Carefree Childhood

      With all the littles around starting school, it really has me thinking about next year when I will send my own little off to school. for a really long time I thought I would home school, and sometimes question whether or not I should. I do want her to get that experience of going to school with her peers and learning and playing with the other children. But sometimes my own fear stops me dead in my tracks and makes me want to keep her home with me. Today I happened upon a quote that I feel like I really needed to read.

“A child needs both to be hugged and unhugged. The hug lets her know she is valuable. The unhug lets her know that she is viable. If you’re always shoving your child away, they will cling to you for love. If you’re always holding them closer, they will cling to you for fear.”

–Polly Berrien Berends, Gently Lead

I am assuming this quote comes from a book. I am going to look into and see because I feel like I could benefit from it. I don't want to smother my child and or create unnecessary fear in her. I also don't want to shove her off to school and brush my hands of that! LOL. I am learning that it's going to be a great balance of the two, and I am sure I will continue to learn and struggle with this. (probably more than she will). She is happy to go and very excited, even though she does ask many questions about it...ie: Will the teachers be nice? Will I have friends? Will I have homework? ...and so on. I am hoping to ease her fears (along with my own) by the time she starts school and moves into this next phase of her life. My baby girl is growing way to fast! I wish she could stay little and enjoy the carefree life of being a child much longer than kids these days get to. Being a mommy is hard work!