In today's world, it is common to have your children live half way across the country. It's not unique anymore and while other parents weep over the separation, I always thought it would be easier on the child if they had a place carved out all their own. Of course, that was before she went and had children and made my heart weep just a bit. I could practice my guilt trip I suppose, but truth be known, I did it to my mom too.
Unlike the days when my mom was living where we had to budget for those long distance phone calls, long distance is now free. My mother must have longed to see her grandchildren's face and I confess I was slow to get those pictures developed. Oh, I took pictures but I would find rolls of films in the drawer as that visit to the developer just didn't fit in my schedule. So sorry mom! Now of course we have internet, skype and websites to post pictures. So life should be easier and communication better, right?
Ahh...if you answered yes you are so naieve or just haven't had to deal with children out of state. What hasn't changed are parents rushed for time and kids never cooperating during the time you have available for skype. Phone calls? Really? With children tugging on your shirt the moment you pick up the phone? The child playing peacefully in the other room will come running the moment he senses you near your phone. The few moments they both magically take a nap at the same time, well, it's your time to relax, right? Who has time to type a quick email to mom or send the latest photo. True, you don't have to develop it but they are all on the camera and you'd have to take out the SD card, upload it, download it--well, maybe tomorrow...
I love my daughter, I really do. I know she treasures our relationship and doesn't mean to keep me in the dark or forget to charge her phone, so all you ever get is voicemail. She is simply at times in the overwhelming world of parenthood. I get that--been there--done that. I don't nag as I understand, it's just I want to know how the kids are doing....In other words, I am simply in my mother's shoes and they pinch like crazy!
There is some good news. She writes a delightful blog about raising kids in Brooklyn, The Kid Has Arrived on tumblr. My husband and I check on it each day hoping for some new pics or just hear the latest funny story. She is a funny writer and unlike her mother, her sentence structure is correct.
Plus, I do have an ace up my sleeve. If I really want to talk to her, I just text her husband Matt and I know I will get a prompt reply or he will light a fire under her to call me. Son in laws do like to please the mother in law that comes to visit and let's them have date nights 5 nights a week if they wish! Am I bribing him for future communication? You betcha!
Unlike the days when my mom was living where we had to budget for those long distance phone calls, long distance is now free. My mother must have longed to see her grandchildren's face and I confess I was slow to get those pictures developed. Oh, I took pictures but I would find rolls of films in the drawer as that visit to the developer just didn't fit in my schedule. So sorry mom! Now of course we have internet, skype and websites to post pictures. So life should be easier and communication better, right?
Ahh...if you answered yes you are so naieve or just haven't had to deal with children out of state. What hasn't changed are parents rushed for time and kids never cooperating during the time you have available for skype. Phone calls? Really? With children tugging on your shirt the moment you pick up the phone? The child playing peacefully in the other room will come running the moment he senses you near your phone. The few moments they both magically take a nap at the same time, well, it's your time to relax, right? Who has time to type a quick email to mom or send the latest photo. True, you don't have to develop it but they are all on the camera and you'd have to take out the SD card, upload it, download it--well, maybe tomorrow...
I love my daughter, I really do. I know she treasures our relationship and doesn't mean to keep me in the dark or forget to charge her phone, so all you ever get is voicemail. She is simply at times in the overwhelming world of parenthood. I get that--been there--done that. I don't nag as I understand, it's just I want to know how the kids are doing....In other words, I am simply in my mother's shoes and they pinch like crazy!
There is some good news. She writes a delightful blog about raising kids in Brooklyn, The Kid Has Arrived on tumblr. My husband and I check on it each day hoping for some new pics or just hear the latest funny story. She is a funny writer and unlike her mother, her sentence structure is correct.
Plus, I do have an ace up my sleeve. If I really want to talk to her, I just text her husband Matt and I know I will get a prompt reply or he will light a fire under her to call me. Son in laws do like to please the mother in law that comes to visit and let's them have date nights 5 nights a week if they wish! Am I bribing him for future communication? You betcha!
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