Summer vacation is here! Jonathan and David finished school last week–no more homework packets in sight. I’m excited to have lazy evenings with them, without the rush of baseball practice and last minute spelling tests.
Jonathan has asked me to stay home with them. He doesn’t want to go to day camp, one solution for a working mom. I had to explain to him that I work every day even in the summer. Grace, my hearts breaks to tell him this when I know that he desires me to be home with him and his brother. I long to be there with them too. This just prompts me to work on my dream—to work from home and be present to them after school, on school breaks, and summer vacations.
For now I’m looking forward to planning our vacation, time to explore a new city, uncover historical landmarks, and bask in the sun. Oh, Grace, this calls for a celebration! I hear Merlot call my name.
Guiding Lesson:
Eve, Merlot is always a perfect way to begin a celebration as you look forward to wonderful summer days and time together with your family. This is a great time of year to unplug and relax a little from the routine of constant demands.
However, as I hear Jonathan’s request, I can feel your sadness. How do working mothers do it? What a difficult situation to hear your little one ask for you and you may not be able to give what he is asking for. I know it’s hard since you realize that one day he won’t be asking to spend the summer with you and will become more interested in his friends. I can see how it breaks your heart and that causes you to look for an open door to welcome his desires into your life.
Well, I know that you are seeking to find a solution that allows you to work from home so you can have an opportunity to spend with your sons. This makes me think about what is really happening here. Is it that your children need you? Is it that you need to pursue your dream? Or is it that your children, if listened to in their need, are actually trying to get you to awaken and respond to your needs and desires deep in your heart? Is their need a spark to notice your life, your hopes, your wants that you have cast aside or got lost in the busyness of everyday life? It truly amazes me how children are asked to stay quiet. Imagine if we paid attention to the inconvenient truths they voice because they don’t know yet the boundaries of filtering their needs. Would you and other parents begin to tap into your own needs and allow your heart to invite you into a new conversation that leads you into greater happiness and a life filled with delight?
Yes, Eve, your son needs your time and is asking you to shift your focus from your current job elsewhere. He intuitively knows that your desire is also to shift focus from your current job and become more present to yourself. You and Jonathan both want the same thing. More time to do something more fun and meaningful with YOU! Your children are wonderful messengers in uncovering what you may have buried because of your responsibilities. This is going to be exciting for both you and your sons. I wonder what other desire they will help awaken that is hibernating in your heart. Can’t wait to find out.
Love,
Grace
MissGuidedMom 