"Haay.... ang dami na nangyari!" As the saying goes in Tagalog. It was hard to write about because most of my energy was spent trying to absorb what was coming my way alternating with daily chores needing to get done. I was like "Little Red Hen" these past two weeks! and it became very clear that doing it All is not what it's cut out to be. Actually, I've known it for quite awhile, i mean, i do have four (4) kids, right? And I do live in the Philippines where the way of life is to have help around you. It's just that it's not so easy for me to receive the help even when i'm clearly in need.
I wished enough times that I grew up in an intact household, with an intact staff, that I can INHERIT. At least then you know they're not going anywhere. So, I do my best to do the chores myself, or at least supervise , and be organized in the running of it. HA! the operative words there are "I", "ORGANIZED", and "MY HOUSEHOLD".
I recently added a button to the sidebar called Steady Mom. It is a blog of a mother named Jamie who has three (3) kids. One is her biological child while the other two, she adopted from different parts of the world. In a way, I find a kinship with her because I too wanted to adopt some time ago. I thought, "I don't really need to have my own kids, there are so many children around the world who need homes". It seems almost vain to even want to have your own. Well, I later found (from Steiner i think) that these children come because they have chosen you as their parent and sometime somewhere, we also said, "yes! i am honored to be your mother". It's not exactly like picking out a child you fancy; It is also that a child chooses YOU; even after he/she is born.
Jamie has written a book called Steady Days. I like this book because she essentially talks about creating a Rhythm in her home. STEADY implies a pulse to it and it keeps on, no matter what. After having been through the younger years with my two older boys, my girl and currently by 1.5 mos toddler, I know Rhythm is what gets me through a day. Sometimes, i have bad days, and sometimes pretty good ones, but the rhythm/steady routine is my anchor.
Steiner said, and is often quoted, that "Rhythm is Power". It is a basic facet that every living thing on earth has an underlying rhythm.
In her case, she felt that she had to be more intentional and professional about motherhood. She felt that the structure of a routine allowed her to be more productive at the end of the day. And her motivation to organize stemmed from her need to feel in Control. I empathized yet again.... since Control can be my middle name sometimes, I was told. I'm working on it. It's not really easy to see it before i'm past the words i've already said.
I have a sign by the bedroom door that serves as my reminder, "Keep Calm and Carry On".
I just want to add that for all you waldorf parents, I hope you don't get too alarmed at Jamie's use of Educational videos for her kids on some occasions. I do feel that she thinks and selects her choices about how and when to use videos with her kids. The fact that she has thought long and hard about it, is good enough for me.