Oh Mr. Morning, We Meet Again
Tags:
Yesterday, after a particularly challenging few mornings and afternoons, Simon and I had a little meeting to make a responsibility chart. As I got to some of his afternoon responsibilities he said, "May I have the pen?" I handed it over and he wrote his current favorite sentiment: "No School."
Meaning he would like to do anything other than go to school.
"No School's" best friend is "But I'm Tired."
Sometimes they pal around with "I Don't Care," "NO," or the occasional random friend "Journey To The Soul" (a long story involving Shrek The Third and what Simon originally thought was "Jeremy The Soil".
Each are said in the loveliest of whining voices with a pinch of tears every now and then thrown in for good measure.
Just about two years ago (almost to the day I realized when I went looking for the link) I posted a quick letter to Mr. Morning Challenge - letting him know that it was time for him to move on. Maybe there is something about this week in October that is just perfect for grouchiness in the morning. Right now we are having the distinct pleasure of an afternoon challenge as well.
According to his teachers his behavior at school has been good. They don't seem to be hearing as many "No" responses.
At home though, it's been a challenge.
My Mom has been staying with us the last few days and came to Simon's 2nd Grade Open House. Always fun to see the classroom - check out his desk, chat with his main teacher, see what parts he is excited about right now.
For all the "No School" talk in both the mornings and the afternoons there are lots of things he seems to be enjoying: running at recess with some other kids, playing with a chess board (not really playing right now but having fun putting all the pieces on the board and playing wizard chess), getting really good at math, and being the door holder (next best thing to being "line leader").
And as we were driving home from the swimming pool last night and as I said the prayer with him as he went to bed one of my favorite everyday life quotes from Mary Jean Iron kept going through my head:
Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.
So today, I am expressing gratitude for these normal days.
Comments
Sign in or sign up to comment.
146 comments
As the mom of a Special Needs student, I hear you on the challenges different parts of the day present. I've heard it said that kids "let it all out", so to speak, at home because that's where they feel safe. My theory is that our kids have more to let out because it's so much harder for them to keep their focus all day long. The anticipation of that, and the let down at the end of the day can be SUCH a challenge. :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love this post. Sometimes looking at the scrap magazines you only see that perfect smile, that perfect day - but documenting the bad ones seem like such a good idea too. To acknowledge it, to record it, and hopefully move on. I'm having a heck of a time with my 6 year old right now and it's so comforting to hear that I'm not the only one.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
We are having "one of those weeks" too, thanks for the reminder to be thankful in all things for the wonderful gift we've been given in our children!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I agree about the comment of the newness of school starting has passed and the reality has truly set in that getting up early each day is here to stay for another year. And, I love the Normal Day quote (it's my favorite) and has special meaning as my son has autism. Most people who don't experience autism first hand cannot truly know how wonderful a normal day is for us. I've been meaning to make a plaque by my front door with that poem and it's on the first page of my "Week in the Life" book from last year.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Your list of how the afternoon/evening goes is exactly how it is in my house. I had to establish it because things were getting so out of hand. I hated doing it cause I wanted the girls to "be kids" after school. But I found that having a schedule allowed them to be kids in their free time more than not having one did. Ugh! This parenting thing is not getting easier...it's getting harder!!! With this schedule everything actually gets DONE and the girls have so much more time to play. We aren't sitting at the table doing homework for two hours and fighting and crying, pulling teeth just to get thru something that should only take a half and hour. Thanks for sharing!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
What a great quote and reminder as life goes by far too fast and even though there are the daily challenges I don't want to miss a thing.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
Thanks so much for this post and the quote. It brought tears to my eyes as I thought about the gravity of being appreciative of the normal day. I have printed it to reflect on for days to come. Thanks so much.
Anne-Liesse
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thank you so much for sharing this prayer, it was amazing to me - so meaningful - thank you!!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
So I'm not the only one. My daughter is 5 and is in Kindergarten this year. Right off the bat I realized I had to make a weekly responsiblity list for her. It only includes the usual stuff to get done in the morning before school (get dressed, socks/shoes, hair, breakfast, brush teeth). These things had to be done before she could play in the morning before school. She gets extremely side tracked. At the end of the day if everything was marked off her list she is allowed to watch TV and at the end of the week if everything is marked off she gets an allowance. Next week I told her that I was added a chore to her weekly list that will include taking the garbage out on Tues/Fri evening...she was actually excited about it. It's working for us so far. Thanks for sharing your stories.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Ali,
I have found that they need activity, like racing, play tag, see how fast he can go from one side of the yard to the other, or to kick out aggression that has been building during the day, try having him kick a soccer ball, all this after snacks. I know that this technique works for me ...running around the block or walking after being couped up all day. I hope this helps.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Thank you for sharing. Perfect reflection for the day.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
OMG!!! We too are experiencing anti-school sentiments and afternoon challenges. And it.is.beyond.frustrating. I love love love the quote. It is going right into my kitchen...at this very moment. Maybe I'll print one up for my purse too :) Thanks for the reminder...
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love the honesty here...and the great perspective about treasuring normal days. Thank you for this.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Funny you mention the Oct challenge. My 13 year old starts getting cranky every year about this time. I think it must be about the time the newness of the new school year wears off and it's time to get down to business. This too shall pass....it has for the last 9 years of school. Love the quote/poem.
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I agree that there is something about this time of the year that is difficult - everybody seems cranky this week, myself included. Our morning refrain is often "my stomach hurts" or "my head hurts" and, of course, that's a dilemma too - are they really sick or just trying to get out of school? Sigh....
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
that is so wonderful, and so very true, everyday life (even though not "perfect" is the real treasure! thanks Ali!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
What a great post today, Ali! It's so amazing that you bear your soul with all of us...it allows US to realize that we are all in this same boat...called LIFE! Some days it just isn't easy...but through all of the struggles, there are wonderful, beautiful, perfect moments...making it all worthwhile! Hang in there...I am here to tell you that in the blink of an eye, they will grow up (practically overnight!) and you will be proud of the amazing "little people" you raised! Take care! :o)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Did you watch Nie Nie on Oprah yesterday? That quote is perfect! She is a perfect example of what a blessing normal is and how we shouldn't take it for granted. Thank you! :)
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
Wow--never thought about it that way, but you (and commenters) are on to something about the October blues. My 7 year old this morning was just plain old grumpy with attitude thrown in. When I asked her about it, she said, "I'm tiiirrredddd."
Aren't we all? :)
P.S. I get to go to work late this AM for flu shot, so looking forward to listening to week 1 of Yesterday & Today!
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.
I love the quote and your perspective. My mom's favorite retorts to my crankiness were "this is payback. it is exactly what I did to my mother and you will get yours one day too." or "I understand that you are taking this out on me because I love you unconditionally and it is the only safe place to work it out."
Replies
Sign in or sign up to reply.