going on in my head...) So, little 6'2" Johnny follows her around silently, thinking this is what all the mothers do. She has his course list and finds his books, chooses them, carries them and answers any questions directed at him. She sets them on the counter, pays for them and asks me if there is enough money available on his account for him to get the extras....or should she put more on...would I call if he needs more? Oh! and Johnny needs some software.... I turn to Johnny and say, "what kind of software do you need?" Mommy gives me the answer... I look at Johnny again and ask "what kind of computer do you have?" And as his capable but surprised-to-be-asked-a-question mouth is open ready to answer... I get the reply from Supermommy! The crazy thing is, that Johnny doesn't even look annoyed. Really... I am not exaggerating! I have experienced this more than once.
I suppose I haven't gone this far.... my kids would not have allowed it. But when they were little, how many times did I prevent them from doing things because 'they might get hurt?' How many times did I accompany them to a place where they could have gone themselves? Why didn't I teach them to use the knives to cut up tomatoes sooner? If I drive them everywhere, how will they know how to travel...take the bus...the plane?
They are almost grown now... am I still hovering? ....or am I letting them use the wings I gave them?
...just some thoughts...
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Story by Story
I hardly know which story to begin with - I have so many.
This one isn't so interesting, but it begins to give a base of understanding.
Tiff was 9 and Britt was 7 when they came to live with us. We had gone through a lot to get them because we felt like they were to be in our family. The holy foster system dangled them in front of us for months and at what we thought was the very last, they said that someone else wanted them. They quickly asked us to look through the "catalog" and see who else we would like.
From the very beginning we made it clear that we wanted Tiff and Britt, so if we couldn't have them, then we won't take any. So we politely, but firmly passed up their offer. A week later we got a call saying that the other family 'passed' on them and were we still interested. We were catching on to their game. ...and oh, it WAS a game!
We were privy to where the girls lived and it just so coincidentally happened that they lived very close to us in a home where the mother warehoused foster children. Don't get me wrong - she was a kind and selfless woman, who I believe truly loved the children and what she was doing. But most of the children raised themselves. She provided protection, sustenance and a lovely home for them. They did whatever they pleased.
Mary, the foster mother, knew of our interest, so shared openly about them to us. One of the things she said to us before we got them is that my girls were very destructive. We nodded our heads and thought 'how destructive can two little girls be?' ....little did we know!
Fast forward through some of the details, to when they came to our home to live. They both instantly started destroying things. There was and still is - not a shred of value placed on anything or anyone.
Of course, we fixed up a beautiful room for them with all of their favorite things and colors. The first week they were there, one of them scaled the dresser, up to the bookcase and pulled the entire thing down on top of them! We didn't think a thing of it, but as the weeks and months went by, we knew that Mary was right about the destructiveness.
Both girls still place value on nothing. Unfortunately, that carries over into human relationships. It has shown itself in every possible way over the past 11 years. Unfortunately, the mother (me) gets the brunt of it.
If you are one of these mothers, you will know EXACTLY what I am talking about. If you are not, you will most likely be passing judgment. That's okay, I'm used to it and I understand. I used to do that BEFORE...
I really need to recommend a book before I go any further. It has been a saving grace for me:
I just reopened it the other day when the second one left home because she can't live within our boundaries. Trust me, we have very few, but just enough to keep her safe and help guide her toward a future. The book hit exactly where I was and reminded me:
I hardly know which story to begin with - I have so many.
This one isn't so interesting, but it begins to give a base of understanding.
Tiff was 9 and Britt was 7 when they came to live with us. We had gone through a lot to get them because we felt like they were to be in our family. The holy foster system dangled them in front of us for months and at what we thought was the very last, they said that someone else wanted them. They quickly asked us to look through the "catalog" and see who else we would like.
From the very beginning we made it clear that we wanted Tiff and Britt, so if we couldn't have them, then we won't take any. So we politely, but firmly passed up their offer. A week later we got a call saying that the other family 'passed' on them and were we still interested. We were catching on to their game. ...and oh, it WAS a game!
