My Blog

Life Change

03/07/2012 03:38:00

One day you wake up and your life has changed. Your kids are grown and moved out and a new life has begun. This has happened to me and it was quite shocking at first. You then ask yourself the question, what do I do now? The environment is so quiet and the fast pace of kids is gone. A new chapter has started and there is so many options. The scary part is taking the next step. I am now ready to do that. So many changes in a very short period of time. You feel a loss and it is sad but also exciting. I now realize this is not a loss but a wonderful new start. My family will always be there and I will always be there for them. Self reflection happens and you wonder have you been a good parent and done the best you can. I am not perfect and did make mistakes along the way but I look at my kids and feel so much pride. They are on their own roads now and it is very exciting to watch them grow and mature into young adults. What more could a parent want. Life is good. I have hope for the future.

Addictions

11/11/2011 16:16:00

Have you ever wanted to drink till your brain dead or maybe do drugs to make things go away? Wow what a way to go through life. Always high and feeling pretty good. Unfortunately those highs have severe lows. When you have an addiction you rationalize why it is okay to do this. Addicts can loose their jobs, family, security and friends. If you have someone you care about that is addicted please get help for this person. If they do not have a problem that's where patience and friendship come in. Unfortunately we have to walk away from these relationships sometimes. It is tough love. It is very sad to watch a person deteriorate when lost in the alchol faze or drug haze. Reach out if you know someone needs help. People sometimes feel all alone and have no one to turn to. If you let this person know you are there for them and will support them every step of the way on their journey back. If an alcoholic or addict comes to the realization they need help this will make them a stronger person. It is never too late to make good, healthy changes in your life. It is a very positive first step.

Life can be simple, Live, Love, Laugh and remember to treat everyday like it is your last. Take the first step......

Parenting

09/24/2011 10:22:00

Being a parent can be very rewarding at times and then also quite challenging. We cannot be friends with our kids during their time living at home, especially in the teen years. Sometimes we make decisions that challenge us to the limit but we know in their future this will help them and mold them into a young adult. It is called tough love. Try to project in the mind long term as where you see your teen as an adult or ask them where they see themselves? Life is about choices and we have made good and bad choices. No parent is perfect. We learn a lot from our kids and also life lessons. We all make mistakes. It is the mistakes we make that can improve our parenting skills. Do not continue to make the same mistake over and over. If it is not working, try something else. A parent myself, it has not been easy over the years but I will tell you every moment is worth it. There were times I wanted to give up but then I would look at my kids and realize they needed me. What a wonderful feeling to feel needed and have a sense of purpose in life. It is a pleasure to be a mom and I am very proud of my kids. They are all unique in a very special way.

Please note that I am not trying to tell anyone how to parent. There are many ways to parent and this has worked for me. There have been times my kids DID NOT understand my decisions but I know in my heart as the years go by they will get it. Humour is a wonderful technique to help you get through the stressful times. Sleep is also very important. A very good friend once told me "keep it simple". Well parenting can be done the hard way or the simple way. Sometimes we give in but over time this is the hard way. The easy way is to be firm and follow thru.

My mom bought me a plaque years ago and it is so true.

"If Mom ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"

Suicidal Thoughts

09/20/2011 12:45:00

Sometimes we can feel so alone and have no one to turn to. There is always someone out there that will listen. Please remember that. Suicide can be in our thoughts at certain stages in our life. Life is challenging in many ways. At times we can feel so overwhelmed. Talk to me...........