Failed Parenting.....
It sure feels that way at times. When your teenagers cuss like sailors, talk back to you, and are generally disrespectful towards their own parents, you feel like a failure.
Sure, many of us didn't have great role models as far as parenting goes. I look back now and think how easy it was when they were little. They may have gotten into things, wrote on the walls, broke stuff, but it was all small things. They grow up and somehow grow away.
I know I question myself all the time. I fear I do not do the best job I possibly could and pray all the time for God to guide and help me. Parenting is not for the weak of spirit.
I, every once in a while, catch a glimpse of the dear sweet child I used to know. I hear positive things from other adults, things like, "your son is so well behaved" and I think to myself, "are they talking about MY SON?" I pray, and will always pray, that God guides them all and protects them from the hideousness of this world. It scares me because I see the jadedness of this world rubbing off on them.
I would love to go back ten years and really focus on them. Focus more than I did. I don't remember when I stopped reading to them nightly. I wonder if I could start again? Would they like it? Is it too late? I fear it may be...
May God help us all in this struggle to be good parents. I want my children to be compassionate, helpful, caring, kind, hardworking, contributing, balanced people. May we have strength and guidance to see them grow up to be so. AMEEN
Monday, February 22, 2016
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Kansas farm guys hit it big with parody video
Kansas farm guys hit it big with parody video: A random decision to make a video singing the praises of farmers is making social network stars out of three Kansas brothers.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Summer time = Vacation time
Each year my family takes a long and amazing vacation, a tradition we started close to four years ago. Each year usually has a theme or purpose. This year we travelled (always by car- our beloved Suburban) to the Northeast and then south before heading home. We went to Chicago, Sandusky (Ohio), Niagara Falls on the U.S. side and Canadian side, Toronto, Montreal, Vermont, through New Hampshire to Maine, down to Massachusets where we visited Salem and Boston, through Connecticut, Rhode Island, to stay in Newark, NJ and visit NYC and Paterson, NJ (little Arabia). Oh no, this was not all friends, we also went to Allentown, PA, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Virginia, and Kentucky before heading home.
So what was the theme? Well, summer 2011 we took the kids WEST and hit 5 National Parks. This year, for the children, we took them to AMUSEMENT PARKS. Yep, you heard it, we invested a chunk of money to purchase Cedar Fair Entertainment passes which would allow us entrance into all the parks they own, including our local World's of Fun. So - we took the kids to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dorney Park in Allentown, PA, and King's Dominion in Virginia- WHEW! For us nature lovers, we threw in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. We also visited crowded and crazy NYC as well as historical sites in Salem and Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C. It was a fun-filled, extensive, and exhausting trip.
Upon returning to Kansas City, I asked my 12 year old if he wanted to visit World's of Fun the next day. He replied, "OH NO! I AM SICK OF AMUSEMENT PARKS!" I think it will take a few days, possibly weeks, before he is wanting to return to World's of Fun.
I am already thinking of next year's trip to the Northwest! Oregon, Washington state, British Columbia!
So what was the theme? Well, summer 2011 we took the kids WEST and hit 5 National Parks. This year, for the children, we took them to AMUSEMENT PARKS. Yep, you heard it, we invested a chunk of money to purchase Cedar Fair Entertainment passes which would allow us entrance into all the parks they own, including our local World's of Fun. So - we took the kids to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH, Canada's Wonderland in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Dorney Park in Allentown, PA, and King's Dominion in Virginia- WHEW! For us nature lovers, we threw in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. We also visited crowded and crazy NYC as well as historical sites in Salem and Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and D.C. It was a fun-filled, extensive, and exhausting trip.
Upon returning to Kansas City, I asked my 12 year old if he wanted to visit World's of Fun the next day. He replied, "OH NO! I AM SICK OF AMUSEMENT PARKS!" I think it will take a few days, possibly weeks, before he is wanting to return to World's of Fun.
I am already thinking of next year's trip to the Northwest! Oregon, Washington state, British Columbia!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
WOW, has it been that long?!?
Today is Thursday, August 9th, 2010. School is in session for the children (oh, me too). Ramadan has been tough this year. Fasting when school begins is a challenge. Having to try to focus and get things done is not an easy task when you haven't eaten all day long.
