It's in the Food

I’ am often asked how I have managed to raise such well-behaved, thoughtful, easygoing children. My answer is not always, what one expects to hear...I say, "It’s in the food!"

I start our school mornings off with yummy Pancakes, French Toast, and Eggs in a Hole or whatever will fill the belly and get my boy off to a good start, 45 min drive and AP Classes... As I was cooking for him this morning, I was so aware, that I have just one 1/2 more months as a mother of a High School Teenager! After May, my son will be spending his summer in California and then heading towards college for his new adventure. I have peace knowing this, yet it is bittersweet. I will miss him, "so very much." I will also miss getting up early just to make him his Breakfast and pack his lunch, “really!” I will miss fixing a snack for him when he comes in from school and then having dinner as a family. I know alot of parents do not make breakfast or lunch for their High School children. They feel they are at the age to take care of getting their own food. Yet, I still do this task because I believe that, not only do they need you when they are little, but also that they need you just as much, when they are older. Life is not easy for teenagers! They need to know you are still focusing on them. I feel blessed for my Children have never given me a hard time. When I admit that I m then told, it is because of how you have raised them. I answer; I have only asked that they both do their best in school, each in their own ways. I believe that I also have a part in seeing that happen, it is up to me to feed them the right food so they can get through a day of schoolwork, sports, side jobs, homework and still produce good grades. In a way by fixing these meals for them, it also allows us to catch up throughout the day, make sure all is going well, and see if they want to chat about the events of their day. Sometimes we are just quite, but the food sure hits the spot. Other times I'll even hear," Hey Mom, how was your day?"

. My life growing up was very different from the way I have raised my children. My mom did an amazing job raising 3 children by herself, at least till we were close to High School age but, it was not easy at all for her! I also had a very hard time in school because I am dyslexic, and did not know for many years. Therefore, getting through school was not easy for me. As my children became older is was not easy for me to keep up with their homework.

So, when it comes to raising my children. What has been easy for me has been to share with them TIME and LOVE. Love for them and love for others. My daughter is very creative. So sharing with her my love for all things Crafty, Colorful and Handmade, tenderness for animals and being a Smiling People Person has come easy. I have always had a Hugh heart for the homeless and those in need with mental illness so for my son I shared compassion for all things in need. He has a Hugh heart for helping the homeless and those in Third World Countries and he sores in his academics. Therefore, beyond what I could teach Nolan in this area was to put him in a private school that teaches young boys to become "Men for Others." I cannot begin to put into words the blessings this decision has been for all of us. His major in college is Civil Engineering without boarders. Therefore, when I say, “It’s in the food!” What I mean is, it’s the love a child feels when their mother takes the time to give them the fuel they need to accomplish all that is required of them during their day. It is when we sit and feed them we are also waiting for them to share with us their day, who they are or want to be and we can then help build those traits in them. Their days are long and hard and when you do this, you are saying to them I am your biggest cheerleader! I am here to help you grow into the person you want to become. I will share with you your dreams as they come true and when you fall, I will still be close by, that you will not feel alone, and we will move on together....With our next meal.