the first passage that struck me was the thoughts about opting out, and it’s a topic i’ve been considering in my spare quiet moments, too, and coming more and more to a vague philosophy that says we are too much defined by career in our culture, that what you “are” should be more what you believe in, what you love deeply, and he is already a video game programmer / cellist / artist, it’s achieved! and you are a philosopher / writer / mother, you do not have to convince a third party you are worth money for what you are for it to be true. you have not opted out.

these things you write, the way you think and perceive your children, this almost-teen, these are proof that you are very much “in.”

“But secretly? I believe that regardless of the challenges, it’s this privilege to get to watch the man emerging from the baby I once held, however much access I am allowed.” – I loved this line.

and this one: “But my kids have taught me that you can grow through play and exploration, that frustration doesn’t have to be deep pain.”

Bravo!!

I think that as mothers, we need to give ourselves credit for how our sons turn out. It is the moms that teach their boys how good, decent men are to behave. The men in their lives are far too often stuck trying to feel comfortable in the space they occupy!

With so many miles yet to travel how does one take the time to stop, breath, and admire the journey?

You captured a moment there. Thanks for sharing.

This post comes along on a day that I’ve been preoccupied with how badly I want to freeze my children at these ages forever. I have a long way to go to get to your (much healthier…) perspective on them growing up…