And am dealing with mixed feelings myself about a situation. I've mentioned the neighbor who's asked me to help her with her kids while the grandmother is ill with cancer. Yesterday she asked if I'd be willing to watch her children every other day, 6 hours/day for the duration. I sort of stuttered on the phone, telling her I'd have to think and pray about that one. This request was way more than I'd bargained for. So far, I've watched her kids irregularly, but even twice last week was very tiresome. Her kids were sick, I was stuck keeping them at her house, and was torn with what needed doing here. When they found out that the grandmother was terminally ill, I told this neighbor that I'd be glad to help. But every other day for 6 hours? Get real.
What gets me is that it seems she has an odd view of what I do all day here. Am I twiddling my thumbs? Do I appear to have loads of free time? Am I going to regret ever saying I'd help her---but so help me, my intention wasn't to be that available. I've run into an attitude in young mothers, though, that might put it into better perspective. The thing is---some younger moms think that the older mothers have their routines down pat and have life settled good and orderly. That interruptions are almost welcome. Well, I'm here to tell them that nothing could be further from the truth. For some odd reason, I have less free time now, with the kids being older, than I had when they were tumbling around under my feet. Go figure out that one. I'm thinking that, for me, it's more of a mental exhaustion---the worries are greater, and with them driving and being out and about, the concerns cover more territory. That's what I think.
My husband got downright angry when I told him what this neighbor wanted. Oh, and I forgot to add that she's willing to pay me $50/week. He really didn't appreciate that, being that money isn't the object, but respect for my time certainly is. I just don't know about some folks. They specialize in taking, but seem to not understand what they're really wanting from others. It's a self-centeredness that gets my goat everytime.
Well, this will work out. I've been told by my husband that I'm not to agree to anything. This thing could get way out of control. He said, "What does she think you do all day? And, besides, you homeschool. Has she not thought of that?" I love it when he plays the protector like that.
Don't mean to sound so horsey, but it's a bit puzzling. There has to be balance. I'm more than willing to lend a helping hand, but have to put my family first. The tough part is realizing that the neighbor doesn't have a family support system like I'm used to. They're very dysfunctional, and it spills over in how they do even the everyday things. But I won't go into that. This whole situation, and being involved in their home life has shown me just how sheltered and naive I can be. Folks are different, that's for sure.
What gets me is that it seems she has an odd view of what I do all day here. Am I twiddling my thumbs? Do I appear to have loads of free time? Am I going to regret ever saying I'd help her---but so help me, my intention wasn't to be that available. I've run into an attitude in young mothers, though, that might put it into better perspective. The thing is---some younger moms think that the older mothers have their routines down pat and have life settled good and orderly. That interruptions are almost welcome. Well, I'm here to tell them that nothing could be further from the truth. For some odd reason, I have less free time now, with the kids being older, than I had when they were tumbling around under my feet. Go figure out that one. I'm thinking that, for me, it's more of a mental exhaustion---the worries are greater, and with them driving and being out and about, the concerns cover more territory. That's what I think.
My husband got downright angry when I told him what this neighbor wanted. Oh, and I forgot to add that she's willing to pay me $50/week. He really didn't appreciate that, being that money isn't the object, but respect for my time certainly is. I just don't know about some folks. They specialize in taking, but seem to not understand what they're really wanting from others. It's a self-centeredness that gets my goat everytime.
Well, this will work out. I've been told by my husband that I'm not to agree to anything. This thing could get way out of control. He said, "What does she think you do all day? And, besides, you homeschool. Has she not thought of that?" I love it when he plays the protector like that.
Don't mean to sound so horsey, but it's a bit puzzling. There has to be balance. I'm more than willing to lend a helping hand, but have to put my family first. The tough part is realizing that the neighbor doesn't have a family support system like I'm used to. They're very dysfunctional, and it spills over in how they do even the everyday things. But I won't go into that. This whole situation, and being involved in their home life has shown me just how sheltered and naive I can be. Folks are different, that's for sure.
