The Holidays

The holiday season is about to end. I had a wonderful time with my son this year as he was very excited and it was fantastic to see the awe and amazement in his eyes as he saw, unwrapped, and played with his presents on Christmas Day. The holidays are rough for me. Mostly because the rest of my family are in different parts of the US and I don't have the opportunity to spend it with them. I am from a family with 8 kids so you can imagine the noise at the holidays in my house. Now with just my husband, his parents and my son it is a lot quieter. Not to mention that it seems that the rest of my family forgets my son at Christmas. All of my brothers and sisters have children and every year since they have been born I sent them something for their birthday and Christmas. No matter how poor I was. Even if it was just a card, I still acknowledged the special event. I am disappointed in my sisters for not doing this. My brother is usually the forgetful one of the group has been great about it so I am grateful for that. I know that my sisters are busy and have families of their own etc. However, I don't understand how you can forget your two year old nephew on his birthday and on Christmas. It just makes me sad because they want him to know them, yet they don't reach out and make any effort. Prior to getting married and having my son, (and having less flexibility to travel) I used to go visit my nieces and nephews as much as I could. I adored them all and wanted very much to be a part of their lives, which I am to this day. Even my husband's brother has made no effort to be a part of my son's life. Quite frankly I don't understand this. What I also don't understand is how I am supposed to pretend that it is okay when I do see them. My mother in law gave my son a gift on Christmas that she said was from "Uncle G." Well my husband and I know that Uncle G didn't buy the gift and send it to his mother's house when he could have just sent it to us. We know she bought the gift and is saying it is from him. The man is over 30 years old. Seriously I think he is capable of buying presents himself and sending them.

At the end of the day though it isn't about the gifts. It is about making the effort to truly be a part of his life. If they had just called to talk to him/us or sent a card I probably wouldn't be so upset but like I said they did neither. I really am sad about it.

An Email Forward About Parenting - Worth Reading

I don't have the author of the following but if someone knows who wrote it please let me know so that I can give the proper credit. I received this as an email forward from my husband and it hits the nail on the head so far as being a parent goes.

PARENT - Job Description

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, I don't believe any of us would have done it!

POSITION :

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION :

Long term, team players needed, for challenging, permanent work in an often chaotic environment. Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

The rest of your life. Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a

pack of mules and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets

and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings

for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute,

an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION :

None.

Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE :

None required unfortunately.

On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION :

Get this! You pay them!

Offering frequent raises and bonuses.

A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent.

When you die, you give them whatever is left.

The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that

you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, letting them know they are appreciated for the fabulous job they do...

or forward with love to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

** AND A FOOTNOTE "THERE IS NO RETIREMENT -- EVER!!! **