tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post4908782947897219979..comments2024-03-08T13:52:22.224-07:00Comments on LAJOY FAMILY: Poor Pitiful MeCindy LaJoyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16486626867331586704noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-69145228596493787682012-04-12T14:50:16.276-06:002012-04-12T14:50:16.276-06:00Being a teacher is hard work. As you have learned,...Being a teacher is hard work. As you have learned, you have to be *on* the whole time that you are teaching. Ready with a lesson plan, ready to answer questions that you would never have thought of. But a teacher at school gets to go rest in the teacher's lounge, and gets weekends and summers off. She gets to go home in the evening. Even though most teachers put in long hours after school, on weekends, during the summer, they still have down time. Teaching your own kids means that you have *no* downtime. How exhausting is that? You have got to give yourself some time alone kiddo.B.A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12898260235916953802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-55739884611922250092012-04-12T09:06:14.280-06:002012-04-12T09:06:14.280-06:00Yes, Cindy, you can do this.
Kathy WYes, Cindy, you can do this.<br /><br />Kathy WKathrynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09795425160061355148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-90592885299915391692012-04-10T22:07:09.403-06:002012-04-10T22:07:09.403-06:00May I just share this?
You ARE doing this. You A...May I just share this?<br /><br />You ARE doing this. You ARE doing this. You ARE doing this.<br /><br />And incredibly.<br /><br />Parenting is hard. Period. And there is no amount of gratitude for an amazing and wonderful life that can take that truth away. Parenting is HARD.<br /><br />Praying for you...for strength...endurance...easier...just the ability to sigh for a second. <br />xoxoxoLorihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01828552745708177768noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-7514542869349562052012-04-10T11:35:59.963-06:002012-04-10T11:35:59.963-06:00And maybe just one more thought for you...
I have ...And maybe just one more thought for you...<br />I have to remind myself that it's perfectly normal for me to sometimes feel overwhelmed with four teenagers. Ours are actually only two ages, with two 17yr olds and two 15yr olds, though in four different grades. Next year, we'll have one in each grade in high school. (Most of our own high school and college classmates are long past the teenager stage and "retired" from parenting kids at home.) Little wonder, as they are going through very similar teen struggles, that this isn't the easiest job in the world. Add in your kids' school challenges (though we have some, there seem to be no learning disabilities or challenges other than language still), and the fact that they've not all even been home that long...little wonder you feel this way, Cindy. <br /><br />Praying you can see how "normal" you are, as you continue to do your best for each of them. I also try to remind myself that this is a "season". You won't always be teaching English or semantics or social skills. Your kids will mature, learn, become very competent adults in their own time and under their own schedule. <br /><br />Nancy againAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-32326469271397918952012-04-10T11:31:05.033-06:002012-04-10T11:31:05.033-06:00You are faced with an overwhelming challenge that ...You are faced with an overwhelming challenge that you approach with courage and love. You are also supported by many who love you, Dominic, and each of the children. You are allowed to succumb to the tremendous responsibilities occasionally. You need to seek those activities and people who will sustain you and Dominic as well as the children. That said, you may have to pick and choose your priorities. You have several roles here, mother, teacher, counselor, coordinator, wife. What can you allow others to do partially or entirely? What further resources can you pull in? For instance, do you need a chauffer so that you can be attentive to some activities while others are supervising and transporting occasionally? Finally, none of us--even you--parents or teaches or coordinates perfectly. Your plate is not only full but overflowing. Recognize that we do the best we can. You are pushing yourself to do more than the best you can. You have grown, learned, taught, loved more than so many. Yet, there will be things not done, not completed, not accomplished. God does not call us to be perfect but to use the God-given talents we have. You, Dominic, and the children are each and every one doing that. You may not be a perfect parent, but you are THE perfect parent for these children.<br /><br />Call on us when you need something, and we will check in to see what we can do to help.<br /><br />Lael and ChrisAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-9307033240775997982012-04-10T11:27:31.351-06:002012-04-10T11:27:31.351-06:00Cindy, I wonder too if some of this comes from sub...Cindy, I wonder too if some of this comes from subconsciously feeling that you are on a "schedule" with your kids? I think we can all do this, and especially those of us with older adopted kids who have much to catch up on. I can find myself worrying that our two daughters (home at 10 1/2yrs and 11yrs) will be on track to graduate from high school with their peers. That's when I start to compare them with other kids. Not helpful, I know. But if I remind myself that we can take whatever time we need to make sure they're prepared for "the outside world", I relax a bit more. <br /><br />I'm not diminishing all your challenges, for I know we only share some of yours..and I get overwhelmed with those! I couldn't handle all you do, with my personality. As you say, there are always those with so many more challenges than we (or even you) have. <br /><br />Your family shares so much fun/love/laughter...I pray that you will soon be able to just focus on one day at a time, full and busy and challenging as each one is. And that you will not let your mind move too far ahead. I know that's one thing I've struggled with in parenting these past 29 1/2 yrs...not looking too far ahead. Some days I was better at staying focused on the here and now, and some days not. <br /><br />But my faith, and I believe yours, reminds us that God will not call us to any task without providing us with His strength to do it.<br /><br />One day, one lesson, one hug at a time, Cindy. Praying you can relax, be encouraged, and enjoy the process each day. <br /><br />Nancy in the MidwestAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-9771474310978158652012-04-10T09:51:03.245-06:002012-04-10T09:51:03.245-06:00Again, you are a "REAL" teacher:) Also,...Again, you are a "REAL" teacher:) Also, you are giving your kids way much more than they would most likely get in 90% of schools out there. You do have years of back parneting and back teaching to do, and when kids don't fall into the majority, they saddly do not get the attention and care they so desperately need to feel safe and secure let alone learn. Your kids are comming along at warp speed, because you are making learning safe and authentic. All we can do as teachers is start where are students are, then take them to a new level. Remember the More you know the less you know, so what you are feeling is the awkward growing pains of your own mind, and of your children's minds, bodies and souls.Karon https://www.blogger.com/profile/11824135214292463773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35990418.post-773987456494224042012-04-10T09:20:48.659-06:002012-04-10T09:20:48.659-06:00"Intentional" parenting IS hard and you ..."Intentional" parenting IS hard and you are definitely "allowed" to succumb to the fatigue and throw a pity party but have no doubt YOU are the Mom that God has called to these children which means YOU are the perfect mom for all of it...and you can do it!Kimberlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03231865115078342875noreply@blogger.com