Compassionate Service Leader

Our daughter, Charleigh, has been in Nursery for two months now.  In our church, once a child is 18 months-3 years of age, they are able to attend Nursery during Sunday School and other auxiliaries.  It is usually a great place to be.  For many, it is the first time parent and child have been separated for an extended period of time.

The nursery leader told me that Charleigh would try to comfort all the kids in the room.  She would go around and pat their backs, if they were crying.  For the most part she was helpful and successful.  There were a few times when the child was so upset that Charleigh, herself, began to cry.  At which point, she would then suck her thumb and continue to pat the child's back.

I recently read, Dr. Keith Ablow and Glenn Beck's new book, The Seven Wonders That Will Change Your Life.  In the book, the 4th Wonder is Compassion!  Dr. Keith Ablow said, "Compassion is one of the most empowering human emotions."  As I get older, I am learning compassion is a gift you can give and receive.  Others can show you compassion when we fall short with our many quirks.  We can in turn endow compassion on those around us who have hurt us and/or offended us.

Through my daughter, I am able to understand Compassion is an innate characteristic we are given from God.

Are naps more healthy for mother or child?

I took a much needed nap yesterday afternoon.  Actually, I took a nap because I stayed up too late the night before watching an 90's movie.  I should have gone to bed anyway.  I didn't stay up late saving lives or feeding a newborn.  So, it seems selfish for me to nap during my kids' Spring Break.

When I woke up, my cute kids were playing nicely with each other.  They said Charleigh woke up from her nap and I needed to go take care of her.  I don't' wake up very quickly.  I am usually somewhere between wakefulness and my last dream.

I dreamt I was rearranging furniture and plants in my home.  I really never have had a large enough home of my own or a lot of furniture to make big changes. 

I put my plants on a shelf in a cupboard.  It wasn't a kitchen cupboard; more of a low priority cupboard.  A few weeks later, I opened the cupboard to find a few dead plants.

I love to psychoanalyze my own dreams.  Are the plants-my children?  Am I hoping they will raise themselves, while I take naps?  Am I a horrible mother? Or do I hate plants?  Or do I hate the "Green Movement"?

So, in answer to my question; are naps more healthy for mother or child?  I would like to say for Mother.  I as a mother need to go to bed early, eat healthy, serve others, so I can be the best Mom for my children.

An evening at the Park!

Yesterday, my kids and I took a walk on a two-mile path.  It is hard for them to pass a park and not want to play, explore, and make-believe.  We always have fun getting into pine cone fights and letting the kids, be kids.

When do I tell my kids that an Underdog Push on the swing-set from their 5' 1" mom is not so high?  I have four kids now to push in their swings.  The physical demands at the playground are getting more brutal.  The kids love it when I push them high on the swing, but I am not very strong and cannot send them soaring through the sky.  I guess they can pretend their mom can help them reach the stars!