Upside Down

May 7th. Motherhood comes to mind today and I think that in some ways I did a pretty good job with my children.

I caught some clips of thought from a couple of researchers when I was bouncing around channel surfing yesterday. Their research focused on the myths we have about successful parenting and the things we think are the 'right thing to do'. One myth was we need to have books around the house and read to our children every day. What the researchers found was this -- we need to have the books around the house, reading to our children is just frosting on the cake. It seems that the magic factor is that the child sees the parent reading. Role-modeling the behavior. It is just that simple.

Today I rented and downloaded 'Finding Neverland' and realized that I probably gave my kids the gift of suspension of disbelief enough to believe in themselves. To have the confidence to try. To have a belief in a future as a horizon that is far off but attainable, not some scimpy line drawn in the dirt in front of their toes. A horizon so limited their heads are down watching the dust blurring their 'future' line.

Each of my children is a marvel and a wonder to me. I am their cheerleader and admirer. I have hoped as their mother to never limit them with lifescripts of what I thought they should do with their lives, but to open up possibilities and doors to walk through, if their passion drew them.

To aid when I could. To advise when asked. To cheer loudly at their triumphs. For them to know happiness, and contentment, and ultimately, satisfaction in their life's work.