|
|
Home :
Shop :
Books,
Etc.
:
Celebrations
:
Pamper You :
Contests
Celebrating
My Child, Each and Every Day (continued)
From
the birth of my "Mommy" title, I have strongly
felt the need to be active in Caleb’s life throughout
the day -- not just in the evenings after work
and on weekends. I wanted to be the one to initially
teach him his ABC’s and 123’s. I wanted to be
there to teach him to care and to share. I wanted
to nurture and guide him into the world and begin
to show him the many facets this universe has
to offer and how to extend his heart and mind
to mankind. These sorts of things take time, lots
of time, and time is what I desired to give him
-- my time, the majority of my time.
As was the case during my son's pre-kindergarten
year, I am currently serving as the "Classroom
Mother" of Caleb's 3-hour-per-day kindergarten
class -- another role in motherhood that I find
exceptionally fulfilling. Like parenting, the
job comes with no financial paycheck, but a rewarding
feeling knowing that I'm helping to touch young
lives. In this role, I coordinate and implement
special parties and activities for my son and
his classmates throughout the school year. (My
son's school strongly believes in making learning
fun and memorable through parties and such.) And,
to my list of classroom-mommy responsibilities,
I even blend some business skills of
mine, such as the writing of newsletters to parents
keeping them abreast of happenings specific to
their child's class.
And, last year, when I volunteered as Classroom
Mom, I was a "speaker" for my Island
as I took "Bermuda" into the classroom
on Bermuda Day (May 24). I shared Bermuda souvenirs,
pictures, knowledge and fun with the children.
(The limbo- dancing-to-calypso-music segment was
such a hit that it was a special request from
my son for the end-of-school party.) Also, during
the winter, I had shared elements of Kwanzaa with
the group and played "African" dress-up
with them with my African hats. We also made red,
black and green bracelets and ate red, black (really
purple) and green grapes.
So, while I may not be working a typical 9 - 5,
I am still very much the "professional"
and busy Penny that my family and friends once
knew. Today, I'm just more creative about how
I utilize the qualifications and experience I've
gained. I have learned that a college degree does
not have to be limited to the corporate world
but can very effectively be incorporated in the
world of parenting, too. A little creativity combined
with our degrees can enhance our children's lives,
plus give us the "know how" to carve
out alternative work arrangements, if that is
our desire -- especially in a society where our
children are needing us more than ever -- and
in a society where telecommuting and flexible
work schedules are growing -- and where mothers
are becoming serious and active about not giving
more hours to the workplace than their families.
I'm
certainly one of those who have made a commitment
to not let my young son's tender and formative
years slip through my parenting hands so easily.
Full-time child rearing comes with a great deal
of hard work and challenges, and requires tons
of patience, but these are years I know I will
never be able to get back and I am capturing and
relishing this time.
|
|
-
|
|
