To start, if you are reading this letter, I’d love you to sign up and join me every week as I write on a variety of things relating in some form or another, to women. It’ll read as if we were talking over coffee or wine. It’s easy and it’s free and it will make my day if you subscribe!
For women there are many 'Seasons' not quite the same for men. Men tend to keep the same name, same interests, and often similar work for many years. Us women change our surname, our roles, our jobs regularly through our lives. We have to adapt and survive through the many changes.
This "new normal" for you might be interesting, frustrating, upsetting, and wonderful, varying day to day. You have lots of other firsts ahead of you, enjoy them, laugh at yourself at times and share your experiences so they can help others.
I remember the flap I was in when our daughter brought home a boyfriend for the first time - I tried to be the relaxed, cool, nonchalant mum but made a complete idiot of myself. I kept making excuses as why I needed to be in the same room as they were in "are my scissors in here" "where's my book?"
"excuse me anyone fancy a drink?" I was the least cool I could ever be!
But you do go through a time when all your child's friends think you are great, it's just your own kid finds you a complete embarrassment.
Wow! This is a powerful piece, and heartfelt. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing.
I am now a grandmother, but I remember those times with my own son and daughter, so clearly. They are now both parents and I can enjoy the process of raising babies and small children again, re-learning in a different age, for each individual child. My three grandchildren are aged 10, 7 and 9 months and all so very different. I am quite hands on, especially with the baby at the moment and the 10 year old grand daughter who shares my passions for dance and reading / writing. The seven year old grandson is an absolute joy to spend time with and full of questions we can't answer! But I delight in this new phase of parenting; GRAND parenting, which is role I was not prepared for, but feel blessed to be involved with. Life, for me, is about motherhood and family and this is reflected in my books. My themes are all about when it goes right and when it doesn't work out as expected. But LOVE is at the heart of it all. And Maternal love is the most powerful force on earth. It never fades and nourishes our souls. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us! And enjoy every phase of your children's growing up. x x
For women there are many 'Seasons' not quite the same for men. Men tend to keep the same name, same interests, and often similar work for many years. Us women change our surname, our roles, our jobs regularly through our lives. We have to adapt and survive through the many changes.
This "new normal" for you might be interesting, frustrating, upsetting, and wonderful, varying day to day. You have lots of other firsts ahead of you, enjoy them, laugh at yourself at times and share your experiences so they can help others.
I remember the flap I was in when our daughter brought home a boyfriend for the first time - I tried to be the relaxed, cool, nonchalant mum but made a complete idiot of myself. I kept making excuses as why I needed to be in the same room as they were in "are my scissors in here" "where's my book?"
"excuse me anyone fancy a drink?" I was the least cool I could ever be!
But you do go through a time when all your child's friends think you are great, it's just your own kid finds you a complete embarrassment.
Embrace the "seasons" and enjoy the memories!
Wow! This is a powerful piece, and heartfelt. Thank you, Lauren, for sharing.
I am now a grandmother, but I remember those times with my own son and daughter, so clearly. They are now both parents and I can enjoy the process of raising babies and small children again, re-learning in a different age, for each individual child. My three grandchildren are aged 10, 7 and 9 months and all so very different. I am quite hands on, especially with the baby at the moment and the 10 year old grand daughter who shares my passions for dance and reading / writing. The seven year old grandson is an absolute joy to spend time with and full of questions we can't answer! But I delight in this new phase of parenting; GRAND parenting, which is role I was not prepared for, but feel blessed to be involved with. Life, for me, is about motherhood and family and this is reflected in my books. My themes are all about when it goes right and when it doesn't work out as expected. But LOVE is at the heart of it all. And Maternal love is the most powerful force on earth. It never fades and nourishes our souls. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts with us! And enjoy every phase of your children's growing up. x x