Back to School

It is “back to school” time and I think of all that we do as we prepare our kids to go. Lots of school shopping for back packs, supplies, and name brand clothing. How nice if it was just simple. There is always a worry about who my kid’s teacher is going to be. Will they teach my child well? My husband’s 2^nd Great Grandfather Benajah Julius Record shared some experiences when he was a boy and attended school.

"When I was about six years of age, I attended summer school, and during the hottest part of the day, I would get so sleepy that I could not hold up my head, the teacher would lay me down on one of the benches and put her bonnet under my head and let me sleep as long as I cared to, the teachers name was Polly Huffman, she was an old maid, but everyone loved her for her kindness to the children, they all called her Aunt Polly.”

 

 He continued, “Children were often whipped for almost no reason at all. There were the best teachers the county could afford to hire as funds were not available, teachers were not selected for what they knew, but for how strict they were with the children, I have seen them whip children for practically no reason at all except to give vent to their hatred for children.”

 

 

           Tuesday my daughter started 4th grade and on Wednesday my son started 1st grade. I thought I was doing great until this morning I lost it. I cried. I cried because they rode their bikes to school, they are getting too big and they don't need me 24/7. I love that they are becoming responsible older kids, but I miss them. My husband told me that I should be happy that they are okay. I taught them the right things and because of how I have raised them they will be okay. As scary as it is to send your children to school, I am thankful for laws we have in place. I know that if people believe in children and their success they can do anything.

Sleepy babes!

Cameron has 3 sleeping positions- all over, cuddling or GQ pose. I love watching him sleep! 

Brooklynn is such a great sleeper now it's rare I get to take a peek. There's something peaceful about watching kids sleep after a busy day. 

Nothing better than a baby sound asleep. I love her squishy face! 

Let It Go

Disney movies all have a lesson that we can learn in the end. Cinderella helped us believe in true love. Aladdin  taught us that money doesn’t buy us happiness, but we provide it ourselves. Merida showed us that we hold fate inside ourselves; we have to be brave enough to find it. Beloved Dori helped us learn that when life is hard, just keep swimming.

            I love to use different experiences to teach my children. When we watch movies we talk about what we learned from it. As a family we watched Frozen and were coloring pictures. My kids asked me to draw pictures for them. As I was drawing I realized that the characters each learned a lesson and I could relate those lessons to my children.

            For my nine year old daughter Brooklynn who has suffered from anxiety, and is entering the years of self-doubt, I drew Elsa. On the back I wrote her a letter. “Brooklynn, Remember you are beautiful, talented and smart. When you get hurt, let it go. I love you.”

            Cameron is my six year old boy. He has a lot of energy and some people don’t understand him. I drew Olaf. “Cameron, I love you! I would do anything for you. Always be yourself.”

            For my little ball of fire four year old girl McKenna, I drew Anna. McKenna can be the most entertaining little thing, but she is shy and won’t let go of her mom at times. I wrote, “McKenna, Remember I always love you! Don’t be afraid, we will always be here for you.”

            So many talk about “hidden message” from movies, but I choose to find my own meaning. As a parent I choose what I want my kids to take away from their surroundings. I think that is our job. The world isn’t perfect, so I choose to find the positive. There seems to be a theme that I see in all Disney movies. Have faith in your dreams—they may come true!

            Next time you watch a movie with your family, think of what lessons you can learn from it, and use it to better your life.