We were privy to where the girls lived and it just so coincidentally happened that they lived very close to us in a home where the mother warehoused foster children. Don't get me wrong - she was a kind and selfless woman, who I believe truly loved the children and what she was doing. But most of the children raised themselves. She provided protection, sustenance and a lovely home for them. They did whatever they pleased.
Mary, the foster mother, knew of our interest, so shared openly about them to us. One of the things she said to us before we got them is that my girls were very destructive. We nodded our heads and thought 'how destructive can two little girls be?' ....little did we know!
Fast forward through some of the details, to when they came to our home to live. They both instantly started destroying things. There was and still is - not a shred of value placed on anything or anyone.
Of course, we fixed up a beautiful room for them with all of their favorite things and colors. The first week they were there, one of them scaled the dresser, up to the bookcase and pulled the entire thing down on top of them! We didn't think a thing of it, but as the weeks and months went by, we knew that Mary was right about the destructiveness.
Both girls still place value on nothing. Unfortunately, that carries over into human relationships. It has shown itself in every possible way over the past 11 years. Unfortunately, the mother (me) gets the brunt of it.
If you are one of these mothers, you will know EXACTLY what I am talking about. If you are not, you will most likely be passing judgment. That's okay, I'm used to it and I understand. I used to do that BEFORE...
I really need to recommend a book before I go any further. It has been a saving grace for me:
- Solutions for Adoptive and Foster Families
- This book will help adoptive and foster parents understand that they’re not alone.
- Lists common reasons for misbehavior
- Explains attachment disorder and the effects on foster/adoptive children
- Explains why traditional strategies don’t work
- Provides workable techniques that succeed with foster/adoptive children
- Provides support and parenting therapeutics that can help children become attached
I just reopened it the other day when the second one left home because she can't live within our boundaries. Trust me, we have very few, but just enough to keep her safe and help guide her toward a future. The book hit exactly where I was and reminded me:
IT ISN'T MY FAULT!
Please, I want to hear your stories....
Sunday, December 21, 2008
It Is Not Your Fault!
For the past ten years now, I have slowly and painfully become aware of the wild need for support for and among adoptive families. In particular, families who adopt older children. I guess if I'm being honest, my focus would be the mothers in the situation.
I must start with a statement that has the power to free each mother:
The truth is, if most of us knew what we were getting ourselves into in the first place we probably would have not signed on the dotted line....
.....however, we are not told about the gut wrenching difficulties that lie ahead. Instead, we are courted by the 'holy foster system' with promises of saving a child's life and getting kudos from all humankind.
We are not enlightened as to the heartbreaking results of what happens when we pour our very life's blood into a child until we get that swift kick in the teeth by the once angelic child who could not wait for their new home. The very angel who turns demonic when alone with the one who has sacrificed the most for their well being - the mother.
Conveniently left out of the 'telling' are the incorrigible behaviors of this child you just want to share the love you have with.
I have ever so much more to say, but I will stop for now. Just remember - It's NOT your fault!
Please comment and send me your stories, because I know there are thousands of you that are suffering in silence because of the judgment that you receive from others. I have lots of stories and thoughts about that..... later.
Cindie saves the world.....
I must start with a statement that has the power to free each mother:
IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!
If I could get one message out - that is what it would be. I have and AM currently learning this the hard way - but is there any other way to learn things like this?The truth is, if most of us knew what we were getting ourselves into in the first place we probably would have not signed on the dotted line....
.....however, we are not told about the gut wrenching difficulties that lie ahead. Instead, we are courted by the 'holy foster system' with promises of saving a child's life and getting kudos from all humankind.
We are not enlightened as to the heartbreaking results of what happens when we pour our very life's blood into a child until we get that swift kick in the teeth by the once angelic child who could not wait for their new home. The very angel who turns demonic when alone with the one who has sacrificed the most for their well being - the mother.
Conveniently left out of the 'telling' are the incorrigible behaviors of this child you just want to share the love you have with.
I have ever so much more to say, but I will stop for now. Just remember - It's NOT your fault!
Please comment and send me your stories, because I know there are thousands of you that are suffering in silence because of the judgment that you receive from others. I have lots of stories and thoughts about that..... later.
Cindie saves the world.....
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