Happy Mother's Day — Scribble & Smudge

As promised, this is another entry as a thought from one of my trustees Akmar.

As it's mother's day I think this is just perfect. Happy mother's day everyone!

When Lesley suggested that we each write a blog in Scribble and Smudge newsletter, my initial thought was what should I write? What can I write? I have not written for a very long time apart from work emails and occasional comments on facebook. I had a little think and had an idea on “quotes” so I googled some quotes for parents and children. As I read them, I realise that I might have taken my children for granted. Do I praise them enough? Do I hug them enough? Do I kiss them enough? Do I encourage them enough? Life is so busy trying to juggle work and family life and most times I want them to do things quickly so that I can move on to the next task on the never ending list. I am trying my best to be the best mother that I can be to my children. It is a very challenging task and a huge responsibility. It is a steep learning curve for me and lots of trial and error especially when you have more than one child because what works for one child might not work on the other child. At the end of the day nobody is perfect. I will every now and then have to push the “pause” button to revisit these quotes and a poem to remind myself. Here they are.

“No one is perfect – that is why pencils have erasers.” – Wolfgang Riebe

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters” – Epictetus (Greek philosopher)

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places that you’ll go” – Dr Seuss

Remember, happiness doesn’t depend upon who you are or what you have;
it depends solely upon what you think.
-Dale Carnegie

“Always kiss your children goodnight – even if they’re already asleep” – H Jackson Brown. Jr

“One of the greatest questions to ask yourself at the end of the day is – If I were the only example my child has from whom to learn right from wrong, what would she have learned today?” – Dr Michelle Borba

“Don’t worry that your children never listen to you, worry that they are always watching you” – Robert Fulghum

“Never fear spoiling children by making them too happy. Happiness is the atmosphere in which all good affections grow” – Thomas Bray

‘Children Learn What They Live’ – Dorothy Law Neite

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.

If a child learns to feel shame, he learns to feel guilty.

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.

If a child lives with encouragement he learns confidence.

If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.

If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.