It’s been a very rough week playing single mom. One that left me in tears Thursday morning, and spilling my guts in a post that probably will never be published. I’m not actually as crazy as it makes me seem. I promise.
But it was also filled with some bright, shiny, sparkling moments. Ones that left me with an up lifted heart and some beautiful photos. And most importantly, one huge Bigger Picture moment which left me I feeling at peace with who I am, my place in life and the people that I choose to surround myself with.
Moment #1
This conversation with the kiddo (inspired by Muthering Heights):
Me: Kiddo, what’s your favorite thing?
Kiddo: pause for reflection, Dragon Tales (followed by a shy giggle)
Me: Dragon Tales, that’s your favorite thing? That’s pretty good. What’s Dad-oo’s favorite thing?
Kiddo: Dragon Tales (said with my emphasis)
Me: It is? What is my favorite thing?
Kiddo: DRAGON TALES!!! (followed by giggles from both of us)
Moment #2
Watching Tom Pease with Grams and the kiddo at our library as part of their summer reading program. Capturing Grams dancing to the ABC song…
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… and those great big expressions of delight that only a child can manage. (So very, very !!!)
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Moment #3
The rites of passage for a little boy into summer: scrapes and treats.
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(The Bigger Picture) Moment #4
Finally realizing, and accepting, that I don’t have to be friends with everyone. And realizing that those who I really want to be friends with, are the groups of people that just feel right. The ones that I fit into seamlessly. I choose who to spend my time with, and who the kiddo spends time with. I have to comfortable with these people and feel that I’m exposing my child to only positive influences. Since I have control over who the kiddo’s friends are at this point, I need to make choices wisely. And not feel guilty about letting some go.
What were your sparkling moments this week?
This post is proudly linked up with: Finer Things Friday (Amy’s Finer Things) Give Me Your Best Shot (Better in Bulk), Photo Story Friday (My Chaos, My Bliss), !!! (Bad Mommy Moments) and !!! (Momalom)
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I love your moments, especially your bigger picture moment. Because that’s so hard to learn, and come to terms with. But you have to do what’s right for YOU and your family. Thanks for linking up, lady!
@Corinne, So true. It’s so hard to realize it. And once you do, you wonder why it took so long.
Love the scrapes and treats collage. And Dragon Tales is awesome. I could never get my girls into it, no matter how many times I DVRed it.
@Amy, It’s such a cute show. Although Dinosaur Train is up on the list too.
Love the smiles–he is so adorable. I’m in the process of letting friends go, too. It’s difficult but sometimes for the best.
1 – your son’s too cute.
2 – my daughter just got her scrapes on her knee too. rite of passage, for sure
3 – I had lunch with old friends and realized that we don’t even click anymore. It’s not that I only want to talk about my baby, which I don’t, but I’m not so interested in what they have to say anymore. Is that bad? Sigh.
@Justine, It’s sad isn’t it, when life moves on and sometimes friends don’t move with it. Hard to accept sometimes.
What a fun Grams getting up there and dancing around.
And is that a popsicle holder type thing? Less mess, I assume? What a great invention!
And the bigger picture moment – so true! I’m hoping that by choosing positive influences early on that my kids will make good choices about their friends at school and such later on too.
I hope you don’t have to play single mom too much longer. I’ve been there – it is hard!
@Kelli @ writingthewaves, I’m thinking the exact same thing about picking friends for the kiddo at this age. Here’s to hoping that the influence will go with him as he gets older.
Some fun shots you captured!
I remember when I learned that lesson of not having to be friends with everyone. It was very freeing because you really don’t have to be friends with everyone.
So glad you linked up again this week. Wonderful moments captured here.
@Hyacynth, It’s freeing, but sad at the same time. But in the end it’s the best thing to do.
#4 is a good one to come to early on. Boundaries are a good thing.
And scrapes and treats are the signature of summer at our house.
so nice to ‘meet’ you.
Those really ARE some sparkling moments! I’m glad your week was accentuated by sparkles, and so happy that you shared them with us!
But I want to be friends with everyone! *sigh* It’s hard to realize we don’t have to and probably shouldn’t be… I’m sorry you had to struggle with this but glad you came to a positive conclusion.
And I love all your sparkling moments! My days as a quasi-single mom (due to Mark’s work schedule) put me over the edge so quickly. But looking for those good, important moments help me make it through, too.
@Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect, I give so much credit to full-time single moms. I honestly don’t know how they do it.
I’ve had many too un-sparkling moments these last few weeks, I really needed this reminder. The big picture reminder especially.
I’m sorry about your friend situation. You don’t have to be friends with everyone, that’s true. It’s a hard lesson, but I am so grateful for the amazing friends I have.
@Cecily R, It’s so important to stick with the people who leave you feeling good isn’t it? Just makes the day feel brighter.
I just re-read my comment and I’m a dork. “Many too un-sparkling moments”? Who am I Yoda? Sorry.
@Cecily R, I liked it! Then again, I’m a dork too, so maybe that’s why.
LOVE that shot of the scraped knees. and your son’s face…he’s so beautiful.
@ck, Thank you! I think he’s a cutie too.
I’m sorry I didn’t read this sooner and wasn’t more available online to help out! I know you had a terrible week last week, and even if you don’t feel comfortable publishing that post I hope you felt better just having written it.
Take care my friend! I’m not always be able to make it here, but I am always here. Just an e-mail away. Anytime!
@Christine LaRocque, Thanks Christine. I’m at ease this week, changing up my routine, which I think will help. I need to do things for me and the kiddo, not just because I feel obligated to do them. Hard lesson to learn sometimes.
If scrapes and treats are a definite sign of !!! then I’ve got an abundance over here. When you’re ever down on your !!! just call me up. These boys are filled with bloody scratches and it’s all I can do to keep the popsicles flowing.
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