a mother and a gardener

I have read many tidbits and quotes about how mothering is like gardening.  Gentle, tender loving care and nurturing…..  blah, blah, blah.

I am not a “hard core” gardener.  I love plants, bushes, etc.  I love to plant, design, create and enjoy my yard.  I do NOT like finiky or difficult plants. I actually do not know of many difficult ones except indoor plants.  I know I am going to lose a lot of you serious, ‘hard core’ gardeners now… I NEED the sun and the rain to take care of my plants. I do not baby or fertilize anything in my garden. I plant appropriately and let it grow.  (hence why I do not do well with indoor plants)

I just returned from a mini vacation with my kids.  I had been looking forward to getting away to do nothing and enjoy my kids.  I have a 7th grader who wasn’t able to bring either of his 2 best friends, but wouldn’t invite anyone else.  I also have a 4th grader who did bring her best friend.  It was odd and a new experience for me as a mother.  (I remember my parents complaining about my moodiness in junior high and now I have been on the receiving end.) He insisted sitting and doing nothing instead of joining in the fun, multiple times.  He stated he wanted to go home a few times.  Other times he would join in and actually enjoy himself.  We (husband & I) did well at not harassing him and let him sit and “pout”.  His attitude was a downer for us and even affected my daughter and her friend.  I am trying to remember the foolish thoughts I had at that age and am trying to teach and lead my son- to wisdom.  We’ll see!

Gardening requires some physical work- but basically I hate to sit still or not get something accomplished.  So I enjoy this ‘work’.  Parenting is work, but stressful work.  Gardening is easy for me and I can be quite laid back about it.  This is obviously not a good choice of action for parenting.  I have read and talked with other mothers about parenting.  But since each child has their own mix of personality and a mother with her own personality –  leads to more of the learn as you go.

How I look forward to doing some gardening… a wonderful stress reliever!

PS I hope to post something a bit more interesting for you tomorrow – like about my Begonias that I haven’t killed!   ( I need to–to make up for this downer!)

Thanks for visiting!