Nothing worth doing is ever easy. That is a quote - I don't know who said it- that has always stuck with me when I start to feel grim about my workload. But to accomplish anything that isn't easy, you have to have a team behind you. People in my daily life who are supportive and make my workload possible, surprising, include my children. Often children are overlooked, but my two older ones actually do quite a bit around the house as far as taking over petty chores. My daughter can cook basic nutritious meals and she is often my g to person when I come home from work knowing I need to cram for a few hours. The benefit of these older children is that my household duties are lessened and I have more time for school work. Without this domestic support it would be much more difficult to meet deadlines and focus on things that require energy.
I always wondered what it would be like if I was confined to a wheelchair. I encounter students bound to wheelchairs on a daily basis and wonder how they learn to cope. Alot of my daily activity depends on mobility and speed. I would definitely need accommodations as far as furniture (the height) and possibly have my daughter take over most of the cooking since I don't know how using a stove would work from a wheelchair. I would also need help with transportation. Without supportive people to help fill in the gaps I'm not sure how I would arrange regular everyday tasks. It would take much more time, alot of creativity and maybe there are some things I would need to give up.
So for me it is a bit ironic to be studying early childhood development and realizing at the same time how much I depend on my children to shoulder some of the basic burdens of the house in order for me to learn all about their development. Maybe I should start giving them an allowance.
Hi Shahrazad,
ReplyDeleteGreat quote and yes a great team behind you is always great to have. Even the Grinch had to find that out the hard way but he found out and realized a great supporting cast will take you as far as you want to go. I love how you included the children because a lot of times children get overlooked and it is not fair to them because they work so hard and love us grown ups so much, they are always around, supporting and helping a lot of times more than other family members and friends. I think where people make mistakes is looking at support as a sign of themselves being weak and they don't need support. Everyone needs support, it gives extra life to a person and just having someone around that is very supportive of your goals and dreams makes your goals and dreams a lot easier to get to.
Shahrazad,
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that you acknowledged your children as part of a support system for you. I can totally relate to this. When I start to get overwhelmed, my twelve year old steps it up and recognizes how she can lighten my load to decrease my stress level. Children are truly a blessing and people underestimate their ability all of the time. In difficult times, my daughter has also been instrumental in giving me positive words of encouragement-who knew? This little girl of mine would be filled with enough wisdom to recognize when grown ups need help that can't be measured in dollars and cents-priceless!
I have to agree with Carlos; strong support systems strengthen your ability to achieve your goals.