Has it been that long since I have written? I suppose my lack of free time has made it difficult for me to write. This year I am not teaching, only 4 classes this semester, and now I will be doing teen (Senior) Girl Scouting. Things are a bit more relaxed with the exception of my work load at WORK which has actually increased and become a bit more demanding. Now is a time of transition and change. I am sure things will improve.
My oldest is well on his way to finishing his Civil Engineering degree. Has it been that long ago since he was born? Evidently, the answer is an emphatic YES. Some days it does seem possible, other days it doesn't. My little boy is now almost 20 years old. The time continuum is a strange thing. I know it is coming, the day when he comes home and says, "mom, there's this girl...". I am bracing myself from now.
My daughter is just about ready to learn to drive officially. She is determined to obtain a copy of the driver's ed. book and memorize it cover to cover so she will be ready for her written test in March. Again, I can't believe she has been around long enough to be driving in a minute.
Then there are my other four boys who keep me young, or on some days, when they are exceptionally active, make me feel like a dinosaur just trying to keep up with them. They still need lots of attention and guidance in their daily lives. I am confident it will not be long before I am asking myself how they got so big!
There are many things on my mind of late, now if I can find the time to write about them, perhaps you will see more from me in the near future.
Has it been that long since I have written? I suppose my lack of free time has made it difficult for me to write. This year I am not teaching, only 4 classes this semester, and now I will be doing teen (Senior) Girl Scouting. Things are a bit more relaxed with the exception of my work load at WORK which has actually increased and become a bit more demanding. Now is a time of transition and change. I am sure things will improve.
My oldest is well on his way to finishing his Civil Engineering degree. Has it been that long ago since he was born? Evidently, the answer is an emphatic YES. Some days it does seem possible, other days it doesn't. My little boy is now almost 20 years old. The time continuum is a strange thing. I know it is coming, the day when he comes home and says, "mom, there's this girl...". I am bracing myself from now.
My daughter is just about ready to learn to drive officially. She is determined to obtain a copy of the driver's ed. book and memorize it cover to cover so she will be ready for her written test in March. Again, I can't believe she has been around long enough to be driving in a minute.
Then there are my other four boys who keep me young, or on some days, when they are exceptionally active, make me feel like a dinosaur just trying to keep up with them. They still need lots of attention and guidance in their daily lives. I am confident it will not be long before I am asking myself how they got so big!
There are many things on my mind of late, now if I can find the time to write about them, perhaps you will see more from me in the near future.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
UPDATE!!! It's Official, MARLEY IS BROKE TO RIDE
Yes, my little Marley is AMAZING!!! I am very much in love with her. She has been ridden now, well before the carnival, a total of six times. You see, my friend Shannon came one day, haltered her, lunged her around a little and hopped on bareback and uh, that was it....no buck to her, no crow hop, nothing. Shannon was riding her. She may have ridden her one more time when my other friend Keyarra rode her around. Then the call came, it was Shannon, "Jaime, you should come and ride Marley, she is just fine!" So, of course, I did. I went over, Shannon worked her a tiny bit first, saddled and lunged her then I hopped on. I rode her around a little on the property then, Shannon mounted Safar, and Keyarra mounted her horse Autumn. Then we hit the streets-YEP, right there through the neighborhood!!! We rode down 98th Terrace, turned onto Wallace, road to my street and past my house, around the whole block and back towards the pasture. It was a good hour ride. No incidents at all-maybe because she was with her friends, who knows but all went well.
The next thing you know, a few weeks later, my dear husband said, "Jaime, the masjid in Overland Park wants the horses for the carnival." I told him that I did not have my experienced horses with me and that I did not think I could do it with Marley...but I was wrong! I decided to take her, Autumn (another two year old), and Alex-my friend Sheila's horse (well Shannon's too). They were the best horses.
It was a very windy day. I set up the fencing for a make-shift corral while the girls worked with the horses, just brushing them and making sure they were alright. We saddled up, lead the horses around so they could get used to the property and see the moonwalk and other "scarey" things there (if you know horses, you know what I mean!). They were all very well behaved. It was soon showtime and the kids came in DROVES! From 3pm-7pm, Marley, Autumn, and Alex gave children and parents rides in the fenced-in area I created for the purpose of keeping little kids OUT and away from the horses. SAFETY FIRST ya know!
