Love and Change

 

LOVE......and CHANGE

I have never been the type of person who resists change.  As a matter of fact, I try to be forward thinking and embrace change, especially when it is a positive change.  Unfortunately, I do know that many people have difficulty with changes in their lives, be it personal or career-oriented.

When I was a school principal, I was expected to be an agent of change for my schools.  It was not always easy to have faculty, parents, and even students accept change.  Even if change translated into a better education, there was always the comment, "But this is the way things have always been done".

Often, when I was presenting and trying to warm a group to new ideas, I would read aloud a picture book that was appropriate for the topic of discussion.  Somehow, it always put the audience in a great mood.  But, more importantly, I would be able to highlight a point through a wonderful story and beautiful illustrations.

One book that I used often when change was the topic was Ezra Jack Keats Peter's Chair.  The story is about Peter who has a new baby sister and he realizes that everything is changing.  Recently, I have taken this book from my shelves because it is a "Just What I Need" book at this time in my life.

In our family we had a wonderful new change.  My niece and her husband had their second child in August.  Their first child, a little boy, has been the love and light of our lives.  Throughout my niece's pregnancy, our little guy kept telling us that he was going to have a baby brother.  Although we explained that he might have a baby sister, he kept insisting that he would soon have a baby brother.  Well, when his little sister was born, he was not very happy - for the first few minutes.  But as soon as he met her, he was in love with his little sister.

Of course, the changes that come with having a new baby in the house have been somewhat challenging for our little guy.  He loves playing with his grandfather "Pop" and when Pop has to take care of his little sister, he is not always happy.  But, as my brother, his Pop, reminds us - "It's a process!"  

And so it is with change, even when it is a happy change, it can be challenging.

  


Today, we celebrated the Baptism of the newest member of our family.  

A faith-filled event that was celebrated with great joy!

It was a wonderful day!

 

A little nostalgia - the dress that is on the doll  is actually my Christening dress!

Although I do not like to admit it, I guess it would be called an antique.
Still, it is very beautiful!

When we think about the changes in our little ones' lives, perhaps it is wise to think about what they really want from us.  Floating through Pinterest, I found this very enlightening list from HandsFreeMama.com:

The Top Ten Things Kids Really Want Their Parents To Do With Them

1. Come into my bedroom at night, tuck me in and sing me a song. Also tell me stories about when you were little.
2. Give me hugs and kisses and sit and talk with me privately.
3. Spend quality time just with me, not with my brothers and sisters around.
4. Give me nutritious food so I can grow up healthy.
5. At dinner talk about what we could do together on the weekend.
6. At night talk to me about about anything; love, school, family etc.
7. Let me play outside a lot.
8. Cuddle under a blanket and watch our favorite TV show together.
9. Discipline me. It makes me feel like you care.
10. Leave special messages in my desk or lunch bag.

Linking to: