It's been a while, a really long while.
Since the last time I penned (or typed) my thoughts down, a lot has changed. The family has grown to party of 6. Nope, there won't be a 7th. The 4th one is a constant reminder of how old, flabby, unfit and ill-equipped I really am. Yup, even after 4 kids, I am learning that I really am ill-equipped.
Why, one might ask, do I feel this way?
Simple, the more I learn, the less I know, I've come to realize. Parenting isn't what it used to be. I've learnt that parents need to learn the language with which our kids communicate. We need to be in tune to the challenges and the needs of their generation. Where we once thrived in a hands-off approach, the new generation doesn't seem to be able to function without guidance. While, there are instances where my kids have shown their independence, my wife and I find ourselves interjecting just when we thought they knew the drill.
We went through some talks about parenting in this age, and what we learnt is that we have to know when to step in and when to let them be. Easier said than done. When asked who her BFF in school was, my wife and I got worried when my 12-year old answered nonchalantly that she had none. Then, I worried she was going to be an old spinster living on her own accompanied by 50 cats. Well, that's just me.
My soon to be 9 year old, on the other hand, is growing up to be somewhat independent while managing to be oblivious to his surroundings. I mean, he knows the drills, but needs constant reminder that it's time to do those drills. We have to constantly sit him down and help him achieve his nirvana for him to accomplish his tasks properly. Now, I don't subscribe to ADHD/ADD and all that. I just don't think it's healthy for him to be labelled as such and have it define him. I will not allow him to any of us to limit his potential by saying that there are limits to what he can do.
The third one is a princess. A real princess. She loves to be pampered, she loves the attention and there is a proper way to do thing - her way. If she is forced to do things in a way that does not please her, she'd breakdown. Apart from that, she's just daddy's lil princess. She'd rather be with me than with her grandparents or aunt, no matter how much she is bribed by rewards of a nice holiday or what not. Can't blame her for that - daddy's awesome.
The last one, the baby, the boy who can't stop is pretty much like Jack Jack in the Incredibles 2. A hoot to have around; if you can live with the mess he leaves behind. His boundless energy leaves all of us gasping for air and on the verge of tapping out. We won't have it any other way. He was unplanned, but God has better plans for us.
Now, why do I suddenly feel the urge to pen down my thoughts here again and awaken the dormant beast? Simple, too much on my mind and my self-imposed exile from social media, namely Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Need that avenue to rave and rant as I have always done without putting a face or name to anyone.
I miss that...
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