For four hours, 4hrs!, Marley selflessly let people on her back. Okay, there was one little incident, being a two year old horse, she nibbled on my arm-I am convinced it was a love bite- but other than the bite, no incidences. I WAS AND STILL AM SO PROUD OF HER!!!
So a couple of days ago, a whole month after the carnival, I decided to take my friend Amira over to ride.
I took Marley out of the pasture and tied her so she could be groomed, and BOY did she have a TON of cockleburs! Sara brought me the saddle blanket and saddle, I threw the blanket up on her, no reaction. I put the saddle on her, no reaction. I went to tighten the saddle, SHE STARTED TO LAY DOWN! I pulled her head back up and she stood there. I tightened the saddle the rest of the way.
I then picked up her front left hoof with the intention of picking it out...she started to lay down again! This happened three times until I started to get worried about her! I then moved to the front right leg to see if she was maybe lame and could not handle weight on that hoof. I picked it up and sure enough, SHE STARTED TO LAY DOWN AGAIN!!! okay, now by this time, I was getting worried. I had never had any of my horses do this before. I had my seven year old walk her around while I watched. I could not tell she was limping so I had Amira ride her. After the ride, after I took the saddle off, I picked up her front left leg again, NOTHING...then the right leg, NOTHING...she did not attempt to lay down.
THEN IT DAWNED ON ME- SHE WAS SILENTLY PROTESTING BEING RIDDEN!!! YEP, SHE WAS TRYING TO CONDUCT A SIT IN!!!
TRUE STORY...and that is MY MARLEY!
Since then, she was ridden just yesterday for a whopping five minutes before it started to pour down rain! This time no sit in protest just a little complaining about having that saddle tightened around her and all she did was move around a bit. What a good little girl!!!
The next thing you know, a few weeks later, my dear husband said, "Jaime, the masjid in Overland Park wants the horses for the carnival." I told him that I did not have my experienced horses with me and that I did not think I could do it with Marley...but I was wrong! I decided to take her, Autumn (another two year old), and Alex-my friend Sheila's horse (well Shannon's too). They were the best horses.
It was a very windy day. I set up the fencing for a make-shift corral while the girls worked with the horses, just brushing them and making sure they were alright. We saddled up, lead the horses around so they could get used to the property and see the moonwalk and other "scarey" things there (if you know horses, you know what I mean!). They were all very well behaved. It was soon showtime and the kids came in DROVES! From 3pm-7pm, Marley, Autumn, and Alex gave children and parents rides in the fenced-in area I created for the purpose of keeping little kids OUT and away from the horses. SAFETY FIRST ya know!
For four hours, 4hrs!, Marley selflessly let people on her back. Okay, there was one little incident, being a two year old horse, she nibbled on my arm-I am convinced it was a love bite- but other than the bite, no incidences. I WAS AND STILL AM SO PROUD OF HER!!!
So a couple of days ago, a whole month after the carnival, I decided to take my friend Amira over to ride.
I took Marley out of the pasture and tied her so she could be groomed, and BOY did she have a TON of cockleburs! Sara brought me the saddle blanket and saddle, I threw the blanket up on her, no reaction. I put the saddle on her, no reaction. I went to tighten the saddle, SHE STARTED TO LAY DOWN! I pulled her head back up and she stood there. I tightened the saddle the rest of the way.
I then picked up her front left hoof with the intention of picking it out...she started to lay down again! This happened three times until I started to get worried about her! I then moved to the front right leg to see if she was maybe lame and could not handle weight on that hoof. I picked it up and sure enough, SHE STARTED TO LAY DOWN AGAIN!!! okay, now by this time, I was getting worried. I had never had any of my horses do this before. I had my seven year old walk her around while I watched. I could not tell she was limping so I had Amira ride her. After the ride, after I took the saddle off, I picked up her front left leg again, NOTHING...then the right leg, NOTHING...she did not attempt to lay down.
THEN IT DAWNED ON ME- SHE WAS SILENTLY PROTESTING BEING RIDDEN!!! YEP, SHE WAS TRYING TO CONDUCT A SIT IN!!!
TRUE STORY...and that is MY MARLEY!
