Page 24 - September Banner 2017_Neat

Page 24 September 2017
Catoctin
K IDs For kids and parents alike
by Anita DiGregory
New (School) Year’s
Resolutions
As we prepare to say goodbye to
the long, carefree days of summer,
you, too, may be channeling the
wise Obi-Wan Kenobi and feeling,
“…a great disturbance in the Force,
as if millions of (students’) voices
suddenly cried out in terror (at the
thought of beginning a new school
year).” And, although my children
would be among those crying out,
as a mom, I must admit I am not
too keen on trading in those lazy,
hazy, crazy days of the summer for
the over-scheduled, hectic pace of
another school year.
Each year at this time, I find
myself repeating the same internal
mantra, “This year I’ll do it better.
This year I’ll be more organized.
This year I won’t overcommit.”
But as we slide into fall and
the hint of winter is in the air,
inevitably, I am knee-deep in school
work, homework, work-work,
practices, games, and a myriad of
other activities that fall under mom
duties. It is at this time, with all the
proverbial balls up in the air, that I
have to remind myself to breathe.
With this in mind, I offer myself,
and all of the other parents out there
who need to remind themselves
to exhale, a list of new (school)
year’s resolutions. In honor of this
new school year, each resolution is
backed up by treasured characters
from favorite children’s books.
I wish all of you a blessed and
wonderful new school year, filled
with fun adventures, love, and
The Catoctin Banner Newspaper
beautiful memories. And may the
Force be with you!
Have faith in yourself…
you’ve got this.
There is no arguing that this
mom-thing is super hard sometimes.
Oprah Winfrey said of motherhood,
“I always say moms have the
toughest job in the world if you’re
doing it right.” President Obama
stated, “There’s no tougher job
than being a mom.” Renowned
author C.S. Lewis referenced a
housewife’s work as “surely, in
reality, the most important work
in the world.” Although this all
sounds very reassuring, the weight
of the responsibilities of raising
little human beings can be quite
daunting, if not crushing, at times.
In one of my favorite movies, Mom’s
Night Out, Trace Adkins’ character
delivers a moving speech to a mom
who worries she isn’t enough. “It’s
beautiful to watch one of God’s
creations just doing what it was
made to do. Ya’ll (moms) spend so
much time beating yourselves up. I
doubt the good Lord made a mistake
giving your kiddos the mom He
did.”
“Puff, puff, chug, chug, went
the Little Blue Engine. ‘I think I
can—I think I can—I think I can—I
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think I can—I think I can…I think
I can.’ Up, up, up. Faster and faster do it.’” (The House At Pooh Corner,
A.A. Milne).
and faster and faster the little engine
climbed, until at last they reached Take care of yourself; get
the top of the mountain.” (The Little enough sleep; and remember,
Engine That Could, Watty Piper). tomorrow is a new day.
In spite of all your hard work and
Take the time to smell the dedication, some days are just really
roses.
bad days. Our efforts, love, and
When faced with looming
deadlines, never-ending to-do lists determination make us who we are;
we are not the sum of our successes
and bombarded with media and and failures. After all, we often
images of hate, it is easy to feel learn more from our failures than
overwhelmed. It is important to we ever could from our successes.
take time for yourself to refuel and Tomorrow is another day full of new
re-energize. Take time to do things opportunities and possibilities.
that help restore you: pray, exercise, “It has been a terrible, horrible,
bake, write, etc. no good, very bad day. My mom says
“So they had to take Ferdinand some days are like that.” (Alexander
home. And for all I know he is and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good,
sitting there still, under his favorite Very Bad Day, Judith Viorst).
cork tree, smelling the flowers just
quietly. He is very happy.” (The Model empathy, compassion,
Story of Ferdinand, Munro Leaf). forgiveness, and kindness.
One resounding fact about
Take time to enjoy just being motherhood is that little eyes are
together. always watching. Our children learn
To date, no one has successfully behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs
found a rewind or pause button from watching us. In today’s world,
for life. Ever since I was a newbie it is even more important to extend
mom, family members, friends, and these works of mercy and model
strangers alike would caution me to these behaviors to our children.
treasure every moment with my little “No act of kindness, no matter
ones, because time flies by in the how small, is ever wasted.” (Aesop’s
blink of an eye. And they were right. Fables, Aesop).
It is important to take time from our
busy lives just to be together. Love with all your heart
“But what I like doing best is every day.
Nothing,” said Christopher Robin. Smile. Tell the people you love
‘How do you do Nothing?’ asked that you love them. At the end of
Pooh, after he has wondered for a the day, even if it was a terrible,
long time. horrible, no good, very bad day,
‘Well, it’s when people call out if children know they are loved,
at you just as you’re going off to everything else seems surmountable.
do it, What are you going to do, “Big Nutbrown Hare settled
Christopher Robin, and you say, Little Nutbrown Hare into his bed
Oh, nothing, and then you go and of leaves. He leaned over and kissed
him good night. Then he lay down
close by and whispered with a smile,
‘I love you right up to the moon –
and back.’” (Guess How Much I