Summer brings the end of another school year. My girls love school. So, seeing a school year end is not easy, especially for E. I'm not sure how much she would love school if she didn't love her teacher. Each year she has developed such a connection with her teacher that it breaks her heart to say goodbye. Last year, I watched her walk away from kindergarten with gut-wrenching sobs. She was crying so hard, she could barely walk. It was the worst I have ever felt for one of my children. It hurt! I am anticipating another tear-filled afternoon on June 8th. She just loves her teacher!
Summer brings change. Change in our schedule and routine. Change in our sleeping and eating habits and in our daily activities. While this change may be welcome for some in our family, this type of change is very difficult for O. Routine and structure help him cope. When those things that have become constants change, the unpredictability is killer. I mean, he has trouble when you give him the wrong plate at dinner or when you ask him to pull up his pants before he flushes the toilet. Can you imagine how he feels when mom isn't going to work and sisters aren't going to school everyday? While he loves having us around, it makes things confusing and different. And, different is difficult for him.
Summer also brings projects, tasks that I have put off, thinking that they would be easier accomplished in the summer. One thing I've put off is working on O's eating habits. I would really like for him to try new foods, so that he's not eating the same three or four things everyday. This will be a long process, since he does not even leave unwanted food items on his plate, let alone put them near his mouth. Although I have been collecting ideas on how to approach these food issues and I know it needs to be done, it's not something that I am looking forward to.
Summer brings swim lessons, Vacation Bible School, family vacation, more time in the car, a month off of preschool...the list goes on. There's also the challenge of occupying three very different children with entertaining activities, that are educational and not too overwhelming. Why have I not started planning or preparing for any of these things? I am trying to take it one day at a time. Unfortunately, I am running out those days...summer will be here soon.
Yesterday, when I wrote this post, I had no resolution. Just stress. Then, due to the circumstances of life, I was not able to post. It was late last night that this verse came to me. I have been rehearsing it in my mind ever since.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed.
- 2 Corinthians 4:8-9
1 comment:
I agree! Summer is difficult for us too. It becomes less so as it goes on once a routine is in order. It's astounding how fast our son establishes a routine in his mind when something new comes up. Then, before we know it, he's protesting that we're not doing things "right". It's a blessing in disguise sometimes!
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