What an Elephant Taught me about Motherhood.

Ever since we went to Thailand, I obsessed with elephants. They are so remarkable. Did you know that scientists have found that elephants are capable of complex thought and feelings such as love, grief, and joy? 

I am especially fascinated by mother elephants. 
 Did you now that Elephants live in Matriarchal families made up of other female and calves and are headed by the oldest mother?  A mother Elephant is pregnant for 22 months! Yikes 22 months!! Mother and child remain in constant touch with one another for many years as the baby still suckles milk until 4 or 5 years old or until the tusks become a problem! If a calf strays too far from his mother- she will retrieve him and keep him close. She is often found hugging and wrapping her trunk around her little one, carrying him over obstacles, bathing and gently scrubbing her calf, dusting him with dirt, and protecting him from predators or the hot sun. Isn't that so cool? There is a great deal more info on this elephants emotions here if you want to know more. 

Well, while we were in Thailand we got to get up close and personal with the fascinating creatures. 

 Please note that Little Man sorta froze during his first encounter with the elephant... 

But he got a lot more comfortable as time went on and loved feeding them sugar cane and bananas!

Going to our local zoo will never compare to this day.    B E S T   D A Y   E V E R !!!

 I have learned a lot from a mother elephant. 

Recently, I have heard several comments from family members about how my son is a "mama's boy" and needs to get over it. I admit, it is true...he is. But is that so bad? 

 He wakes up every morning and crawls into bed with me where he showers me with kisses, hugs, cuddles, and "I love yous" until we are ready to get up. He prefers being with me to most other people... but loves playing with his friends and family members that he has a relationship with. (Many of the comments were from people he doesn't see very often) 

What do you think? 

Is it so awful to have your son actually enjoys to spend time with you and shows affection towards you... okay maybe a lot. But what if it DOESN'T stop him from exploring his world with others and friends. He loves his friends.

My personal and processional opinion? First, I want to hear from you.

In a book I love called: The book of Nurturing by Linda and Richard Eyre- and in one of their chapters they talk about parenting like an elephant's trunk- it has the ability to be firm and set limits yet be gentle and flexible. That is how I want to be as a mother. 

So in summary:

An Elephant taught me:

 Our love needs to be nurturing with hugs and cuddles each day.

Our love has to set clear limits and firm when needed.

Out love must shower them with approval and dust them with confidence regularly. 

We must be protective and alert and warn them loudly and clearly of danger.

Our love should remove barriers in their path and pick them up when they need us to but also let them walk the path under their own power when they are ready.

Our love must be versatile and flexible, seeing children’s needs and willing to be sometimes tough and sometimes tender.

What are your thoughts on having a "mama's boys?"

Besitos,

XO

Home and Life Orphanage Thailand

I guess now that is officially the middle of the month and I am finally feeling awake (well, sort of) it's time to move past December’s Challenge and actually accept that it is January. Does anyone else have a difficult time adjusting to a New Year? I always feel like I am not quite ready to accept that the holiday season is over. 

Well, I thought I would conclude December's Challenge with some photos of one of the orphanages we visited while we were there and some things I learned as a mother during our visit.

We arrived at Home and Life Orphanage and were greeted by their lovely staff with smoothies and pastries.  We met Root, the owner and manager, who left his career as an engineer to start Home and Life with his wife Rasa right after the Tsunami in 2004. There were many displaced children without parents, homes, and money at the time and he felt the need to do something about it. Truly such a great example of "Living for Others."




 Today, most of the 26 children are from families who have been affected by the Tsunami and are unable to provide for them and want to give them a chance at a better life. Root's philosophy is to create a "family environment" and really considers those children and staff members as family.

P.S. Have I mentioned that Thai people are so sweet with children? Little Man got plenty of attention and treats during his stay!


If you recall in a recent post (here) I spoke about wanting to teach my children to always be "anxiously engaged in a good cause."

 I have learned that children are never too young to grasp that concept... not even a two-year-old and we all know that for a two-year-old to share let alone give up candy and toys is a MIRACLE! I was blown away with Little Man's ability to grasp the concept of sharing with those who are in need of our help.



Refusing to eat a single piece of candy because he wanted to "Save it For the Kids," he anxiously was handing out toys, candy, and school supplies. He could have done that all day long!



Consequently, throughout the entire trip he continually was pointing out and wanting to help someone he saw in need. On a stop from a local convenience store he saw a man who appeared to be sick and asleep on the street. Little Man reached into his pocket and gave him the shiny new coin that he had just received moments earlier. We couldn't believe how much this TWO-YEAR-OLD was willing to share with others... that to me is "Anxiously Being Engaged in a Good Cause."

Root gave us a tour of the orphanage and told us more about the history of the foundation. One of their latest achievements is their coffee and bakery where many of the children are taught skills and how to work and manage money. The Bakery helps pay for the Orphanage.

We were able to see their garden, playground, and the rooms where the kids slept which have all come from funds they raised as a foundation. Even some of the buildings were hand built by staff and the children!

During the conclusion of our tour, Root showed us some art work that the children had done. He mentioned taking the kids to have an art lesson in a neighboring city. I was blown away with how skilled and beautiful each one of the pieces were!

 He talked to me about wanting to raise more funds to put towards their art lessons and a possible art gallery at the foundation. As an art lover myself, I loved that idea! Since then, my mind has been busy thinking up ways on how to help him make that possible. 

So, stay tuned.

Meanwhile, if you are interested in doing a service project and raising funds for an orphanage- I highly suggest contacting Home and Life. There is still so much need.

You can find out more info on their website: http://www.homelifethailand.com or follow them on facebook here.

 More Thailand update to come!

besitos xo,

Slowly coming out of the fog...

With a bowl of Frosted Mini Wheats in my lap- (why are they so good and not so good at the same time- is it because they only have one side of frosting?) I feel wide awake. But I mean WIDE awake!

Wide awake because we just got back from the most amazing trip to Thailand!! And yes it is the middle of the afternoon over there. (no wonder why I am hungry)

The thoughts of Buddhist Temples, canoe rides, elephants, orphanages, monks, thai food, beaches, floating lanterns, and markets all dance in my mind. I can't wait to tell you more about it and show you images of some of the sweet people and children we met in Thailand.

For now, I best force myself to go to bed.... despite the fact that I am dreading waking up in the morning. The adjustment has been rough... I feel so foggy and tired pretty much all morning until like 6pm at night.

Anyhow-  I've missed you... I have so many new things to share including my challenge this month... but that will have to wait- perhaps tomorrow... I'm slowly coming out of the fog.
xo