I went into the living room to get on the computer and sat down with it. I called her name to make sure she was okay and she said, "You never let me do anything!" I laughed, heartily, and updated my status on Facebook about that. She was okay, and hilarious to top it off!
But there is a deeper meaning to that for me. Is it true? I don't think so. I am actually quite permissive with her. She is allowed to do basically anything, so long as we don't have somewhere to go immediately and is not hurting anyone.
However, it also made me think about the type of mother I would like to be for her in the future.
- Yes, I will be the mom who, when she gets home from school, will fix her a snack and then she will do homework, and will finish it before anything else.
- She will play outside, rather than sitting inside and watching TV.
- I will let her do some things she asks to do, and certain things she will have to provide a reason for- well thought out and truly logical. I want her to learn how to think critically. I think that is what so many people are missing these days- critical thinking.
- When she develops a passion for something, I will push her in it, but not too much. I don't want her to hate me, but I want her to learn to go for her dreams. Sometimes, you just need that extra shove.
- I want her to be able to talk to me, although at 16, I know that will be hard for her. She will talk to her friends instead. That's okay with me, so long as she picks good friends, rather than has bad influences.
- I will be the mother who, if she gets in trouble, will pull her out and put her in a more restrictive school, one that won't let her get away with as much. That was good for me.
- I will switch up my ideals, if she shows that she needs something different from me.
More than anything, I want to be an active leader for her. I want to be the mom who is so often missing these days.
