You are not alone

“You’re not alone,” said Elizabeth. These three words resonated with me all day. I think I’m going to somehow print this phrase and put this in a place where I can remind myself.

First, I have to say that out of all of the entire coop days and park days I’ve attended, today was the best ever. I hardly get a chance to talk with anyone, share experiences, thoughts, woes, or even catch a break. Today was amazing and I want thank everyone at coop that helped care for my kids in order for me to get the social time needed. This of course is not just for today but every time we go (today was just super special).

I’m eating lunch and talking with Elizabeth and Deanne about tons of stuff going on in my life. The list is something like this: kids, dieting, homeschool, husbands and a host of other things. I can’t remember exactly what prompted her to say this phrase but wow it really struck me. She is right I am not alone with my experiences and the more I speak to her—I realize…she’s right.

As I’m speaking to the other mom’s, they too have similar stories or a complimentary story. I was very fortunate to speak to Hilary L who so graciously let Jillian sleep on her during the party so I could attend to my other two. I wasn’t the crazy/frazzled mom running around chasing kids who wouldn’t obey me. I was also pleased that my other two did listen to me and behaved quite well. Could this be a sign of things to come or perhaps it was the all of the treats from the party?

It is also very nice that everyone get a chance to get to know me. For the longest time I felt like an outsider because I wasn’t able to sit down and chat. I was always running after my kids making sure they were doing what they were supposed to be doing or weren’t going to get hurt. I admit there are times when I was a little headstrong. In my defense, who wouldn’t be? I’m in a new place with new people and of course you always want to make a good impression. Then I thought, what kind of impression am I making? Do I want them to think that I’m perfect? No one is perfect.

So why am I trying so hard and causing so much stress on myself and kids. I finally let go a lot but this time things seem a little different.

Again, it helps that I can be more expressive and share with my peers. I like the fact that we all have things in common and pretty much are dealing with a lot of the same issues. I’ve discovered that we are all overworked, with our kids the majority of the time, we have to re-learn how to be patient, finding the balance between sanity and crazy mom, and be a good wife.

The hope I had when I joined the coop was a social free-learning environment for my children. What I’m realizing now and as we continue this journey that it is also a social free-learning environment for me as well.

So the next time if my children, spouse or myself do something unusual----I’ll remember this phrase—“You are not alone.”

Side note: for those reading my post coop is a homeschool group in Oak Park where we meet up with other homeschool families for various activities.