Skip to main content

Letting go? No way!


First day of our ski vacation and my 8 year old, Josh, and my 13 year old, Jon, woke me up and told me that they want to ski down the mountain. Granted that Jon’s been skiing for ten years and Josh 5 years, the thought of just the two of them going on the lift across our unit and skiing down the mountain is just mind boggling!

Although I took a stand and firmly(?) informed them that “no way” can they go down the mountain by themselves, I had to tell them, “Go ask your father. “. The mother’s guilt of being a “kill-joy” came out. I didn’t want to be the one that kept saying, “no, you can’t” when it comes to activities like these. And they know that I always say, “yes, you can do whatever it is that you set your mind into.” Sounds like two conflicting words to live-by!

That’s why “Go ask your father” is a good back-up plan.
And of course, when I said “Go ask your father”, I hoped that their father is in the same wave length as I am. Luckily, he said “No, you can’t ski down all by yourselves.”
So they had to wait for me to sign them up to their respective camps.





I can’t believe Josh is already 8 and in level 4 in skiing. I still remember when he had to go to “Treasures“, a little indoor camp/day-care for kids under 3. He didn’t want to be in the camp, Even at two, he figured out a way to escape from the camp counselors. He did a “Houdini” on them! I still don’t know how but he reached to the door-lock and unlocked the door and let himself out. There’s no way he’s staying in the camp! (There are multiple rooms and a front desk/office so there’s really no way for him to totally escape and run out of the entire camp without anyone noticing.)



As I see my Josh walking side-by-side with his father, getting into the car to head down to the camp, I can’t help but notice how quickly they all grow. Not long ago, my 3 older kids, now – 19, 17 and 13, were waddling to the meeting house in their skis on their way to their ski camp. Back then, they waited for us to get them ready.

My dear Joshee,
Don’t hurry to grow-up,
I love listening to your silliness,
I love watching you jump up and down,
I love being tackled as you run towards me,
I love carrying you and giving you tight hugs,
I love being your mom.

So when you want to ski down the mountain with your brother,
So when you want to cross the street by yourself,
So when you want to walk home on your own
Letting you go, my dear, is just no way, no way!

( A few days later, I compromised and it was the longest 10 minutes of my life as a mother. )

------
Photographs by Jen2 (2009)
Visit Josh at Joshizms : the universe according to an 8-year old

Copyright 2009 © GottaLoveMom CJ Solutions, Inc Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited

Comments

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

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

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.

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