Kuzco, my son’s dog, speaks fluent Wookie. He’s a beautiful boxer/shepherd brindle with tiger markings, loves to cuddle and is, unfortunately, a counter surfer. His most recent conquest was my 6qt. crockpot filled with stew.
Okay, please stay with me. I promise this is about mothering.
You know from the photos on the “About Susan” page, that I have two dogs of my own. However, having three dogs has never been on my bucket list. No matter what mathematical experts say, three dogs are TWICE as many as two dogs.
That might be true with children, too, whether the surprise is baby #2 or #7 or your teenage daughter’s infant.
A ‘surprise’ baby wasn’t on your bucket list.
Two hands are no longer enough.
Sleeping through the night becomes a distant dream.
A saving account gives way to another round of orthodontics, antibiotics, and music/soccer lessons.
Other blogs address what to do when raising another child is not one of your long-term goals. They suggest support groups, attitude shifts, looking for the positive, etc. That’s not the purpose of this blog.
I’m asking you to consider how your words make that child feel. Even if he is now an adult, does he perceive he is an unexpected blessing or an “oops”? Is he resented or appreciated for the new dimension his birth brought to your family? It’s not to late to reassure your child you are thankful he was born.
And yes, I’ll miss Kuzco when his visit ends.
