There is enough to go around...




Welcome to the January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Learning from children



This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared the many lessons their children have taught them. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.



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My children have taught me many things. The greatest thing they have taught me, though, is that there is enough to go around. There are enough hankies. There are enough towels. There is enough food to feed even unexpected guests. There is enough illness. There is enough wellness. There is enough air. There is enough hope. And most especially, there is enough love. There is enough love for everyone. There is definitely enough love to go around.

It seems like a silly thing to question. Is there enough love? But, coming from a culture where love was given when you were "in" and removed when you were "out", I know that I was always worried, deep down, that I wouldn't have enough love to go around. The first time I laid eyes on the Bean, I loved her more than I could imagine loving anyone. But still, I wasn't sure. I knew I could love HER enough. But when the Bug came, there was this little twinge. This little fear... This little not knowing. And now, 2.5 years later, I have fully come into loving both of my children equally (without having to work at it) and knowing that my heart is indeed big enough to fit every child I may have, and to fit other family, friends, animals, and anyone else whom I may want to fit. Because loving more doesn't make the love run out. There is no reason to withdraw it from anyone. The more we love, the more love we create.

This is the greatest lesson my children have taught me.



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Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: MamaVisit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

(This list will be live and updated by afternoon January 11 with all the carnival links.)

Labels: ,

Our Mindful Life: There is enough to go around...

Our Mindful Life

Our Mindful Life is about paying attention to what it is that we do on a day to day basis and how we impact each other and the planet. We will talk about all of the things that we do here at home to make ourselves and the world a better place.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

There is enough to go around...




Welcome to the January Carnival of Natural Parenting: Learning from children



This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared the many lessons their children have taught them. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.



***




My children have taught me many things. The greatest thing they have taught me, though, is that there is enough to go around. There are enough hankies. There are enough towels. There is enough food to feed even unexpected guests. There is enough illness. There is enough wellness. There is enough air. There is enough hope. And most especially, there is enough love. There is enough love for everyone. There is definitely enough love to go around.

It seems like a silly thing to question. Is there enough love? But, coming from a culture where love was given when you were "in" and removed when you were "out", I know that I was always worried, deep down, that I wouldn't have enough love to go around. The first time I laid eyes on the Bean, I loved her more than I could imagine loving anyone. But still, I wasn't sure. I knew I could love HER enough. But when the Bug came, there was this little twinge. This little fear... This little not knowing. And now, 2.5 years later, I have fully come into loving both of my children equally (without having to work at it) and knowing that my heart is indeed big enough to fit every child I may have, and to fit other family, friends, animals, and anyone else whom I may want to fit. Because loving more doesn't make the love run out. There is no reason to withdraw it from anyone. The more we love, the more love we create.

This is the greatest lesson my children have taught me.



***

Carnival of Natural Parenting -- Hobo Mama and Code Name: MamaVisit Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama to find out how you can participate in the next Carnival of Natural Parenting!

Please take time to read the submissions by the other carnival participants:

(This list will be live and updated by afternoon January 11 with all the carnival links.)

Labels: ,

8 Comments:

  • At January 11, 2011 at 5:19 AM , Blogger Lauren Wayne said...

    I've heard this lesson so many times, and now I finally get to experience it firsthand when this next baby is born! It's so reassuring to know that our hearts are big enough to love everyone who's brought into our lives.

     
  • At January 11, 2011 at 10:16 AM , Anonymous Bethy said...

    So comforting to know. I love Blip s much that I often wonder if I could possibly love the next as much. It worry's me. Reading this made me feel so much better about the idea of expanding our family. I love many people and i can always love more.

     
  • At January 11, 2011 at 11:43 AM , Anonymous Dionna @ Code Name: Mama said...

    I wonder how many of us fear whether we will love that 2nd one enough. It's definitely a thought that has gone through my head, because your love for your first is the BIGGEST love you've experienced. It's so reassuring that every single mother has said this exact same thing - there is enough love for every child.

     
  • At January 11, 2011 at 11:52 AM , Anonymous Luschka @ Diary of a First Child said...

    Oh! This is the perfect timing for me! We have been thinking of another baby, and I am so worried that I won't love the next one as much. I don't understand really, how I possibly can. It is beyond comforting to hear these things.

     
  • At January 11, 2011 at 12:47 PM , Anonymous mrs green @ littlegreenblog said...

    what a lovely post. I only have one beautiful girl so I can't imagine what you must have been feeling, but I certainly felt your relief in this great writing - thank you for sharing something so honest.

     
  • At January 11, 2011 at 3:30 PM , Blogger Erica @ ChildOrganics said...

    Great reminders. I think i'll adopt "There is enough" as my mantra for today, thanks! ;-)

     
  • At January 11, 2011 at 4:37 PM , Anonymous Stacy (Mama-Om) said...

    There is enough creativity to work things out... that is the one I struggle with day to day. I think I saw conflict as something that meant we had to all separate from one another but I am learning that there is enough -- love, creativity, connection -- to stay together and work things out.

    I loved your post -- such a simple and profound lesson that can really change everything.

    Thank you!

    Blessings,
    Stacy

     
  • At January 12, 2011 at 4:15 AM , Anonymous Write About Birth said...

    This is so true! When I was pregnant with my second baby, I wondered whether there would be enough love to go round too, and I thought it might be impossible to love a second child quite like my first born. The second he was born, it all worked out though. But this is a valuable lesson indeed.

    Olivia

     

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