Summer Reflections

The end of summer is nearing and it is really a sad time. This has been one of the greatest summers that I can remember and it's so memorable because I decided to be a stay-at-home-mom.

I won't lie and say that it was an easy decision. Many people believe that when you become a SAHM the biggest fear is lack of adult interaction. That was not the case with me. It's easy to pick up the phone or shoot off an e-mail to a friend and get caught up on the latest news or share opinions about the current political climate. My biggest fear was how to create an environment for my daughter that would help her grow, learn and prepare for the big world that awaits her. I feared that I wasn't equipped to teach her to count, learn her ABCs, learn her colors, words and all of the other things that she was on the road to discovering at her daycare. But then a very good friend stepped up to let me know that she will do just fine. Giving her the gift of my time and love is something that she will remember her entire life. There is no need for me to create pseudo lesson plans and create constructive play. She learns from everyday life. She learns from the moments that we sit on the floor and play with blocks. She learns from the stories that we read throughout the day and when Beanie Daddy puts her to bed each night. She learns about the world from our long, leisurely walks. She learns from the example we set for her in our daily life.

We have played with blocks for countless hours; we have gone to KinderMusik classes; we have gone swimming; we have had a blast this summer.

I am truly blessed to have this opportunity to spend with JillyBean. It is a gift that I will treasure forever and one that I am sure that she will too.