Since then, she was ridden just yesterday for a whopping five minutes before it started to pour down rain! This time no sit in protest just a little complaining about having that saddle tightened around her and all she did was move around a bit. What a good little girl!!!
The Joys of Parenting
Having six children, I can safely say that working out side the home definitely detracts from my ability to spend time with my children and really enjoy them for the amazing little individuals they are. It is very easy to loose patience, over look their uniqueness, and get bogged down in the day to day running of a household.
I try to take time outs, seems to happen mostly on the weekend, where I can do something fun with them. It is not always easy and the "fun" element gets deminished when we are always in a hurry to do things-rushing to the next activity.
This weekend, not unlike all our weekends, is going to be crammed full of things to do. We have two activities on Saturday, one on Sunday, and oh, yeah- the normal mundane things like LAUNDRY (my arch nemisis) and cleaning. Cub, Boy, and Girl Scouting is time consuming but oh so much cool stuff to take the kids to and let them learn and experience new things. IF ONLY I could do scouting full time. I think I would really be in my element then.
Evenings at my household consist of the following:
Get home around 5pm, immediately sit at the table upon entering the house and taking off our shoes. TIME TO DO HOMEWORK and TUTORING. This lasts HOURS, or at least it has been for the last month it seems. The end of the first quarter fast approaches and I am praying for a little relief in second quarter.
Out of my six children, I have four who need help, two that need LOTS of help. Alhamdullah, the joys of parenting, if only I had more time, more energy, more patience....
Sometimes I think the best way to handle things is to allow the children to take breaks. Life isn't always studying and some of the most valuable lessons in life are not found in books. So, I try to take them outdoors, to the horses, to the park, just in the yard-children learn best through play afterall, isn't that what research says?
Parenting is, or should be, a joyous thing that is for sure. I think it is up to us parents to MAKE IT SO.
Recently I watched an Eddie Murphy movie, IMAGINE THAT. I thought it was a very nice movie and found myself wishing that all parents see it! It's all about a father-Eddie Murphy-who has lost touch with his inner child and has to learn, the hard way, that he needs to be there for his child and see her for the amazing little person she is. Very nice...It was especially nice because it was more for adults than children and it was a clean movie. I do not recall a single second were I had to fast forward for fear the kids (and myself) would see something or hear something inappropriate. I found myself laughing out load many times as well. We all need a good laugh.
I try to take time outs, seems to happen mostly on the weekend, where I can do something fun with them. It is not always easy and the "fun" element gets deminished when we are always in a hurry to do things-rushing to the next activity.
This weekend, not unlike all our weekends, is going to be crammed full of things to do. We have two activities on Saturday, one on Sunday, and oh, yeah- the normal mundane things like LAUNDRY (my arch nemisis) and cleaning. Cub, Boy, and Girl Scouting is time consuming but oh so much cool stuff to take the kids to and let them learn and experience new things. IF ONLY I could do scouting full time. I think I would really be in my element then.
Evenings at my household consist of the following:
Get home around 5pm, immediately sit at the table upon entering the house and taking off our shoes. TIME TO DO HOMEWORK and TUTORING. This lasts HOURS, or at least it has been for the last month it seems. The end of the first quarter fast approaches and I am praying for a little relief in second quarter.
Out of my six children, I have four who need help, two that need LOTS of help. Alhamdullah, the joys of parenting, if only I had more time, more energy, more patience....
Sometimes I think the best way to handle things is to allow the children to take breaks. Life isn't always studying and some of the most valuable lessons in life are not found in books. So, I try to take them outdoors, to the horses, to the park, just in the yard-children learn best through play afterall, isn't that what research says?
Parenting is, or should be, a joyous thing that is for sure. I think it is up to us parents to MAKE IT SO.
Recently I watched an Eddie Murphy movie, IMAGINE THAT. I thought it was a very nice movie and found myself wishing that all parents see it! It's all about a father-Eddie Murphy-who has lost touch with his inner child and has to learn, the hard way, that he needs to be there for his child and see her for the amazing little person she is. Very nice...It was especially nice because it was more for adults than children and it was a clean movie. I do not recall a single second were I had to fast forward for fear the kids (and myself) would see something or hear something inappropriate. I found myself laughing out load many times as well. We all need a good laugh.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)