I Love My Job

I love my job. It's the hardest job I have ever done, and yet the most rewarding in so many ways. I never had a job with such emotional highs and lows, that takes so much of my time, my energy, my soul, and yet I don't get a paycheck.

Kids really do put life into perspective. They teach you as much as they learn from you. They test you and push you to the brink of emotional exhaustion or frustration, and you realize they have minds of their own and you're here to encourage and love and guide them, and at every opportunity you must step back and let them take baby steps towards maturity and independence, and encourage them to follow their dreams. And what you get in return is a lot of guilt, a lot of doubt, and a lot of love. Teaching your children to be productive members of society, to do something good for the world, to give back, as well as to achieve their dreams is one of the most difficult jobs there is. And it's the most important.

I am learning to know when to gently encourage, and when to push my kids to do for themselves, even if they make a mistake. Even if they fail. Because laziness and entitlement should never be the result of my compassion for my children's feelings and my desire to see them succeed. Life can be unfair. If kids are handed everything, if they're never expected to do anything for themselves, or to endure the consequences of their actions and be held accountable, however embarrassing or unpleasant, then how in the world will they ever survive in the real world? How could they possibly begin to improve the world--you know there's room for it!--if they lack the determination, the self-esteem and motivation to try.

I am in the midst of this angst as I checked Maisey into first grade today. I entrust her education to others. It's my choice, and for many reasons I feel the best one for our family. But I am also actively doing my part to teach both girls at home: why we have and follow rules, being responsible for yourself and your things, being honest and living up to your word, having empathy and caring for others, showing good manners to friends and strangers alike, developing healthy habits, and the list goes on. In return, my girls are teaching me to keep my mind open, to see and respect other possibilities, other perspectives. My heart has still more room to expand with love for them. It's incredible. They're not just my job, they're my life's work.