crazyforgoofy
Finally - Isabella's forever Mom! 9/08/05
- Joined
- May 11, 2002
- Messages
- 6,273
Originally posted by mtblujeans
I am not a perfect Mom and I don't know everything (just ask my teenagers) but I am as old as dirt (or at least feel like it) and I think (if I were in your situation) I would take this opportunity to tell her that sometimes, shift happens (as they say on SouthWest Airlines). She is old enough to understand a simple explanation about life. Neither she nor you can control other people, that is a simple one. But, you can also take the opportunity to make it clear to her that you will always try to be there for her.
As she gets older and sees the example you set for her: dependable, loving, supportive, dependableshe will figure some of this out for herself. Unfortunately, it is painful being a Mom - or parent, I should say - and the best thing you can do is love 'em silly and gently guide them toward a positive way at looking at life and its disappointments. Positive is really, really hard. But you do the best you can before you turn them loose.
I thank you for your advice and agree with what you're saying. We do, with her therapist's encouragment, tell her like it is. It's still hard to watch her keep on hoping. She knows she can't count on the promises her mommy makes but that doesn't mean it hurts her any less. But next week we go to Orlando and she gets to spend two glorious weeks with her half sister and her two cousins. Time with her sister is precious and to spend it having fun at Disney World should take her mind off other things.



