Things I have actually done for a Klondike bar:
1. I'd ride the subway four stops with a child who needs stitches in her head and a Klondike bar to keep her spirits up.
2. I'd walk three blocks to the grocery store and pay money.
3. I'd unwrap it and eat it if someone handed it to me.
4. Nothing of consequence
5. ...Ummm, I'm out.
What would I do for my kids? Now, we're talking motivation!! My children are a constant source of inspiration to do more; to be more. I wrote about it here.
Things I have actually done for my children:
1. KEEP TRYING.
At age five, Star stayed up for several hours mastering the snap. The next morning she snapped and said, "I'm the kind that sticks to it." She made a poster for me during my marathon training last year. When I would get weary on long runs, thinking about that poster and the girl who made it was better than jelly beans. Domestic functionality decreased when I was sweating over my first published essay, but Star encouraged me, "If it makes you happy then you should keep working on it."
2. CARE
Angelfish is sensitive to others. A tug at her heartstrings puts her hands to work. At age nine she planned and prepared chicken enchiladas, a vegetable side and dessert for an injured neighbor. She learns our neighbor's names and even asks for their phone numbers or business cards. Angelfish's example has inspired me to stop the stroller for a sidewalk chat with neighbors when it would be more convenient to pass on by.
3. BE BRAVE
Sparkle climbs light posts and street signs. She thinks dead birds are "interesting." She studies insects outdoors but kills them when they come inside. She tells teenage boys, "Pull up your pants. I can see your underwear!" She tackles math, science and art the same way. She's not afraid to experiment or get messy. On Sparkle's behalf, I once steadied my nerves and replaced her tooth in the socket from whence it was knocked. Impressed with the thrill of independence she feels at walking rails or scaling fences, I started working on my handstand. It may not be a marketable skill, but it sure would give my confidence a boost if I could hold a handstand. I've gotten up to two seconds.
4. TEST LIMITS
Torpedo was born like a rocket and has been pushing the envelope ever since. If there is a fence he wants to be on the other side. If there is a gate he must exit. If we're inside he throws things out the window (phone, remote, wireless mouse, bottles from the shower, books, toys, keys, etc.). While I'm teaching him to recognize and respect limits, he's teaching me to test my limits and try new things. In fact, his smooth speedy delivery partially inspired me finally to step out of the mainstream and fulfill my dream of a home birth.
5. ACCEPTANCE
Mermaid meets the world on her terms and she's usually happy. Today she clapped and smiled while a child six weeks her junior ran rings around her. She didn't roll onto her face and cry because she is nearly two and still not walking alone. She isn't on a schedule, timeline or trying to fill a mold. Mermaid invites me to meet all my children where they are with pleasure and confidence that they will progress. For example, as a home school mom teaching a literature based curriculum, I was teetering on panic over a reluctant reader. Mermaid reminded me that patience, confidence and consistently meeting my child on her terms would heal the relationship and solve the problem. Furthermore, she reminds me to move forward happily, though incrementally, from where I am rather than from where I think I should be by now.
Nah! I wouldn't paint my face bright blue for a Klondike bar. That was for the kids too!
