MamaBlogger365 - Motherhood's Liminal Space by Catherine Childress

This summer is the first in three that I have been completely free of college classes and homework. Although I have chosen never to attend traditional summer classes, opting instead to be home with the kiddos, I have taken online classes which is quite time consuming.

The end of May found me counting down days until the kids were home from school so we could enjoy summer totally unencumbered by schedules - theirs or mine. I looked forward to all the things we would do together, recreating memories of summers past when I followed behind their bikes to the empty high school parking lot, perfect for riding to their heart's content, sitting by the community pool while they played in shallow water with their friends, and afternoons at the park.

Here in August, kids back in school, graduate school swiftly approaching, I reflect back on a summer which turned out quite different than I expected.

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MamaBlogger365 - Being There Matters by Jennifer Andersen

Parenting is hard. Let me confirm this in writing. What we parents do is undervalued, difficult and important. It is misunderstood, misrepresented, and one of the most important and valuable contributions that can be made to any society. This is all backed with solid scientific research, which I will share in future entries.

Having the perseverance to care for your children while you are sick, or sick and tired of caring for children, is greater than running the last mile of a marathon. I can make this comparison as I have successfully trained for and completed the Boston Marathon.

Getting up on your third consecutive morning after having only received a few hours of sleep each night before, and preparing breakfast for your children does indeed require sacrifice on your part.

Being alone with your children during a period of rainy days or snowy winters when you wonder if you will still be able to form grown-up sentences after having gone for so long without trying to, creates a level of isolation that nobody would choose. Read more...

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Photo credit: Pigeon Fly Away by Jiri Dokoupil