It’s hard to believe that we are half way through the year already, tomorrow is my birthday and another year of my life has gone by. I am not bothered about that, I look at each year as another year I have been so lucky to have amazing people in my life, watch my kiddos grow, (even though I want to shrink them back to tiny tots somedays), another year of meeting new people, carving out new friendships and laughing with old friends.
My unrest lately comes more from feeling I am not in the right place (where I live), last week if you had a chance to read my post, I discussed and asked you if you believe the grass is always greener on the other side? I got some amazing responses that truly allowed me to ponder further these confused feelings of mine. Thank you to everyone who shared advice and thoughts.
I think in many ways the grass does seem greener elsewhere, but the truth is wherever we put down roots on that fresh grass we plant all our former problems in the new soil and the cycle begins again. About 3 years ago we had a lightbulb moment, we were living in a dream home, and in a beautiful location, yet our children’s school was far to get to, all their activities and friends were so far away and it was taking its toll. We knew that moving to where we are now was the right choice. It was, it has been amazing and the children are thriving, so why would I even think about moving away from that? Starting afresh somewhere completely new? It seems insane doesn’t it?
As much as I know how illogical it sounds, I feel like I am not living my truth here. It is a lovely area, but I feel boxed in and stifled. A friend suggested I watch a TED talk about Super Chickens, by Margaret Heffernan. Her point for making me watch it is because I was talking about trying to give my children everything, the best in Private Education and extracurricular activities so they have the best chance for success in the future, but should our focus be on raising Super Chickens? Or raising well rounded, happy, empathetic, chickens who can be successful in their own ways?
If I was to move away and raise them in a simpler life would I be holding them back, or would I be freeing them?
Still with all the advice and thoughts my heart and head remain in turmoil, I am just more at peace with letting that be the case for a while. I need to be still, and breathe and hope that end the end my husband and I make the right choices together as a team, and that I can find some peace in this busy mind of mine.
Somehow my little Chickens will turn out just fine, I know this, and probably more than busy lives or simple lives they just need to know their parents love them and are there for them, and that is the one thing I can do.
Any thoughts?
Mac xx
12 comments
Sounds like you need a place with a couple of acres in a small community, but only 15mins away from school…..😉
we’ve got the best of both, small town in rural herefordshire. Acres of countryside but they can also walk to their friends houses #ablogginggoodtime
I’m really glad the internet had not found its way into my home when my kids were all tiny, or I would have been second-guessing myself with even more skill than I did with only parenting magazines to keep me paranoid. 🙂
We want SO MUCH for our kids. And we knock ourselves out trying to find the sweet spot of perfection. I’m finally learning that God knows which parents to assign to which children, and He will work out the details for where their tiny roots are established. Thanks, Mackenzie, for your excellent ponderings on parenthood lately.
A good balance of both I think is the answer! Giving them opportunities to thrive but yet the freedom to choose and to have some downtime. #ablogginggoodtime
I would love to live in a rural area sadly due to circumstances. I can’t. So, you just got to do what you can with what you got X #ablogginggoodtime
Balance is good … Busy enough not to be bored but not so busy they’re too shattered to enjoy any of it … Good luck with figuring it
You know, that last line there – that is it, actually. Children need to know their parents love them and are there for them. Growing up in an environment of love and support goes a long way in making us well-rounded, well-adjusted adults. xx
It is easy to always second guess yourself but remember any decision you make, you are doing it with love. With my kids, I presented options and let them decide what they wanted to do but with the rule of “Once you start it, no quitting until the school year or the activity was done.” That was my rule. #ablogginggoodtime
Mac, Happy Birthday! I hope you have the healthiest, happiest of years ahead of you! Now, the grass, it is always greener because, and you said it already, our problems, issues, baggage follows us wherever we lay our heads at night. Currently, I think the world is just programmed on high anxiety — everywhere! And that is contributing to the problem. I will look for that TED talk, and tonight, I will celebrate you!
I hope you had a great birthday. As caring parents I think we are led to forever wonder what to do for our children that will lead to the best result. May whatever you decide be the best decision for you and yours. #ablogginggoodtime
I’m really lucky as I have the best of both. I’m in rural dorset but only 10 minutes outside the county town. its like stepping between worlds
#ablogginggoodtime
I can relate to this. We live in a very expensive area and I know that if we moved we could have more in terms of bigger house, garden etc but not necessarily as decent school. I’m also feeling very negative about where live at the moment as I was treated really badly by a group of ‘friends’ after I had my second child and it got so out of hand I really have to go out of my way to avoid them, and i think I’d be happier without that worry every time I leave the house. My husband wants to stay though so I think this is us for now. #ablogginggoodtime
Comments are closed.