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I have heard of culture shock. I think I am experiencing "season shock". I have always read things about living life in "seasons". I have found this very sage advice. I like to be present in my days as much as possible. It is easier to do this when you know you are living life one season at a time. It makes it possible to "do your very best" when you know that it won't last forever. I nursed my son for almost three years and he was up and down so much at night. His health problems made him miserable and cranky (and apparantly very thirsty!). I was exhausted a lot of the time, but I felt like it was just a "season" that would pass. I felt he needed me, so I stuck it out. Suddenly, he is weaned and sleeping - happy and feeling better - and growing in independence every day. I am so glad that I stuck it out with him. There are so many examples that I have had with living in the "season". My life has been so consumed by young children for years. I have loved it. I still have young ones, but they are changing. My life is changing. I started my new job this week. After all of the gut-wrenching agony of facing this decision, the reality is...well...pleasant! I had imagined so many horrors of being gone for some of the day, only to discover that my children are just fine. It has helped that we made major preparation before I started. We read books about Mommy working, talked about it, etc., etc. Then, my job worked out my hours so that my husband and I can completely flip-flop schedules. It has worked out so nicely. Of course, it is only week one, but I choose to stay optimistic. We have a nicely organized homeschool plan and a tidying up schedule that, frankly, works better than when I was at home 24/7. It might be because we are all so highly committed to making this work. We don't have a choice right now, but to make it work. The important thing is, everyone, each one of us, has contributed to the success of week one. This is a homeschool lesson by itself. A family coming together to make the most of the situation you find yourself in - that is important. In some way, I think I thought that the season of very young children was the "best" one and that I would be so sad to see it pass. Instead I am finding that the new season of change that leaves behind nursing and nappies and ushers in scouting and slumber parties can be a lot of fun. I thought that I would have to be home (without an outside the home job) to be the "perfect" Mom. Now I find that there are as many ways to make a home work as there are people in homes. Sometimes your world can shrink to just the "loop" that you are in - your homeschooling, breastfeeding, church friends, etc. I am not saying that this is bad -for a season. But then, stepping out into the world and seeing new people and meeting new challenges can be an inspirational experience. If you had told me, years ago, that I would one day say that, I would have laughed. It used to seem to me that I had to be the "textbook perfect Mom" to be happy. Now, I just want to live contently in each season - to accept the cup that is mine alone to drink, and to experience the freedom and grace that God has poured out on my family. I am in "season shock". I thought it would be sad to move on. I find that it is only a step in a bigger journey. |
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Posted by NCGANCOHKYNC
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