Can you actually believe it?
It is actually very ironic when I realize that I have spent practically more than a year being a stay-at-home mom, and then realize at the same time that most of the stuff that are supposed to be part of being "motherly wisdom" was formed the past months only.
Seriously. Was I wasting my time (or having a fun time of it, you might ask?)
I guess I am, what sir Francis Kong would refer to as a "slow learner" in his book (DUH?!! Why do intelligent people Develop Unhealthy Habits? How to get out of it and WIN!). When it comes to being a hands on parent, there were some aspects of being a stay at home mom that I never got to understand and appreciate until recently, after I have started my planning to be an active part of the privately employed sector once again. But just as Francis Kong said it, "...I am a slow learner because I want to internalize everything I learn. I want what I learn to become a part of me."
Now, I realize that moms really do wake up at dawn, and prepare stuff for their husbands and kids. I optimize my time and ensure that my babies' change of clothes are immediately washed after they take them off. I have stringently scheduled a bath time and set a routine for the nanny to follow so that when I am at work, I will be assured that my babies are getting cleaned the way I expect them to be cleaned.
I have even immersed my kids in a regular 5 minute reading time so that their love of reading will be nurtured as they grow older. Watching television is strictly monitored and limited and instead, I encourage them to be more active in playing and moving around, dancing and singing so that healthier and a more active lifestyle is introduced to them while they are still young.
Two days ago, my three year old daughter saw me set the table, and went to the utensils cabby and got the spoons and forks. Now when it is time for a meal, she is the one setting the utensils beside everybody's plate. And she is great at it too.
My two year old son knows when it is time to take his vitamins. He knows well enough where to get the vitamins and spoon, and he brings both over to me as he waits for me to give him and his sister their dosage for the day. My husband and I taught them the value of thinking for themselves, so that they can develop comprehension about the world early on their own.
All in all, I feel happy at all the learning - things not only my kids have and are learning, but those that me and my husband are picking up along the way. There is still much ground to cover but I am just so happy to get the chance to be able to learn this way. I am not recommending that everyone take a sabbatical like I did in order to be a better parent (which I believe I have become), but in my case, it really worked.
