Merry Christmas!
So grateful for this blogging community.
For all I learn from you. For the beauty of connection through this space on the internet over all these years.
Sending you some Christmas love with our virtual Christmas card.
And also best wishes that you can take some moments for stillness amidst the hustle-bustle of that comes on Christmas day, and that you can hear the whisperings of God’s love for you.
And remember that little Christ-child who came to save us all.
Love,
Shawni
XOXO
Beautiful card. Merry Christmas and thanks for your blogging.
Merry Christmas
Love seeing your Christmas card every year! I hope you had a very Merry Christmas, Pothiers!
Since you’re very interested in intentional parenting please be thoughtful about how you talk about mothering. Being a full time caregiver aka stay at home parent is hard, meaningful work for sure. I assume you meant by “full time mothering love” that Abby does not work for outside the home for money. That suggests that others are “part time mothering love” . I loving my kids, and am a mother , ALL the time including when I’m working for money to support my family. There are no “part-time” or “full time” mothers. Sounds like Abby may do the work being a full-time caregiver; but whatever work she chooses she’ll be Murphay’s mom all of the time. Just like I’m always a mom to my boys even when I’m working while they’re at school.
I’m super curious as to how their family survives on the one income of Max… who does what again?
Max is a computer programmer, and they are good savers from Abby’s job. I love that Max is such a saver now…this kid who couldn’t hold a dime in his pocket to save his soul when he was younger. Ha!
Thank you for sharing that thought, and yes absolutely no matter if you’re working or not, you are a full-time mother! I think we chose to write it that way on the card (hastily and just obviously not too intentionally), because Abby had a tough time trying to figure out if she wanted to continue working when she had Murphy. She loved her job and just wondered if she would be ok staying home with the baby all the time. It wasn’t an easy decision, but she chose to quit her job and has just taken to mothering so beautifully and has been so pleasantly surprised at how much she adores it and is so grateful to be able to be at home with Murphy. This obviously could change as Murphy grows, and is also definitely not the answer someone else may feel drawn to. Also definitely not the answer everyone has the luxury of choosing even if they do want to. Every “answer” a mother gets is equally as valid. Because, as you said, once a mother, always a full-time mother no matter what else you’re doing in life. And that is a pretty beautiful thing!
Sending you lots of love in your mothering journey!
XOXO
@Jenny also: Good point. I‘m also a full-time mother even though I‘m a full-time teacher as well..
… mother of four.
Sending love to you and those four, Petra!
XOXO
Love this! What a great intro to each of the kids!
Love you Mama!
xoxo
Can you all just be happy with your own choices or obligations? Max is a full time dad. That wasn’t mentioned at all. Doesn’t mean she does not think he is a dad full or part time. It is simply a catch up on what they are doing this year. Abby is full time with the baby this year. How on earth in 2023 is that a big deal that so many are feeling inadequate about not staying home or working instead?
I don’t think Jenny and Petra were talking about the choice at all. They just meant the wording.
Like you said, Max is a full time dad, even if it “only” is profession was mentioned. And Jenny and Petra mentioned the wording because of the contrast.
That Shawni meant no harm, is obvious (I’d say).
Merry Christmas to all! I love reading this blog (and eventing I learn from Shawni and readers)!
Thank you for sharing these thoughts, Kristine. I think the wording was just a little off, and it’s good to be able to make that clarification. You’re so right that yes, Max is a full-time dad as well, I just think Motherhood can be so emotional in this day and age. Working or not, it’s just sometimes tricky business to figure out how to maneuver the balance.
xoxo
I don’t think Jenny and Petra were talking about the choice at all. They just meant the wording.
Like you said, Max is a full time dad, even if it “only” is profession was mentioned. And Jenny and Petra mentioned the wording because of the contrast.
That Shawni meant no harm, is obvious (I’d say).
Merry Christmas to all! I love reading this blog (and eventing I learn from Shawni and readers)!
Thank you KerstinEK for this nice comment. I love the opportunity to discuss and thank you for giving the benefit of the doubt that I meant no harm.
Happy New Year to all!
xoxo
Thank you KerstinEK.
Love the card….we have a larger family too and would love to create something similar. Which program/resource did you use to create it?
Since she’s a graphic designer, Elle made it for me❤️