Skip to main content

making a big fuss about nothing…living for tomorrow instead of for today?

Are you the kind of mom that worries too much about their children?

Are you a helicopter mom (someone who’s micromanaging every little detail of her child’s life) ?
Are you someone who freaks out about a few changes in your child’s schedule?

As a mother, I try to teach my children to be independent. My first two children are already in college but my two younger ones are in high school and grade school. All my four children have a hectic schedule, but my 15yo on the other hand is on a different level of “hectic”!

As parents, we encourage our children to follow their dreams – emphasis on “their”. The only way for them to be happy is to live their day to day in accordance to what they want to accomplish. When the kids are younger, we tried to expose them to different aspects of life – music, arts, sports, community service.

When your kid has multiple interests, where do you draw the line?

My 15yo is one very busy teen! He already gave up a few activities because there is just not enough time! There are three things he’s still very passionate about: government and politics; taekwon-do and music!

Music takes about 90 percent of his extra time – in between teaching piano, taking lessons and recording/producing his first jazz CD. Just a couple of weeks ago, the producer told us that “most artists live, breathe and sleep the 10 songs he is recording until the album’s completed.” But of course, since my son is only 15, we shouldn’t make the whole process stressful. However, to get the CD completed, he has to focus on the 10 songs!

When there’s extra time, he gets to attend a few TaeKwon-do (TKD) lessons. And on a few occasion, he got to teach TKD to younger students. So when he asked me if he can skip one recording session to attend a high-belt class/training in Philadelphia, my initial reaction was “No way! Where will you find the time? What about your recording schedule? You'll be one week behind schedule!”

He’s been taking TKD since he was 5. He had missed quite a few sessions because of school and recording engagements. However, he really insisted on attending the training.

It would have been easier to convince him that TKD can wait, but since my husband and I disagreed, it was a tougher sell on my part.

After a few exchanges of heated arguments, I realized that I was wrong, and that my son, although 15, has the right to manage his life. It is HIS life after all! I can only guide him and make him understand the consequences of his choices, but it is up to him to make the final decision.

As it turned out, he was able to work it out. So I guess you can say that I got stressed over nothing?

Ay-yayay! Kids these days are very busy. I’m not sure if it’s because the parents are conditioned to raise the kids so that “in the future” they will have a better chance. Every thing we do seems to be geared towards the future!

Sometimes it’s easy to lose track of the fact that one has to live at the present time, too!
So I guess I just over reacted, made a big fuss about nothing.

So here’s to today: Don’t worry, be happy!


On a different topic, I want to say thank you to our new sponsors! Please take time to check them out.

Comments

  1. A great blog today. What I learned from this incident is that it is a good idea to take a step back, breath deep and perhaps write down the pros and cons first. Also, we can't always take every life event so seriously - If we do, we will miss out on the joy that comes with the good events.
    You see, we are never too old to learn.
    Love, Mom/Grandma

    ReplyDelete
  2. I really need to think about this when things get hectic. Thats why Im taking this weekend off and just spending it with the kids.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Jenn!

    We are looking for a home for Flat Stanley and was wondering if you are up for hosting him? Email me at alex.techymom@gmail.com.

    Happy Thanksgiving!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Completed my first 16 Week IsaBody Challenge: Believe You Have A Purpose

My family is what matters most to me.  I’m 51 and a mother of 4 (ages 14 – 26). I wanted to be healthier, more active and stronger not just for me, but for the people I love.  I wanted to set an example for my family that we each possess the tools to master our wellness and vitality. I've always been petite except when I was pregnant ( when I gained an average of 50 pounds per pregnancy - 4 times!) Over the years I had tried various diet and exercise regimens, and I did enjoy a degree of success, but the results were not to the level I hoped for, and they were somewhat short lived.   Achieving stable, long-lasting results proved stubbornly elusive.    Then when I hit menopause everything became more difficult.    My body stopped cooperating altogether, and I was constantly grumpy. My waist and hips expanded and I found myself napping in the afternoons.    I started to accept the idea that there would be this new, less vibrant version of me. I just completed my P

Immigration and Family: Will my mom ever get to see my daughter walk down the aisle

Last year when my father passed away in the Philippines, I went home and took some time to visit the U.S. Embassy in Manila to ask what the options are for my mother to return to the U.S. The consul reminded me of the 10-year travel ban. That on or after November 8, 2015 — not earlier – or 10 years after my mom, was deported in 2005 for overstaying her visa, I can email the U.S. Embassy and inquire about my mother’s approved petition. I asked if I need to file another petition, and she informed me I didn’t have to. I asked if I could… and she stopped me and said to ask everything on or after November 8, 2015. This is where I am, and where my thoughts are drifting as I celebrate this month my 16th American birthday. I am counting the months, the weeks and the days. My daughter is getting married in January 2016 and I would love to have my entire family, especially my mother, to be here when that momentous occasion happens.

SPICE-up a young child's development: social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional

Children are the precious gems of a family. When they’re young and innocent, they are like sponges that willingly and quickly absorb any knowledge and emotion. That’s why at an early age, we encourage our children to read, be creative, be happy and feed their curiosity. With all the technology and instant gratification that children get from playing video or computer games, asking a child to read a good book has been a challenge for some parents .     “Your children are not your children.       They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.       They come through you but not from you,       And though they are with you, and yet they belong not to you.       You may give them your love but not your thoughts,        For they have their own thoughts.        You may house their bodies but not their souls,        For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,        which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.” -                     Kahlil Gibr

Helping others surpass their goals and expectations

"It's not about the end goal. It's who you become by consistently pushing to the edge of your limits." - Robin Sharma Do you ever wonder why you stumble on new things?  Do you ever wonder why unsuspecting strangers cross your path? Do you ever wonder why your mind takes you to a direction you didn't think exist? I was walking to StarBucks to meet my husband when I noticed a sign...

Still shaky, skidded in snow, but so blessed my guardian angels are looking after me!

"Never again wonder, what to be thankful for..."   - Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life It’s yet another snowy day in New Jersey. Beautiful, yes but dangerous! In line with my goal for this month is to get back on schedule. I got up around 4am to get my 15yo ready for his Model United Nations conference. (Thankful that our neighbor offered to drive him to school by 5:30am ) I got my 9yo ready for school and I'm thankful that my other neighbor offered to drive him to school. I then drove my husband to the train station to Manhattan. I decided to stop by the Community Center and decided to run a fast 5K on the treadmill. I was 1 mile short because I was so sweaty and hot. (Note to self: dress lightly next time) While cooling down inside the car, I read Day 14’s chapter of Rick Warren's the “Purpose Driven Life” book. I felt really good because it just reminded me that there is always something to be thankful for no matter how awful yo