Such wisdom here, Mansi. Our family isn't involved in a slew of extracurricular activities, either. Mostly it's because I spend a lot of time taking Sarah to appointments. Sometimes I feel left out in conversations about other kids who have soccer practice and piano lessons.
I'm pretty sure our kids know what we value, in terms of activity and rest. There's daily rest time around noon until about 2 on weekends, and everyone is required to slow down and do something quiet, like read or color or draw.
So, your post made me smile, in knowing that we're not alone here and there are other people trying to figure out how to exit the rat race, though it's countercultural. I'm glad we're in this together.
It does get lonely to swim against the current sometimes. Especially since we “have the means” and I “have the time” to invest in a “meaningful future” for our only child.
I say all of this in air quotes because I see how we come across to those that don’t understand a slower, more deliberate pace of life.
I’d rather have time with my only child and let her enjoy the childhood she’ll never get back. She’ll have that inner resilience to draw on when things get tough, she’ll know how to listen to the whispers of her heart, she’ll know the value of stillness as the world gets more and more chaotic … and she’ll know she’ll always have me.
There is so much more to life than degrees and medals and ladder-climbing. You’re always going to be on a lower rung once you start competing … all you have to do is look around.
These are wise words and a wise way of living, Mansi.
I will tell you that I grew up with a stay-at-home mom. There were occasions when I was little and she had a chance to go back to work, but my younger brother and I told her how much we loved having her home with us. She stayed at home until we were in high school, and she never regretted it. That formed my desire to also be available to my kids, especially when they’re young, because they truly do grow up so quickly. Our oldest is almost in high school. And their needs change over time, but they still need their mom. We all do. I don’t think we ever grow out of that.
It is so beautiful story, Mansi; marvelous pictures, too. I have just read it, and I am enchanted with it. Want just to sit and ponder over it. Yes, the presence is everything.
When I retired, it took a while for it to sink in that all of the degrees and accomplishments were not who I was. They never were, but I didn't understand that then.
Our social structures don’t make it easy. It isn’t you…it’s just how it’s all set up. But I’m glad that retirement has offered a way to savor life differently 🥰
Such wisdom here, Mansi. Our family isn't involved in a slew of extracurricular activities, either. Mostly it's because I spend a lot of time taking Sarah to appointments. Sometimes I feel left out in conversations about other kids who have soccer practice and piano lessons.
I'm pretty sure our kids know what we value, in terms of activity and rest. There's daily rest time around noon until about 2 on weekends, and everyone is required to slow down and do something quiet, like read or color or draw.
So, your post made me smile, in knowing that we're not alone here and there are other people trying to figure out how to exit the rat race, though it's countercultural. I'm glad we're in this together.
I appreciate your sharing, Jeannie.
It does get lonely to swim against the current sometimes. Especially since we “have the means” and I “have the time” to invest in a “meaningful future” for our only child.
I say all of this in air quotes because I see how we come across to those that don’t understand a slower, more deliberate pace of life.
I’d rather have time with my only child and let her enjoy the childhood she’ll never get back. She’ll have that inner resilience to draw on when things get tough, she’ll know how to listen to the whispers of her heart, she’ll know the value of stillness as the world gets more and more chaotic … and she’ll know she’ll always have me.
There is so much more to life than degrees and medals and ladder-climbing. You’re always going to be on a lower rung once you start competing … all you have to do is look around.
Why not look within instead?
These are wise words and a wise way of living, Mansi.
I will tell you that I grew up with a stay-at-home mom. There were occasions when I was little and she had a chance to go back to work, but my younger brother and I told her how much we loved having her home with us. She stayed at home until we were in high school, and she never regretted it. That formed my desire to also be available to my kids, especially when they’re young, because they truly do grow up so quickly. Our oldest is almost in high school. And their needs change over time, but they still need their mom. We all do. I don’t think we ever grow out of that.
So what you are giving Mira is a gift. :)
It is so beautiful story, Mansi; marvelous pictures, too. I have just read it, and I am enchanted with it. Want just to sit and ponder over it. Yes, the presence is everything.
When I retired, it took a while for it to sink in that all of the degrees and accomplishments were not who I was. They never were, but I didn't understand that then.
Our social structures don’t make it easy. It isn’t you…it’s just how it’s all set up. But I’m glad that retirement has offered a way to savor life differently 🥰